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NRA CEO Dawn Sweeney wins leadership award

The Trending Association Leaders list recognizes distinguished association chief executives who have driven extraordinary growth, innovation and missions at their organizations.

June 15, 2015

Association Bisnow has named National Restaurant Association President and CEO Dawn Sweeney a 2015 Trending Association Leaders. The list includes two dozen leaders from the Washington region's association community, according to a press release.

The Trending Association Leaders list recognizes distinguished association chief executives who have driven extraordinary growth, innovation and missions at their organizations.

"It's no surprise that Dawn has again been recognized as a top association executive," said Chairman Jack Crawford of the National Restaurant Association's Board of Directors in a statement. "Her vision and actions have been vital in continuing to grow both the National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, as we advocate and promote key initiatives that benefit America's one million restaurants and the 14 million people that drive our industry."

Association Bisnow's committee of professionals and experts in association and business communities selects recipients from a pool of nominees in the area.

Sweeney also serves as the CEO of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, a philanthropic foundation designed to enhance public service in the industry and build the next generation of industry leaders. The Foundation's major goal is to prepare students for rewarding careers in restaurant management and the culinary arts, the release said. 

The NRA realigned its priorities and structure to strengthen core operations and its annual tradeshow, which has seen growth in revenue and impact under Sweeney's leadership.

Sweeney directs NRA's key initiatives, including Kids LiveWell, its nationwide children's nutrition program; ServSafe food safety handling certification program; the annual NRA Show; Conserve sustainability initiative; and the ProStart program, which, in nearly 2,000 high schools across the country, provides culinary scholarships to future restaurant and foodservice leaders.