Calexico

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.

Clidney’s career in HR is what she likes to call a 'really good accident'. While pursuing her undergraduate degree in finance and accounting from CUNY Brooklyn, she worked as a benefits coordinator for a global advertising agency - a job she intended to be temporary. It turned out, however, that working in HR fulfilled not only her love of numbers, but also her passion for people. This experience led her to pursue the intersection of HR and business, driving her to complete her MBA and become an HR generalist. She currently brings her analytical skills, strategic business sense, and love of people to her clients at Empowered Hospitality.

Ideal Restaurant Experience

My ideal restaurant experience would have to be one where I feel happiness and comfort. Some of my favorite memories include family and food, so any establishment that has a family style vibe, serves flavorful food (I'm partial to Afro-Caribbean and Asian cuisines), plays great music, and has an attentive, knowledgeable and professional staff gets an A+ in my book. Extra points if I feel compelled to do a happy dance while I eat!

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

To me, creating workspaces where people thrive means to foster an environment where people feel seen, heard, empowered and supported. There is a no greater feeling than working alongside people that you feel you can lean on and learn from, and for a company that is fully invested in your professional and personal development and growth.