NYSRA's 2026 10 Women to Watch

You know her – the woman who seems to do it all and does it with excellence. She’s leading the industry forward, she looks for opportunities to learn and grow, and she makes her big ideas come to life despite the bumps in the road. Good hospitality is second nature in and out of her work – she is someone you look up to and aspire to be more like.  

Congratulations to this year’s honorees! 

Leslie Abbey

Leslie Abbey is a nonprofit leader and social entrepreneur dedicated to expanding economic opportunity through the food industry. She serves as Chief Executive Officer of Hot Bread Kitchen, where she leads a dynamic team supporting New Yorkers with barriers to employment in building sustainable careers and launching food businesses. Under her leadership, the organization has more than doubled in size and now serves over 700 participants annually, partners with nearly 400 food industry employers across New York City, and has launched upskilling and job placement initiatives—including a Management Training Institute—while connecting food entrepreneurs with critical tools to grow their businesses.

In addition to her work at Hot Bread Kitchen, Leslie serves on several nonprofit boards and committees. She is a co-founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of Anthos|Home and previously co-founded Family Legal Care (formerly LIFT), advancing housing access and family justice. A graduate of Swarthmore College and NYU School of Law, Leslie is a frequent speaker on social entrepreneurship, economic mobility, and community-driven innovation.

Giorgia Caporuscio

Giorgia Caporuscio is an Italian pizzaiola and the owner of Don Antonio, a renowned Neapolitan pizzeria in New York City. Born and raised in Terracina, she grew up surrounded by food culture but discovered her true passion for pizza later in life, dedicating herself fully to the craft and its traditions.

After moving to the United States, Giorgia trained under some of the most respected names in Neapolitan pizza, refining her technique and developing a deep understanding of dough, fermentation, and balance. At Don Antonio, she leads with a commitment to authenticity, using high-quality ingredients and traditional methods, including a wood-fired oven that reaches over 850°F.

Giorgia has become one of the most recognized female pizza makers in the world, earning accolades such as Pizza Maker of the Year 2024 in the USA and multiple international rankings. She is also one of the founders of Women in Pizza, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and connecting women in the pizza industry.

Her work has been featured by major media outlets and institutions, including Harvard University, where she has spoken about her journey and philosophy, “Pizza is My Yoga.” Through her work, Giorgia continues to represent and evolve the art of Neapolitan pizza on a global stage.

Casey Carroll

Casey Carroll sees life and work as an ongoing exploration of potential, and she believes it’s all possible. She is a hospitality expert and entrepreneur dedicated to reimagining industries from the inside out.

Casey is the co-owner and operator of Coray Kitchen, a farm-to-table restaurant in Delmar, NY, recognized across New York State for its intentional and warm dining experience. In just two years, the restaurant has earned regional and statewide recognition, including Favorite Restaurant (New York State Restaurant Association) and Best Restaurant in Albany County. Casey leads the organization through her signature hospitality philosophy, Dinners That Feel, creating experiences that resonate as deeply as they delight.

She is also the founder and creative director of BWB, a holistic brand and business development company committed to advancing female-led and equity-centered businesses. Through this work, she supports women entrepreneurs in building and scaling businesses that are both impactful and sustainable.

Clodagh Culkin

Clodagh Culkin is the Managing Partner of Odd Sister, the female-forward SoHo restaurant and bar she founded to celebrate the women, stories, and creative spirit that inspire it. Originally from Enniscrone, Co. Sligo, Ireland, Clodagh moved to New York over eight years ago to pursue a career in hospitality and has since become one of the city’s rising hospitality leaders.

In the first two years open, she transformed Odd Sister into one of downtown Manhattan’s most sought-after destinations, known for its warm atmosphere, community-driven energy, and storytelling-led design inspired by Irish heritage and the legacy of Lily and Elizabeth Yeats. As Managing Partner, Clodagh oversees operations, creative direction, partnerships, and guest experience, helping build a loyal following among creatives, tastemakers, and high-profile guests alike.

Beyond the venue, Clodagh is a passionate advocate for women in hospitality and Irish entrepreneurship, frequently contributing as a speaker, mentor, and community leader while championing female voices and culturally driven hospitality experiences.

Regina Delfino

Regina Migliucci-Delfino is the fifth-generation owner of Mario’s Restaurant on Arthur Avenue, a beloved Bronx institution founded in 1919 by her great-great-grandmother, Scolastica Migliucci. For Regina, Mario’s has never been a business—it’s been home. She grew up within its walls, working side by side with her father and grandparents, learning the rhythms of the dining room, the importance of hard work, and the meaning of true hospitality through hands-on experience.

In 2020, after her father Joseph’s passing, Regina stepped in to lead the restaurant during one of the most challenging times in the hospitality industry. With resilience, heart, and a deep sense of responsibility, she carried her family’s legacy forward—honoring tradition while bringing her own perspective and energy into its next chapter.

