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Nominations Open for the 2025 Restaurants Advance Leadership Awards

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation has officially opened the nomination period for the highly anticipated 2025 Restaurants Advance Leadership Awards. From now until June 30, individuals are invited to submit nominations that recognize the impactful contributions of leaders within the restaurant sector. This initiative aims to highlight the commitment of industry visionaries who are transforming communities through their innovative practices and exceptional leadership.

The Restaurants Advance Leadership Awards celebrate the vital role of restaurants in the fabric of American life. It honors the significant contributions made by professionals who not only excel in their operations but also genuinely improve the lives of those they serve, creating lasting positive impacts in their neighborhoods. This year's awards will feature four main nomination categories, each spotlighting distinct aspects of leadership within the industry:

1. Inclusion Innovator Award
This award will recognize individuals who exhibit outstanding leadership in cultivating cultural intelligence to enhance team dynamics and guest experiences, fostering community growth.

2. Community Champion Leadership Award (Presented by American Express)
This honor will go to restaurants demonstrating significant contributions to their communities, through charitable deeds, fundraising efforts, and volunteer activities, encapsulating professionalism and civic responsibility.

3. Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality Award (Presented by Ecolab)
Designed for industry leaders who exemplify commitment to community service and philanthropy, this award acknowledges those who elevate the restaurant industry's stature through extraordinary achievements.

4. My Journey Leadership Award (Presented by PepsiCo)
This award celebrates individuals who have not only excelled in their restaurant careers but have also positively influenced others' career paths while setting high standards in leadership and mentorship.

Rob Gifford, president of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, emphasized the importance of people in the restaurant industry, stating, "People are the heart and soul of the restaurant industry, magnifying its impact by investing in the people and communities we serve." This sentiment reflects the Foundation's mission to change lives through opportunities created in the restaurant sector.

For those unsure about how to proceed, the full details can be found on the Foundation’s official website, ChooseRestaurants.org/LeadershipAwards. Nominators can submit their candidacies in multiple categories, empowering individuals or organizations that deserve recognition. The nomination deadline is June 30 at midnight, and all winners will receive notification in August of the same year.

Additionally, for each individual winner, a $2,500 scholarship will be dedicated in their name, supporting future leaders in the restaurant industry.

In alignment with their philanthropic vision, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation focuses on enhancing training and educational initiatives for the restaurant workforce while fostering career development and community engagement through programs like ProStart®, which serves high school students, and various scholarship opportunities that usher in the next generation of foodservice talent.

This award program serves as a beacon of hope and recognition, aiming to inspire continued excellence and innovation across the restaurant landscape.

Join in this celebration of leadership and nominate a deserving individual today at ChooseRestaurants.org/LeadershipAwards.