Verve Wine

Joe brings 20 years' experience serving Fortune 500 clients to E|H, managing key accounts at Randstad and leading strategic consulting projects at Alvarez & Marsal, Acquis Consulting Group and EY-Parthenon. Through decades of business travel, Joe has curated a deep and personal love of hospitality, connecting with clients, colleagues and friends around the world through shared culinary experiences. At home in NYC, Joe enjoys the city's diverse restaurant scene, and especially loves visiting Empowered's clients with the team. Joe earned a BSc in mechanical engineering from Boston University and an MBA in strategy, with honors, from the University of Notre Dame. Joe is also a PMI-certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) and an ISM Certified Professional Supply Manager (CPSM®).

Ideal Restaurant Experience

The Danish term, hygge, describes my ideal experience - warm, cozy, and inviting. There's nothing I love more in a restaurant. A comfortable, quiet place - with soft lighting, warm colors, and well-designed acoustics - has a tremendous impact on an evening. The ambiance sets the stage for delicious drinks, tasty food, and great conversation.

What does creating workplaces where people thrive mean to you?

To thrive at work, people must feel included, supported, capable, and challenged - in a workplace where the camaraderie of a team and the collective pursuit of an ambitious goal are prioritized. When a company offers these opportunities, the business takes care of itself.

Originally from New Orleans, Laura comes to Empowered Hospitality after fifteen years in NYC's renowned theatre industry. Her wide range of experiences — from the front lines of customer service at a Broadway theatre to building a brand-new human resources department at an established licensing company — has given her unique insights into what helps people thrive in every stage of their career. Laura's passion for building community and making local cultures feel invigorating to the people who live in them - and like home to the people who don’t - make her an incredible teammate and resource at Empowered. Laura earned a BA in theatre from City College of New York, an MFA in creative writing from Hunter College, and a PHR certificate from HRCI.

Ideal Restaurant Experience

New Orleans is famous for its cuisine, and more importantly, its people and culture! My ideal restaurant experience involves a place that has a story: somewhere that has survived storms and setbacks, where the same locals have been sitting at the same tables for decades, and where the bartender has both a drink and an outrageous story ready when you walk in the door. Food is almost secondary to a place where there is always a seat waiting for you.

What does creating workplaces where people thrive mean to you?

Creating workplaces where people thrive means making space for people to feel confident and grow — both inside and outside of work! Since we spend a lot of time at work, the workplace should be supportive, engaging, and interesting, and still leave space for your other interests, friends, and family.