Meet Katie Gauvin: Leading with Purpose and a Passion for Safety
For more than three decades, Sodexo has been part of Katie Gauvin’s professional journey and throughout that time, she has remained focused on one mission: helping people stay safe, healthy, and supported at work.
Today, Katie serves as Director of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) for the Campus segment, supporting teams across the United States. Her story is one of growth, leadership, and a deep commitment to creating a culture where employees feel empowered to prioritize safety every day.
A Career Built on Growth and Opportunity
Katie first joined Sodexo in 1992 as a Production Manager in the Seniors segment after beginning her career as an intern with Marriott Management Services. Early in her career, she quickly discovered a passion for workplace safety while balancing operational responsibilities with additional duties as a District Safety Coordinator.
Her leadership and dedication led to a promotion to General Manager, and later, Katie pursued an opportunity to move fully into safety leadership. She successfully stepped into a Safety Manager role and continued growing within the organization’s safety team over the years.
For the past eight years, Katie has served as Director of HSE for the Campus segment, where she leads strategic initiatives focused on safety culture, regulatory compliance, and employee well-being.
“What I enjoy most about my role is helping people truly understand why working safely is so important,” Katie shares. “It goes beyond policies and procedures; it’s about connecting safety to what matters most in their lives.”
Creating a Strong Safety Culture
For Katie and her team, safety is more than a requirement, it’s a shared responsibility grounded in care and accountability.
She believes a positive safety culture ensures every employee returns home at the end of the day in the same condition they arrived: safe, healthy, and unharmed. Whether someone’s motivation is their family, loved ones, hobbies, or personal goals, Katie works to make safety meaningful on a personal level.
One way her team reinforces that culture is through regular safety walks and employee engagement.
Rather than focusing on blame when unsafe behaviors are observed, Katie and her team approach conversations with curiosity and a growth mindset. By asking thoughtful questions and encouraging open dialogue, they create opportunities for learning, trust, and continuous improvement.
“When employees recognize that working safely protects their health and well-being, it becomes personal,” Katie says. “Every safe choice they make ensures they can be there for the people and things they love.”
Proud to Serve Others at Work and Beyond
Katie says one of the things that makes her proud to work for Sodexo is the company’s genuine commitment to supporting employees both professionally and personally.
Throughout her career, she has felt supported not only in her professional development, but also in balancing her service in the Massachusetts Air National Guard and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
That support has reinforced her pride in being part of an organization that values people as much as performance.
Living Sodexo’s Commitment to Safety
Katie believes Sodexo’s commitment to safety is visible at every level of the organization.
“Safety is not just a priority, it is a constant that guides our decisions, behaviors, and expectations,” she explains.
Through leadership support, strong standards, and a culture of open communication, Katie says the organization empowers teams to create environments where safety and well-being always come first.
After more than 30 years with the company, Katie continues to lead with purpose, helping employees understand that safety is not only part of the job, but part of caring for one another.
Keep up with Life at Sodexo by following our Careers Blog, Instagram, Facebook, and X.