Joelle L. Martinez, President & CEO, Latino Leadership Institute: Joelle is a highly respected and accomplished executive, strategist, speaker, and facilitator who has earned national recognition. Prior to launching the LLI, she had a 15-year career crafting impactful strategies for communication, business development, and public affairs across private and public sectors. Joelle’s areas of expertise encompass Neuroleadership, Latino identity, civic engagement, demographic shifts, and workplace diversity and inclusion. In recognition of her achievements, Joelle was named one of the most powerful women by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce in 2017. Her remarkable contributions to the Latino community were honored with the prestigious NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award in 2019. Notably, Joelle has made significant contributions to various community and business organizations, actively serving on the Hispanic Advisory Council for Coca-Cola, multiple nonprofit boards, for-profit advisory committees, and executive committees. Joelle’s expertise and unwavering dedication ignite transformative change, inspiring individuals and organizations to reach new heights of success and impact.

The Latino Leadership Institute (LLI) www.latinoslead.org advances Latinos to positions of influence and power through cross-sector leadership development, entrepreneurship support, and activation of our national Latino professional network. By unlocking the full potential of Latino leaders through access to technical and social capital, we will reach our goal of successfully building power, driving change, and generating wealth.

Gerry Fernandez, President & Founder, MFHA (Moderator): Gerry is President and Founder of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA), which he formed in 1995 while an executive at General Mills to advance diversity leadership in the foodservice and hospitality industry.

Akanksha Aga, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Loews Hotels & Co: As Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Loews Hotels & Co, Akanksha is responsible for developing, implementing and oversight of DEI plans and success measures. She collaborates with senior leadership to develop strategies that further an inclusive environment for all current and future team members. Prior to joining Loews Hotels, Akanksha served as the Experience Director at FLIK Hospitality Group, where she chaired the Diversity & Inclusion Action Council and launched multiple innovations within learning, engagement and inclusion. Akanksha was born and raised in India, learning to appreciate different cultures at an early age in a military family. In 2001 she moved to the U.S. and earned her MBA in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University.

John Faison, Vice President of Operations, Jackmont Hospitality:

John Faison has come a long way since his days as a dishwasher at TGI FRIDAYS in 1983. Now, instead of washing dishes, he watches financials. As he has grown with the company, he has worked in more than 42 TGI FRIDAYS® restaurants. John’s greatest satisfaction comes from seeing his employees grow their own careers. Under his guidance, more than 60 people have advanced from hourly positions to careers in management. “Faze,” as John was called back in his days at Rutgers University, has won several awards, including most recently, the Presidential Diamond Star Recipient from Carlson Restaurants Worldwide. John also gives back to the community through the restaurants he manages, organizing school supply drives, holiday giving drives, and breast cancer awareness initiatives.

Andrea Flatt, Director, National Client Group – Dining, American Express: Andrea is Head of Dining Industry Strategy and Client Relationships at American Express, a role she has held since 2014. She is responsible for managing the Company’s partnerships with the largest, most strategic restaurant merchants in the U.S. Andrea also is an engaged member of the industry’s trade community and has participated in the National Restaurant Association’s Neighborhood Awards program, and is an active member of Females and Business (FAB), an organization for women in the hospitality industry. She helps to lead her organization’s Diversity & Inclusion team at American Express. Andrea has held several other roles in the company’s Merchant business and the Corporate Affairs & Communications group. She graduated with a B.A. from Seton Hall University.

Donald Semien, Vice President of Franchise Operations, Buffalo Wild Wings – Inspire Brands: Donald Semien is Division Vice President at Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW), supporting all U.S. operations for 532 franchise sports bars and their ownership. He has over 30 years of restaurant, bar, and nightlife venue management experience. He has been with BWW for over 12 years and is currently based out of Houston, TX. Over the years Donald has held many operation roles including those impacting charitable giving and diversity and inclusion, beginning as a General Manager in 2011. He is the executive sponsor and co-founder of the Inspire Brands African American Business Resource Group and a member of the BWW Diversity and Inclusion Council. Donald also serves on the BWW Foundation Board of Directors.

