Women in Restaurant Leadership

What happens when a woman with zero preconceived notions steps into the food world and builds a 30-year culinary powerhouse? Last week, I sat down with Susan Wilcox, founder of The Herb Box , whose fearless leap into catering in 1995 sparked one of Scottsdale’s most beloved restaurant brands. Susan shared how she turned a whole-foods vision (long before it was cool) into a thriving business with t...

In this special episode, we’re diving into the brand-new WiRL x GLEAM Mentor Program, a first-of-its-kind partnership reshaping how women in restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality leadership grow, develop, and rise. You’ll hear directly from the leaders behind the program about why this mentorship model works, what women truly need to advance, and how this six-month experience will pair emerging...

Edible has been a household name for decades, but under CEO Somia Farid Silber, it’s no longer just a gifting brand. Today, Edible Brands is evolving into a multi-disciplined platform that spans fresh food and beverage, e-commerce, and fast casual dining. In this episode, Somia shares how she’s leading one of America’s most recognizable legacy brands through transformation, expanding opportunities...

What if a restaurant could change a life? In this episode, I sat down with Kerry Brodie, founder of Emma’s Torch, a Brooklyn-based café and culinary training program that empowers refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking through the power of hospitality. Kerry shares how her background in policy and human rights led her to the kitchen, why food can be a tool for belonging, and what it...

Pumpkin fatigue is real... but don’t tell its loyal fans. While nearly half of consumers say they’re over pumpkin, it’s still one of the most craved seasonal flavors. Meanwhile, apple is staging a comeback, and consumers are split down the middle on whether they want the classics or crave something new. In this bonus episode, I sit down with Shannon O’Shields, VP of Marketing at Rubix Foods, to di...

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re spotlighting Yessica Perez, Chief People Officer at Ojos Locos Sports Cantina—a brand built by and for the Latino community. Yessica’s story is one of representation, resilience, and results. From her own career journey to overseeing teams where more than half of management roles are filled through internal promotions, she is proving what’s possible when...

In this bonus episode of the WiRL Podcast, we sit down with two women shaping the future of pizza: Laura Meyer, award-winning pizzaiola and owner of Pizzeria da Laura, and Stephanie Swane, publisher at Modernist Cuisine and global pizza advocate. Together, they’re helping launch Fork to Future’s inaugural Pizza Industry Empowers conference—a first-of-its-kind gathering designed to educate, connect...

She started in hospitality, scaled a craft brewery, and is now redefining spirits as CEO of Sneaky Spirits. In this episode, we talk about her leap from beer to tequila, the lessons she’s learned as the first employee-turned-CEO, and how she’s challenging stereotypes in a male-dominated industry while building bold, memorable brands. ✨ You can find Rachel's feature in FSR here: https://www.f...

On this episode of the WiRL Podcast, I sit down with Rhonda Levene, CEO of Ziosk and a powerhouse leader with more than 30 years of experience across brands like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. Rhonda shares how she navigated male-dominated industries, built confidence in the boardroom, and carved out space as one of the few women leading a tech company in the restaurant space. We talk about pivotal career...

Tiana Feghali isn’t your typical franchise visionary—and that’s exactly the point. In this candid, conversational episode, she opens up about swapping a career in film and TV for the food franchise world, and why it’s anything but “cookie-cutter.” We talk about shaking up a male-dominated industry, bringing fresh eyes to her family’s legacy, and leading with empathy instead of ego. From busting my...

Step into the heart of leadership with Kyla Hanaway-Quinlan, COO and Head of People at Feast & Fettle. As a mom of two and a senior leader at one of the fastest-growing food brands in the country, Kyla is passionate about creating spaces—at home and at work—where people can truly thrive. 🔥 In this bonus episode of the WiRL podcast, Kyla shares what it means to operationalize empathy in a high...

This week, I’m joined by Curion’s dynamic duo: Keren Novack, President, and Rachel Buss, VP of Strategic Insights. Between the two of them, there’s no shortage of sharp insights, career wisdom, and laugh-out-loud moments. We talk leadership wins (and growing pains), how to blend analytics with intuition, and what restaurant brands get totally wrong about their customers.  We also get real about cl...

Step into the growth of Protein Bar and Kitchen with ops leader Marie Crawford, as she shares her journey from getting started in hospitality to running operations at a fast-growing brand. 💪 We chat about how she’s grown as a leader, staying true to her values while helping a brand expand through franchising, and what it takes to build your own voice in this industry. Plus, Marie drops some great...

