Shannan Siemens
Shannan Siemens serves as Chief Communications Officer of Inspire Brands, a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,000 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants worldwide. Inspire is supported by about 650,000 company and franchise team members. As CCO, Siemens leads communications for Inspire and its six brands, including […]
Maria Rivera
Maria Rivera is a transformative CEO, founder, and cultural architect — and the first Latina to lead a U.S. restaurant brand. Over two decades, she has built and scaled iconic consumer and hospitality brands by blending business acumen with humanity, grit, and storytelling. A proven growth leader, Maria has created nine-digit enterprise value while leading […]
Mary Jane Riva
Mary Jane Riva is the CEO of Pizza Factory, an iconic West Coast pizzeria with 100 locations in states across the country. Mary Jane has been in the industry for more than 30 years and has helped Pizza Factory grow into a staple in countless communities. Starting out as a Pizza Factory franchisee for 24 […]
Sue Petersen
Sue joined Noodles in February of 2015 and prior to going into semi-retirement in April of 2024, was Executive Vice President, Inclusion, Diversity and People. Sue led the HR function, and her passion is creating a great experience for all team members through a caring and inclusive environment where the team can grow and develop […]
Patricia Perry
Patricia is an experienced business development leader. Prior to joining the Bagel Brands team as its Senior Vice President of Franchise and License, she served as the Vice President of Development for Edible Brands, overseeing global development, construction, real estate, franchising, licensing/CPG and business gifting. Patricia led a global relaunch of the franchise development program […]
Sheri Miksa
Sheri Miksa is a 5-time CEO/President of Fast Casual restaurant chains (BIBIBOP Asian Grill, Boneheads, Mazzio’s Pizza, Robeks Juice, and Rubio’s (then NASDAQ: RUBO)), for both public and private companies, including franchised and PE-backed. Her path to the C-Suite was through Operations, serving as a 3-time foodservice Operations executive (LSG Sky Chefs, Seattle Coffee Company, […]
Kelly McCutcheon
In her 20+ year career in hospitality, Kelly’s skill for training has grown into a passion for leading and developing others. She’s had the pleasure of leading the creation of a TM to GM career development program, where over 100 Team Members have turned their passion into purpose by advancing their career into a position […]
Lisa Marovec
Lisa’s career in hospitality has focused on membership-based professional associations in the restaurant, lodging, and tourism industries. She has been with the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART) in a strategic marketing position for more than 20 years. She started with CHART nearly 30 years ago as a member and a partner while working […]
Christine Lorusso
Christine Lorusso is the Senior Director of Digital Marketing at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. With More than 12 years’ experience in the digital industry, Christine began her career on the agency side, working with clients to reach their digital marketing goals. After developing a passion for the restaurant and hospitality space, Christine transitioned to the […]
Bonnie Iavaroni
In 1998, two years after receiving a culinary arts degree from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, Mrs. Iavaroni began her career at Turning Point, as the Head Chef of the Little Silver, NJ location. She has been instrumental in the success and growth of the company; her corporate management team oversees the successful day […]