Meenakshi Gupta, Senior Service Line Manager, has been honored by the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) as a 2023 Change Maker. WFF, a more than 30-year partner  of Rich’s, works to accelerate the advancement of women leaders in the foodservice industry. WFF’s annual Change Makers program recognizes rising leaders who model inclusive leadership behaviors and support gender equity within their organizations, helping to build a strong pipeline of female leaders who are championing the growth of others in the industry.

Our Corporate Communications team recently sat down with Meenakshi to hear more about her professional journey, her advice to other women and how she feels about being named a 2023 WFF Change Maker.

Rich’s: Meenakshi, congratulations on being named Rich’s 2023 WFF Change Maker! What does it mean to have received this recognition?

I didn’t see it coming! Even though I’ve been with Rich’s for three years, I’m still learning the ropes and meeting new people. Amazingly, my efforts have been recognized in such a short time. It feels great to know that Rich’s values the work I have done here.

Rich’s: What led you to your current role as Senior Service Line Manager?

I joined Rich’s in February 2020. Four weeks later, the pandemic began. Although nervous, I began to network and connect with leaders across the organization virtually to share my experience and background. I immersed myself in Rich’s Associate Resource Groups and remained active through different events, which was a great way to connect with people from various departments and learn about Rich’s culture. 

During my first year at Rich’s, I was offered an opportunity with Demand Fulfillment in a managerial role leading a team of project managers. Fast forward to today and I was recently promoted to Senior Service Line Manager. In this role, I provide strategic technical support to Rich’s Demand Fulfillment/Supply Chain business and am responsible for transforming how we operate our supply chain through new technology and enhanced processes. This involves a mindset shift and behavior change on how we currently perform daily functions and find ways to drive efficiency.

Rich’s: You are one of the founding members of Kaleidoscope, Rich’s Associate Regroup Group that supports our associates of color. What has that experience been like? 

Being a part of building a team that brings awareness to diversity, equity and inclusion involves a tremendous amount of change. As a woman of color, it’s important for me to teach others about my culture and provide support to other people of color. When we started Kaleidoscope, we had so much support from everyone at Rich’s. People jumped on board without hesitation and believed in our mission of celebrating the unique backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures at Rich’s. Since its inception, we’ve been able to host global celebrations and educational events, as well as support the local community here in Buffalo.

Rich’s: What part of your career journey are you most proud of?   

I’ve always had the urge to try something new or different every few years. Each time I do, it’s rewarding because I help to enhance a process and find better ways to operate a team. My collective experiences, both past and present, complete my profile and enhance my understanding of end-to-end business.

Rich’s: What advice would you give the next generation of female leaders?
Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to be you. Don’t be intimidated by what others around you are doing. Authenticity is still the best way to change the dialogue about women of color in the workplace. Being a woman of color at work is synonymous with being uncomfortable. Our lack of representation can make it challenging for others to understand the struggles we may face. Getting used to uncomfortable and challenging environments is key to being innovative and a high performer.

For me, simply doing my job is never enough. I extend myself to learn more about different areas of the organization and how I can bring change, big or small, through networking, volunteering, contributing to Associate Resource Groups and looking for opportunities to give back by helping non-profit organizations connected to Rich’s. I encourage the next generation of female leaders to seek opportunities for themselves to learn and grow.

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Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trial.” While there is no clear path to motherhood, or a career, I have created my own trail to walk on. To help create that trail, I navigated a plan with many twists and turns. In my twenties, I laid out a 40-year-plan that included what I hoped to accomplish in life, both professional and personally. Putting words to paper seemed like a good way to manifest my goals at the time, and every few years I like to do a look-back on that early vision. By and large, it’s stood the test of time, which is of course as much about good luck as willpower.

When I revisit my list, I’m reminded of the many facets of success that are outside our control, and motherhood reminds me of that truth daily. Parenting requires a dedication and flexibility that can be challenging for anyone—even those with the best laid plans! However, I’m taking as many lessons as I can into my work as senior vice president for the foodservice division at Rich’s. Since becoming a mom, here are three I’ve learned (so far):

1.) Taking a pause can lead to progress.

Is the toddler in meltdown mode while the baby is simultaneously screaming? The struggle is real. Take a pause and allow yourself a moment of reset. When you’re feeling more centered, you are better set-up to lead others.

At work and at home, I’ve found pausing can offer clarity in times of stress or conflict. It gives space to be reflective and to look at a situation from different vantage points. My advice: create space for people to talk about their needs and their struggles without repercussions. Using the power of pause to dig into the other person’s experience is a chance to both empathize and be a better problem solver.

There are other types of pauses for leaders to consider and navigate for themselves and their reports, too. Whether it’s setting clear after-hours boundaries, taking the break of a vacation, the pause of parental leave or a longer departure to manage complicated family issues, we need to shift our thinking about caregivers who need time away.

