Suzanne Simon

Suzanne Simon is the co-founder of Chaia Tacos, a vegetable-forward fast-casual restaurant concept

based in Washington, D.C. What began as a farmers market stand built around seasonal vegetables

and handmade corn tortillas grew into a multi-unit restaurant brand known for making vegetables the

main event.

Over more than a decade as a founder and operator, Suzanne has worked across nearly every aspect

of the business - from operations, financial strategy and menu development to brand building,

partnerships, customer experience and investor relations. That experience has given her a firsthand

understanding of how decisions made in one part of a restaurant can quickly affect labor, margins,

operations, culture and the guest experience.

Suzanne was selected as a James Beard Foundation Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Fellow

through Babson College. She has also served as an advisor to George Washington University’s

Women in Leadership program, a partner with Georgetown University’s Venture Capital Advisory

Group, and a keynote speaker for DC Tech Week. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from

Ohio University and completed Cornell University’s Plant-Based Nutrition program.