Exceptional hospitality begins with people long before it reaches the table. Every memorable guest experience reflects the values, character, and leadership behind it. Within an industry built on service, leaders who lead with integrity and compassion create meaningful impact that extends beyond business success.
Kezia Benjamin, General Manager at Another Broken Egg Cafe, has built her leadership journey on those principles. Guided by faith and a servant’s heart, she believes leadership creates opportunities to encourage others, develop future talent, and serve communities with purpose. Personal challenges have strengthened her resilience, while years of community involvement have reinforced her commitment to helping others succeed.
Throughout this cover story, Kezia Benjamin shares the experiences, values, and vision that continue to shape her leadership while inspiring future women leaders to lead with confidence, humility, and purpose.
Purpose that paved the path to leadership
Purpose often shapes the direction of leadership long before a title or position does.
Core belief
Every leadership journey begins with purpose, and Kezia Benjamin, General Manager at Another Broken Egg Cafe, has built hers on a servant’s heart. She believes genuine leadership begins with everyday actions that reflect respect, kindness, and hospitality. Whether offering help, listening with intention, or making someone feel valued, Kezia Benjamin sees every interaction as an opportunity to create a meaningful experience. Guided by her faith, she views leadership as a calling entrusted with responsibility and integrity.
Career journey
Volunteer service at a youth art academy introduced Kezia Benjamin to the value of serving others. Leadership responsibilities at Chick fil A, where she managed a million-dollar franchise, expanded her perspective on accountability, mentorship, and operational excellence. Her current role at Another Broken Egg Cafe allows her to continue investing in people while creating opportunities for personal and professional growth. Every stage of her career has reinforced her belief that leadership succeeds when it places people first.
Kezia says, “We have a responsibility to advocate for those without a voice, empower those who desire to take the step in making decisions, and steer this next generation in the right direction.”
Kezia Benjamin continues to inspire future leaders by encouraging confidence, extending mentorship, and creating opportunities that help individuals realize their potential.
Finding purpose through leadership challenges
Every leader encounters defining moments that shape both character and conviction. For Kezia Benjamin, one of those moments became the foundation of a renewed leadership journey.
The challenge
After dedicating herself wholeheartedly to a leadership role she deeply valued, Kezia Benjamin unexpectedly lost the position. The decision reflected perceptions about leadership rather than her commitment or performance. The experience left her deeply disappointed and questioning her purpose.
For nearly 1 year, she searched for the clarity needed to move forward while processing one of the most difficult chapters of her professional life.
The faith
Instead of allowing disappointment to determine her future, Kezia Benjamin turned to her faith for guidance. Prayer became the source of her clarity, helping her replace discouragement with hope and prepare herself to lead with compassion instead of hurt.
Kezia reflects, “I had to bring it to God in prayer and ask for clear direction so I could lead again from a place of healing, not a place of hurt.”
The purpose
That season of reflection led Kezia Benjamin to Another Broken Egg Cafe, where she rediscovered the joy of developing talent and serving others. Today, she leads with deeper empathy, gratitude, and resilience, proving that life’s greatest challenges can become the starting point for its most meaningful opportunities.
By transforming adversity into purpose, Kezia Benjamin continues to lead with compassion, creating opportunities for others while remaining grounded in the values that guided her through life’s greatest challenge.
Balancing performance with a people-first culture
Kezia Benjamin believes leadership begins with character long before it appears in results. As General Manager at Another Broken Egg Cafe, she sets the standard through integrity, fairness, and consistency. Her time at Chick fil A left a lasting impression after learning about the leadership philosophy of founder Truett Cathy.
Guided by her faith, Kezia Benjamin adopted the belief that a leader earns respect by treating people with dignity, communicating honestly, and remaining accountable in every situation. She believes a strong reputation reflects everyday choices and serves as the foundation of credible leadership.
