Women In Hospitality

Alex Guarnaschelli

Keynote Presenter

Few American chefs, much less female chefs, can boast leading Michelin-starred restaurants abroad. Chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli can make such a boast, having embarked on a culinary journey in France that saw her working in some of that country’s top restaurants, including esteemed chef Guy Savoy’s eponymous three-star kitchen. In 2003, Guarnaschelli became the executive chef at Butter Restaurant in New York City, which provided the opportunity for her to develop a menu based on her own choices and point of view. Guarnaschelli created an American menu spotlighting local ingredients in dishes that allowed their flavors to shine.

Today Guarnaschelli is recognized as one of America’s most accomplished top chefs, acclaimed for her work in the kitchen, as an author, and as a popular television personality.

In addition to being an Iron Chef, Guarnaschelli hosts her own primetime series Supermarket Stakeout on Food Network. She is also a regular co host on The Kitchen and a recurring judge on Chopped. In 2018, Food Network launched Alex Guarnaschelli’s digital series Fix Me a Plate, in which the New York native takes audiences on an insider’s tour of the city’s best no-frills food spots.

Alex released her first cookbook, “Old-School Comfort Food: The Way I Learned to Cook”, in spring 2013, which became a New York Times bestseller. In fall 2017, Alex’s second cookbook, “The Home Cook: Recipes to Know by Heart”, is still in print won praise from outlets such as Publisher’s Weekly which noted that “…Guarnaschelli nicely chronicles the changes in a shifting culinary landscape.” Alex released her third cookbook, “Cook With Me: 150 Recipes For The Home Cook,” on October 17th, 2020.

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Oneika Mays, LMT

Oneika Mays, LMT, is a multi-hyphenate facilitator who leads with joy, passion, and wisdom. She is a grounded leader with lived experience that centers on mindfulness and transformation. As a Black, queer feminist she brings a poignant lens to building a world that is more compassionate and understanding. With deep roots and knowledge in Buddhist and yogic teachings, Oneika delivers practical application and authentic connection through her facilitation skills.

Oneika has been practicing yoga for more than 20 years, and guiding yoga and meditation for more than a decade. Since then, she has used her knowledge to support social justice nonprofits and historically excluded communities. She served as the Mindfulness Coach at Rikers Island Correctional Facility for 4 years and is currently a teacher for Yoga International, an inclusive and accessible online studio with classes designed for every level of practice.

Oneika’s ability to take big ideas and distill them down into understandable and relatable learnings allows her to show up as a conduit for transformation. She is your teacher, your auntie, your friend, and an intuitive soul here for the work of personal and collective liberation. From mindfulness and movement classes to keynote addresses and board meetings, Oneika consistently delivers a practical application of transformative practices at the intersection of joy and disruption. Join her movement to tap into joy and change the world by connecting with her on Instagram at @OneikaMays.

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Megan Miller

Megan Miller is a TEDx & Global Speaker, Founder: Intentional Living Method, Best Selling Author & host of Apple’s Top-Rated Podcast, Attention to Intention. Megan is on a mission to deliver the words that she needed for so long in her own journey. Exhaustion is not a status symbol & striving does not need to come from a place of validation. Through the Intentional Living Method built on connection, community and real-life conversations, mask down & human first, Megan shares science backed microsteps to guide audiences on how to reconnect to the person that can get lost in the busyness of life: you.

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Wendy Powell

Wendy Powell has held leadership positions in operations, business development and strategic implementation for many of North America’s largest commercial food service providers such as Delaware North, Compass Group and ISS/Guckenheimer.

As President of Savory Hospitality, Wendy has led a complete transformation of the company; from a startup food-tech company, into an established and dynamic, commissary-based business dining leader in NYC. 

A true entrepreneur with a deep passion for the culinary arts and a strong focus on quality and strategic alignment, Wendy has a proven track record in providing forward thinking solutions and hospitality innovations for premier organizations.

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Jen Staples

Dr. Staples (she/her) is a Clinical Psychologist, Adjunct Professor and the Founder of Work Wiser, a company that provides preventative mental health training for the Food and Beverage Industry. She is passionate about combating mental health stigma and increasing access to evidence-based mental health skills and strategies. She comes from a long line of family in hospitality and worked as a server for over 13 years with a personal investment in impacting hospitality mental health culture. Dr. Staples has over 10 years of experience providing mental health and diversity training, and 5 years of graduate-level teaching experience during which she won a teaching award. She regularly utilizes the skills and strategies taught in Work Wiser trainings in her own personal and professional life and is dedicated to empowering others by providing tools to support mental wellness and success.

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Courtney Willis

Courtney Willis is a seasoned leader in hospitality with over 20 years of experience in progressive leadership. She holds a BA from Clark Atlanta University and a Master’s degree from Cornell University’s Hotel School. Transitioning from a Risk Management Broker, she found her passion in food over 15 years ago at Restaurant Associates (R/A), Compass Group USA. During her tenure at R/A, Courtney has held various roles across multiple lines of business including cultural centers, corporate dining and restaurant services. For over 2 years, she held a duel role as a Regional Director of Operations and led R/A’s Diversity & Inclusion initiatives as Co-Chair. Courtney spearheaded the creation of R/A’s first employee resource group, Black Voices, and transitioned her passion project into a newly created role as the first Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging & Culture.  Courtney is dedicated to creating value by supporting and empowering people to be their authentic, best selves so they can thrive, grow, and feel like they belong.  Outside work, Courtney serves on the Board of Hot Bread Kitchen, which is a nonprofit organization that supports women, gender-expansive people, immigrants, and people of color to gain culinary skills and access great jobs in the food industry in NYC.

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