The Delaware Restaurant Association announced the promotion of Raelynn Grogan as executive director of the association’s Delaware Restaurant Foundation.

The announcement of Ms. Grogan’s promotion comes as the department looks to support the restaurant industry through its workforce development initiatives. Carrie Leishman remains the President & CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association and the Delaware Restaurant Foundation.

As the philanthropic foundation of the Delaware Restaurant Association, the foundation is dedicated to enhancing the industry's training and education, career opportunity, and community engagement efforts.

"Raelynn’s passion and dedication for cultivating the next generation of restaurant leaders is unparalleled," Ms. Leishman said. "This promotion reflects Raelynn’s commitment to excellence and her contributions to the ongoing success of the industry as we look to expand the role and work of our Foundation.”    

During Ms. Grogan’s tenure at the foundation, its ProStart high school culinary and restaurant management program has grown to include 21 high schools and two correctional facilities, reaching more than 3,000 students throughout the state.

The association’s restaurant industry apprenticeship programs have been expanded to include young adults, re-entry and justice-involved individuals, as well as specialized training and employment opportunity pathways for adults with disabilities.

In partnership with state agencies, the association’s Forward Delaware training initiative has resulted in foundation training distributed to over 8,000 industry workers in 2022.

The foundation also launched a successful industry support campaign during the pandemic, serving the impacted restaurant workforce with over $250,000 in financial relief.

The fund has been transitioned into the Delaware Restaurant Foundation Relief Fund and will continue to provide financial assistance to industry workers facing unexpected hardships, illness or emergencies.

“The Delaware Restaurant Foundation exists to simply provide opportunity to people from all backgrounds. Whether they are already in our industry or just entering, the work we do is important and beneficial to continue enhancing this beautiful Delaware Restaurant Industry and to simultaneously support our local communities,” Ms. Grogan said.

“Our motto is to Attract, Empower, and Advance. I am fulfilled, honored, and humbled to lead on this work. There is still a lot to be done, and our team is just getting started!”