Katy Bunn, Senior Vice President, Leaders and Industry Growth, Paycor: Katy Bunn is the Senior Vice President, Leaders and Industry Growth at Paycor, an HCM company with a mission of empowering leaders to build winning teams. At Paycor, Katy is responsible for the company-wide Leader strategy and the cross-functional Industry Program. Recently, Katy helped Paycor on their road to becoming a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq. Katy is passionate about uncovering what motivates and engages employees while helping companies unlock the power of their frontline leaders to inspire a company culture that drives employee retention and attracts talent.

Joelle L. Martinez, President & CEO, Latino Leadership Institute: Joelle is a highly respected and accomplished executive, strategist, speaker, and facilitator who has earned national recognition. Prior to launching the LLI, she had a 15-year career crafting impactful strategies for communication, business development, and public affairs across private and public sectors. Joelle’s areas of expertise encompass Neuroleadership, Latino identity, civic engagement, demographic shifts, and workplace diversity and inclusion. In recognition of her achievements, Joelle was named one of the most powerful women by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce in 2017. Her remarkable contributions to the Latino community were honored with the prestigious NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award in 2019. Notably, Joelle has made significant contributions to various community and business organizations, actively serving on the Hispanic Advisory Council for Coca-Cola, multiple nonprofit boards, for-profit advisory committees, and executive committees. Joelle’s expertise and unwavering dedication ignite transformative change, inspiring individuals and organizations to reach new heights of success and impact.

The Latino Leadership Institute (LLI) www.latinoslead.org advances Latinos to positions of influence and power through cross-sector leadership development, entrepreneurship support, and activation of our national Latino professional network. By unlocking the full potential of Latino leaders through access to technical and social capital, we will reach our goal of successfully building power, driving change, and generating wealth.

Gerry Fernandez, President & Founder, MFHA (Moderator): Gerry is President and Founder of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA), which he formed in 1995 while an executive at General Mills to advance diversity leadership in the foodservice and hospitality industry.

Maria Martinez Gugliotti, Senior Area General Manager, Sodexo:Maria Martinez Gugliotti works with Sodexo to improve the quality of life in hospitality. A Hispanic Native American, she believes that people are at the core of success, so you must be willing to foster relationships to achieve it. Maria has advanced seven times in seven years, leading a team of culinary experts and working with corporate organizations across southern California. Maria is certified in OSHA, FEMA, DE&I facilitation and The Pro-Human Approach. Maria earned a Commendation from the Marine Corps and the 2014 NRAEF Hill Award for the best mess hall in the U.S., as well as Sodexo’s EBRG Diversity Impact Award and the Spirit of Sodexo Award twice. Maria holds a master’s in health care administration in gerontology from University of Phoenix and Cal State San Marcos.

Angela Simonian, Market Vice President, US Foods:

Angela Simonian has worked for more than 25 years in the foodservice industry and has held positions in restaurant operations and distribution. Since being at US Foods, she has worked in Finance, Merchandising, Marketing, Purchasing, and Sales. Angela is currently the Market Vice President in Sacramento, CA. It is her mission to mentor and encourage associates in the organization, and to help US Foods become an employer that ATTRACTS and empowers diverse talent. Angela believes it is important that a company has leaders who represent the diverse customers they support and serve.

Katrina “KT” Thornton, Chief Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Officer, Taco Bell: KT Thornton has 17+ years of experience positively transforming businesses and teams. Her life’s mission is to empower others to break barriers, shatter negative stereotypes, and boldly live out their FULL potential! KT is responsible for designing and launching Taco Bell’s enterprise-wide diversity and inclusion strategy – a business and growth enabler. Prior, she launched the Kellogg Company’s first united, global DEI strategy. KT is a member of Forbes Human Resources Council, an executive mentor for Regent University’s School of Business and Leadership, and an inaugural member of the Women’s Foodservice Forum’s DEI Council. KT holds a bachelor’s in business administration in marketing, master’s in organizational leadership in human resource management, doctorate in strategic leadership, and the Diversity and Inclusion for HR certificate through Cornell University’s ILR School.