Month: June 2024

In the #HowIGotHere series, you’ll read about the career paths of some of the world-renowned leaders at Yum! Brands. Learn more about Mary Gertz, Chief Food Safety & Quality Assurance Officer at Yum! Brands in this installment.

EDUCATION

Somerset Senior High School
Somerset, Wisconsin, United States
(1990– 1994)University of Wisconsin – River Falls
River Falls, Wisconsin, United States
Bachelor of Science, Food Science & Microbiology
(1994 – 1998)

If we were to interview your teachers, what would they say about you?

Mary was very determined and hard-working but talked a little too much!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a lawyer and envisioned myself as a star of Law & Order, presenting my winning argument in a courtroom. I wanted to simultaneously solve problems and win.

WORK

First Job: My cousin got me a job at a Mexican restaurant where I worked for seven years through high school and college. I started as a hostess and would walk too fast and lose customers on the way to their table. Then, I waitressed and eventually earned the coveted position of bartender on half-price margarita night. I was Margarita Mary! I don’t drink, but I can still make a mean margarita.

3M Microbiology Products, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
1998 – 1999: Lab TechnicianNSF International, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
1999 – 2002: Technical Manager, Food Safety Lab, FreshCheckNSF International, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
2006 – 2008: Technical Manager, Retail Food Safety ProgramsTarget Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
2008 – 2009: Program Lead, Food Safety & Quality Assurance
2009 – 2010: Manager, Retail Food Safety & Quality Assurance Standards
2010 – 2014: Senior Group Manager, Food OperationsKFC U.S., Louisville, Kentucky, United States
2014 – 2018: Director, Food Safety & Quality AssuranceYum! Brands, Plano, Texas, United States
2018 – 2020: Senior Director, Food Safety & Quality Assurance
2020 – present: Chief Food Safety & Quality Assurance Officer

Do you believe in work/life balance?

I believe it’s more of a sliding scale throughout your career. There were times when I was building my career that things were out of balance, and the scale tipped towards work. The most difficult time is when you’re building your family and your career at the same time. I was a single mom for 10 years and had very little time to think about balance. However, I think it’s been important for my daughters to see the work it takes to build a career and support a family. As I’ve matured in my career, I’ve been able to be much more disciplined in protecting time for myself and my family.

One thing I tell people early on is decide your non-negotiables and hold to them. For example, I never miss a birthday, anniversary or first day of school…EVER. I block out my calendar a year in advance to ensure I’m there. For myself, fitness has been an important part of balance that I schedule into my day even when I’m traveling. Getting a daily workout helps me feel stronger, mentally clear and positive. It is often the unlock I need when struggling with a particularly challenging issue. As a leader, it is crucial that I set an example for my team that encourages balance and overall wellbeing.

What moments, or who, in your life influenced the way you work?

My Father: He was never afraid to take chances and bet on himself, his ability and his willingness to work hard. With six children, he quit his job and started his own business that is still operating over 45 years and six additional children later. He was an incredible communicator and understood the value of relationships and personal and business integrity. He was also a lifelong learner. He was always reading, studying and mastering new skills.

Learning from Failures: Because there were 12 children in my family, my parents allowed us to fail small as a means of learning. Whenever I made a mistake, like getting my first speeding ticket, I was never berated. My dad would famously say, “I bet you won’t do that again.” From as young as 8 years old, I was given autonomy in tasks like cooking. Once, armed with a chocolate chip cookie recipe and kitchen tools, my first attempt wasn’t perfect. My mom helped me walk through what had gone wrong and how to fix it. After that first time, I didn’t fear the failure and realized it was making me better. This upbringing taught me to embrace failure as a crucial part of growth, building confidence through learning the hard way.

What do people think you do versus what you actually do?

When my daughters were young and I was traveling frequently, people thought I was a flight attendant as they were told, “My mom is gone working on an airplane.” As teenagers, they were convinced I taste-tested food all day and got to eat all the “good stuff.”

