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At the heart of the James Beard Foundation is a commitment to exceptional leadership, dedicated employees, and visionary board members. These key individuals shape our success, drive innovation, and ensure we stay true to our mission.

Photo: Clay Williams

Photo: Clay Williams

Our People

The core of our organization’s success is the strength of our leadership, employees, and board members. Each plays a pivotal role in driving our mission forward and creating an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.

Our leadership team provides the strategic vision that guides us, ensuring we stay agile in a changing world while remaining focused on our long-term goals. Their ability to inspire and motivate not only directs our organization’s path but also cultivates a culture where every team member can grow and succeed.

Our employees are the foundation of everything we do. Their dedication, talent, and passion make a difference every day. We believe that each employee brings a unique set of skills and perspectives, contributing to a dynamic workplace where ideas flourish. By fostering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, we empower our employees to reach their full potential, which in turn drives our organization’s progress and enables us to better serve our stakeholders. Their hard work and commitment to excellence are what allow us to meet the challenges of today and anticipate the needs of tomorrow.

Finally, our board members provide invaluable oversight and guidance, ensuring our organization remains on a path of sustainable growth. With their diverse backgrounds and wealth of experience, they offer strategic insights that help us navigate complex decisions and stay aligned with our core values. Their leadership fosters accountability, transparency, and innovation, reinforcing our commitment to making a positive impact. Together, our leadership, employees, and board members form a powerful team, driving our organization toward continued success and meaningful achievements.

Staff

Brandon Belgrave

Beard House Kitchen Manager

Janelle Benjamin

JBF Institute Coordinator

Anouska Biswas

Director of Finance

Janae Butler

Senior Manager, New Business Development

Christine Chung

Senior Manager of Social Media Marketing

Charles Clayton

Email Marketing Manager

Sarah D'Imperio

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Cat Feliciano

Special Events Manager

Carolin Frias

Awards Manager

Jacob Friedfeld

Project Manager, Marketing and Communications

Katherine Gray

Director of Communications

Willa Green

Senior Manager, Sponsorship

Emily Hannon

Awards Manager

Yasmin Hariri

Senior Manager, Branded Content

Malandra Hastick

Senior Manager, Human Resources Operations

William Hill

Staff Accountant

Aaron Hock

Senior Manager, Membership

Sari Kamin

Manager, Public Programming and Events, Platform by JBF

Shameeka Leacock

Associate Director of JBF Institute

Tamar Lopez

Box Office Coordinator

Anna Magnuson

Manager of JBF Network and Institute

Sandra Matias Rosario

Director of General Accounting

John McAndrew

Senior Manager of Sponsor Relations

Mirela Mujovic

Operations Manager

Shane Oseghale

Awards Coordinator

Kimberly Bradley Osorio

Receivables Manager

Ethan Pan

Digital Marketing Coordinator

Nick Piccora

Development Manager

Samantha Presnal

Director of Awards

Dan Reiser

Awards Coordinator

Sindy Reyes

Event Manager, Platform by JBF

Brittany Robinson

Manager of Private Events, Beard House and Platform by JBF

Clare Rock

Director of Major Gifts

Victoria Jordan Rodriguez

Senior Director of Special Projects

Maggie Schoenfarber

Senior Director of Marketing

Ellie Sher

Senior Director of Special Events

Emily Solomon

Advocacy & Network Coordinator

Megan Storms

Associate Director of JBF Institute

Kim Strauss

Senior Director of Database Systems

Kiri Tannenbaum

Director of Public Programming and Events, Platform by JBF

Eleanor Williams

Special Events Coordinator

Izabela Wojcik

Director of Special Fundraising Initiatives

Angela Yang

Development Manager

Monique Zhuma

Director of Marketing and Communications, Platform by JBF

Board of Trustees

Michiel Bakker

President, The Culinary Institute of America

More on: Michiel Bakker

Jeff Cherry

Founder, CEO, and Executive Director, Conscious Venture Lab; Managing General Partner, Conscious Venture Partners, LLC; Founder, CEO, and Managing Partner, The Porter Group, LLC

More on: Jeff Cherry

Tricia Clarke-Stone

Co-founder, WP Narrative

More on: Tricia Clarke-Stone

Elizabeth Falkner

Chef/Creative/Maker

More on: Elizabeth Falkner

Michelle DiFebo Freeman

Owner and CEO of Carl M. Freeman Companies

More on: Michelle DiFebo Freeman

Jillian Griffiths

Partner and Chief Financial Officer of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice

More on: Jillian Griffiths

Melinda Hildebrand

Vice Chair of the Hildebrand Foundation

More on: Melinda Hildebrand

Tanya Holland

Chef, Author

More on: Tanya Holland

Andrew Levine

Partner at Debevoise & Plimpton

More on: Andrew Levine

Chris Lyons

Partner, Andreessen Horowitz

More on: Chris Lyons
Headshot of Zara Mirza

Zara Mirza

Chief Brand Officer, TIAA

More on: Zara Mirza

Jacob Monty

Founder, Monty & Ramirez LLP

More on: Jacob Monty

Anthony Myint

Executive Director, Zero Foodprint and Co-Founder of Mission Street Food, Mission Chinese Food, The Perennial

More on: Anthony Myint

Michael Phillips

Principal, Chairman and President of Jamestown, and Vice Chair Emeritus on the Board

More on: Michael Phillips
B&W headshot of Jesse Rogers

Jesse Rogers

Co-founder and Managing Director, Altamont Capital Partners

More on: Jesse Rogers

Allison Rose

Venture Capitalist

More on: Allison Rose

Frederic M. Seegal

Chair Emeritus

More on: Frederic M. Seegal

Ellen Teller

Chief Government Affairs Officer at the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC).

More on: Ellen Teller

Kim Williams

Director of Xcel Energy

More on: Kim Williams

Emeritus Trustees

Peter Cameron


Jill Greenthal


David W. Rivkin


Marva Smalls