Broadcast in anticipation of International Women’s Day, Episode 6 of Mark! (Aramark’s new podcast series) focuses on two Aramark leaders who also happen to be women.
Barbara Flanagan is the President of Student Nutrition, our line of business that serves K-12 institutions across the United States, and Brisbane Vaillancourt is a regional vice president in our collegiate hospitality business. The series presenter asks both to share their leadership paths, vision, and motivation as the company embarks on a month-long celebration of its trail-blazing women.
Barbara Flanagan
Since June 2018, Barbara Flanagan has been serving as President & CEO of Aramark Student Nutrition.
She has a long history of working in the Education Sector. In 1991, she began working for Aramark. In Barbara’s thirty-two years at Aramark, she has steadily progressed through roles of increasing responsibility. She began her career as an Assistant Director to Food Service Director, District Manager, and Vice-President of Operations for the South Central Region of Education K-12. In September 2008, Barbara was named Regional Vice-President for the South Region of K-12.
In June of 2014, Barbara moved to the Collegiate Hospitality Division of Aramark as the Regional Vice-President of the South and Southwest Regions overseeing Food and Facilities accounts.
Barbara has served on numerous regional and divisional task forces where her leadership, insight, and experience have contributed greatly to the success of initiatives within the organization.
She is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in Restaurant, Hotel, and Institution Management.
Brisbane Vaillancourt
Brisbane Vaillancourt is the Regional Vice President for Aramark Collegiate Hospitality in the Northeast Region. A highly accomplished, entrepreneurial senior executive with a history of leading multiple teams to meet and exceed expectations. She has proven herself to be a forward-thinking innovator who implements structures and processes to secure long-term prosperity. In this role Brisbane serves as the liaison between Aramark and clients, driving cooperation and collaboration across the region. She is responsible for client relationships in dining accounts throughout New England, New Jersey and New York.
Brisbane has almost two decades of industry experience, which includes six+ years within the broader Aramark enterprise. Brisbane began her hospitality career with Margaritas Management Group (MMG), a privately owned restaurant chain for twelve years. During her tenure with MMG, she rose from her role as an hourly server to Vice President of Operations.
In 2016, Brisbane transitioned to begin her Aramark career as a District Manager in the Workplace Experience Group and was quickly promoted to Vice President of Operations with LifeWorks in 2019, overseeing one of our largest global client accounts. In early 2021, Brisbane was appointed the role of Regional Vice President for Aramark Collegiate Hospitality in the Northeast Region.
Brisbane holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Central Connecticut State University. Brisbane continues to display her commitment to DE&I, through her involvement with Aramark employee resource groups, which includes being the executive sponsor for the EMPOWER New England Hub and a senior sponsor for Aramark Pride. She was the recipient of the Aramark Star of Excellence Award in 2018 and the EMPOWER Workforce Ally award in 2022.
Brisbane, her wife Kelly and three daughters, Nicolette, Hallie and Savannah reside in Connecticut.
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