Surije’s journey in hospitality began at Starr Restaurants, where she discovered her passion for the dynamic restaurant industry while serving as an assistant general manager. She later transitioned into HR, taking on the role of people operations manager at Equinox, where she honed her expertise in onboarding, training, development, and workplace culture. Most recently, she brought her operational and people-focused skills to the healthcare industry as an operations manager at Flatiron Health. A results-driven and inspiring leader, Surije is passionate about people development, team building, and fostering strong team morale. She brings an extensive background in hospitality, customer service, project management, and community building to every role she takes on. Now, she is excited to apply her expertise to Empowered Hospitality’s clients, helping them build thriving, collaborative teams and positive workplace cultures.

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.