My career has always been in food safety, which involves working with great brands to develop and implement strategies around the handling, preparation and storage of food to prevent foodborne illness. In truth, most people have never even heard of food science and don’t often think about how their food is developed, manufactured or kept safe. There’s a lot of opportunity to market food science as an incredible discipline that leads to great careers. People will always eat, and that food will always need to be safe.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve been given?

Make a decision and then make it work. Don’t look back; that’s not the direction you’re going.

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

I used to be driven by solving problems or personal accomplishments. Today, it’s in watching others achieve their breakthroughs, whether it’s my daughters or my team at work.

Most recently, seeing my oldest daughter’s personal growth from her semester abroad has my heart overflowing. I love that she has expanded her view of the world. She’s gained confidence, empathy and great problem-solving skills by being 5,000 miles away from her mom.

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

To be happy or successful at any point in your career, you must not only have passion for what you do but a sincere belief in the importance of the work you are doing. Working hard for something you believe contributes to people’s lives in a positive way makes it much easier when you need to sacrifice or ask your family to sacrifice. There is no room for mediocrity in work that matters to people’s well-being.

In the #HowIGotHere series, you’ll read about the career paths of some of the world-renowned leaders at Yum! Brands. Learn more about Mary Gertz, Chief Food Safety & Quality Assurance Officer at Yum! Brands in this installment.

EDUCATION

Somerset Senior High School
Somerset, Wisconsin, United States
(1990– 1994)University of Wisconsin – River Falls
River Falls, Wisconsin, United States
Bachelor of Science, Food Science & Microbiology
(1994 – 1998)

If we were to interview your teachers, what would they say about you?

Mary was very determined and hard-working but talked a little too much!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a lawyer and envisioned myself as a star of Law & Order, presenting my winning argument in a courtroom. I wanted to simultaneously solve problems and win.

WORK

First Job: My cousin got me a job at a Mexican restaurant where I worked for seven years through high school and college. I started as a hostess and would walk too fast and lose customers on the way to their table. Then, I waitressed and eventually earned the coveted position of bartender on half-price margarita night. I was Margarita Mary! I don’t drink, but I can still make a mean margarita.

3M Microbiology Products, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
1998 – 1999: Lab TechnicianNSF International, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
1999 – 2002: Technical Manager, Food Safety Lab, FreshCheckNSF International, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
2006 – 2008: Technical Manager, Retail Food Safety ProgramsTarget Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
2008 – 2009: Program Lead, Food Safety & Quality Assurance
2009 – 2010: Manager, Retail Food Safety & Quality Assurance Standards
2010 – 2014: Senior Group Manager, Food OperationsKFC U.S., Louisville, Kentucky, United States
2014 – 2018: Director, Food Safety & Quality AssuranceYum! Brands, Plano, Texas, United States
2018 – 2020: Senior Director, Food Safety & Quality Assurance
2020 – present: Chief Food Safety & Quality Assurance Officer

Do you believe in work/life balance?

I believe it’s more of a sliding scale throughout your career. There were times when I was building my career that things were out of balance, and the scale tipped towards work. The most difficult time is when you’re building your family and your career at the same time. I was a single mom for 10 years and had very little time to think about balance. However, I think it’s been important for my daughters to see the work it takes to build a career and support a family. As I’ve matured in my career, I’ve been able to be much more disciplined in protecting time for myself and my family.

One thing I tell people early on is decide your non-negotiables and hold to them. For example, I never miss a birthday, anniversary or first day of school…EVER. I block out my calendar a year in advance to ensure I’m there. For myself, fitness has been an important part of balance that I schedule into my day even when I’m traveling. Getting a daily workout helps me feel stronger, mentally clear and positive. It is often the unlock I need when struggling with a particularly challenging issue. As a leader, it is crucial that I set an example for my team that encourages balance and overall wellbeing.

What moments, or who, in your life influenced the way you work?

My Father: He was never afraid to take chances and bet on himself, his ability and his willingness to work hard. With six children, he quit his job and started his own business that is still operating over 45 years and six additional children later. He was an incredible communicator and understood the value of relationships and personal and business integrity. He was also a lifelong learner. He was always reading, studying and mastering new skills.

