Meet our speakers
Keynote Speakers
Steve Lerch
Speaker and consultant, Story Arc Consulting
Steve Lerch is an award-winning international public speaker, consultant, and former Google Executive, and has become a highly respected voice in the world of digital strategy, marketing, consumer behavior, and innovation.
While at Google, Steve served as a digital strategy advisor to prominent brands like GoPro and Roku, respected non-profits like the YMCA and Save the Children, and even major branches of the Federal Government, like the Census and FEMA. He spent years helping hundreds of organizations better understand their customers, tell more compelling stories, and leverage data more strategically.
In addition to building digital marketing strategies, Steve also served as a Culture and Innovation Evangelist during his time at Google. In this role, Steve was one of the first voices heard by hundreds of new employees, teaching them about the important cultural building blocks that drive innovation and that have led to Google’s success.
Steve leverages his nine years at Google serving as a digital strategy consultant to dozens of the world’s most well-known brands to bring independent consulting services to companies of all sizes and across all industries. He offers an outside perspective on a company’s vision and strategy, challenges organizations to evolve past strategies, and helps brands embrace a digital-first world. His many areas of focus include marketing, digital/web/social strategy, customer insights, attribution, strategic planning, and team dynamics.
When on a stage, Steve’s high-energy style perfectly blends humor, inspirational stories, and actionable advice, which makes him a perfect choice for larger, more aspirational keynote addresses as well as more specific breakout and education sessions. Steve is obsessed with data, patterns, and trends, but believes data isn’t useful when it’s boring.
Mark Perna
Founder and CEO, TFS Results
Mark C. Perna is the founder and CEO of TFS Results, a strategic consulting firm leading the North American paradigm shift in education and workforce development. As an acclaimed generational expert, weekly Forbes.com contributor, and podcast host, Mark today delivers 90+ keynotes annually across North America, inspiring thousands of students, parents, educators, employers, and community leaders each year.
Mark, who serves on the Advisory Council for the Coalition for Career Development in Washington, DC, helps communities create a rally point to connect education, business, and economic pipelines. His bestselling book, Answering Why, received 8 national awards and has empowered countless readers to unleash the true potential of today’s young people. Find out more about Mark at MarkCPerna.com.
Learning Session Speakers
Manny Araujo
Senior vice president of sales, LBX Food Robotics/Bake Xpress
Manny Araujo serves as Senior Vice President of Sales, Foodservice at LBX Food Robotics/ Bake Xpress, bringing three decades of unparalleled expertise in the CPG and Food & Beverage sectors. A distinguished alumnus of New York University and Saint Peter’s University (holding a BS in International Business and an MS in Product Management/Marketing), Manny is a recognized leader who actively contributes his insights to prominent organizations such as NACUFS, SASA, SHFM and NACAS. He is also a dedicated foundation member of St. Joseph’s Health.
Beyond his professional achievements, Manny cherishes time with his family, cultivates a discerning wine collection, enjoys traditional sports, and embraces active travel. His commitment to mentorship further underscores his dedication to fostering growth within the industry.
Jennifer Bostedo, RDN
Director of dining and wellness, Montclair State University
Jennifer Bostedo, RDN brings over 20 years of experience as a Campus Dietitian, combining expertise in nutrition and culinary arts to create meaningful dining experiences. Now serving as the Director of Dining and Wellness at Montclair State University, she leads efforts to hard-wire wellness into dining operations and across campus. Her leadership emphasizes innovation and collaboration, which brings together food, friendship, and fun.
Dennis Brown
Resident district manager, Chartwells
Denis began his culinary journey in 2000, working in various local restaurants and country clubs, where he steadily advanced from dishwasher to sous chef. His passion for the culinary arts eventually led him to Johnson & Wales University, where he honed his skills and broadened his expertise. Upon graduation, Denis launched his career with Chartwells Higher Education as an hourly supervisor, quickly showcasing his talent and dedication. His hard work earned him a promotion to executive chef at both Becker College and Worcester State University, solidifying his reputation for culinary leadership.
In 2015, Denis took on the role of Director of Dining at New England College, where he led the renovation of all three campus dining locations, transforming the dining experience for students and faculty alike. By 2018, he was appointed Senior General Manager at Worcester State, and in 2023, he celebrated his most recent promotion to Resident District Manager at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Beyond his professional accomplishments, Denis actively gives back to the community. He mentors for EforAll Greater Worcester and serves on the Board of Directors for Monoosnock Country Club in Leominster, Massachusetts. In recognition of his culinary contributions, Denis was honored with induction into the esteemed Le Amis Escoffier Society of New England in November 2024.