Empowering every individual
Kezia Benjamin creates opportunities for people to learn, contribute, and grow with confidence. She encourages employees to make thoughtful decisions, celebrates achievements of every size, and offers guidance whenever support is needed. She takes particular care to encourage young women to recognize their abilities while reminding every team member that every responsibility carries value and purpose. Her leadership creates an environment where individuals feel trusted and appreciated.
A culture that lasts
Kezia Benjamin believes lasting success comes through genuine human connection. She encourages respect, teamwork, and shared responsibility because these values create a workplace where people perform with confidence and commitment.
Kezia Benjamin explains, “We all have a story that deserves to be told. People always remember how you make them feel. We serve breakfast, brunch, and lunch, but we are in the people business.”
4 principles that define resilient leadership
Resilience has become the foundation of Kezia Benjamin’s leadership philosophy, shaping how she leads, mentors, and encourages those around her.
- Conviction Over Circumstances: Kezia believes resilience begins with the courage to make the right decisions, even during life’s most demanding moments. She approaches every challenge with determination, grace, and the confidence to keep moving forward.
- Leading the Standard: Kezia Benjamin believes that workplace culture reflects the example leaders set. She encourages accountability, optimism, and personal responsibility because lasting change begins with consistent leadership.
- Turning Experience into Strength: Becoming a mother at a young age, raising 5 children, and overcoming personal and professional obstacles taught Kezia the value of perseverance. Those experiences shaped her outlook and strengthened her commitment to leading with empathy.
- Opening Doors for Others: Kezia Benjamin remains passionate about encouraging women who question their potential. She believes every individual deserves the confidence to pursue leadership opportunities and create a better future.
Kezia Benjamin encourages, “Help those around you to see it is possible. Help the youth you encounter to dream big.”
Personal experiences become most meaningful when they inspire others to pursue new possibilities with confidence and determination.
The principles behind lasting credibility
Trust is earned through everyday choices that reflect integrity, accountability, and respect.
- Lead with integrity.
Kezia believes character defines credibility. She encourages leaders to examine their values by asking, “What is your heart posture?” and remain honest whether others are watching or not.
- Lead beside the team.
Kezia Benjamin believes leaders should never ask others to accept responsibilities they would not willingly undertake themselves.
- Practice accountability.
She holds herself and her team to the same standards because consistency creates confidence and mutual respect.
- Protect the guest experience.
Hospitality, cleanliness, and respect remain essential expectations that guide every interaction and reflect the organization’s values.
- Take ownership.
Kezia encourages every team member to approach each responsibility with pride, commitment, and a genuine desire to deliver their best.
Kezia affirms, “Say what you mean, and mean what you say.”
Consistent actions leave the strongest impression, and Kezia continues to earn trust by leading with integrity, setting high standards, and demonstrating the values she expects from others.
Highlights of a service-driven journey
Leadership carries a responsibility to serve beyond the workplace, and Kezia Benjamin has embraced that responsibility by supporting families, young people, and underserved communities throughout her career.
2012 to 2017
Supporting children’s healthcare
Kezia Benjamin participated in fundraising initiatives for CHKD Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters through Farm Fresh Supermarkets in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Community partnerships, art auctions, food collection campaigns, local motorcycle club events, and the Stuff the Bus school supply initiative helped assist hospitals, children, and local families.
Life skills mentorship
Working with Support Services of Virginia, Kezia helped young emancipated adults with intellectual disabilities prepare for independent living. She taught practical skills, including cooking, sewing, communication, and household management, helping them gain confidence for everyday life.
Community partnerships
Kezia partnered with the Hampton Roads Food Bank, The Noblemen, and The Grocery Bargain Outlet in Virginia Beach to provide weekly food and essential supplies for local church pantries, helping families facing food insecurity.
Kezia shares, “One thing is for sure, no matter where you are in this world, there are always families in need, and it’s a blessing to be in the position to fill that need.”
Each initiative reflects Kezia’s belief that meaningful leadership extends beyond professional responsibilities and creates lasting value through compassion, service, and community engagement.
The vision behind future partnerships
Looking beyond today’s responsibilities, Kezia envisions a future where leadership creates lasting opportunities for individuals and families facing life’s greatest challenges.
