La Tonya Day
LaTonya Day is a seasoned foodservice and hospitality professional with over 17 years of experience in the industry. She began her career as a restaurant manager, where she developed a strong foundation in food operations, team leadership, and customer service. Leveraging her extensive hands-on experience, LaTonya transitioned into the role of Southeast Regional ServSafe Instructor and Proctor, where she now guides foodservice professionals across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia in achieving food safety excellence.
In her current role with HRFoodSafe, LaTonya delivers engaging ServSafe training courses that emphasize safe food handling, sanitation, and regulatory compliance. She is dedicated to empowering clients and their teams to achieve certification, ensuring they meet industry standards and maintain customer trust. Her ability to combine practical expertise with clear instruction has made her a trusted mentor for both individual professionals and organizational teams seeking to enhance their food safety knowledge.
Outside of her professional pursuits, LaTonya is a devoted family woman, proud mother of two sons and grandmother to two granddaughters. She enjoys traveling, attending church events, and is a thrill-seeker with a particular passion for amusement parks and rollercoasters. LaTonya’s personal and professional life reflects her commitment to growth, service, and creating meaningful experiences both in and out of the workplace.
• Certifications - Servsafe Manager 2007 and Instructor and Proctor Certification 2018
• Fayetteville State University - MBA
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my faith in God and the foundation I built during my 18 years as a restaurant server. That experience taught me invaluable skills in customer service, teamwork, and adaptability, which prepared me for my current role. I am deeply passionate about what I do and truly love the work I engage in every day.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to always be willing to listen, because there is always an opportunity to learn from others. I’ve also learned to be comfortable with being wrong, as each mistake is a chance to grow and improve.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering my industry to always be themselves, because authenticity resonates with others and builds trust. I also believe in allowing God to guide you in your journey, trusting that He will lead you to the right opportunities and experiences.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is ensuring that students feel confident and knowledgeable. It’s important to help them make meaningful connections, especially when they may be feeling nervous, so they can fully engage and succeed in their learning experiences.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, trustworthiness, and authenticity. I strive to be someone people can trust even when I’m not around, and I believe in being genuine and true to myself in all that I do.