Entrepreneur & Food Manufacturing Executive; Founder & CEO at Crown Bakeries; EY Entrepreneur of the Year
Cordia Harrington Biography
Cordia Harrington is an American entrepreneur and business executive recognized as the founder and CEO of Crown Bakeries, formerly The Bakery Companies, a high-speed industrial baking enterprise. Crown Bakeries produces more than 15 million baked goods daily and employs over 1,700 people, supplying customers throughout the United States, South America, and the Caribbean. Initially a supplier to the McDonald's system, Harrington expanded the business from one customer to 1,400, achieving revenue growth exceeding $100 million. She increased the workforce at Crown Bakeries from seven to 1,700, partnering with companies such as McDonald's, Pepperidge Farm, ConAgra, Sam's Club, and Five Guys.
Harrington was the first in her family to graduate from college and began her career by opening a real estate business, which grew into Concept One Realtors and Concept One Construction. She later sold these companies to Coldwell Banker. After graduating from McDonald's Hamburger University, Harrington purchased a McDonald's franchise and pursued her goal of starting a bakery to supply McDonald's, a process that required four years and 32 interviews. In addition to Crown Bakeries, her business ventures include Bakery Express, a trucking company, and Cold Storage of Nashville, a freezer facility.
Under Harrington's leadership, Crown Bakeries has received numerous honors, including recognition among the 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned Businesses, the Business with Purpose Award, and the Nashville Business Journal's Best in Business Award. Harrington has been listed on Forbes magazine's list of 100 wealthiest self-made women and recognized by C200 as an Entrepreneurial Champion with the Luminary Award. The University of Arkansas awarded her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree and named a building in her honor, the Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence. She has also been named Nashville Post's CEO of the Year, inducted into the American Society of Baking Hall of Fame, and received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Southeast Program for the Manufacturing & Distribution category, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award as Most Admired CEO.
Harrington has been recognized by Fast Company as one of the 25 Top Women Business Builders and named Woman Business Owner of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners. She serves on the Global Crossing Airlines Board of Directors and the Belmont University Board of Trustees, and is the immediate past chair of the American Bakers Association Board of Directors and past chair of the Chief Executives Organization Board of Directors. The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans selected Harrington to receive the Horatio Alger Award, making her a lifetime member of the organization.
In addition to her business accomplishments, Harrington is known for her commitment to community and education. She established the Bun Lady Scholarship, awarded annually to entrepreneurship students participating in Belmont University study abroad programs. Known in Nashville as The Bun Lady, a nickname given by the Leadership Nashville Class, Harrington has contributed to the economic landscape of Nashville and supported many immigrants in the city. Her story highlights persistence, innovation, and leadership in the baking and food manufacturing industries.
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What topics does Cordia Harrington speak about?
Cordia Harrington is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Business, Business Growth, Business Leadership, Education, Entrepreneurship, Hospitality, Motivational, Women in Business -
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Cordia Harrington is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Cordia Harrington for your event is available upon request. Cordia Harrington generally travels from Nashville, TN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Marla Blow, Dyana Valentine, Laura Stack, Kathy Ireland and Dailisha Eve Rodriguez. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Cordia Harrington for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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