Future partnership
Kezia hopes to collaborate with Hampton Roads Sutton Youth Shelters, supporting its mission to provide housing, life skills, and daily essentials for young people seeking stability and a brighter future.
Long-term vision
Kezia also envisions establishing Open Arms Homes, a nonprofit organization designed to provide temporary housing for expecting mothers with limited resources, emancipated foster youth, and older adults awaiting permanent care. Residents would receive safe accommodation, clothing, nutritious meals, essential medical guidance, workforce resources, and practical life skills during stays ranging from 6 months to 2 years, based on individual circumstances.
Kezia shares, “I want Open Arms Homes to become a safety net for people who simply need someone to believe in them while they rebuild their lives.”
A constant through change
As Kezia looks toward future initiatives, she remains committed to the same values that have guided her leadership throughout her career. She believes hospitality, cleanliness, kindness, and genuine respect will continue to shape meaningful relationships regardless of how the industry changes.
Kezia emphasizes, “Hospitality, cleanliness, and kindness will never go out of style, no matter what trends change. It costs nothing to be kind or smile.”
Every aspiration reflects Kezia’s belief that compassionate leadership creates opportunities for hope, dignity, and lasting independence, ensuring support reaches those who need it most.
The legacy she hopes to leave
Titles may change, but the impact left on people endures long after leadership roles end.
What she hopes others remember
- Grace in every challenge: Kezia believes women can lead with courage, compassion, and quiet confidence, even during life’s most difficult seasons.
- Humility before recognition: She believes character, integrity, and a servant’s heart create lasting influence, while true leadership values purpose over personal recognition.
- Hope for every woman: Kezia hopes every woman who has experienced rejection, hardship, or uncertainty will recognize that success remains within reach and that resilience can create new beginnings.
Kezia affirms, “The loudest person in the room is not always right. Humility before honor always in all things, and keep a servant’s heart in all you do.”
Every lesson Kezia shares reflects a commitment to developing leaders who choose integrity, compassion, and service in every opportunity.
Words of wisdom for future leaders
Every leadership journey begins with the confidence to step forward and embrace new opportunities. Kezia encourages aspiring women leaders and emerging professionals to believe in their abilities, carry themselves with confidence, and approach every opportunity with purpose. She believes self-worth, courage, and a positive mindset create the foundation for meaningful leadership. By trusting their potential and remaining true to their values, individuals can pursue their goals with conviction and inspire others through their example.
Women’s corner
1. What does women’s empowerment mean to Kezia beyond professional success?
Kezia believes women’s empowerment begins with faith, confidence, and the courage to pursue purpose. She encourages women of every generation to believe that no dream is beyond reach when they trust God and remain committed to their calling. Success, in her view, begins with believing in one’s own potential.
2. Who has been the greatest influence on Kezia’s journey?
Kezia credits her mother as one of her greatest role models. Raising 11 children while serving as a missionary across 34 countries, despite personal hardships, demonstrated extraordinary resilience and unwavering faith. That example taught Kezia that God’s grace provides strength through every season and that perseverance creates lasting purpose.
3. How does Kezia balance leadership with personal well-being and relationships?
Kezia believes purpose often emerges through life’s greatest challenges. She views every difficult experience as preparation for a greater calling and relies on her faith as the source of her strength. This perspective allows her to lead with clarity while remaining grounded in her personal values.
4. What change would Kezia like to see for women in leadership?
Kezia advocates for creating dedicated opportunities where women can contribute ideas, collaborate, and participate in strategic decision-making. She believes confident leadership grows when women receive the space to share their perspectives with humility, wisdom, and conviction.
5. What message does Kezia have for women rebuilding their confidence?
Kezia encourages women to view every challenge as part of a greater purpose. She believes setbacks never define a person’s future and that resilience grows through faith, perseverance, and hope. Her message is simple: remain steadfast, believe in the journey ahead, and never give up on the calling placed before you.
