Jennifer Boesch

Executive Director
Houston Independent School District

BOESCH, JENNIFER

Amanda Buonopane

Senior Manager, Strategic Insights
Rich Products Corporation

More InfoAmanda Buonopane leads the Strategic Insights team at Rich Products, where she and her team work across data sources and partners to uncover consumer and operator trends, drive robust market intelligence and research, and surface the insights that power innovation and guide strategic direction. With 15+ years of experience in consumer and B2B insights, Amanda brings a unique lens shaped by a PhD in Anthropology and an MBA in Strategic Marketing. Known for her curiosity, cross-functional collaboration, and ability to translate complexity into clarity, Amanda partners across the business to identify emerging trends, connect unexpected dots, and spark strategies that move the business forward.
BUONOPANE, AMANDA

Nate Carney

GM, Food Service Operations
Exact Sciences Corp.

CARNEY, NATE

Garret Caudle

Founder and CEO
Influent

More InfoFrom 2018 to 2020, I helped a marketing agency scale from 20 to 100 people and achieve an 8 figure exit, by blowing up the founder on LinkedIn. 2021 --> I moved to NYC and started consulting Fortune 500 marketing and PR teams on how to turn their execs into thought leaders. 2022 --> I launched Influent with the vision of building the best full-service LinkedIn agency in the world. 2024 --> I co-founded VantaFive, an agency venture studio that rapidly launches high-growth agencies.
CAUDLE, GARRET

Alon Chen

CEO and Co-Founder
Tastewise

More InfoAlon Chen is the CEO and co-founder of Tastewise, an AI-driven insights and execution platform for food and beverage professionals. A seasoned leader in AI, big data, and marketing, Alon brings a deep understanding of technology’s role in driving business success. Before founding Tastewise, he was a senior executive at Google, where he built and led the Google Partners program across 27 markets and served as Google’s Chief Marketing Officer for Israel and Greece. At Tastewise, Alon helps the world’s leading food brands turn AI-powered insights into real-world execution, enabling them to create, position, and market winning products with confidence.
CHEN, ALON

Kristine Cotton

Global Workplace Experience Lead
JLL

More InfoKristine Cotton, Global Workplace Experience, helps companies improve employee engagement through improved retention & recruitment and connectivity to Company values. Kristine oversees a wide range of programs and services, from foodservice to mail service to transportation, with the goal of solving what’s the drive behind program asks or realized gaps and how new programming can help elevate the workplace. Drawing on almost 20 years’ experience in managed food services in the Hotel, University and Corporate sectors, working for Fortune 500 companies like Compass Group and The Coca-Cola Company, Kristine now focuses on holistic Workplace Experience and delivering elevated amenity programs that engage and excite employees while supporting overall Company strategy.
COTTON, KRISTINE

Jon Garrett

Group Vice President, Food & Nutrition
OMNIA Partners

More InfoJon Garrett is Group Vice President of Food and Hospitality at OMNIA Partners, a leading group purchasing organization with more than $30B in B2B spend managed with members in the public, private and non-profit sectors. In his role, Jon and his team assist members, supplier partners and OMNIA Partners sales associates in driving successful utilization of all foodservice contracts and programs. Prior to his role at OMNIA Partners, Jon spent over 20 years helping foodservice operators drive success and value. His previous experience includes sales and leadership roles in foodservice distribution (US Foods), sales and operations roles in group purchasing (Premier) and business development in foodservice technology (Leanpath).
GARRETT, JON

Amanda Goldman

System Vice President of Food and Nutrition Services
CommonSpirit Health

More InfoAmanda Goldman obtained her B.S. in Dietetics from Miami University and her M.S. in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Kentucky. She completed her dietetic internship at the University of Kentucky Hospital. Amanda is an accomplished leader in the healthcare industry as an Administrative Dietitian with over 20 years of experience. She is a skilled multi-disciplinary team director with extensive background in operations, project management, strategic planning and driving patient & customer satisfaction.
GOLDMAN, AMANDA

Dan Henroid, MS, RD

Director of Nutrition & Food Services
University of California, San Francisco Medical Center

