Topic(s)
- People-centric leadership
At Duke Manufacturing, its team has found that taking a little time each month to celebrate their people has made a big difference in team morale, building a sense of community and culture. In this session, they'll share how their monthly employee recognition meetings have become something their team genuinely looks forward to — and how you can bring a similar approach to your organization.
Each meeting kicks off with a warm welcome, then they celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and important life events like wedding anniversaries, new children or grandchildren, engagements and buying a home. Milestone work anniversaries get a special shoutout, with managers offering a few words and coworkers chiming in with stories or kind remarks. It’s a simple way to make people feel seen and appreciated.
We also feature one team member in a “get to know you” segment where they answer a few fun and thoughtful questions — like what brings them joy or how they relax. It’s been a great way to break down silos and build stronger connections.
Another highlight is their functional area spotlight. One department shares a quick overview of how they work, and then each team member shares personal photos — family, pets, hobbies and more. It’s a powerful reminder that we’re all human, and we all have stories beyond the job.
These meetings aren’t flashy or expensive — but they’re consistent, intentional and heartfelt. The Duke Manufacturing team will walk through their format, share what’s worked for them and offer ideas you can easily adapt to your own teams. Sometimes, the smallest gestures have the biggest impact.
Key learning objectives
- Learn how to set up simple, regular recognition meetings that really bring your team together. It has helped Duke's managers to be more comfortable in recognizing employees publicly.
- Discover easy ways to help people connect by sharing fun and meaningful stories about themselves.
- Hear ideas for shining a light on different teams so everyone understands and values each other’s work.
- Learn how to celebrate big milestones in a way that motivates and makes people feel appreciated.
- Explore practical tips to create a recognition program that doesn’t cost much but makes a big difference. It has been a catalyst for engagement and empowers peer-to-peer recognition.
Company
Duke Manufacturing has been an industry leader in food service equipment since 1925. For 100 years its customers have come to count on Duke's team of creative, problem-solving specialists for unmatched customer experience and equipment that helps them be more successful. In addition to the highest quality standards, Duke's products are purpose-built with your applications in mind. Its team is here to listen to your challenges and develop solutions that address your pain and support your goals. Duke’s success started with a single steamtable and the determination to be a “solutions provider” to the industry.
With hard work, quality fabrication, innovation and a customer success focus, Duke has grown into an industry leader and cemented a reputation as Your Solutions Partner. Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, Duke is a global organization with the reach to support customers across the world. It has three domestic manufacturing sites totaling 675,000 sq ft; two ISO-certified locations in Sedalia, MO, and a custom fabrication facility in Houston, TX. Additionally, there are three distribution centers in Sedalia, MO, Prague, Czech Republic and Shanghai, China. The Duke Software Development Center is located in the Philippines. There are also sales and service satellite offices in all world regions. Rounding out all these locations is a global network of trained and authorized service agents. www.dukemfg.com
Presenters
Diann Gordon is the director of Agile program management at Duke Manufacturing Co., where she leads enterprise-level initiatives focused on strategic execution, innovation and operational excellence. With 26 years of experience in manufacturing, Gordon has been instrumental in formalizing Duke’s quality management system and project management capabilities.
She is passionate about building high-performing teams, streamlining complex processes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Gordon takes a down-to-earth approach to leadership, always looking ahead while staying focused on what matters most — delivering for customers and employees while making a positive impact through her work and in her community.
In addition to her professional role, Gordon serves on Duke’s Employee Committee, Nourish Our World (NOW), which champions initiatives that support employee engagement, well-being and social responsibility. Her work on the committee reflects her dedication to creating a purpose-driven workplace that values both people and performance.
John Wennemann is VP of HR at Duke with responsibility for HR, safety and continuous improvement. In this role, he draws on experience from his work in energy, engineering services, retail and manufacturing. His specialties includep ower, oil and gas, engineering and construction, organization development, recruiting, HR, business development, diversity, architecture, and design. Wennemann grew up in St. Louis, MO, where he once again resides after a career journey that included several other states. 
