GURL PWR in Action: Meet Chef Sheeba and discover her trailblazing journey at Sodexo.

This March, we’re celebrating GURL PWR – Grow. Unite. Rise. Lead. It’s a month dedicated to empowerment, energy, and support across our Sodexo sites. So what does GURL PWR look like in action? We call them Trailblazers.

At Sodexo, a trailblazer is someone who has the courage to forge their own path. Head Chef Sheeba’s journey is a powerful reminder that your career is what you make it.

You may know Sheeba as a leader who runs one of our most demanding kitchens. She is a benchmark for chefs across the business known for her high standards and the calm confidence she brings to her team. But her path to the kitchen wasn’t a straight line.

Not Linear: A Bold Career Change

Sheeba started her career in airlines and studied IT. Her path seemed set, but she realised it wasn’t where her passion was. She wanted to do hands-on, creative work that gave her a sense of purpose every single day.

“I realised that work needed to be connected to something I genuinely enjoy,” Sheeba says. “Cooking gave me that balance—discipline, teamwork, creativity, and visible results.”

So, she made a brave choice. She decided to start from scratch and build a career in the culinary world. It took hard work and discipline, but it was a path she chose for herself.

Not Limited: Leading by Example

After running her own restaurant, Sheeba joined Sodexo. She saw it as a place with strong systems and a focus on people, where she could continue to grow.

Today, she is a leader who inspires everyone around her. As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, she shows others what is possible. Her impact is not limited to the kitchen; she is a role model for our entire team.

Not Done: Inspiring the Next Generation

Sheeba is passionate about helping others grow. She believes in paving the way for the next generation of leaders.

“I love mentoring younger women and encouraging them to pursue their goals confidently,” she says.
Her advice for anyone on our frontline team is born from her own experience:
Don’t be afraid to start over. It’s never too late to learn something new. Work hard and stay disciplined. Your effort will pay off. Trust in yourself. Believe in your own ability to succeed.

Sheeba’s story shows that being a trailblazer means choosing your own direction with courage and purpose. We are proud to have her on our team.