Champions of Diversity Award FY'09 - 2nd Quarter Award Recipients

Corporate
Cassandra D. Caldwell, Ph.D., CDR, Director, College and Strategic Relations Talent Acquisition
Cassandra recently founded a community based organization called the “International Society for Diversity and Inclusion Professionals”, a global forum for practitioners, scholars, and consultants. She is serving as a positive role model by serving on panels, conducting workshops and mentoring eight minority high school and college students across the nation.

Cassandra created the Sodexo “STAR” (Strengthening Talent Acquisition Relationships) Faculty Program comprised of deans and faculty from eleven top hospitality programs nationally designed to facilitate “think tank” discussions on recruitment trends affecting college students, faculty, and alumni. Under Cassandra's leadership and in collaboration with Sodexo's Diversity “HIRE” (Hiring Implementation Recruitment & Engagement) Team, a focused diversity sourcing strategy to enhance the pipeline for Hispanic and Asian candidates has been implemented. Cassandra's efforts are paying off through the expanded diversity recruitment and marketing strategy that is being implemented nationally.

Since Cassandra has been in her role, college hires have increased by 230% and our company-wide commitment to interns has increased by 450%. Cassandra participates on both the Cross Market Diversity Council and Diversity Leadership Team.


Campus Services
Ruth Gnagi, District Manager, Campus Central
Ruth leverages diversity and inclusion both internally as well as externally. She serves as regional coordinator for both SOL and WING, and is a member of a number of other Network Groups. This past July Ruth held a PRIDE kickoff meeting and participated in the PRIDE parade. Through her significant Cross-Network Group involvement and leadership in Northern Texas and Oklahoma, Ruth is clearly fostering cross-divisional synergies. By sharing best practices regarding our diversity efforts, Ruth is also nurturing client relationships. Her involvement in the community spans the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma Tribal Indian Nations where she is exploring recruitment opportunities via internship and “Managers in Training” programs, and remains involved in a number of charitable causes. Ruth is consistently recognized as a leader and champion of diversity.

Corporate Services
Dave Pomponio, Area GM, Nortel, Richardson, TX
Dave has incorporated three objectives - to lead by example, treat others with respect and have fun! With his winning personality, Dave focuses on building relationships with many diverse groups within Sodexo and throughout the community. As an active WiNG member, Dave (with the help of his team) raised $29,000 for the fight against breast cancer by selling specialty cookies, hosting a wine tasting and silent auction and participated in the Susan G. Komen three day walk in Dallas. Dave is an integral team member and Nortel partner, as he serves on three diversity teams including the Asian, Hispanic and African American Business Council. He educates his associates and customers on diverse food cultures by posting information in kiosks, providing assorted cultural cuisines and facilitating diversity focus groups. “It makes them proud of their background and heritage”, says Dave. He has also assisted with the promotion of an Indian cookbook, Eastern Indian Home Cooking. Mr. Pomponio's activities don't stop at the unit as he works alongside the Independent School District in his area to assist with low-income, multi-ethnic families. Dave coordinates several programs such as Meals on Wheels, nursing home ministries, and respite programs for children who have autism and other disabilities. Dave participated on a mission trip in Mexico where he supplied food, and helped build schools, medical facilities and homes. Dave believes success in diversity comes from “Seeing the good that can come from being INVOLVED”.

Education Facilities
James Birchall, General Manager, Aurora University, Aurora, IL
The results of ESL classes that Jim has coordinated at Aurora University are already evident as native Spanish speakers are leveraging this opportunity. Jim also has plans in place to offer Spanish classes to English speaking employees in the near future. Through these efforts, communication and cross-cultural awareness is being raised, the team is collaborating and thriving, and they are serving their client even better. Employees are being granted the opportunity to realize and fulfill their potential at Sodexo and even in their personal lives as Jim fosters an environment where team members feel respected, understood, and appreciated. The client and students are offering positive feedback concerning the team's efforts and for these accomplishments, they were recently featured in the campus paper.

Government Services
Armando Regalado-Ruiz, General Manager, Starbucks, Marine Corps
Armando's efforts focus on the youth in his community. He is involved in the Washington state "Community for Youth" program whose focus is helping multi-cultural, low income high school students build character as volunteers mentor them with school work and help prepare them for applying to college. Through this organization's efforts, high school graduation rates have increased for their target population from 60% to 97%! Armando is also one of the youngest board members on his city's neighborhood association and in this capacity has helped obtain two grants totaling $35,000 to rebuild city parks for area youth. Most recently Armando collected 200 pounds of coffee at his unit to be sent to our troops overseas with a hand signed note from the donator. Armando and his diverse team worked together towards this common goal as they made a difference to the men and women fighting abroad.

Healthcare Services
Dawn Willis, General Manager, Environmental Services at Clarian Arnett Hospital, Lafayette, IN
Dawn & her team promote Diversity Awareness in the Environmental Services department at Clarian Arnett Hospital through monthly celebrations that recognize diversity and raise awareness through education and celebrations. Monthly features include “Housekeeper of the Month” displays and huddles. The “Housekeeper of the Month” shares information about their background, customs and traditions, as well as favorite foods, hobbies and family photos. Each month Dawn and her team display books, art, and information about the month being celebrated. Monthly huddles bring together team members and clients including Hospital President and CEO, Dr. Mike Skehan as they celebrate through information and food. The team particularly enjoyed celebrating the Chinese New Year on January 23rd.

School Services
Cathy Rocco and the School Services East Team (Team - Frances DeRuiter, Carol Harnois, Gail Dubois, Ellen Shalvey, Mike Breese, Donna Laramee, Donna Walker, Joanne Cafarelli, Martin Cafarelli, Lisa Wunchel, Pam Young, Kerry Kunze, Lynne Conca, Eleanor Archambault, Denise Zolla, Lori Richard, Marilyn Gallucci, Solange Morrissette, Karen Bailargeon, Colleen Surette, Tara Charette, Lynne Durand, Lucy Clark, Lecia Robinson, Lynne Roy, Richard Lesso, Judy Hall)
For the second consecutive year, School Services team headed by Cathy Rocco spearheaded the Walk to Cure Diabetes in Providence, Rhode Island, engaging a cross-divisional group to gain community support and raise funds for the Cure. Collectively this team raised over $9,000, reinforcing what can be accomplished through cross-divisional synergies, as we share values and help brand Sodexo as a company that 'makes every day a better day'. 

View our previous Champions of Diversity award recipients:
1st Quarter 2009 | 2nd Quarter 2009 | 3rd Quarter 2009
1st Quarter 2008 | 2nd Quarter 2008 | 3rd Quarter 2008 | 4th Quarter 2008