Monica Parrish Trent to Lead National Restaurant Association Foundation

Before joining the Foundation, Trent served as the Chief Program and Network Officer at Achieving the Dream, where she managed workforce strategies across a network of more than 300 community colleges. Her career has centered on building collaborations between educators, employers, and community partners to scale programs that bridge the gap between education and economic opportunity.

Michelle Korsmo, CEO of the Foundation, highlighted Trent’s capacity to translate organizational mission into actionable partnerships. For her part, Trent noted that her background, which includes working in restaurants as a student, provides a personal perspective on the industry’s role as a gateway for professional advancement. She intends to focus on creating clear, accessible pathways that help workers turn credentials into long-term career growth.