Jessica Carr, MS, RDN
Campus dietician, Montclair State University
Jessica Carr, MS, RDN has worked alongside Jennifer for the past three years, helping to grow Freeman Dining Hall from a new renovation into a wellness-focused, AYCTE destination. Together, they established NOURISH—the Dietitian-led brand for Montclair State University that promotes student engagement through nutrition education and food-centered community building. NOURISH earned a Bronze NACUFS award for excellence in Outreach and Education, recognizing its creative approach to connecting students through food. Jennifer and Jessica share a passion for transforming dining from a routine experience into a medium for health, connection, and belonging.
Brett Chambers
Application administrator, Ohio University Culinary Services
Brett brings nearly a decade of experience in eCommerce marketing, including three years leading the award-winning OHIO Eats Mobile Ordering App. His innovative strategies for user acquisition and engagement have positioned OHIO Eats as a standout example across North America, earning recognition at Transact Webinars and Conferences as a premier model for success in the mobile ordering space.
Janelle Craft
Senior director of marketing and student experience, Chartwells Higher Ed
Janelle Craft brings over 20 years of marketing and operational experience in the Higher Education Food Services arena. Throughout her career, she has driven innovation and impact across districts and regions through her passion for quality service and student success.
As Senior Director of Marketing and Student Experience Development for Chartwells Higher Education, Janelle oversees the Insights program, which gathers feedback from more than 100,000 students each year. These insights serve as the foundation for innovation, informing new programs, campaigns, and dining experiences that enhance student satisfaction and belonging on campus.
Drawing from this data, Janelle has led the creation of several signature initiatives, including JoyFul, First Year Eats, and Supper Club, programs designed to spark joy through food, support first-year success, and celebrate connection through dining experiences. Together, these efforts exemplify how student insights can inspire meaningful change and shape the future of campus dining.
Sommer Dunlevy
Associate director of marketing & creative services, Kent State University
Sommer Dunlevy is the Associate Director of Marketing and Creative Services at Kent State University, where she leads strategic planning efforts that connect student insight, emerging trends, and data-informed decision-making across campus experiences. Her work centers on identifying patterns in student feedback, structuring qualitative and quantitative input into actionable data, all while using AI-assisted tools to generate insights that support planning, accountability, and leadership decision-making.
A key focus of Sommer’s work is developing continuous student feedback programs that drive measurable improvement. By analyzing trends and identifying themes, she helps teams move beyond listening to students to build a strategic plan/events that are based on student needs. By exploring technology, creativity, and student experience, her work includes applying AI to uncover insights from large-scale feedback, translating ideas into revenue-generating initiatives, and using photography/video storytelling to elevate campus brands and engagement.
Sommer has presented at NACUFS National and Regional Conferences on topics including emerging AI trends, turning ideas into income, food photography and videography for brand storytelling, and the importance of student feedback programs in driving operational excellence and student satisfaction.
Houston Freeman
Director of customer experience, Georgia Institute of Technology
Houston Freeman is a driven problem solver that tries to help professionals make their lives more efficient. With over two decades of food service experience in public and private sector restaurants and dining operations, he has worked every position from dishwasher to Director of Operations. He has received an MBA in Organization Management from Georgia State University. He is currently the Director of Customer Experience for Georgia Tech Dining.
Nicole Kessler
President, Celiac College Guide
Nicole Kessler is the founder and director of The Celiac College Guide, a nonprofit dedicated to making the college search process easier and safer for gluten-free students and families. Through the Guide, Nicole helps increase transparency around how colleges support gluten-free dining and highlights best practices that promote inclusion and safety. A longtime educator and parent of a student with celiac disease, Nicole brings both personal insight and a practical understanding of what students and families need when navigating college dining.
Ashley Leone
Assistant director of nutrition management, Syracuse University
Ashley Leone, Assistant Director of Nutrition Management at Syracuse University Campus Dining, combines her background in nutrition, health, and wellness with her personal experience living with celiac disease. After a successful career in New York City’s fashion industry, Ashley earned her master’s degree in nutrition science from Syracuse University’s David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. She is dedicated to making Syracuse University the gold standard for campus dining and inclusive food service.
