The Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF), an industry leadership development organization, in partnership with Brinker International announced that Lisa MacNeil, general manager of United Restaurant Supplies, a subsidiary of Gordon Food Service, is the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award.

The award was presented during the 2015 Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida.

The Volunteer of the Year Award is sponsored by Brinker International and is presented to a WFF volunteer who makes significant and sustainable contributions and enthusiastically pursues the goals and mission of WFF.

“Lisa’s scope of responsibility and investment of volunteer time in WFF is significantly greater than any other volunteer role due to the volunteer structure in Canada,” says Hattie Hill, WFF president and CEO. “She leads the planning and hosting of a variety of regional events on an annual basis.”

MacNeil has been engaged with WFF as a member since 2008, joining the volunteer ranks in 2009 as the first company ambassador for Gordon Food Service (GFS) Canada, stepping up to lead the Canadian Ambassadors group in 2011 for two years. She eventually took on the leadership role for all WFF events in 2014 and expanded Canadian events into markets beyond Toronto.

In 2012, MacNeil was promoted to General Manager of United Restaurants, a subsidiary of GFS. She is currently responsible for the P&L, strategy development and operations of a multi-million company.

Lisa also serves on the Executive Committee of WFF as vice chair of events, as well as a member of the Advisory Council for Humber College Hospitality Management Hotel & Restaurant Program and CEO Global.

“WFF played a big part in preparing me for this leadership opportunity,” says MacNeil. “I am grateful and most honored to receive the Volunteer of the Year Award.”