Attracting, Retaining and Developing women of WORTH

Joanna Jagger, founder of WORTH Association will explore the myths, facts and figures surrounding Canadian women in culinary. She will challenge participants to question if they’ve created a gender inclusive workplace and what more can be done. Through stories, audits, and relevant data, she will demonstrate opportunities to level the playing field. This session includes interactive elements designed to test participants and challenge stereotypes. For decades, women have been told they “belong in the kitchen”, but the industry isn’t working to promote the notion of belonging so we’re losing talent. In this session, we will discuss how attracting, retaining and developing women cooks and chefs is a collective responsibility.

Joanna Jagger, WORTH Association

Joanna Jagger is passionate about educating future leaders and moving the dial for gender equity. She is the President and founder of WORTH Association, where she advocates to ensure a more equal future for women in industry leadership. Joanna is an instructor and researcher in the School of Tourism Management at Capilano University.

She started her hospitality career as a cook, where she spent seven years in various roles, often as the only woman on the line. Joanna was fortunate to visit international and regional destinations to compete in culinary competitions before moving to the front of house. She held leadership roles in sales, catering and human resources at top brands including Marriott, Shangri-La, Sequoia Company of Restaurants and Joe Fortes Seafood and Chophouse. A Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), she provides HR solutions through her consulting practice, Adanac HR Services. Joanna has a Provincial Instructor’s Diploma from VCC and a Masters in Leadership from Royal Roads University.

Women of Restaurant, Tourism, and Hospitality Association 

Incorporated in 2018, WORTH Association is proud to be the only society in British Columbia dedicated to advancing women in the recreation, tourism, and hospitality industries. Our mission is to educate, elevate and empower women to collectively move the dial. Our vision is to develop a community of confident, connected women who accelerate their leadership ambitions in the face of adversity. We can form the future of our industry together.

Here at WORTH, we challenge The Gender Pay Gap, Discrimination, Work/Life Balance Challenges, Lack of Advancement Opportunities, Retention Challenges, Sexual Harassment, and The COVID-19 Shecession. These topics only scratch the surface in examining the complex landscape for women in recreation, tourism, and hospitality.