Jennifer Thomas believes leadership isn’t about powering through—it’s about powering down and tuning in. In this episode, the founder of Rooted Connections shares how she stepped away from the hustle and redefined leadership on her own terms. We talk about what it means to lead from the inside out, how to move forward when you’re feeling stuck, and why clarity and self-trust matter more than check...

What if one day in the C-suite could change a young woman’s entire view of what’s possible? In this special episode of the Women in Restaurant Leadership podcast, we explore the transformative power of representation, partnership, and purpose through KFC’s Girls Takeover—a global initiative in collaboration with Plan International that invites young women to step into executive leadership roles, e...

This week on the official #WiRLPod, I'm handing the mic to two women who are leading at the intersection of hospitality and tech—and doing it with boldness, heart, and just the right amount of grit. Meet Hope Neiman, Chief Marketing Officer, and Judy Chan, VP of B2B Marketing and Demand Generation at Tillster. These two powerhouses are not only driving innovation in restaurant technology, the...

In this heartfelt episode of the #WiRLPod, I sat down with Chef Iliana de la Vega—James Beard Award-winning chef, educator, and founder of El Naranjo in Austin, Texas. From her early days exploring the markets of Oaxaca to leading one of the country’s most respected Mexican kitchens, Iliana shares how heritage, memory, and matriarchal influence have shaped her journey. She opens up about the power...

In this episode of Women in Restaurant Leadership , I sit down with Cassie Pinckney, Vice President of Marketing at Gastamo Restaurant Group, to explore her dynamic career journey from national brands like Velvet Taco and Pei Wei to leading innovative marketing strategies for a growing portfolio of fast-casual concepts. Cassie shares the key lessons she’s carried across roles, her process for imme...

Can a restaurant brand really change lives? 🤩 In this episode of the WiRL Pod, I'm sitting down with Evonne Varady, Co-Founder of Clean Eatz, a health-focused fast-casual franchise that’s on a mission to transform lives. From its humble beginnings to becoming a leading player in the wellness space, Evonne shares her journey of building a brand that prioritizes more than just healthy meals —...

Welcome to the Season 2 debut!! ✨ The restaurant industry is full of incredible career opportunities—if you know where to look. In this episode of the WiRL pod, I'm sitting down with Sarah Diehl, founder of Empowered Hospitality. She joins me to break down the evolving talent landscape in hospitality. 💪 From shifting employee expectations to the power of employer branding, Sarah shares expe...

In this episode of Women in Restaurant Leadership , I sat down to chat with Stephanie Jaeger, President of Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI), to explore how the organization is championing women in food, beverage, and hospitality. Stephanie shares insights on LDEI’s most impactful initiatives, the power of mentorship, and her vision for the future of women in the industry. She also r...

For the Women in Restaurant Leadership podcast SEASON ONE FINALE (can you believe it?!), we’re teaming up with our sister publication PMQ Pizza for a special bonus episode! PMQ  senior editor Charlie Pogacar is leading the conversation this time, with pizza industry trailblazers Laura Meyer and Stephanie Swane. 🍕 They dive into the future of pizza, innovation in the industry, and the importance o...

What does it take to build a thriving healthy fast-casual empire?  I'm sitting down to chat with Darden Coors, CEO of Salad Collective (and Coors family heiress), along with Jenn Ruppert, Salad Collective's VP of Marketing and one of our recent WiRL Together Summit speakers!  Darden shares her unique journey from practicing law to leading MAD Greens, Tokyo Joe’s, and Snappy Salads under...

How does a legal powerhouse transition into leading a beloved French café brand? ☕️✨🥐 In this episode, we sit down with Christine Johnson, who was COO of la Madeleine at the time of this recording and now serves as executive vice president, to explore her unique journey from practicing law to overseeing operations at a national restaurant chain. Christine shares how her legal expertise has shap...

Ready for another bite-sized episode to get your week started on a good note? In this episode of the Women in Restaurant Leadership podcast, I'm joined by Cheryl Fletcher, chief development officer at Tropical Smoothie Cafe. She shares her inspiring (and unconventional) journey to the C-suite and what it’s like to lead in the fast-paced world of QSR.  Cheryl discusses stepping outside her com...