Will Guidara is the author of the National Bestseller Unreasonable Hospitality, which chronicles the lessons in service and leadership he has learned over the course of his career in restaurants.
He is the former co-owner Eleven Madison Park, which under his leadership received four stars from the New York Times, three Michelin stars, and in 2017 was named #1 on the list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
He is the host of the Welcome Conference, an annual hospitality symposium that brings together like minded people to share ideas, inspire one another, and connect to form community.
A graduate of the hospitality school at Cornell University, he has co-authored four cookbooks, was named one of Crain's New York Business' 40 Under 40, and is the recipient of WSJ Magazine's Innovator.
International Food and Beverage Technology Association (IFBTA)
Robert Grimes
Founder & CEO, International Food and Beverage Technology Association (IFBTA)
Robert (“Rob”) Grimes is the Founder & CEO of the IFBTA (the Food and Beverage Technology Association), a non-profit professional association promoting and advancing technology and innovation for the global food and beverage industries.
Prior to establishing the IFBTA, Rob founded FSTEC (Foodservice Technology Conference and Showcase) in 1996, ConStrata Technology Consulting, and its predecessor companies, which have been providing IT consulting services for the global hospitality, foodservice and retail industries and is headquartered in Potomac, Maryland.
SME, Technology, Chief Information Officer, ISS Guckenheimer Americas
Alice Fournier is an experienced technology leader with a strategic approach to leveraging technology for growth. With deep experience driving technology-led transformation, she is a strong collaborator who successfully manages across functions and regions to establish a secure and agile digital workplace, while actively contributing to business growth. In her current role, she brings a multidisciplinary background at the intersection of IT, marketing, sales and digital. Alice knows how to leverage technology to both optimize costs and drive revenue. She brings a bold, strategic, business-led approach to the IT function; she leads in a servant mindset; and is dedicated to empowering her team to grow, learn and thrive.
Alice has previously held several senior management roles including most recently Chief Digital Office and VP Digital Capabilities for WD-40 Company; Senior VP Digital Commerce for Geometry Global, VP ECommerce and Omnichannel for Kantar; ECommerce Manager for BIC LGS, all in the New York City Metropolitan area.
Vice President, Information and Technology Solutions
SSP America
Todd Kaufman
Vice President, Information and Technology Solutions, SSP America
Todd Kaufman is a leading figure in information technology within the hospitality sector, with a particular focus on enhancing the travel dining experience. Todd has been at the forefront of implementing groundbreaking technology solutions across North America, Bermuda and Brazil. His visionary leadership has not only enhanced the dining experience for guests but has also streamlined operations, contributing to SSP America's reputation as a leader in the travel food services sector. Under his guidance, the IT department has successfully introduced digital ordering channels, developed next-generation inventory systems, implemented web-based scheduling and automatic labor compliance enforcement, as well as overseen the technological aspects of mergers and acquisitions, expanding the company's reach. Before his tenure at SSP America, Todd significantly impacted technology integration at IHOP (now DineEquity), where he led point-of-sale (POS) projects and spearheaded the adoption of technology solutions across more than 1,000 restaurants. Todd's career exemplifies his exceptional ability to harness technology to boost operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Todd is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics.
Zerrick is a highly accomplished global IT executive with 20+ years of experience transforming enterprise technology infrastructures at the global level. He is an industry expert on digital business transformation with a reputation for leveraging both business acumen and technological innovation to streamline operations, improve productivity and enhance the bottom line. Zerrick has a history of delivering increased automation and standardization initiatives that improve ROI. He is experienced at constructing and implementing technology roadmaps that align with business objectives and use progressive technologies. Zerrick is a leader with a proven record of building diverse, equitable and inclusive organizational cultures of highly-talented individuals who become dedicated teams.
Prior to his time with Five Guys, Zerrick held the position of Vice President of Information Technology with a publicly traded Washington, DC based company. While there, Zerrick managed all IT initiatives, bridging the gap between IT, Finance and Operations.
