Sous Chef

E|H's first full-time employee, Ashley shares over 15 years of HR experience and 4 years of hospitality experience with her clients and teammates. Prior to joining E|H, Ashley progressed from an administrative assistant to an HR leader at The Catholic University of America while earning her master's degree. A former D1 gymnast, Ashley's strengths lie in forging strong relationships, quickly adapting to new situations, and excelling as a team player. Ashley has her bachelor’s in communications from the University of Maryland, a master's in HR management from the Catholic University of America, and her PHR certification.

Ideal Restaurant Experience

Food has the amazing ability to bring people together in so many unique ways. Whether it's hosting a dinner party with close friends, celebrating a milestone at an intimate meal for two, or the memories created by cooking with friends and loved ones over the years, a good meal always seems to be at the center. What stands out the most when dining out (not just in NYC, but anywhere) is authentic hospitality -- making a guest feel warm and welcome as soon as they enter the establishment.

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

Providing a space where people can feel confident, and turning mistakes into a learning opportunities. An environment where people feel mentally and physically strong, supported, positive, and ready to tackle challenges in a meaningful way.

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.