Aladdin’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) program inspires team members and guests to be a Better You! Led by the Aladdin DE&I Leadership Council, a team of individuals who help to market and educate on the importance of inclusion, the program is gaining in popularity as Aladdin routinely celebrates DE&I moments!
According to Aladdin Director of Marketing and DE&I Leadership Liasion Trent Krupica,
“Our DE&I program promotes all cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds, holidays, celebrations and just as important, food! We also encourage team members to share their personal stories and traditions so we can learn and incorporate them into our dining programs so that all employees, clients and guests feel they are celebrated –which enhances their overall dining experience!”
DE&I dining events are also shared with other Aladdin-managed schools so that culinary teams can learn from each other in an effort to help further showcase our culture of inclusion! Events recently recognized included PRIDE celebrations, Juneteenth, and other holidays!
Aladdin’s DE&I Leadership Council team members were nominated to this newly formed team to help articulate and design marketing tools, support DE&I opportunities and special events, as well as introduce culturally-inspired food to the plates of our guests! Members who meet monthly, were selected based on their participation and dedication to diversity, community efforts and overall focus on creating a culture that is inclusive of all individuals!
Meet the proud members of our DE&I Leadership Council…!
Rachel Carpentier, Aladdin Senior Accountant from St. Paul, MN volunteers for a local social service agency helping out with their “Come as You Are” program that provides a fun evening out for developmentally disabled adults.
She’s also part of the “Milk and Eggs” program at the Hallie Q Brown Community Center – the program provides milk and eggs to impoverished families that can’t afford them on their own. “I’m a firm believer that every human deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I’m happy to do my part to help facilitate change and make a difference where ever and whenever I can,” says Rachel.
Crystal Wade, Assistant Director of Dining Services at Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA
is eager to explore and be a part of the different ways that Aladdin incorporates diversity and inclusion into the working environments at her location, as well as in other schools that Aladdin manages.
“My goal is to learn from others and share some of my own ideas on how to make all people feel welcomed when entering dining services as an employee, patron in our dining hall, or client. Previously I worked with youth/ adults with disabilities and at-risk youth assisting them with life skills and job searches. I hope to become a difference maker by getting involved and bridging gaps to create a better working environment for all people regardless of race, social status, and/ or disability,” says Crystal.
Ali Evans is our Director of Nutrition for both Aladdin and Lexington.
She wanted to be a part of DE&I to support equity and help shape an environment of inclusion. “As a leader, I believe that I have an increased responsibility to cultivate an inclusive culture that allows employees to be their full selves at work,” she says.
Ali was part of a cross-segment team that explored and laid the groundwork for DE&I within Elior North America. She was excited to share some of that knowledge and information that helps shape and support policies to improve diversity, inclusion, and equity within our organization.
Ali also volunteers with St. Croix Trail Blazers, a horseback riding program for people with various physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral disabilities.
ASIF SARKAR, Catering/Retail Sous Chef, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO), along with his team, created a Taste of Nations event through their catering segment at UWO.
According to Chef Asif, “This is a collaborative event with my culinary catering team and the UWO community, along with great help from our District Manager Steven Godard, and Catering Director Monica Cisler.” This event involves selecting one country or region to showcase and presenting that country’s food culture to the UWO community. Students create food and cultural presentations to show during the event, while Chef Asif describes the menu! Featured countries included: Germany, China, and Africa, to name a few. “Being a Chef in this hospitality sector, I strongly believe in bringing back the comfort, homemade food to our diverse student community. I always try to create a diverse menu at our dining area as well come up with different LTO (limited time offer) special day foods. I hope to present our Taste of Nation events to all our Elior segments in support of the DE&I mission,” says Chef Asif.
