At the right company, a sense of belonging is a lived experience shaped by inclusive leadership, meaningful programs, and a culture that values each person’s voice and purpose. For many employees, belonging goes beyond simply fitting in. It means being seen, supported, and empowered to thrive in their own way.
That feeling is what drives careers at Sodexo, the global leader in sustainable food. One of the company’s core values—belong to a team—echoes throughout the organization, from HR to operations.
We spoke with four Sodexo employees about how the company helps them feel like they truly belong. Their stories highlight upward mobility, career-changing recognition, and a workplace that prioritizes what matters most: people, exactly as they are.
Leadership that sees your potential—and listens
For operations manager Tiffany Smallwood, belonging means “feeling accepted, valued, and free to be yourself without fear of judgment.” That’s exactly how she felt when, after a campus contract ended, her district manager made it clear that Sodexo still had a place for her. “Knowing that I was the only frontline employee out of almost 300 on campus made me feel like I truly belonged with Sodexo,” she says.
Smallwood has now been at Sodexo for 16 years. She currently serves as interim general manager at Clark Atlanta University and is a member of the African American Leadership Forum (AALF). She aims to pay her own experience at Sodexo forward by making space for her own team to speak up during daily “10 at 10” meetings, encouraging everyone to express their opinions and be their authentic selves.
That culture of openness is echoed by Rachael Shay, a general manager for Food & Nutrition Services. “Belonging is to have a voice and know you have been heard,” she says. “Inclusion and belonging are the foundation to building a team moving together toward progress.”
And when her leader nominated her for a leadership development program, the recommendation resonated: “I feel a strong sense of belonging within my team from my team members, peers, and leaders. When my leader nominated me for a leadership development program, I knew this experience would stand apart from all other experiences in the past. Since the start of my time with Sodexo, I have felt valued and appreciated by my leader. The recent nomination for development solidifies my sense of belonging with Sodexo.”
Sodexo is a global leader in sustainable food and integrated facilities management, committed to improving quality of life for employees, clients, and communities. With a people-first culture rooted in inclusion, purpose, and opportunity, Sodexo empowers every team member to grow, thrive, and belong. From award-winning diversity initiatives to industry-leading development programs, Sodexo is more than a workplace—it’s a place to build a meaningful, supported career.
Space to thrive—and be yourself
Nicole Gutierrez is a senior HR manager who started at Sodexo 11 years ago as an HR support specialist. She says the company gives her the freedom and confidence to lead her way. “I thrive in my own way by expressing my creativeness to help achieve an outcome,” she says. “I have been given the opportunity to develop and to demonstrate both my leadership and technical skills by managing a team with the freedom and the confidence of my manager.”
Whether she’s managing a team, participating in national focus groups, or navigating mergers and acquisitions, Gutierrez says, “My career path is a reflection of the opportunities that have been created through both my hard work and commitment to learn and grow.”
Not to mention Sodexo’s commitment to providing a space where she can level up: “I have been mentored both formally and informally,” she says. “These opportunities have allowed me to thrive in my career that has been personally rewarding and professionally satisfying.”
Similarly, general manager Joe Assante believes Sodexo’s values show up in the way leaders are empowered to lead authentically. “Leadership starts within,” he says. “For me, putting my team first meant more to me than hitting my numbers, or accomplishing KPIs. Without them, I am just a guy with a title. With them, I am the same person on the business card, only I love coming to work. I get to work alongside a great team, lead by example, and show them how grateful I am for them.”
Assante, who recently transitioned from a role in the Seniors segment to a corporate position at Colgate-Palmolive, was once honored with Sodexo’s Platinum Spirit Award. His response? Deep gratitude. “The fact that a company took the time to stop focusing on numbers and focus on their people was genuinely impressive,” he says.
Programs and people who reinforce community
Whether it’s through EBRGs like SoTogether and SOL, giving back through Stop Hunger, or facilitating trainings and orientations, Sodexo employees say the company offers many paths to connection and growth.
“I am fortunate to be surrounded by people who look like and think like me,” says Shay. “Knowing that others have gone through similar struggles adds to my sense of community and keeps me grounded and inspired.”
And for Assante, the mission behind the work matters just as much as the people. “Another way to say, ‘act with purpose’ is ‘everything needs a why,’” he says, referencing another Sodexo core value. “When you know why you are coming to the building daily, it helps you use your strengths to make your day-to-day have purpose.”
More than a job—it’s a community
At its core, belonging at Sodexo is about human connection. It's about being more than just a number. It’s being valued for your ideas, your experiences, your growth—and choosing to show up every day because you’re appreciated.
“For me, a sense of belonging is being more than a team member or number,” Assante says. “A place where your ideas are heard and respected, and where you feel welcomed and valued and you know that without hesitation or pause.”
As Shay puts it, “We are an organization of inclusion and belonging. I am grateful for all of the time I have dedicated to Sodexo and my team.”
