New industries, new innovations—women pioneers are everywhere. For this inspiring series, we’re asked our partner companies to submit one woman “Pathfinder” to represent their work, their products, their industry, or their values. (And often, all of the above.)
Meet Raz Barnwell, Vice President, Digital Innovation for Campus & Government at Sodexo. Learn about her career and why she believes pure talent isn’t the only key to success.
What path are you forging?
I’m on a mission to enrich the lives of the consumers we serve, accelerating digital and AI capabilities under the balance of humanized technology.
What inspired you to pursue this field?
My career is saturated with years of experience in what I’ve always characterized as an affinity for the challenging yet rewarding field of sales and marketing. As the transformative relationship between consumers and technology in this space evolved, so has my curiosity—it gradually matured into an obsession for “all things digital.” I’ve been blessed to be surrounded and supported by mentors who have poured into my journey and development as a servant leader. I strive to do the same for others—especially in my desire to reduce the underrepresentation that young people with similar intersectionality traits as me see missing in business today.
What’s a cool project or program you’ve developed as a result of your work in this area?
A close colleague and I have developed a Scorecard Tool that leverages selective data and profile attributes about a site to create logic that informs decisions about deployment of offers and digital solutions. A long-term objective beyond the current MVP status would be to develop a predictive analytics tool to guide creation and deployment of offers/digital solutions.
What resources or people have been influential in your success in your field?
Within the last few years, I’ve participated in an Executive Leadership Program leveraging a partnership between my former organization and University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business. Most recently at Sodexo (I joined the organization in March 2023), I’m currently enrolled in the STAR program. I served as a mentor within the Sodexo Marketing Leadership Program last year, and I am currently a mentor within the Campus Marketing team. I’m also a mentor with Girl Talk Foundation in my personal life, as well as a volunteer assistant coach for the YMCA.
What advice would you give to aspiring professionals looking to break into and make an impact in emerging industries or technologies or at their company?
Here are examples of 10 things that require zero talent. What you know is only as valuable as what you deliver along with it, and talent alone just isn’t enough.
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Attitude
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Coachability
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Promptness
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Energy
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Emotional quotient (EQ), aka emotional intelligence
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Flexibility amid change
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Grit
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Passion
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Preparation
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Work ethic
