Restaurant Manager

After studying fashion design at FIT, Michelle worked as a designer for renowned clients such as Givenchy, Ralph Lauren, and Ranjana Khan before pivoting her artistic talents to food. Michelle earned a certificate in pastry arts from the French Culinary Institute and joined an artisanal candy company, where she wore many hats. Upon realizing her strengths -- leading with empathy and compassion, the ability to navigate employee relations issues, and a fearless approach to 'tough conversations' -- Michelle shifted her focus to HR and worked alongside E|H founder Sarah Diehl at the Wythe Hotel. Michelle honed her HR skills at the Wythe Hotel and Troutbeck Resort for nearly four years before joining E|H full-time. Michelle has her bachelor's from FIT, a certificate in pastry arts from the French Culinary Institute (now International Culinary Center), and her SHRM-CP.

Ideal Restaurant Experience

My ideal restaurant experience should feel like being a guest in someone's home. You feel welcomed, the food is comforting yet exciting, and the service is genuine and kind. Your needs are taken care of and you leave feeling replenished.

What does "creating workplaces where people thrive" mean to you?

To create a workplace where people thrive means you have created an environment of trust, respect, collaboration and creativity. You've put in the effort to get to know your team and their unique talents and challenges. From there, you've developed systems and strategies to meet those needs, and provided the tools to succeed.

Giselle brings 8 years of HR experience to E|H. While Giselle's strengths lie in leadership development, training, compliance and HRIS programming, she also has extensive knowledge of the complete hospitality business lifecycle – everything from acquiring a liquor license to managing accounts payable. Giselle has the ability to analyze a scenario from every possible angle and uses her unique experience to provide multi-faceted support to her clients. Giselle holds her bachelor's in psychology from Brooklyn College and her certification in HR management from Pace University.

Ideal Restaurant Experience

I love a low key spot that’s brimming with creativity, where bartenders and line cooks have freedom to present new ideas. You can always tell when the staff is free to express themselves through the food and drink - sometimes their excitement is more satisfying than whatever I'm eating or drinking.

What does "creating workplaces where people thrive" mean to you?

Creating a workplace where all employees feel genuinely seen and heard, where their personal goals are prioritized and invested in as equally as their professional goals.