NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Yum! Brands

Taco Bell blog (https://pr.report/8Xqhf7KQ)

Another month, another celebration! March is dedicated as Women's History

Month (https://pr.report/csbo8aW0) in the U.S., United Kingdom, Australia and

many other parts of the world. In 1982, Women's History Week was officially

launched in the United States, and eventually turned into a month-long event

in 1987.

This year's theme for Women's History Month and International Women's Day is

Inspire Inclusion (https://pr.report/0krHGUdh). So, to honor and celebrate the

courageous women of the world (and at The Bell!), we will continue to tell

their stories and amplify their voices. We hope that they not only educate,

but also inspire inclusion and drive positive impact in your community to

uplift those around you.

Amy D. (She/Her/Hers) - Chief Marketing Officer, Taco Bell International

Mother of three, wife, and Taco Bell International's Chief Marketing Officer,

Amy D., was born and raised in Greenfield, Massachusetts. The northeast was

her home as she moved to Boston for undergrad and then New York for her MBA.

Then, she left for a completely different country.

"I only left the Northeast when my husband (boyfriend at the time) convinced

me to move to Brazil and go on an adventure. It was a life-changing event for

me. In Brazil, I learned so much about new cultures, languages and ways of

working that it got me interested in working outside the U.S."

After her travels abroad, Amy found herself back in the States where she

learned what it meant to be with a company that aligned with her values.

"Early on in my career, I noticed that the focus for many companies was on the

savings and not on the people or the brands. It encouraged people to grow at

the expense of others, which really challenged my value system. So, I decided

to leave and look for a company that shared my values and focused on a culture

of collaboration. That's how I found my way to Yum!"

Amy started with Yum! Latin America doing consumer insights for Taco Bell, KFC

and Pizza Hut. She then moved to KFC Latin America & The Caribbean to work in

insights, innovation and marketing.

"I spent six years there until I got pulled over to KFC Global in Dallas where

I led retail marketing. Then, I got an opportunity at Taco Bell, which brought

me here to California."

Amy's career within Yum! had her traveling and working on many exciting

projects on an international scale. However, she faced her own challenges.

"When I first started at Yum!, my role revolved around insights. As I grew, I

knew that I had an option to stay hyper focused on insights or stretch myself

into a broader marketing role. Doing that meant stepping into an area that

wasn't as comfortable. However, my coach, Javier B. in KFC LA&C really

encouraged me to do more. When I decided to move into my global role at KFC,

they wanted me to lead retail, which was an area of growth for me, but I

leaned into yes."

"Lean into Yes" is Amy's mantra that has taken her to greater heights. After

reading Lean In (https://pr.report/FB4w-5eb) by Sheryl Sandberg, Amy was

inspired to change her outlook on decision making, especially in her career.

"The idea in the book is that women need to lean into the current moment.

Women tend to make decisions in their current career based on potential things

that could happen in the future. For example, a woman might decide not to take

a promotion because she might have a child next year. Meanwhile, she is not

pregnant and, even if she is, why would a promotion conflict with that? I

merged this advice with the idea of just saying ‘yes' because doing so can

take you down a path you didn't think existed. So, when you have the urge to

overthink and question your capability or logistics, and your reaction is an

immediate no, please LEAN INTO YES."

Not only has Amy found guidance through the literature she's read, but also

from trailblazing women in society and around her.

"When it comes to pop culture, two influential leaders are former Washington

Post publisher Katherine Graham and former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader

Ginsburg. Both women are examples of leadership that came against social

headwinds but ended with creating many firsts for women on a global platform."

Closer to home and within the Yum! system, one of Amy's former coaches,

Catherine G., General Manager of KFC Canada, has been a true inspiration who

has helped Amy become the leader she is today.

"First, Catherine is incredibly smart, and I always learn something from every

conversation that I have with her. Second, she is authentically herself with

her wild curly hair and approachable leadership style. But lastly, and most

importantly, she's never said ‘no' to me. Catherine always encouraged me to

take an idea and run with it, and for that I am forever thankful. I am a

better leader and I take bigger swings because of her."

Looking to the future, Amy hopes to inspire inclusivity and provide women in

leadership a new perspective on work.

"I hope that I can pave the way for young female leaders within Yum! to see

that leadership can look and feel differently. You can have a family and still

opt-in to challenging roles."

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Yum! Brands on

3blmedia.com. (https://pr.report/oD496Rih)

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Yum! Brands

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/yum-brands

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Yum! Brands

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(https://www.accesswire.com/847977/taco-bells-womens-history-month-spotlight--amy-d)

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