Mentorship Program Quarterly Newsletter

June 2026

ANFP Mentors and mentees met for our quarterly networking call on Wednesday, April 15. These calls are an opportunity for mentors and mentees to come together and share ideas, experiences, and challenges within their professional and personal lives. During our last call, we discussed how we manage stress and work-life balance.

Discussion Highlights

Participants mentioned making time for themselves a priority each day, whether it was taking time for exercising, listening to music, and even noted volunteering or being of service as a means to manage stress.
We discussed ways to achieve work-life balance as well. We heard from participants about setting healthy boundaries at work, time management, and the importance of having support from leadership.
We also discussed how connection with other like-minded individuals, like our fellow members, can make you feel seen, heard, and valued. We discussed dealing with difficult employees and how we can support one another during challenging situations.

What are members saying about the ANFP Mentorship Program?

“As CDM, CFPPs, we care deeply about our staff and those we serve, and that can make it hard to step away. But I’ve learned that maintaining boundaries is essential, not just for ourselves, but for the consistency of care we provide. I think we can all agree that the expectations placed on CDM, CFPPs today are greater than ever, and many professionals are navigating responsibilities that go beyond

what one role was ever designed to carry.

Setting boundaries isn’t about caring less, it’s about sustaining the

level of care our residents deserve. If you are showing up, doing your job, and advocating for what’s needed for your team to get the expected outcomes, you’re not failing your residents. When care falls short due to understaffing or unrealistic expectations, that

responsibility belongs to the system, not the individual."

Rosemary Aho, CDM, CFPP | Director, Regional Manager | HPS

Mentorship Meet-Up at ACE

Mentors and mentees had the opportunity to network while at ACE. Prospective members were able to chat with mentors and learn about their challenges and how they can help and support them through their career changes and growth. We also had the opportunity to learn about generational differences and how some mentees sincerely appreciate the support with mentors on an as-needed basis. We hope to see our mentors and mentees next year in Las Vegas at ACE 2027!

Resources

Be sure to check our ANFP Mentorship page regularly as we continue to update and add new resources, including Top 10 Reasons You Need a Mentor and Top 10 Reasons to Become an ANFP Mentor.

In addition to our Conversation Starters tool, consider this question for your next meeting: What is one piece of advice you wish you would have been given about this profession that you know now?

We’ll be eager to hear your responses during our next call to help others find work-life balance.

Join Us! Quarterly Mentor Networking Call

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, July 15, at 2:00 PM CT for our next mentor networking call. Please click here to register for the call. We hope to see you and your mentor/mentee on the call!

We encourage the program participants to share this newsletter with fellow members and encourage them to apply as a mentor or mentee.

The ANFP Mentorship Program is a member benefit for all ANFP members as well as prospective students enrolled in ANFP approved programs. The Mentorship Program is a community of members at varying levels of their career that learn from one another, cultivate and encourage individual growth, and provide support.

Questions? E-mail Abigail Solazzo at asolazzo@ANFPonline.org.

Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals
info@ANFPonline.org | 800.323.1908

PO Box 3610 | St. Charles, IL 60174

Questions? Access our FAQs here.