Regina is not only a business owner, but also a wife and mother of two, thoughtfully balancing family life with the demands of running a historic restaurant. She works tirelessly to ensure the business is run seamlessly, that every detail is just right, and that every guest feels welcomed, cared for, and part of something special—just as they have for generations.

Joelle Ferentinos

Joelle Ferentinos is a private chef based in New York and the founder of Blue Cottage Kitchen. Her background is in restaurants, but she has transitioned into private dining, where she focused on seasonal, thoughtful cooking and more intimate experiences. Right now, she is continuing to build her brand while working toward opening a restaurant of her own.

Danielle Mercuri

Danielle Mercuri is a restaurateur, creative director, and the force behind Rise N Shine Diner one of Central New York’s most talked-about brunch destinations, known for turning comfort food into bold, viral experiences. With over a decade in hospitality, she has launched and developed multiple restaurant concepts, building a reputation for creating brands that don’t just serve food they create moments.

Often dubbed the “Brunch Queen,” Danielle blends high-impact visuals, unapologetic creativity, and sharp business instincts to redefine what modern dining looks like. Beyond her own restaurants, she consults for local and women-owned businesses, helping them elevate their menus, strengthen their brands, and stand out in a crowded industry.

From over-the-top brunch dishes to her emerging CERLMLK cereal milk butter line, Danielle’s work lives at the intersection of culture, creativity, and commerce pushing boundaries and proving that hospitality can be both wildly fun and seriously strategic.

Sasha Pardy

Sasha Pardy is the Co-Owner and President of Adirondack Winery and Extreme Heights Cidery, based in the Lake George region of New York. Since co-founding Adirondack Winery in 2008—one of the first micro-wineries in the country to operate without an attached vineyard—she has helped grow the business to produce over 15,000 cases annually, sourcing grapes from premier New York growers. The winery is known for its innovative fruit-infused wines and guided tasting experiences that have earned consistent top rankings as one of the region’s must-visit attractions.

Under her leadership, the brand has evolved beyond traditional wine service. In 2022, Adirondack Winery opened its Queensbury location, introducing a Restobar featuring a full menu of elevated shareables, craft wine-infused cocktails, cider, and a dynamic, experience-driven hospitality model. The space also includes “The Mezz,” now one of the region’s top event venues, hosting a packed calendar of public events—from dueling pianos and comedy to book clubs and crafting experiences—alongside private events including weddings, bridal showers, corporate gatherings, and large group tastings and tours.

Sasha is the founder of the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, now celebrating its 10th anniversary. The festival features 120+ wineries, craft beverage producers, artisan food and craft makers, a culinary and cocktail demo and competition tent, live music, and more—generating over $3.5 million in annual economic impact for the region each year. In 2023, she also co-launched Extreme Heights Cidery, a craft cider brand inspired by the Adirondack High Peaks.

Sasha is passionate about creating memorable guest experiences and building community through food, beverage, and events across the Adirondacks.

Amy Racine

Amy Racine is Beverage Director and Partner at JF Restaurants and a 2026 James Beard Semifinalist for “Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service.” She was most recently named Wine Enthusiast’s “Beverage Director of the Year” (2024), VinePair’s 2025 Next Wave Awards Wine Professional of the Year, and a recipient of an Augie from the Culinary Institute of America.

She oversees more than 16 beverage programs across Chef John Fraser’s award-winning hospitality group, including Tatiana by Chef Kwame Onwuachi and Michelin-starred Lilac. Her leadership has earned and maintained Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for eight locations, as well as multiple “Best Of” awards. Her cocktail program at 701West was named one of Esquire’s Best Bars in America, and Ardor at The West Hollywood EDITION earned recognition from Tales of the Cocktail.

Amy studied at the Culinary Institute of America and leads The Unfiltered Project, a newly launched beverage series spotlighting industry leaders shaping culture beyond the dining room.

Amanda Signorelli

Amanda Signorelli is the Co-CEO of Golden Steer, a hospitality and food brand anchored by the oldest steakhouse on the Las Vegas Strip. Since 1958, the original Golden Steer has welcomed legends like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Frank Sinatra. Today, Golden Steer operates three lines of business: the flagship Las Vegas steakhouse, an e-commerce division shipping product across the US, and the recently opened Golden Steer New York. The company hosts over 130,000 guests annually at the Las Vegas location and has gone viral on TikTok with more than 200 million impressions. Before joining the Golden Steer, Amanda was CEO of the VC-backed startup Techweek and started her career at McKinsey & Company.

JOIN US AT THE CONFERENCE

Women in Hospitality Conference, In partnership with Google
June 2 | Google NYC – St. John’s Terminal – 550 Washington St., NYC

NYSRA’s Women in Hospitality Conference is a full-day, invitation-only event in New York City, the hospitality and restaurant capital of the world. This year’s program will feature panel discussions and keynote speakers, and provide meaningful connections, professional development, and growth for women across our industry.

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