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Kelli Valade tapped to lead Women’s Foodservice Forum

Photo: WFF

February 13, 2026

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Kelli Valade, a veteran food industry executive with a resume spanning some of the nation's largest dining chains, has been tapped to lead the Women's Foodservice Forum. She succeeds Therese Gearhart, who announced her retirement plans last year.

Valade comes to the role after a career in the c-suite of major brands, most recently serving as CEO of Spartanburg, South Carolina-based Denny's Corp. Her previous leadership roles include CEO of Red Lobster, CEO of the analytics firm Black Box Intelligence, and president of Chili's Bar & Grill.

In her role, Valade will oversee WFF's professional staff and collaborate with industry executives to expand leadership pipelines. The appointment comes as foodservice companies face increasing operational complexity and a heightened focus on developing the next generation of management.

"Kelli is uniquely qualified to lead WFF at this pivotal time," Dawn Rasmussen, WFF Board chair and chief revenue officer at Woodland Gourmet, said in a company press release. "She brings a proven record of leadership, a deep understanding of our industry, and a long-standing commitment to WFF's mission."

Valade is a familiar face within the organization, having previously served as a board member and a frequent speaker at its leadership conferences.

"It is an honor to lead WFF — an organization that has played a significant role in my own professional journey," Valade said in the release. She added that she looks forward to working with the board to "strengthen our impact on individual careers and enhance the value WFF delivers to its supporting partner companies."

Founded in 1989, the Dallas-based nonprofit provides research, insights and development programs for professionals across the foodservice industry, including operators, manufacturers and distributors.

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