Tim Malley
Assistant dining director, Campus Dining and Shops at The University at Buffalo
Tim Malley is one of the Assistant Dining Directors for Campus Dining and Shops at SUNY University at Buffalo. He has worked at Campus Dining for 19 years starting as a student employee in his freshman year. He was promoted to a Student Manager position in the fall of his sophomore year and continued to work in that position the remained of his time in college. After graduation he was hired into a full-time position as an Assistant Manager with Campus Dining and from there he worked his way up to his current position as Assistant Dining Director. He enjoys training both student and professional staff and has used that passion to help develop and teach in many of the CDS training initiatives - most notably as a licensed Instructor and Test Proctor of the NRA ServSafe program. He was a member of the committee that designed the framework for the Student Leader program and in his current position he helps to oversee the Student Leader program. When he is not helping to train and develop the future of Campus Dining he enjoys spending time at home with his partner of 18 years and their 10 year old daughter and their two cats.
Melanie Marken
Senior manager - US Sales, Costa Coffee
When Melanie Marken entered the world of coffee and tea, she wasn’t simply accepting an offer to oversee national sales for a specialty coffee roaster. “My career is rooted in the food business, and coming to a premium coffee roaster was very much a home-coming for me,” she explains. Melanie, who is passionate about all things coffee and tea, developed her expertise at Peet’s Coffee and Tea, and then brought that knowledge to Sun Coffee Roasters. With a stop in between at premium foods manufacturer, Monsoon Kitchens, where she also oversaw sales to large national accounts, and managed relationships within Business and Industry, Healthcare and Higher Education clients. Now, on the business development side at UK based Costa Coffee, part of the Coca Cola Family, Melanie continues to share her passion for coffee, while providing technology based solutions with Costa’s Smart Cafes.
Melanie has spent her 25-plus year career in the food business. The decision to follow the premium food and beverage path was driven equally by a personal alignment with industry trends and the opportunity to be part of its exciting growth.
Known for being an enthusiastic volunteer, inside and outside the industry, Melanie has given her time and expertise to various organizations, including Society of Hospitality and Food Service Management (SHFM), National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS), SASA, and AHF. Melanie’s volunteerism extends to her alma mater, the Tilton School in New Hampshire, which she credits for teaching her the importance of working for the greater good.
Outside of work, Melanie is a Master Level Swimmer who enjoys her family, gardening, active travel, cooking and sports.
Crista Martin
Director of strategic initiatives & communications, Harvard University
Since joining Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) in 1998, Crista Martin has led the way in how HUDS tells its story, connects with its community, and plans for the future. She and her Communications team coordinate marketing, communications, and engagement across all HUDS operations—work that has been recognized with awards from organizations including the University & College Designers Association and the International Association of Business Communicators. A committed industry leader, Crista is a frequent presenter and volunteer with The National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS), where she is also a recipient of the Richard Lichtenfelt Award.
In addition to her communications leadership, Crista directs HUDS’ Strategic Initiatives, helping to shape and implement projects that advance sustainability, food donation, technology integration, business development and planning, customer service, and more. Her impact has been recognized across the University and beyond: she is a two-time Harvard Hero, was named a “Food Hero” by the City of Cambridge in 2015, and received a Harvard College Dean’s Distinction Award in 2020.
Jason Mignogna
National sales executive, Restaurant Technologies
Jason Mignogna is a National Sales Executive for Foodservice and Non-Commercial segments at Restaurant Technologies (RTI). With 10+ years of dedicated experience at RTI, combined with a CPG background, he is a consultative seller who partners with operators to deliver automated solutions to improve kitchen safety, efficiency, and sustainability. A lifelong New Jersey resident with a BS in Marketing and MBA in International Business from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Jason is a solutions-driven leader. Outside of work, he enjoys the outdoors with his wife and children.
Andrea Miller
Staffing and onboarding specialist, Virginia Tech
Andrea began her career with VT Dining in 2021 as the Cash Office Supervisor for West End Dining Hall. In 2024, she transitioned into the role of Staffing and Onboarding Specialist, where she hires all salaried employees for Dining Services, supports wage hiring, and assists with training and development. She also volunteers as the Hokie Wellness Champion for Dining Services, promoting well-being initiatives for the dining team. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys spending time with her family and animals and loves thrifting and puzzling.
John Pagano
Resident district manager, Babson College / Chartwells Higher Education
Experienced RDM managing College and University Food Services at for 10+ Years. Awarded Open AI Wild Card Award for innovation. Compass Group Retail Manager of the Year in 2023 for Ordering Technology Implementations. Various Industry leaders in supporting technologies will join in the panel discussion.
