Olive Garden and Darden are proud to announce Claudia Ortiz, HR Business Partner, has been recognized as a Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) 2024 Change Maker.
This week, leaders from across the food service industry gathered in Dallas, Texas, for WFF’s annual Leadership Conference to honor this year’s Change Makers — rising leaders who propel their personal career advancement while championing opportunities for others to grow and succeed in the foodservice industry.
"Claudia is the epitome of what it means to be a Change Maker. Her unwavering commitment to fostering growth in others and her passion for cultivating an inclusive environment have been essential to her success,” said Falon Farrell, President, The Capital Grille and Eddie V’s. “We're proud to see her celebrated for her incredible leadership and the positive impact she continues to make at Darden."
Claudia began her career with Seasons 52 as a server in 2011 and quickly rose through the ranks, taking on roles such as Bartender and Certified Trainer. In 2016, she earned her first promotion as Restaurant Manager, and in 2018, she became a Managing Partner. After a successful tenure in operations, Claudia transitioned to Darden’s Restaurant Support Center in 2020, starting a new chapter in her HR career. That same year, she was named Employee Relations Manager for Olive Garden, and two years later, she became the Operations HR Manager for Eddie V’s Prime Seafood. Claudia was recently promoted to HR Business Partner for Olive Garden, continuing to champion Darden’s people strategy.
“It’s beyond humbling to receive such a special recognition from our leadership,” said Claudia. “To think I began as a server and grew my career with the support of some of the best leaders in the industry is something I hope will inspire others. The passion we have for our people and development is contagious and continues to drive my career to this day. This recognition is just one of the many examples of how much Darden focuses on our ‘People Strategy’ and is something I will never forget. I am so fortunate and grateful to work for a company that makes me feel valued, heard, and inspired every day.”
Claudia Ortiz Darden Career