Women in Restaurant Leadership

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Women in Restaurant Leadership

Satyne Doner

39 episodes

5 days ago

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 leaders with seasoned executives for structured, strategic, career-shifting support. We cover: &n...

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Entrepreneurship

All content for Women in Restaurant Leadership is the property of Satyne Doner and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

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 leaders with seasoned executives for structured, strategic, career-shifting support. We cover: &n...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/39)

Women in Restaurant Leadership

Lifting as We Lead: Inside the WiRL x GLEAM Mentor Program

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 leaders with seasoned executives for structured, strategic, career-shifting support. We cover: &n...

5 days ago

37 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

The Evolution of Edible, With CEO Somia Farid Silber

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 for franchisees and small business owners while staying true to Edible’s core identity. If you’r...

3 weeks ago

21 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

Can Hospitality Be a Tool for Human Rights? With Emma’s Torch

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 really means to serve with purpose. To learn more about Emma's Torch: https://emmastorch.org/

1 month ago

31 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

BONUS: Is Pumpkin Spice Past Its Prime?

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 dig into the fall flavor trends that have everyone talking (and tasting). From generational divides...

1 month ago

24 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

From Representation to Leadership: Yessica Perez on Empowering Latina Women in Restaurants

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 Latina women are given real opportunities to lead. In this episode, Yessica opens up about how Oj...

1 month ago

24 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

BONUS: Empowerment in the Pizza Industry, With Stephanie Swane and Laura Meyer

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, and uplift underrepresented voices in the pizza world. We talk about what inspired this event, ...

2 months ago

17 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

Behind the Bar With Rachel Kiley, CEO of Sneaky Spirits

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.fsrmagazine.com/feature/behind-the-bar-with-sneaky-spirits-ceo-rachel-kiley/ Rachel was also on this yea...

2 months ago

30 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

Lead From Any Seat, with Rhonda Levene

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 moments, the lessons she carries into her role today, and why mentorship and advocacy for women ...

2 months ago

21 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

Let's Get Candid... with Tiana Feghali

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 myths about franchising to building a culture people actually want to work in, Tiana keeps it real ...

3 months ago

38 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

BONUS: Culture, Care, and Scaling Fast with Kyla Hanaway-Quinlan

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-growth environment. From building psychological safety to supporting team members through substan...

3 months ago

21 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

Data, Decisions, and Doing the Work with Keren Novack and Rachel Buss

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 climbing the ladder in male-dominated spaces, building cultures that actually support women, a...

3 months ago

42 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

Marie Crawford’s Playbook for Operations Success

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 advice for women stepping into leadership roles and how she uses her platform to make a differenc...

4 months ago

22 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

What If the Best Way to Lead Is from the Inside Out? With Jennifer Thomas, Founder of Rooted Connections

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 checking every box. 🎟️ Want more? Join Jennifer live for Rooted to Rise: Wellness, Wisdom & the Ne...

4 months ago

39 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

Even for a Day: How KFC’s Girls Takeover Initiative Is Rewriting the C-Suite

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, even if just for a day. You’ll hear from Shirlyn Huang, a student and youth advocate who stepped i...

5 months ago

36 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

Power, Purpose & Pushing Past Doubt, with Hope Neiman and Judy Chan

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, they’re also proving what’s possible when women lead with purpose and confidence in traditionally male-do...

5 months ago

35 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

Chef Iliana de la Vega on Heritage, Motherhood & Mexican Cuisine

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 of the maternal line in Mexican culinary tradition, the deep cultural identity woven into every ...

6 months ago

28 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

Marketing with Impact, with Cassie Pinckney (VP of Marketing, Gastamo Group)

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 immersing herself in new brand cultures, and the art of balancing creativity with calculated risk. We ...

6 months ago

25 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

How Clean Eatz Tackles Ozempic, Gut Health, and the Wellness Revolution

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 — it’s about creating a community where judgment is left at the door, and wellness becomes a lifestyle. E...

7 months ago

29 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

From Frontline to Future, with Sarah Diehl

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 expert insights on how restaurant professionals can build long-term, fulfilling careers beyond the front lin...

7 months ago

28 minutes

Women in Restaurant Leadership

Elevating Women in Food, with LDEI President Stephanie Jaeger

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 reflects on her personal journey in hospitality, the global connections LDEI fosters, and even reveals w...

8 months ago

25 minutes