Laura Pontier
Assistant director of operations development, Virginia Tech
Laura leads strategic workforce initiatives across Virginia Tech Dining Services, focusing on aligning hiring, training, and operational excellence. With a deep understanding of how staffing impacts service, she champions innovation in onboarding, retention, and employee development.
Jessica Powell
Hiring manager, Virginia Tech
Jessica joined the Hokie Nation after moving to the New River Valley in 2014. She spent 10 years at Turner Place with Virginia Tech Dining, serving in a variety of roles including Office Assistant, Cash Office Supervisor, and Administrative Assistant. Building on her extensive hiring and operational experience, Jessica began her role as Dining Hiring Manager in July 2024. In this position, she and her team review thousands of applicants each year for student, hourly, and full-time positions across 14 dining operations. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys swimming, spoiling her two cats, and going on adventures with her husband and nine-year-old son.
Aimee Sales
Marketing & merchandising manager, Texas Tech University
Aimee is a 2000 graduate of Texas Tech University with a major in advertising and a minor in marketing. She joined the Marketing area of Hospitality Services in 2016 and is currently the Unit Manager of Marketing and Merchandising. Prior to joining Hospitality in 2010, she worked for multiple print shops in Lubbock, the last of which was a full-service print shop that solely served the Texas Tech campus. She has two wonderful sons that she adores. The younger is a junior attending Texas Tech and the older is a paramedic.
Joey Schulz
Regional marketing director, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality South Region
Joey is a marketing leader with over 20 years of experience driving strategy, brand growth, and revenue across diverse industries. For the past seven years, he has served as Regional Marketing Director for Aramark Collegiate Hospitality’s South Region, leading strategic initiatives across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. His work focuses on accelerating growth through innovative marketing strategy, improved customer engagement, and data‑driven business plan execution.
Prior to Aramark, Joey gained broad experience in franchise marketing, B2B services, and agency strategy, developing award‑winning campaigns and high‑impact programs that strengthened brand positioning and delivered measurable results.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications/advertising from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Master of Science in hospitality and tourism management from the University of New Orleans. Joey is currently pursuing a master’s degree in organizational psychology from Arizona State University.
Jason Warrington
Marketing manager at Bison Hospitality, Harding University
Jason Warrington serves as Aramark Collegiate Hospitality’s Marketing Manager, supporting Harding University’s dining program, Bison Hospitality. He leads strategic initiatives that connect campus dining with the broader university and the local community. With a background in brand development and engagement strategy, Jason brings a collaborative approach to food service marketing—focusing on storytelling, student-centered programming, and partnerships that enhance the campus experience.
Under his leadership, Bison Hospitality has launched innovative campaigns that highlight sustainability, inclusivity, and regional sourcing, helping to position dining services as a vital part of campus life. Jason is passionate about creating spaces where students, faculty, and community members feel seen, heard, and nourished—both literally and figuratively.
A frequent presenter and contributor to industry conversations, Jason advocates for food services as a platform for connection and institutional alignment. His work reflects a belief that dining is more than a transaction—it’s an opportunity to build relationships, support student success, and foster a sense of belonging.
Evan Wilson
Section manager, New Media & Social Media, Texas Tech University
Evan Wilson is a Texas Tech alumnus and creative professional based in Texas. He earned his undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University in 2017 and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Strategic Communication and Innovation. His academic work focuses on digital media, storytelling, and how emerging platforms shape the way people connect with content.
Professionally, Evan works within Texas Tech University Hospitality Services, where he leads social media and new media initiatives that blend strategy, creativity, and real world results. His approach is grounded in clarity, consistency, and making content that feels authentic to the student experience.
Outside of Texas Tech, Evan is the founder of Blue Cedar Productions, where he creates cinematic wedding films and commercial content with an emphasis on honest storytelling and intentional design. He is a husband and father, and much of his creative perspective is shaped by family life, faith, and a deep appreciation for meaningful, well crafted work.
Jennifer Wood
Vice president of business development, Touchwork
Jennifer Wood brings more than 25 years of experience helping organizations navigate complex challenges, including 14 years working directly at a university, giving her a firsthand understanding of the operational realities, constraints, and decision-making dynamics institutions face. As Vice President of Business Development at Touchwork, Jennifer partners with colleges and universities to turn customer feedback, internal audits, and AI-driven insights into data-informed decisions that improve operations, enhance the student experience, and drive measurable outcomes. Known for her strategic mindset and practical approach, she is passionate about helping institutions work more effectively and create lasting, positive change.