Celebrating 50 Years of Dedication: Honoring Rita’s Extraordinary Journey at Sodexo

The people who make the greatest impact are often the ones who dedicate themselves not only to the work they do, but to the people they support along the way. Over time, work becomes more than tasks and meetings, it becomes relationships, purpose, growth, challenges overcome, people mentored, and lives impacted in ways we may never fully realize. 

For Rita Sanders, that journey began on May 19, 1976, when she joined Sodexo as a carry-out cashier and food service worker. Today, as a Senior Systems Administrator supporting Corporate Staff, Rita’s story stands as a remarkable example of dedication, resilience, compassion, and growth. 

Fifty years is not simply a milestone; it’s a legacy. 

It represents decades of showing up for others, adapting through change, learning continuously, and choosing year after year to care deeply about the work and the people behind it. 

Rita’s impact can be felt across Sodexo in countless ways, through the systems she helped build, the employees she supported, the leaders she influenced, and the culture of compassion and integrity she carried with her every step of the way. 

 

A Journey Fueled by Curiosity and Growth

Over the course of five decades, Rita’s career journey has reflected not only personal growth, but also the mindset of someone who never stopped learning. Beginning in operations, she worked in nearly every aspect of food service, from waitress and prep cook to supervisor and manager. No matter the role, Rita approached her work with pride and led by example, creating environments where employees felt respected, valued, and proud of the work they were doing. 

“I modeled the behavior and standards to which I held my team every day. I enjoyed managing people and working with them side by side and making them feel proud of their job and the work they did for the company,” Rita shares. 

As Sodexo continued to grow, new opportunities opened for Rita to expand beyond operations. She was selected to help onboard and support thousands of employees as they joined Sodexo. What stood out was not simply the work itself, but the way she approached it. Listening to people, helping them navigate change, and making them feel part of something greater. 

That experience became a turning point in her career and led her into broader roles across Human Resources, training, labor relations, recruiting systems, and enterprise initiatives. Over time, Rita became deeply involved in the implementation and support of the systems that help drive the employee experience across the organization. Her ability to adapt, learn new technologies, and embrace change allowed her career to evolve naturally over the years while continuing to make an impact across the business.  

 

Leading with Compassion and Integrity 

While Rita’s professional accomplishments are impressive, what truly defines her career is the way she leads with compassion, humility, and authenticity. 

Throughout her journey, Rita built meaningful relationships by making people feel supported and heard. Whether helping managers solve challenges, mentoring colleagues, supporting employees through periods of change, or volunteering within the community, she consistently approached people with kindness and empathy. 

“What fills my cup and feeds my soul is that people see I am genuine and I care. I act with integrity and am seen as a helpful resource.”

Her commitment to people and integrity earned her two of Sodexo’s highest honors: the Values Award and the Award of Excellence. Even with these recognitions, Rita remains focused on what has mattered most throughout her career, helping others succeed and creating positive experiences for the people around her. 

Outside of her day-to-day work, Rita also found purpose through volunteering and community involvement. Inspired by her experiences with the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, she became passionate about supporting causes related to food insecurity, seniors, and animal welfare. 

 

A Legacy That Will Continue to Inspire

Over the course of 50 years, Rita has built a legacy defined not only by her accomplishments, but by the impact she has had on the people around her. Through every role, challenge, and opportunity, she has led with humility, compassion, and a genuine desire to help others succeed. 

Her advice to those beginning their own careers reflects the mindset that guided her journey: “Be bigger than your role. Take what you do seriously, but do not take yourself too seriously. Allow time to laugh and learn from others.”

That perspective of staying curious, embracing change, and always making time for people, is what has made Rita’s career so meaningful and inspiring. 

Congratulations, Rita, on this incredible milestone, and thank you for 50 extraordinary years of dedication, leadership, and heart. 

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