Delaware Restaurant Foundation names Grogan executive director

The Delaware Restaurant Association announced the promotion of Raelynn Grogan as executive director of its philanthropic arm, the Delaware Restaurant Foundation.

The announcement of Grogan’s promotion comes at a pivotal time for the association and its expanded vision and work to support the restaurant industry through its workforce development initiatives. Carrie Leishman remains president and CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association and the Delaware Restaurant Foundation, formerly the Delaware Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

As the philanthropic foundation of the Delaware Restaurant Association, the organization 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," said Leishman. "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 Grogan’s tenure at the DRF, 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 across the state. Restaurant industry apprenticeship programs in Delaware have been expanded to include young adults, and re-entry and justice-involved individuals, while specialized training/employment opportunities have been implemented for adults with disabilities.

State agency partnership with the foundation for the Forward Delaware training initiative has resulted in DRF training distributed to more than 8,000 industry workers in 2022, and the program will continue to offer free industry training this year. The DRF 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 it will continue to provide financial assistance to industry workers facing unexpected hardships, illness or emergencies.

Grogan said, “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. 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.”