Eve Turow-Paul is a leading expert on Millennial and Gen Z global food culture, and founder and Executive Director of Food for Climate League. Her latest book is Hungry: Avocado Toast, Instagram Influencers and Our Search for Connection and Meaning (Ben Bella, 2020). Through her writing, research, and nonprofit leadership, she helps connect the dots between climate, food culture, and human needs. Eve Turow-Paul has been recognized for her insights into the changing landscape of food culture and has appeared in various media outlets to discuss her research and findings. She views food culture as a key lever for improving mental, physical, and environmental health around the world.
Director of Innovation, ISS Guckenheimer (Moderator)
Amelia Ekus, a passionate innovator and self-proclaimed hospitalitarian, has dedicated her life to fostering connections through exceptional gatherings. Hailing from Hatfield, MA, she was immersed in the food industry from an early age, labeling envelopes for the family’s culinary PR and literary agency and later honing her skills at her father’s barbecue restaurant. Graduating from NYU with a concentration of "Activism in the Food Industry" and a minor in Social Entrepreneurship, she “double majored” after hours in the NYC restaurant scene, championing philanthropy and sustainability. From managing renowned establishments like dell'anima, L'artusi and Barbuto to leading F+B at Neuehouse, Amelia's journey led her to ISS Guckenheimer, where she now serves as Director of Innovation, shaping the future of our food systems and workplace happiness. Based in Brooklyn with her partner, Levi, and her collection of etiquette books, she continues to merge her love for hospitality, creativity and community-building.
Anne Moser leads all operations activities as well as the delivery of products and programs for the North America-based food services company. She has held several roles in her 12 years with Guckenheimer and its parent company ISS. The most recent roles include Head of the Office Division for the Integrated Facility Management of North America where she oversaw key accounts in the technology, professional services and banking segments; and Senior Vice President of Operations, where she oversaw Guckenheimer’s West Region, which included California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Arizona and Utah and represented more than $240 M in revenue. Anne also started and led the global expansion of the company’s Women’s Leadership Network.
Prior to joining Guckenheimer, Anne worked for Johnson Controls in a Global Director role as well as for Compass as the Vice President of Eurest. Additionally, she previously worked for Aramark as a General Manager and National Trainer. She has a EMBA from Santa Clara University and a B.S. in Business from Oregon State University.
Heather is the VP, Marketing Sodexo Workplace Experience and Corporate Services Food. She joined Sodexo with more than 25 years’ experience in marketing. Her most recent experience prior to Sodexo was as Vice President of Marketing for Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream where she was responsible for leading culinary innovation and partnerships, digital and social marketing, franchise acquisition marketing, loyalty, field marketing, public relations, store retail, customer journey and brand transformational initiatives.
Prior to that position, Heather led marketing and brand strategy for Edible Arrangements, The Atlanta Community Food Bank, and The Krystal Company. Heather holds a BA in Mass Communications and a Culinary Scholar degree from Boston University, and an MBA from Brenau University Graduate School of Business. She lives in the Greater Atlanta area.
Susie Weintraub spearheads the development of marketing, innovation, sustainability and wellness strategies for Envision Group. The company is challenged with driving commercial results while doing the right thing for people and planet. This includes areas such as open innovation, maintaining an entrepreneurial culture, identifying trends in food and hospitality, developing new business models and design solutions, and securing innovative partners to help drive initiatives and mission forward.
Susie’s career with Compass Group began in 1993 as a Marketing Manager at Ohio Wesleyan University. In June 2001, she was named the Director of Marketing for the Eurest division of Compass Group and became CEO for Envision Group in March 2018. Susie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Toledo.
Chief Growth Officer, Aramark Workplace Experience Group
Ellen Wilson began her Aramark career in 2008. She worked as a District Manager in Healthcare in the Mid-Atlantic Region and had responsibility for both Dining & Facilities. Ellen has worked in various Aramark Higher Education Business Development roles including Senior Director of Premier Partnerships and most recently Associate Vice President of Business Development. In March 2018 Ellen was appointed the role of Regional Vice President for Aramark Higher Education in the Northeast Region driving cooperation and collaboration across the region.
April 2021, Ellen transitioned to the role of Chief Growth Officer and Vice President for the Workplace Experience Group. In this role, Ellen is instrumental in leading the growth strategy and driving the winning sales culture through the line of business.
Ellen has a Bachelor of Arts in Biology & Psychology from Temple University and a Masters of Business Administration in Management from La Salle University.
