Indy Standard

In this edition of IPS: Employee Spotlight, the focus is on Dena Bond, Director of Food Service at Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). Bond, a native of Jeffersonville, Indiana, has dedicated 21 years to IPS, all within the food service department. She began her career as an operations manager for schools and later managed the district’s central kitchen before assuming her current role in 2016.

Bond holds a bachelor’s degree in dietetics and a master’s degree in family and consumer sciences from Ball State University. "I always knew I wanted to utilize my nutrition background in the foodservice industry," she stated. Her initial experience involved managing kitchen operations and nutrition care for residents in long-term care facilities. The transition to school nutrition allowed her to shift focus from elderly care to impacting younger generations.

As Director of Food Service at IPS, Bond oversees various aspects of school nutrition operations. "This includes the administration, organizational, and financial management of the department in all areas such as menu planning, food production and service, procurement, human resource management, and facilities and equipment management," she explained.

Bond was drawn to IPS by a job posting she saw in a newspaper. "I knew it would be a great opportunity to utilize my skills and expand my knowledge in a new sector of foodservice and dietetics," she said. The continuous challenges and opportunities for improvement each school year keep her motivated.

Comparing her experience at IPS with previous roles, Bond highlighted her enjoyment of logistics involved in operating school nutrition programs. "There are so many different facets from leading a team, meeting federal requirements and nutrition standards, to the daily task of serving meals that students will enjoy in a fast-paced environment," she noted.

For Bond, education is crucial due to its dynamic nature influenced by scientific research, industry trends, and technological updates. "Professional development is not only required for our profession but key to ensuring we are up-to-date with the latest changes in our field," she emphasized.

Her advice for new educators or staff members joining IPS is to understand their broader impact on the district. "Try to see the big picture and the value you bring... We have the chance to positively impact their lives during their formative years," she advised.

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