Learning from Failures: Because there were 12 children in my family, my parents allowed us to fail small as a means of learning. Whenever I made a mistake, like getting my first speeding ticket, I was never berated. My dad would famously say, “I bet you won’t do that again.” From as young as 8 years old, I was given autonomy in tasks like cooking. Once, armed with a chocolate chip cookie recipe and kitchen tools, my first attempt wasn’t perfect. My mom helped me walk through what had gone wrong and how to fix it. After that first time, I didn’t fear the failure and realized it was making me better. This upbringing taught me to embrace failure as a crucial part of growth, building confidence through learning the hard way.

What do people think you do versus what you actually do?

When my daughters were young and I was traveling frequently, people thought I was a flight attendant as they were told, “My mom is gone working on an airplane.” As teenagers, they were convinced I taste-tested food all day and got to eat all the “good stuff.”

My career has always been in food safety, which involves working with great brands to develop and implement strategies around the handling, preparation and storage of food to prevent foodborne illness. In truth, most people have never even heard of food science and don’t often think about how their food is developed, manufactured or kept safe. There’s a lot of opportunity to market food science as an incredible discipline that leads to great careers. People will always eat, and that food will always need to be safe.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve been given?

Make a decision and then make it work. Don’t look back; that’s not the direction you’re going.

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

I used to be driven by solving problems or personal accomplishments. Today, it’s in watching others achieve their breakthroughs, whether it’s my daughters or my team at work.

Most recently, seeing my oldest daughter’s personal growth from her semester abroad has my heart overflowing. I love that she has expanded her view of the world. She’s gained confidence, empathy and great problem-solving skills by being 5,000 miles away from her mom.

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

To be happy or successful at any point in your career, you must not only have passion for what you do but a sincere belief in the importance of the work you are doing. Working hard for something you believe contributes to people’s lives in a positive way makes it much easier when you need to sacrifice or ask your family to sacrifice. There is no room for mediocrity in work that matters to people’s well-being.

Las Vegas Sands

National Hispanic Institute’s first Sands-sponsored Las Vegas graduates were recognized at a celebratory dinner honoring their journeys in the high school leadership development program, which cultivates future community leaders by fostering skills in communication, community advocacy and policy-making. The program also prepares participants for success in higher education.

Three years ago, NHI re-established its presence in Las Vegas through seed funding and support from Sands Cares. The graduating class of 2024 represents the first group to have completed NHI’s programming, with many of the graduates beginning their participation as sophomores while others joined in their junior and senior years. These 10 graduating seniors have gained new skillsets and inspiring experiences thanks to their time with NHI.

NHI’s transformative leadership development curriculum includes a series of three immersive and progressive programs that prepare students to engage in community life with an asset-based perspective, organizational skills and leadership experience. Their work in each program level culminates in leadership development events held on college campuses during the summer.

As graduating seniors prepare for the next steps in their education, a few of NHI’s first Las Vegas graduates reflected on how participating in NHI’s programs impacted their development.

Isalia Minnalez
Minnalez plans to attend Boston College in the fall and said NHI’s programs broadened her world view and sense of community.

“NHI opened my eyes to people’s different backgrounds and experiences, and it made me more appreciative of my circumstances,” Minnalez said. “It also helped me realize you have more community than you think you do. You learn that you share the same ethnicity, language and values with so many people from so many places, and it makes you appreciate the community you have.

“What also stuck out to me was the aspect of thinking outside the box. You learn to use asset-based thinking, instead of deficit-based thinking. It teaches you to look at what you have and what you can build on. Having so many intelligent kids from all walks of life come together for these programs, driven to improve the Latinx community, is truly inspiring.”

Madison Messner
Messner will attend the University of Pennsylvania and appreciated that NHI helped her learn how to connect with people in a deeper, more authentic way.

“NHI helps you be more of an empathetic person and makes you look beyond what a person initially says,” Messner reflected. “NHI taught me how to really take a step back and talk to people to get to know them, and really interact with them.

“You need to dig deeper than just face value. You meet so many people from different backgrounds, and learning how to take a step out of your own bubble and shell to really understand and connect with people is really the best gift NHI has given me.”

