Juanita Nañez was an
honor student in high school.
Because of family obligations,
she was not able to attend col-
lege immediately after high
school. Juanita put her dream
of college on hold and started
working. She later married
and raised a family. However,
she never stopped learning.
Throughout her career, Juanita
attended many conferences,
workshops, seminars, and col-
lege courses. She also studied
for and obtained several pro-
fessional certifications.
One of her first jobs was at
a bank. She worked as a part-
time coordinator for college
recruiting. She coordinated
interview schedules and pre-
pared information packets.
In screening resumes, she
learned the importance of
detail and accuracy.
Juanita found the work fas-
cinating. She enjoyed searching
for the right people (recruiting)
and matching them to the right
jobs. She excelled in her work
and was soon promoted to
corporate recruiter. Her new
job responsibilities included
working with supervisors
and interviewing.
Juanita left the human
resources area to work as
a bilingual office manager
for an international oil
and gas supply company.
On this job she developed her
planning, organizational, and
international business skills. She
also learned about compensa-
tion and benefits.The company
went out of business, and
Juanita was out of a job. She
decided to return to the human
resources field.
She saw an ad in the local
newspaper for an assistant in
the management recruiting
department for T.G.I.Friday’s, a
popular casual dining restaurant
chain.Juanita liked the idea of
working for a restaurant.She
knew that restaurants are fast-
paced, people-oriented busi-
nesses.Juanita got the job.She
worked hard and quickly moved
up the career ladder.Today
Friday’s is owned by the parent
company, Carlson Restaurants
Worldwide, Inc.(CRWW).CRWW
operates more than 700 restau-
rants around the world.
In 1999, Juanita became
the executive director of corpo-
rate human services for
CRWW. Juanita is now the vice
president of diversity for
CRWW. Her life philosophy is to
always be curious, enjoy life,
and never stop learning and
growing. She believes that this
philosophy has led her to many
advancement opportunities.
For more information, visit
the Web site www.crww.com.
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Photo courtesy of Juanita Nañez
Juanita Nañez—
Never Stop Learning
Juanita Nañez—
Never Stop Learning
Juanita Nañez’s Career Path
1962: First job, server in a soda fountain/diner in a pharmacy
1972: Corporate recruiter, First National Bank in Dallas, Texas
1982: Office manager, Dallas International Supply Co.
1983: Assistant in management recruiting, T.G.I. Friday’s
1989: Director of employee relations, Carlson Restaurants
Worldwide, Inc. (CRWW)
1990: Received Professional in Human Resources certificate
from the Society for Human Resource Management
1996: Senior director of employee relations and staffing, CRWW
1999: Executive director of corporate human services, CRWW
2003: Named vice president of diversity, CRWW
2005: Recognized by Texas Diversity Council for ourstanding
service and commitment