More InfoDan is the system director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Health system where he is responsible for patient meal services at five hospitals totaling 1562 licensed beds, ten retail food operations with a combined sales of $16 million, catering and conference services with annual sales of $2 million, 5 gift shops with annual sales of $2.5 million plus oversight of inpatient and outpatient nutrition services. He has overseen the creation or renovation of all retail food outlets at UCSF and oversees other nontraditional programs such digital signage, an interactive patient experience system, a patient self-service meal ordering program, and a fleet of 33 robots. In addition to these responsibilities, he serves as the UCSF Health system sustainability officer.
HENROID, DAN

Jill Horst

Executive Director, Campus Dining
University of California, Santa Barbara

More InfoJill Horst is the Executive Director of Campus Dining at UC Santa Barbara, bringing over 35 years of experience, vision, and leadership to the field of collegiate foodservice. In her role, she oversees four dining commons, Campus Catering, Campus Concessions, the Miramar Food pantry, and 22 retail units. The 232 FTE employees and 1,000 student employees within Campus Dining serve over 20,000 customers per day in the retail and board program. Her focus on the customer experience, sustainability, innovation, and continuous growth have earned the campus numerous awards, including LEED Platinum Certifications. Her contribution to the concept, innovation, and design of dining units on campus have been recognized nationally. Jill was awarded the 2023 Silver Plate Award for Colleges & Universities.
HORST, JILL

Rebecca Hurst

Director of Distribution and Logistics
The Cheesecake Factory/Fox Restaurants Concepts

More InfoRebecca has a B.S. in Supply Chain Management from the University of Tennessee, and an M.B.A. from Middle Tennessee State, and has been working in supply chain for the past 24 years, most of that time being in foodservice. She currently oversees Distribution & Logistics for The Cheesecake Factory family of brands, which involves oversight of our 10 food and non-food distributors, with over 3,000 unique skus delivering to almost 300 restaurants across 16 brands. Prior to The Cheesecake Factory, Rebecca served in various leadership roles for Ruby Tuesday and Wendy’s QSCC, as well as on the distributor side with Performance Food Group.
HURST, REBECCA

Laura Jones

CMO
Instacart

More InfoLaura Jones is the Chief Marketing Officer at Instacart. In her role, Laura is responsible for shaping a cohesive brand, fueling the company’s growth, and leading the marketing organization. Since joining in June 2021, Laura has led a comprehensive brand identity refresh, launched the company’s first-ever integrated brand campaign, built out its Creative Studio, and developed a full-funnel in-house media team. Her work has been recognized by Ad Age, Adweek, the Clios, the Effies and she was featured in the 2024 Adweek 50 list, and the Forbes Entrepreneurial CMOs 50 and Adweek Marketing Vanguard lists in 2023. Laura also serves as a member of the Board of Directors at Match Group and UNICEF USA.
JONES, LAURA

Kris Klinger

Vice President, Auxiliary Services
Boston University

More InfoKristian Klinger began his tenure at Boston University in October 2022. Kristian has more than 30 years of experience in hospitality and auxiliary services. He spent the previous two plus years as Senior Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services at Syracuse University. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Kristian spent 11 years as Assistant Vice President within the University of Southern California’s (USC) Auxiliary Services department. Kristian earned his EdD at the USC Rossier School of Education, his MBA at the USC Marshall School of Business and holds a bachelor’s degree in German and International Relations from the same university. As Vice President for Auxiliary Services, Kristian and his team below have oversight and leadership responsibilities of Food Services and Convenience Stores, Housing, Parking and Transportation, Events & Conferences, Agganis Arena, Fitness & Recreation Center, Barnes & Noble @ BU, Vending Services and Trademark and Licensing.
KLINGER, KRIS

Udi Ledergor

Chief Evangelist
Gong

More InfoUdi Ledergor served as CMO during Gong’s rise from new SaaS startup to industry dominance. By building a playful, human-centric brand with a lighthearted tone, he captured buyers’ attention and dollars and turned them into raving fans. He helped Gong go from zero to hundreds of millions in revenue, while achieving a multi-billion-dollar valuation. Over his 20-year career, Udi has led marketing teams at successful companies, advised startups, served as a board member and angel investor, and mentored hundreds of marketers. His work reveals how courage and creativity can build iconic brands, connect with audiences, and drive measurable results.
LEDERGOR, UDI

