Alumna honored with WFF Trailblazer award

The Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF), the industry's premier leadership development organization, has honored Lorna C. Donatone (BSM ’80), COO and education market president at Sodexo, with the 2015 Fritzi Pikes Woods Trailblazer Award. The award recognizes individuals dedicated to improving gender diversity in the foodservice industry.

A member of the Business School Council, Donatone is a founding member of SWIFT (Sodexo’s Women’s International Forum for Talent). Under Donatone’s leadership, Sodexo Education has established a strong record for promoting women across its ranks.

“Lorna’s outstanding efforts to promote gender diversity have had a meaningful impact on the number of women serving in leadership roles at Sodexo,” said Ira Solomon, dean of the Freeman School. “She embodies the values we endeavor to instill in students, and we are fortunate to benefit from her insight and leadership on Business School Council.”

A board member of the National Restaurant Association since 2005, Donatone currently serves as vice chair and trustee of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. She is  past chair of the board of directors of the Women’s Foodservice Forum and is a member of the board of trustees for the Culinary Institute of America. Donatone previously served on the board of Entertainment Cruises and was most recently elected to the board of Jamba Juice Inc.

A member of the Sodexo North America Executive Committee, Donatone has served as president of Sodexo Education since 2010. She joined Sodexo North America in 1999 and has held several key roles in the company, including president of School Services in 2007 and president of Spirit Cruises in 2002. Donatone began her career with Deloitte & Touche in Dallas and has also worked in the airline, banking and high-tech industries.