Olive Garden and Darden are proud to announce Kelly Lynch, Divisional Vice President, has been named a Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) 2025 Change Maker.

At this year’s WFF Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas, industry leaders gathered to celebrate individuals who are driving meaningful change within their organizations. The Change Maker award recognizes rising leaders who propel their personal career advancement while championing opportunities for others to grow and succeed in the foodservice industry.

“Kelly is an exceptional leader who continuously uplifts those around her,” said Shane Elrod, SVP of Operations, Olive Garden. “She is passionate about developing future leaders, creating opportunities for growth and building a strong culture in all of her restaurants. This recognition is a testament to the impact she has made on so many within Olive Garden and the restaurant industry.”

Kelly began her journey with Olive Garden in 2010 as a server in Westbury, NY, and has since held various roles that span operations. Most recently, she was promoted to Divisional Vice President for the New York division, overseeing operations for more than 80 restaurants, including the iconic Times Square location.

A champion for talent development, Kelly has been instrumental in advancing women leaders throughout the organization. During her time as an Operations HR Manager, she launched the Divisional Women’s Forum, providing mentorship and leadership development opportunities for restaurant managers and General Managers. Her commitment to coaching and supporting her teams has resulted in numerous promotions and some of the highest engagement scores across Olive Garden.

“I’m incredibly honored to be named a Change Maker by WFF,” said Kelly. “I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors throughout my career, and I strive to pay that forward by creating opportunities for others to grow, succeed and feel empowered to lead.”