Jason Resendiz
Resendiz, who plans to attend UNLV, said the opportunity for personal growth was a key benefit of his participation in NHI.

“I really think NHI brings you a lot of social maturity – it’s a lot of high school kids in a new environment on university campuses,” he said. “We gained a lot of maturity from it and [could] really see what we’re capable of and how we can take these skills we learned into our life.

“A big takeaway for me was realizing what you’re capable of and how easy it is to grow and learn and achieve greatness. Being with 100 kids who you don’t know… but we came together as a family and community. It also taught me to look out for myself – that was the biggest achievement for me. If you’re unable to help yourself, you can’t help others as much as you want.”

Orethia Parks
Parks plans to attend Case Western Reserve University on a full scholarship to pursue a nursing degree and said the confidence she gained in NHI was pivotal.

“The main takeaway I believe I got from all of my NHI experiences is that I am worthy,” Parks said. “Before joining NHI and even for a good time afterward, I believed that I didn’t have any unique or redeeming qualities or experiences to set me apart from the crowd. I didn’t think I could achieve anything extraordinary because of those negative thoughts.

“For anyone else who has similar thoughts to the old me, I want you to proceed with this mindset: do not be the one who tells yourself no; let others tell you no.”

College Preparation and More
NHI’s first Las Vegas graduates also shared how NHI supported them in the college application process and defining their areas of study.

NHI’s programming helps rising seniors focus on college application fundamentals such as reflecting the best versions of themselves in their college essays and interviews and using self-inquiry to develop solid plans for the future. The results of this concentrated work during the summer months aided their college admissions process and helped create strong results for their college destinations.

Each of the students found inspiration for shaping their college paths and strengthening their college applications through NHI.

“I knew I wanted to major in biology and conservation because I want to be a veterinarian, but through my time in NHI, I found I’m really passionate about Latin studies, Spanish and social justice,” Messner said. “So that’s something I’m going to minor in. It’s also going to impact what clubs I join and how I spend my time.”

NHI also helped Resendiz and Minnalez plan their futures.

“I always knew I wanted to help people and help them figure out things about themselves,” he said. “But it wasn’t until I went through these programs that I realized I wanted to go into law. Talking with my education advisor at NHI really helped me figure this out, and she opened my eyes to new possibilities. After the program, I became very open to thinking that I could do this, and work to achieve my goals and strive for greatness.”

Minnalez originally planned to study environmental science, but her NHI experience sparked an interest in humanitarian areas and helping people improve their quality of life.

“Now, I’m going to major in human-centered engineering, which aims to improve people’s lives through engineering, to make sure what you’re doing is the best fit for the people around you, and not damage the environment,” she said. “Being in NHI also made me realize how privileged we are to live where we do and how much help people need. I want to continue that in my career and my life.”

Sands’ partnership with the National Hispanic Institute is part of the company’s priority on building the workforce of the future through support for mentorship and youth development programs. To learn more about the company’s commitment to advancing education through Sands Cares initiatives, read the latest environmental, social and governance report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/

Las Vegas Sands

National Hispanic Institute’s first Sands-sponsored Las Vegas graduates were recognized at a celebratory dinner honoring their journeys in the high school leadership development program, which cultivates future community leaders by fostering skills in communication, community advocacy and policy-making. The program also prepares participants for success in higher education.

Three years ago, NHI re-established its presence in Las Vegas through seed funding and support from Sands Cares. The graduating class of 2024 represents the first group to have completed NHI’s programming, with many of the graduates beginning their participation as sophomores while others joined in their junior and senior years. These 10 graduating seniors have gained new skillsets and inspiring experiences thanks to their time with NHI.

NHI’s transformative leadership development curriculum includes a series of three immersive and progressive programs that prepare students to engage in community life with an asset-based perspective, organizational skills and leadership experience. Their work in each program level culminates in leadership development events held on college campuses during the summer.

As graduating seniors prepare for the next steps in their education, a few of NHI’s first Las Vegas graduates reflected on how participating in NHI’s programs impacted their development.

Isalia Minnalez
Minnalez plans to attend Boston College in the fall and said NHI’s programs broadened her world view and sense of community.

