Sodexo North America announced the appointment of Michael Svagdis to CEO, Campus and Government Services, U.S., effective February 17, 2025. Svagdis succeeds Brett Ladd, who will retire at the end of March after an exceptional 36-year career with the company.
A respected leader within foodservice, Svagdis brings more than 25 years of multi-sector experience to Sodexo. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for driving operational excellence, building high-performing teams, and developing client- and customer-first strategies. His deep understanding of culinary innovation, brand building, operational efficiency, and future-focused services will be instrumental in strengthening Sodexo’s competitive edge in the higher education sector while further enhancing its strong government services platform.
“Michael is a phenomenal leader with a proven track record of delivering strong results and building lasting relationships,” said Sarosh Mistry, President and CEO, Sodexo North America. “We see significant opportunities to expand our impact in the higher education space while also continuing to bolster our offerings in government services. Michael’s expertise in large-scale foodservice programs makes him the ideal leader to drive growth and innovation in these important markets. Equally as important, Michael’s leadership philosophy—centered on people, culture, and performance—aligns seamlessly with our mission and reflects the value and differentiation that Sodexo brings to clients, associates, and communities across the U.S.”
“Sodexo has built a reputation for excellence and providing clients with high-quality dining options and superior facilities management,” said Svagdis. “I am excited to get started working with our partners and teams to further enhance the company’s industry position and deliver outsized value to clients by leaning even more into talent development, operational efficiency, and collaboration, which are hallmarks of the organization.”
Most recently Svagdis served as CEO of SSP America, the premier operator of food and beverage outlets in airports across the U.S., Canada, Bermuda and Brazil. During his 10 years at the helm, he led the company through a period of extraordinary growth. Prior to that, Svagdis held executive leadership roles at Compass Group, overseeing large-scale foodservice programs across corporate campuses and healthcare systems.
Svagdis will be part of the North America Leadership Team and report directly to Mistry.
