Client Services Director

Joe’s passion for HR began in 2011 as an executive development trainee at Macy’s. As an assistant store manager, Joe's keen sense for identifying and developing talent helped make his department among the most successful in the company. In his last year at Macy’s, Joe oversaw the day-to-day operations for seven departments and over 120 employees. Joe's passion called him to pursue a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology, and to join as E|H's first talent lead, where he brings his skill for identifying and developing talent to E|H clients and partners. Joe has his bachelor’s in marketing with honors from CUNY William E. Macaulay Honors College, and a master’s in industrial and organizational psychology from CUNY Baruch College.

What is your ideal restaurant experience?

Part of what makes an experience so special is the element of the unexpected and the unforeseeable. I was in Berlin with a group of friends and we decided to experience a cuisine that none of us had tried before. We ended up at a Georgian restaurant with wooden decor that gave off a very homemade and authentic vibe. 5 out of 5 -- would try this again!

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

An environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves, which allows them to grow and blossom freely.

Surije’s early hospitality experience at Hillstone Restaurant Group opened her eyes to the exciting world of restaurants. Through her experience at Hillstone and later as an operations leader at the Cheesecake Factory, Jose Garces and STARR Restaurants, she thrived when supporting her teams and helping others navigate their careers. This led her to pursue a career in HR, and to gain extensive experience in onboarding, training and development, and workplace culture. Surije strives to foster a positive employee experience and to develop strong employees who support one another.

What is your ideal restaurant experience?

My ideal restaurant experience is a restaurant or bar with great ambiance, exceptional friendly service and delicious food and drinks. I love trying a little bit of everything, I enjoy small plates and bites - the smaller the menu the better!

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

Creating a workplace where people thrive means providing a standout employee experience where open communication is encouraged, missed opportunities are coached and great work is rewarded. Learning to work cross functionally and supporting your team in the tranches helps to build a rock-solid foundation on which to build a great career.