“NHI opened my eyes to people’s different backgrounds and experiences, and it made me more appreciative of my circumstances,” Minnalez said. “It also helped me realize you have more community than you think you do. You learn that you share the same ethnicity, language and values with so many people from so many places, and it makes you appreciate the community you have.

“What also stuck out to me was the aspect of thinking outside the box. You learn to use asset-based thinking, instead of deficit-based thinking. It teaches you to look at what you have and what you can build on. Having so many intelligent kids from all walks of life come together for these programs, driven to improve the Latinx community, is truly inspiring.”

Madison Messner
Messner will attend the University of Pennsylvania and appreciated that NHI helped her learn how to connect with people in a deeper, more authentic way.

“NHI helps you be more of an empathetic person and makes you look beyond what a person initially says,” Messner reflected. “NHI taught me how to really take a step back and talk to people to get to know them, and really interact with them.

“You need to dig deeper than just face value. You meet so many people from different backgrounds, and learning how to take a step out of your own bubble and shell to really understand and connect with people is really the best gift NHI has given me.”

Jason Resendiz
Resendiz, who plans to attend UNLV, said the opportunity for personal growth was a key benefit of his participation in NHI.

“I really think NHI brings you a lot of social maturity – it’s a lot of high school kids in a new environment on university campuses,” he said. “We gained a lot of maturity from it and [could] really see what we’re capable of and how we can take these skills we learned into our life.

“A big takeaway for me was realizing what you’re capable of and how easy it is to grow and learn and achieve greatness. Being with 100 kids who you don’t know… but we came together as a family and community. It also taught me to look out for myself – that was the biggest achievement for me. If you’re unable to help yourself, you can’t help others as much as you want.”

Orethia Parks
Parks plans to attend Case Western Reserve University on a full scholarship to pursue a nursing degree and said the confidence she gained in NHI was pivotal.

“The main takeaway I believe I got from all of my NHI experiences is that I am worthy,” Parks said. “Before joining NHI and even for a good time afterward, I believed that I didn’t have any unique or redeeming qualities or experiences to set me apart from the crowd. I didn’t think I could achieve anything extraordinary because of those negative thoughts.

“For anyone else who has similar thoughts to the old me, I want you to proceed with this mindset: do not be the one who tells yourself no; let others tell you no.”

College Preparation and More
NHI’s first Las Vegas graduates also shared how NHI supported them in the college application process and defining their areas of study.

NHI’s programming helps rising seniors focus on college application fundamentals such as reflecting the best versions of themselves in their college essays and interviews and using self-inquiry to develop solid plans for the future. The results of this concentrated work during the summer months aided their college admissions process and helped create strong results for their college destinations.

Each of the students found inspiration for shaping their college paths and strengthening their college applications through NHI.

“I knew I wanted to major in biology and conservation because I want to be a veterinarian, but through my time in NHI, I found I’m really passionate about Latin studies, Spanish and social justice,” Messner said. “So that’s something I’m going to minor in. It’s also going to impact what clubs I join and how I spend my time.”

NHI also helped Resendiz and Minnalez plan their futures.

“I always knew I wanted to help people and help them figure out things about themselves,” he said. “But it wasn’t until I went through these programs that I realized I wanted to go into law. Talking with my education advisor at NHI really helped me figure this out, and she opened my eyes to new possibilities. After the program, I became very open to thinking that I could do this, and work to achieve my goals and strive for greatness.”

Minnalez originally planned to study environmental science, but her NHI experience sparked an interest in humanitarian areas and helping people improve their quality of life.

“Now, I’m going to major in human-centered engineering, which aims to improve people’s lives through engineering, to make sure what you’re doing is the best fit for the people around you, and not damage the environment,” she said. “Being in NHI also made me realize how privileged we are to live where we do and how much help people need. I want to continue that in my career and my life.”

Sands’ partnership with the National Hispanic Institute is part of the company’s priority on building the workforce of the future through support for mentorship and youth development programs. To learn more about the company’s commitment to advancing education through Sands Cares initiatives, read the latest environmental, social and governance report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/