As part of our Women’s Month series, meet Lindsay Winn, General Manager at Loyal University Maryland. 

Lindsay Winn 
General Manager, Loyola University Maryland 
 

What do International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month mean to you?  

It’s a great time to reflect and celebrate women’s successes and progress that have been made thus far. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have today, due to the pioneers and achievements of the strong women around the world that came before me. It’s also an opportunity to look at what progress we still need to make and how we can get there.  
 

Who are the women that have the most impact on your life?   

My mom, Lori Winn, is a very strong, independent woman who owns a business and works hard every day. She helped instill hard work, great core values, and independence in me. Second, my high school cheer coach, Candy Manges, saw leadership in me before I did and pushed me to gain confidence and leadership skills at an early age. Third, I have several friends in my life who own their own businesses and kick butt in their industry—I love seeing their successes! Lastly, Mary Beth Sutherland was one of the first female managers I had in food service who took me under her wing to help me grow and understand many areas of the business.  
 

What’s one memory while working with Parkhurst that has made a lasting impact on you? 

I had a team member who took a lot of pride in her station and was always taking initiative and giving great new ideas. I kept pushing her and investing in her, and one day she was promoted to supervisor. She told me one day that she never saw herself as a leader, but watching my growth in the company and learning opened the doors of leadership she didn’t think was possible for her. That’s why I love what I do—I get to make a difference. Not just to our guests but also to our team members.  

What gives you the greatest amount of pride in your profession?  

Improvement—whether it’s watching people grow and develop or seeing the menus and innovation improve. I love new ideas and constantly testing the status quo—and when they are successful, I take a lot of pride in pushing the envelope.   

How did you get started in the industry? 

It could go all the way back to working the concession stand at my brother’s baseball games, or to working the snack bar at the golf course near my house. Then I got my degree in Food and Nutrition and dedicated my profession to food.  

Where do you get inspiration from, whether personally or professionally?  

I love trying new foods, recipes, and restaurants. Food is constantly evolving and impressing me. I get a lot of inspiration from Instagram and my experiences around me.  

What advice would you give to someone new in your field?  

Learn it all—soak it up! Ask questions, understand the why, and don’t be afraid to speak up. Also, make connections because those are the people you can learn from and lean on. It takes a team effort, and you should never stop learning from your team, from the internet, and about different areas that you aren’t comfortable with. 

What do you do when you need a confidence boost?  

Listen to a song. I have a few repeats depending on what type of boost I need. “I Hope You Dance” by Leanne Womack reminds me of when I had cancer as a teenager, and the strength I had to get through tough times and get past the current obstacle. On the other end, “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany reminds me of the best trip I ever took with some of my favorite people in the world and gets my energy up.   

During stressful times, how do you lead?  

I lead with empathy and intentional planning. I understand people react differently to stress and being supportive yet continuing to push people to do their best and forge on with a plan. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel, and we need to acknowledge that times are tough and focus on how we get there.  

If you were a food, what would you be?   

No idea! How about ice cream because it’s my favorite thing?