Dinner Ladies presents International Women’s Day 2026.
On Friday, 13 March 2026, Nash Gierak, founding Director of Bold Green Strategies, joined industry leaders at Park Village for a panel discussion marking both International Women’s Day and B Corp Month. The event, hosted by Dinner Ladies, brought together a significant turnout of familiar faces from across the hospitality sector alongside many new connections.
The afternoon was supported by exceptional catering from the Dinner Ladies team, including a selection of canapés and drinks, followed by a fun twist on an afternoon tea.
The Sustainability Discussion
The panel was led by Caroline Baldwin from The Caterer. Joining Nash Gierak (Bold Green Strategies) on stage were Sarah Vachon (Citizens of Soil), Charley Taylor Smith (The Change Group), and Emily Plunket and Lily Cai (Dinner Ladies).
The conversation focused on the practicalities of sustainability and leadership rather than surface-level gestures:
Moving Beyond Greenwashing: The panel discussed how sustainability has become a double-edged sword. With stricter regulations, businesses can no longer rely on vague claims; impact must now be defensible and backed by data to stand out in a crowded market.
The Hidden Architecture of Business: Nash Gierak highlighted that success often lies in the hidden details—ISO standards, carbon reporting, and operational efficiency. This forensic approach is what allows an organisation to manage its impact with precision.
The 2026 B Corp Standards: As it is B Corp Month, the discussion turned to the significant shift in certification standards. The new framework moves away from averaging out scores and instead requires businesses to meet a minimum performance threshold across seven mandatory impact topics, including Climate Action and Fair Work. A business cannot claim to be environmentally sound while ignoring its internal social responsibilities; it is no longer a ‘buffet’ where you can focus on recycling but ignore the pay gap.
A Testament to Integrity: Under the previous standards, Dinner Ladies achieved a score of 102.6, which serves as a major testament to their operational integrity.
The Funding Gap and Angel Investment: Sarah Vachon spoke about the importance of women becoming angel investors. She noted that female-led businesses still face specific challenges in securing funding and suggested that women taking on investor roles is a vital step in supporting the next generation of founders.
Barriers to the Boardroom: Charley Taylor Smith addressed the disparity in leadership, noting that while many women work in hospitality, few reach the boardroom. She highlighted that the industry still has work to do in supporting women through caring responsibilities and health-related life stages.
Purpose-Led Operations: Emily and Lily shared how their values are integrated into their service, such as their Sharing Plates initiative, which focuses on community and waste reduction.
The Value of Collaboration: A recurring theme was the need for better communication across the industry. Nash Gierak noted that friction often occurs when venues, caterers, and production teams do not speak the same sustainability language; increasing Carbon Literacy across all stakeholders is one of the biggest opportunities to reduce environmental impact.
The event concluded with a focus on the importance of staying curious and seeking out inspiring role models and mentors at every stage of your career, whether just starting out or as a founder. Asking the right questions remains the most effective way to steer the hospitality industry toward a more resilient and sustainable future.
It was a really wonderful afternoon arranged by the ever-impressive Dinner Ladies.
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