HR Associate

Allysun's passion for hospitality began with her first foray into New York's diverse restaurant culture at Chanterelle, an institution in the downtown Manhattan fine dining scene. It was here that she saw firsthand the positive impact a people-first culture can have on a business. When she later joined the service team at a cheese and wine bar as a manager, her now 10+ year journey to become an effective operations and human resources leader began in earnest. And now having been a general manager of several iconic brands and esteemed New York restaurants, Allysun knows what it takes to lead a successful team. Beyond leading teams, Allysun strongly advocates a people-first approach for all hospitality businesses. Allysun holds a B.A. in English literature from the University of Tennessee, an M.A. in experimental humanities from New York University, and a PMP certification from the Project Management Institute.

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 because the food, drinks and atmosphere are unpredictable and different each time you visit.

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

Creating a workplace where employees feel genuinely seen and heard, where their personal goals are prioritized, and where they can be regularly challenged to expand their skills.

Since her first job as a host, Laura knew she belonged in hospitality. After studying hospitality at Boston University, she built a foundation in operations at Hillstone Restaurant Group, thriving in the service-focused, high intensity environment. Eager for growth, Laura then joined California startup Eureka! Restaurant Group's 8th location as a general manager, later becoming a senior training manager as the group expanded to 22 locations. 5 years later, Laura pursued a challenging role as an HR and training leader at Alicart (the name behind iconic NYC restaurants Carmine’s and Virgil’s), eventually becoming the chief of staff and working across HR, finance, marketing, operations, and catering. Laura brought her passion and experience for human resources, project management, and the restaurant industry to Empowered Hospitality in May 2022.

Ideal Restaurant Experience

Ideal restaurant experiences for me always start with the vibe I get, from calling to make a reservation to walking through the door. Is the team working cohesively in an effortless tango? Can you taste the pride in the food? Is the music on-point? Most importantly, how is my company? All of these factors go into a restaurant experience that gets it right!

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

Creating a workplace where people are being challenged and supported with their own personal goals and have an open forum with their leaders to discuss their own opportunities.