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GENERAL SESSION / WEDNESDAY / AUGUST 11, 2021 / 8:00 AM

Executive Perspectives: Inspiration for Today’s Restaurant Leaders

In this session, you will hear four short, thought-provoking talks that will leave you challenged and inspired.

PRESENTERS

Linking Your Hidden Data to Drive More Guest Visits

Stephen Farr-Jones | President | ADM Marketing

Stephen Farr-Jones, as President, brings over 25 years of marketing and retail industry experience to ADM Marketing. Overseeing the restaurant market vertical as well as ADMM’s other retail channel verticals, Stephen came to ADMM from what is now the world’s largest games software publisher, Activision Blizzard, where he was Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. Previously he held the position of US President for Coogi Australia, where he restructured US sales and distribution operations for the Australian luxury knitwear brand. Stephen was an integral member of Walt Disney Company’s Consumer Products Division, managing international and duty-free merchandising and licensing as well as filmed entertainment licensing, in the US, Asia and Europe.

Advancing Food Safety Through Transparency and Collaboration

Laurie Schalow | Chief Corporate Affairs & Food Safety Officer | Chipotle Mexican Grill

Laurie Schalow joined Chipotle in 2017. As the Chief Corporate Affairs and Food Safety Officer, Laurie oversees all internal and external communications, stakeholder engagement, sustainability, customer service, social listening, food safety and quality assurance for the brand’s 2,700 restaurants in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Additionally, she is responsible for oversight of The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, where she serves as President. Prior to joining Chipotle, Laurie was Vice President of Public Affairs for Yum! Brands, overseeing global corporate social responsibility, public relations, crisis management, social listening and community diversity programs for the 44,000 KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants in 140 countries.

Kerry Bridges | Vice President of Food Safety | Chipotle Mexican Grill

Kerry Bridges is the Vice President of Food Safety at Chipotle Mexican Grill. In this role, Kerry oversees food safety standards, quality assurance and procedures. She joined Chipotle in January of 2019 and oversees a team of individuals who are committed to enforcing Chipotle’s zero-tolerance policy and industry-leading processes, focusing on supply chain, in-restaurant practices, food prep and employee training. Prior to joining Chipotle, Kerry oversaw supplier food safety for the world’s largest food retailer, Wal-Mart, serving over 200 million customers around the world on a weekly basis. During her time at Wal-Mart, Kerry’s food safety oversight included tens of thousands of Wal Mart’s, Neighborhood Market’s, and Sam’s Clubs food suppliers.

Changing Food Culture from the Inside Out

Mindy Armstrong | Director of Menu Strategy & Product Innovation | Buffalo Wild Wings

Mindy Armstrong finds excitement in discovery and has spent her career helping marketers and culinary teams do just that–discover what’s next for their business. By digging into marketplace trends, studying consumer data, hunting down the next gotta-try-it flavor, and uncovering the “so what,” Mindy is all about spirited and focused collaboration, asking “what if,” and inspiring her team toward action. In her current role, Mindy leads the menu strategy and product innovation efforts at Buffalo Wild Wings.

Brand Evolution: The intersection of innovation and legacy

Cheikh Mboup | President & COO | Edible Brands

Dr. Cheikh Mboup was named President & COO of Edible Brands in December 2019. In this role, he is responsible for the strategic vision and overall franchise performance of Edible Arrangements, Berry Direct, Netsolace and Incredible Edibles. He was previously the founder of various franchise restaurant brands which operated across the north and southeast United States. Cheikh is recognized as a business transformer and was recently highlighted by Forbes as a pioneer for business pivots due to how he led Edible’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mboup holds a bachelor’s degree in statistics from Lehigh University, an MBA in economics from Jacksonville University and a PhD in economics and international business from Argosy University.

MODERATOR

Drive-Thru of the Future

Tracey Fullington | National Account Manager | Essity North America

Tracey Fullington is National Account Manager for Essity North America. She is an accomplished sales management professional with over 20 years of experience, who is dedicated to serving restaurants in a sustainable way. Tracey promotes SCA / Tork products and hygiene initiatives to national account foodservice concepts with corporate headquarters based in the Southeastern United States. Since 2007 she has been responsible for maintaining and growing a portfolio of high profile national foodservice concepts with locations that cross regional boundaries.

session sponsor