The Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, an affiliate of the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation, has named Erika Cospy (who also goes by Erika Cospy Carr) to lead the educational nonprofit organization. Cospy joined the MFHA on Aug. 5, and succeeds Gerry A Fernandez, who retired at the end of 2023, as the head of the organization after 27 years of service.

Cospy has more than two decades of experience in heading up change initiatives at nonprofits and in corporate environments. She was the chief Impact and growth officer for the National Association of Black Accountants; senior Director, advisory services for Grads of Life; and senior manager, national community engagement for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. She also founded her own consulting firm in 2022.

“An innovative and passionate communicator, Erika is uniquely positioned to lead MFHA’s work to drive opportunity and change across the restaurant and hospitality industry,” Rob Gifford, president of the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation, said in a letter welcoming Cospy to the MFHA. “She shares our belief that diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our industry and is dedicated to driving value and growth through new products, services, and strategies in the years to come.”

The Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance is an educational non-profit 501(c)(3) that helps its members advance their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion goals at their companies. MFHA holds workshops and webinars, publishes research and reports, and offers consulting services and speaking engagements on the topics of DEI within the foodservice and hospitality industries.