Champions of Diversity - Award Recipients - 2nd Quarter 2008

Campus Services
Kevin Madson - Director of Retail at Marshall University, Huntington, WV
Kevin built his diverse team by focusing on inclusion, and as a role model has successfully imparted Sodexo's values with our clients, employees and the community. He encourages open communication, makes learning about cultural differences fun by playing games such as “Word of the Day”, and rewards his employees for creating a team environment. This past year he opened up his office so the team can access the Language Conversion software he has on his computer. This software has helped break down language barriers, particularly for our employees whose native language is other than English. In addition, Kevin collaborated with the Marshall University Campus International Student Office to help overcome cultural barriers. The Mayor of the city recognized Kevin and his team for recruiting individuals with disabilities through vocational rehabilitation agencies such as the Mountain State Center for Independent Living and the West Virginia Vocational and Rehabilitation Center. We credit Kevin for creating a close team that truly cares about one another. In addition, positive customer satisfaction survey results showcase that their efforts are paying off with their customers and clients.

Corporate Services
Jeff Snook, Sr. Training Manager, Irving, TX
Jeff's personal diversity journey is benefiting so many Sodexho employees as well as the communities in which we serve. Jeff serves as WiNG's national secretary and is heavily involved in their outreach activities as he participates in a long list of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure fundraising events, and encourages others to do the same. Even when a team cannot be assembled, Jeff proudly dons his Sodexho shirt and walk alone for the cause. He recently joined the “Out and Equal” Dallas Fort Worth Chapter, an organization that works to create equity and safety in the workplace for GLBT individuals. By coordinating their local picnic in Dallas, Jeff provided GLBT youth a safe place to come together and network with one another. Based on his dedication, expertise and commitment, Out and Equal recently elected Jeff to serve on their Board. Jeff actively serves on Sodexo's Disabilities Taskforce, which was recently chartered as SOAR, Sodexho Organization of disAbilities Network Group. Jeff demonstrates the truly positive impact that one individual can make by remaining highly engaged and committed to creating a better way of life for people.

Education Facilities
Victor Tovar, General Manager & Staff - Maria Pacheco, Annie Rogers, Mel Solis - University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Victor Tovar and his team come to mind when you consider those who are making a difference at Sodexo. Their workforce is comprised of 138 custodians who are predominantly Hispanic, many of whom have language and educational barriers. They identified a root cause for the significant turnover they were experiencing, attributing it to the need for staff to experience respect and a genuine feeling of acceptance. Instead of looking the other way, they took the “bull by its horns”, and sought out solutions. Victor and team worked with the University to offer ESL classes, created a mentoring / on-boarding program connecting established and thriving employees with those just joining the organization, and identified resources for GED completion. Employees are now bilingual, have received their high school education equivalency, and have been accepted in the University's management and supervisory class for internal advancement. Victor and his staff hold an annual “Rodeo Olympics” that promotes competition, and awards, recognizes and honors the staff for their personal accomplishments. Victor and team have turned a challenge into an opportunity, and have significantly improved their employee retention rates in the process.

Government Services
Donna Pease, District Executive Chef, Camp LeJeune, NC
Donna works closely with ACE, Academy for Career Excellence located in Jasper Beaufort County, SC, a school that serves at risk students struggling to achieve their High School diploma. Donna conducts career fairs for ACE students, serves on a committee to raise funds needed to help the school remain open, and made a connection with the government that provided resources and equipment that ACE otherwise would not have had. Based on her efforts, Donna was recognized as their “Business Partner of the Year”. She also works closely with Goodwill Industries and Service Source, and coaches individuals who are developmentally disabled. It is clear that Donna is a Champion of Diversity as she works hard to help each person she comes in contact with achieve their potential.

School Services
Jody Baruth, Operations Manager, Forest Grove School District, Forest Grove, OR
In just one year, Jody has successfully bridged the gap between English and non-English speaking employees. Seeing the need, she utilized her college textbooks to create her own Spanish as a Second Language, “SSL” training for her English speaking employees. Not only did this afford her employees the opportunity to learn Spanish, but they also learned about the culture of their colleagues through these sessions. In addition, Jody offers computer classes and trains her staff in diversity and inclusion. She connects with her team members on a personal level, whether it's going to the hospital as support because of a death in an employee's family, or just making time to hear what challenges they are going through. By remaining flexible with schedules, Jody has successfully recruited individuals who otherwise would not have joined the organization, for example retirees and working mothers. She remains active in School District activities and events, honing relationships that support our “Clients for Life” philosophy. She goes out of her way to assist Spanish speaking parents and students transitioning into the district and those needing free/reduced applications. Jody espouses a true “spirit of diversity and inclusion”. She makes it her practice to “assume the positive”, an approach we can all learn from.

Senior Services
Racheal Palumbo, General Manager - Camden County Health Services Center, Blackwood, NJ
Racheal maintains a “hands on” management style and by doing so has successfully fostered an inclusive work environment. Racheal recently hired four individuals having cognitive learning disabilities through staff referrals. One employee had a job training coach, while the others were trained by Racheal and her staff. Their efforts to ensure our employees are equipped for success are being realized through encouragement, patience and strong communication skills. For example, Racheal was proud to share that one employee who was placed as a Dietary Aide was able to inform a co-worker of the exact policy on distributing snacks to the residents, where the snacks were stored, and how to date them properly. Another employee requires a great deal of prompting to express her thoughts, so Racheal and her staff ask leading questions and then take the time to allow her to express herself. As a result, Racheal's facility has four loyal and hard working co-workers who we expect will remain with us for years to come.

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