Vista Hermosa

Joe brings nearly 20 years of recruiting and consulting experience to E|H, having managed key accounts at Randstad and having led large scale consulting projects at Alvarez & Marsal, Acquis Consulting Group and EY-Parthenon. As a business traveler, Joe has curated a deep and personal love of hospitality over the years, connecting with people around the world through shared and memorable culinary experiences. At home in NYC, Joe enjoys the city's diverse restaurant scene, and especially enjoys 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. In addition, Joe is 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 well - 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 out. 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.

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.