Udi Ledergor

Chief Evangelist
Gong

More InfoUdi Ledergor served as CMO during Gong’s rise from new SaaS startup to industry dominance. By building a playful, human-centric brand with a lighthearted tone, he captured buyers’ attention and dollars and turned them into raving fans. He helped Gong go from zero to hundreds of millions in revenue, while achieving a multi-billion-dollar valuation. Over his 20-year career, Udi has led marketing teams at successful companies, advised startups, served as a board member and angel investor, and mentored hundreds of marketers. His work reveals how courage and creativity can build iconic brands, connect with audiences, and drive measurable results.
LEDERGOR, UDI

Charlie McConnell

Vice President, Industry Insights, Education & Research
IFMA The Food Away from Home Association

More InfoCharlie McConnell is the Sr. Director of Insights & Best Practices at IFMA. Charlie’s foodservice career includes experience with both manufacturers and with US Foods. His career began with The NPD Group where he managed clients’ consumer research needs. He translated that experience into consumer and operator insights roles with Unilever Foodsolutions and Sara Lee Foodservice before joining US Foods. At US Foods, he managed their research needs and developed their one-to-one marketing promotion, My Kitchen.
MCCONNELL, CHARLIE

Ali Miller

VP of Product, Ads
Instacart

More InfoAli Miller is the Vice President of Ads Product at Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America. Ali leads the team building and scaling ad products for all of Instacart’s advertisers, from emerging to established brands. She is tasked with creating engaging, innovative ad solutions that align with the goals of Instacart’s unique four-sided marketplace. Ali joined Instacart in 2021 from Google, where she was focused on Google Ads and YouTube Ads, building out the product portfolio across formats, quality, advertiser experience, and more. Ali has been recognized by Progressive Grocer as a Top Women in Grocery in 2023 and 2024, named a Campaign US Inspiring Woman, and shortlisted for AdExchanger’s Leadership in Advertising award. In her spare time, she performs as a violinist in the Oakland Symphony.
MILLER, ALI

Jon Miller

Co-Founder
Marketo

More InfoJon Miller is an entrepreneur, industry thought leader, and keynote speaker with 25+ years experience at the world’s disruptive marketing technology platforms. He is currently the founder and CEO of a new start-up, looking to use AI to reimagine B2B martech. Previously, he was CMO at Demandbase, which he joined as part of the merger with Engagio, where he was founder and CEO. Before that he co-founded Marketo, where as CMO he helped the company achieve an IPO and category leadership. He holds a degree in physics from Harvard and an MBA from Stanford.
MILLER, JON

Eric Span

Director of Nutrition Services
Sweetwater Schools

More InfoEric Span is the Director of Nutrition Services for Sweetwater Union High School District. Eric has served in this role for 12 years. Eric has 19 years in K-12 School Nutrition as well as being a trained chef. Having graduated culinary school 34 years ago, Eric has vast knowledge in recipe building, procurement, and leading large teams . His passion and love for serving great food guides him as he provides the highest quality and nutritious meals for Sweetwater students. Eric is a proponent of the Farm to School movement and is currently working to build a bridge between school food service and classroom education. Eric is currently serving as a Board Member for SNA. Eric served two years as the Public Policy and Legislative Committee Chair for the California School Nutrition Association. Eric was named 2023-24 Director of the Year by SNA and the California School Nutrition Association. Eris is an awardee of the Center for Ecoliteracy Innovative Leadership award for 2023-24.
SPAN, ERIC

Megan Tallman

Vice-President, Coca-Cola Freestyle and Foodservice Innovation
Coca-Cola Foodservice

More InfoMegan brings nearly 30 years of experience within the Coca-Cola System, spanning multiple cross-functional disciplines, including franchise, customer, commercial, foodservice, supply chain and industry affairs. As Vice President of Coca-Cola Freestyle and Foodservice Innovation and Equipment for North America, she leads the development and execution of strategies for product, packaging, equipment and culinary innovation across the Foodservice channels and Coca-Cola Freestyle business, driving marketing, sales and commercial success. Megan has also held leadership roles in fostering the development of women in the workplace, serving as Communication Chair for the Women’s LINC Business Resource Group and as a member of the Mentor Committee for the Network of Executive Women, the industry’s largest leadership community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and resides in Atlanta with her husband, Gene and their children.
TALLMAN, MEGAN