Ethan Toth / Staff Writer

The FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality and Management in association with the Women’s Hospitality Initiative has implemented a new, for credit, class, WHI’s “From the Classroom to the Boardroom: Leadership for Women in Hospitality.”
Women occupy less than seven percent of head chef positions across the U.S. The Women’s Hospitality Initiative seeks to change that.
Beginning in spring 2021, the course, taught by assistant professor Lisa Cain will teach students how to navigate their future in the hospitality and restaurant industry by teaching skills in as well as give skills in business entrepreneurship, such as networking and leadership.
The subject of leadership, especially, is one that the class intends to hammer home.
“The entire course is a leadership class presented through the lens of the case for women in leadership,” said Cain.
With the intention of giving women a leg up in the industry, said Cain, Cain said, “This course will be vital for students who wish to excel in the hospitality and tourism field, but also in any business environment.”
The course will also include a vast range of guest speakers that include Chef Lorena Garcia, CEO of Zoel Productions Joanna James, and the founder and CEO of the Sweet Butter Hospitality Group, Ernisha Randolph. More information on the speakers can be found here.
Speakers covered topics such as “Redefining the Kitchen Culture to Build Inclusion,” “A Conversation with the Producer of A Fine Line” and “Building a Team, Team Dynamics and Transitioning from Peer to Leader” respectively, among others.
“The lineup of women and men who are speaking in this class are remarkable, said Cain.
“Each guest speaker is dynamic and has an incredible back story. The entire lineup is one I think any leadership teacher would envy,” said Cain. “What I am most excited about is the diversity of leadership talent and experience within our guest speaker series. There is no doubt that every student in the class will be able to relate to many of the speakers.”
When asked about a dream lecturer to have in the future, said Cain, “Now, having the first female Vice President in US history makes this class more relevant than ever. If Kamala Harris came and spoke to our class, that would be pretty special.”
Cain spoke personally about what the class meant to her.
“As someone who is the product of a women’s college and who was fortunate enough to have incredible women support me throughout my life and career, “This is an opportunity for me to pay forward the invaluable lessons that I have learned and help offer young women the confidence and competence to thrive in the hospitality industry,” said Cain.