Angelo Esposito is the Co-Founder & CEO of WISK.ai, an AI-powered inventory and cost management platform for restaurants and bars. With a background in SaaS and data-driven solutions, he’s helping hospitality businesses streamline operations, reduce costs, and maximize profitability. He also hosts the "Wisking It All" podcast, where he interviews industry leaders on innovation and growth in hospitality.

Anthony Presley is the CEO of TimeForge, a leading workforce management platform serving restaurants, retailers, and grocers across the country. With a background in software engineering and business strategy, Anthony has spent his career helping operators harness technology to solve real-world labor challenges. Under his leadership, TimeForge has grown into a trusted partner for streamlining scheduling, labor compliance, sales forecasting, and employee engagement. A frequent speaker at industry events, Anthony is recognized as a thought leader on the future of work, AI-driven labor forecasting and compliance, and retail technology innovation. Passionate about building solutions that empower both businesses and frontline employees, he continues to drive TimeForge’s mission to simplify workforce management while improving profitability and employee satisfaction.

Christin Marvin is a distinguished restaurant coach, speaker, and host of The Restaurant Leadership Podcast. She is also the author of Multi-Unit Mastery: Simplify Operations, Maximize Profits and Lead with Confidence, and The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary.

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Danny Klein is the VP Editorial Director of WTWH Media's Food, Retail, & Hospitality brands, including QSR and FSR magazines, CStore Decisions, PMQ, and Club + Resort. He began his hospitality media career with QSR and FSR, two of the restaurant industry’s leading trade publications and part of the WTWH Media portfolio of brands. QSR is celebrating its 28th year in business and continues to serve as a leading resource for franchisees, executives, and thought leaders throughout the foodservice world. FSR, founded 13 years ago, covers the full-service restaurant sector. A graduate of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, Danny spent more than a decade covering high school, college, and professional sports throughout Florida before joining the company as the associate editor of FSR magazine in 2015. A Brooklyn, New York, native, he lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with his wife, Lindsey, basset hound Maggie, daughter, Audrey, and son, Dean

Jason Berkowitz is currently the CEO and Founder of Arrow UP Training - an online platform with built-in content and a suite of smart tools that help restaurants develop supervisors into leaders, satisfy compliance, and lower operating costs. Their programs have become standard practice for independent restaurants, top companies and large-scale organizations. Jason served as VP of Operations for Umami Burger, COO and Partner for Tocaya Organica, and a founding board member for The Independent Hospitality Coalition. He's the author of the industry favorite, 'Please Don't Sleep With The Host.' 

Lauren Coulter | Co-Founder & Chief Biscuit Eater, Biscuit Belly

Lauren Coulter is the Co-Founder and Chief Biscuit Eater of Biscuit Belly, a chef-driven, fast-casual brunch brand that’s redefining how the South does biscuits. After starting her career in pharmacy, Lauren traded prescription pads for business plans, launching and scaling Biscuit Belly alongside her husband and co-founder, Chad.

Known for her no-nonsense leadership, creative problem-solving, and heart for hospitality, Lauren has helped grow Biscuit Belly from a single Louisville location to 14 stores across multiple states.

Whether she’s behind the scenes building systems or on stage sharing her story, Lauren is passionate about empowering women entrepreneurs, championing smart growth, and keeping things real - especially in an industry where the biscuits might be fluffy, but the work is anything but.

Lissa Bowen is a hospitality and workforce strategist with a mission to create workplace cultures where people love to work. She leads The Good Work Collective, a nonprofit equipping individuals impacted by justice involvement and foster care with culinary and leadership training—building a stronger, more inclusive talent pipeline for the industry. With decades of experience in HR, operations, and leadership development, Lissa brings a fresh (and real) perspective to what the future of work should look like.

Renee Everett Sjulin began learning the important aspects of Runza® Restaurant store operations while still in high school. In 1986, Sjulin graduated from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with a degree in Business Administration, emphasis in Accounting. After graduation, Renee became the Director of Accounting at Runza® National and eventually developed the Human Resources department for the Runza® system. In her capacity as Executive Vice President, she is the Board liaison for the Accounting, Human Resources, and Franchise Development teams. Renee serves on the Board of Directors for the Tabitha Health System and is a member of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln College of Business advisory board.

Sam Oches is an award-winning Editorial Director with Informa Foodservice and Editor-in-Chief for Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. A graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, Sam previously served as Editorial Director of Food News Media, publisher of QSR and FSR magazines. He’s a past president of the International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC) and a past board member with the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE). His foodservice insights have been shared in national media outlets such as the New York Times, USA Today, National Public Radio, Morning Brew, and CNBC. He lives in Columbus, Ohio, with his wife and three kids.

Steve Fortunato is a leadership expert, entrepreneur, and founder of roomforty. Known for pioneering the Host Mindset, Steve helps leaders and organizations cultivate genuine relationships that drive performance, foster belonging, and sustain long-term success. His transformative approach empowers leaders to navigate complexity with authenticity, generosity, and empathy. 

Strategic Franchise Executive with experience building and developing high-performance teams across different functions including Operations, Training, Human Resources, Marketing, and Development/Sales. Servant Leader who inspires and develops teams to achieve business and personal goals. Highly skilled in process improvement and program management using data to solve complex problems. Collaborator with a knack for crafting and executing successful strategies to drive business results. Strong communicator who leverages the big picture to drive change. Enthusiastic, high-performing, positive, tenacious change leader with strong work ethic and “get things done” mentality. Thrives in high-performance yet compassionate workplace cultures.