DRA President Carrie Leishman named national foundation officer

The National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation recently announced the appointment of Carrie Leishman, president and CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association, as treasurer for the NRAEF board of directors. Leishman is positioned to become chair of the NRAEF board in 2026.

As the supporting philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the NRAEF mission includes enhancing the industry’s training and education, career development and community engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs work to attract, empower and advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice workforce. NRAEF programs include: ProStart, a high school career and technical education program; Restaurant Ready/HOPES, partnering with community-based organizations to provide people with skills training and job opportunities; and the Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Center, which runs accredited apprenticeship programs designed to build the careers of service professionals. Other goals include helping military service members transition their skills to restaurant and foodservice careers, and providing financial assistance through scholarships for students pursuing restaurant, foodservice and hospitality degrees.

“The restaurant industry has provided more than 60% of the adult workforce in this country with skills that have added to their value in the professional world. The NRAEF is dedicated to keeping those skills on the restaurant industry career ladder. I look forward to working with the board and trustees to develop the opportunity and support needed for today and tomorrow’s workforce,” said Rob Gifford, NRAEF president.

Leishman is a passionate and fearless advocate for the industry. She is credited with strengthening the DRA into one of the most influential business organizations in the state. The DRA created the first industry training for substance abuse awareness and prevention, and for this work, received recognition from the White House in 2018.

The DRA and DRF have excelled in partnerships with state agencies and grant funders to expand workforce development programs and provide industry pathways for all. Recent efforts include sector registered apprenticeship programs for youth and adults, and training programs for reentry and disability communities. Leishman grew up in upstate New York and graduated from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

For more information, go to restaurant.org.