A temporary departure from business, doesn’t have to be a setback. When we can do so—which I appreciate is a complex answer that depends on factors like finances, health, childcare access and more—we should be amenable to breaks that give us the time and space needed to recenter ourselves and retool our game plan. The space in-between can help bring our best work forward and lead to progress and better leadership.

2.) It takes a village.

I’m lucky to parent with a trusted partner. He has my back and when late nights on the job are needed or when plans change, we’re navigating the unexpected together. While we don’t have family nearby that can provide support (leading to the dreaded game of “not it” when a little one is sick and we’re both on deadline), we’re otherwise blessed to have built a community of helpers to support our professional pursuits. Because of that community, we can be better leaders and better parents. Their support allows us to be present in both roles.

In the workplace, leadership benefits from community, too. I’ve had very good mentors who coached, mentored and sponsored me during my time in Rich’s. Different functional leaders have invested in my learning—taking the time to really teach me—and thanks to their dedication and advocacy, my career has advanced. Seek out a workplace that prioritizes training and encourages face time with senior executives. Rich’s understands the value of both.

3.) Needs change. Accept the unknown and be a solution-seeker.

Becoming a parent means there’s a new boss in town— the work phone that once took up valuable nightstand real estate is replaced by a baby monitor. Our attention is divided, and little challenges or transitions can seem momentous, snowballing into a heap of worry about the unknown.

As I returned to my work travel schedule, I questioned how to get back on the road as a breastfeeding mama. The two priorities felt at deep odds. I was ecstatic to discover Rich’s offers associates access to Milk Stork, an overnight milk delivery service.

If you’re connected to a company that anticipates the needs of working parents like Rich’s does, that’s a built-in benefit, but it’s also a solution you can seek out independently. The same trouble-shooting approach we bring to our day jobs can be applied to parenting, and in a full-circle moment, the adaptability parenting requires can improve our work. When we accept that we don’t have all the answers, and we’re empowered to find solutions, our abilities as a leader grow.

More than a few years into that 40-year plan I mapped, life today is exactly as I imagined it, and nothing at all as I imagined it. That’s parenting. I have a career I love at an organization I’m proud to be part of a team I respect, a partner I cherish and a healthy family. What more could I ask for? Well… there are a few things I’d change about today’s supply chain issues, but that’s a post for another day.

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Our internal team recently sat down with Preetika to connect on her career journey, her advice to other women and her reaction to being named a 2022 WFF Change Maker.

Rich’s: Preetika, you’ve been named as a 2022 Women’s Foodservice Forum Change Maker. What does it mean to you to have received that recognition?

Preetika: I think I’m very humbled. To be honest, I’m getting a little emotional! The leaders, managers, teams, and mentors I have had throughout my career have contributed so much to the person I am and this recognition.

Rich’s: That’s okay to be emotional! A lot goes into this recognition; you have put in a lot of hard work to be where you are today. What advice would you share with other women in the food industry…or really any industry?

Preetika: The best advice I would offer is to speak up and advocate for your team and yourself. I would also say—it’s okay not to know 100% of the job. You will learn as you go along, provided you’re willing to put in the work and upskill yourself. Finally, don’t underestimate the power of strong teams and collaboration.

Rich’s: What led you to your current role as Senior Director of Manufacturing? 

Preetika: I had been at Rich’s since 2004 serving in a variety of roles when the Senior Director of Manufacturing opportunity presented itself in 2021. My first thought was, ‘I don’t know if I should apply…I’m not sure I qualify…am I ready to take the next step?’ My mentor pushed me to apply, making me think, ‘why not me?’ I applied, interviewed, and ultimately was offered the role…though I still wasn’t sure I should accept.

I called my manager, and he said, ‘I’m on my way to meet a customer. I only have five minutes.’ I spent four minutes and thirty seconds trying to convince him it was a bad idea for me to take the role. I was almost waiting for someone to say, ‘maybe you should wait.’ He listened very patiently, and then said three things to me I’ll never forget:

• You need to do this.
• It’s going to be fun.
• I’m not going to let you fail.

I know how fortunate I am to have always had managers at Rich’s who supported me 100%.

Rich’s: What has your experience been navigating through a global pandemic after taking on your new role? 

Preetika: It’s no secret supply chain disruption is real—we’ve been challenged with ingredients, labor, and more. But Rich’s as a company has come together to anticipate, collaborate, and create solutions so we continue to create value for our customers. And really, this is only possible if you have leaders as we do at Rich’s, who empower you to think out of the box!

Rich’s: What are some of the ways Rich’s has supported you in your career? 

Preetika: An example that comes to mind is when I wanted to start an analytics program. I needed funding to get it off the ground, and I went to our Chief Supply Chain Officer. He said, ‘Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure it out. You move forward with this, and we’ll make it happen—show us what you got.’

Rich’s allows me to be creative and innovative. This is something all our leaders really encourage. As a leader, I often reflect on the experiences I’ve benefited from and strive to bring those same experiences to my team.  

Rich’s: Thank you, Preetika! Enjoy the Women’s Foodservice Forum conference this month! 

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