25th Annual Restaurant Industry Conference Booklet - UCLA Extension

Redefining Hospitality: We’re Serving Potential WELCOME

Welcome to UCLA Extension’s 25th Annual Restaurant Industry Conference, where we are Redefining Hospitality and Serving Potential for the future.

For 25 years, UCLA Extension’s Annual Restaurant Conference has served a full day of learning, networking and engagement to esteemed professionals from the world of dining and hospitality. We look forward to another conference that promises to deliver world-class speakers and panelists that will highlight important topics that are impacting and redefining hospitality today. From discussions on the economic and financial outlook for the restaurant industry to the impact of AI and technology, to hearing from innovative founders and brands, today will be a day to gain new perspectives on the bright future of dining and hospitality.

We are also proud to honor two outstanding individuals for their contributions to the hospitality industry this year. First, we are presenting Joth Ricci, former CEO of Dutch Bros Coffee, with the Innovation Award. The Innovation Award recognizes a pioneering leader who has made lasting contributions to the industry. Joth embodies the characteristics of an innovative leader with his trailblazing approach to scaling founder-led businesses. We also honor Lynsi Snyder, owner and president of In-N-Out Burger, with the Foodmanitarian Award this year. This award recognizes a hospitality industry leader who works beyond the kitchen to promote the betterment of the human condition. Lynsi’s work with the In-N-Out Burger Foundation and the Slave to Nothing Foundation exemplifies her passion for philanthropy and commitment to helping others.

This conference is not possible without the hard work of our advisory board and the support of our sponsors. Many thanks to the board members, and special thanks to Ms. Anna Graves, the board chair, for the great effort in curating relevant topics and bringing together an outstanding roster of speakers. We also greatly thank our sponsors for their financial, product and media support. Finally, we thank you, our guest, for joining our conference and making it an engaging, special event.

Director, Department of Business, Management & Legal Programs, UCLA Extension

UCLA Extension has been providing comprehensive continuing and professional education for over a century to help people navigate and thrive in an ever-changing world. We offer hundreds of courses and programs in various modalities, and serve students around the world. This conference is one of many learning opportunities offered by UCLA Extension. We invite you to learn more at www. uclaextension.edu.

Ing Phansavath

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Redefining Hospitality: We’re Serving Potential

Defying predictions, things are looking quite optimistic for the restaurant industry. Of the 50 fastest growing retail chains in the United States last year, 35 were restaurant brands. Chains owned by publicly traded restaurant companies accounted for 50% of the top 10. Despite politically motivated narratives, incomes are rising faster than prices, and consumer spending grew steadily throughout 2023. The restaurant industry enjoyed consecutive same-store sales increases during the last 11 months of 2023. The U.S. economy started 2024 at a strong pace, inflation has cooled, asset markets have reached record highs and labor is normalizing. There is a tremendous amount of potential, and we have designed the day to help operators seize that potential, increase guest traffic and accelerate growth momentum.

Welcome to the 25th Annual Restaurant Industry Conference, hosted by UCLA. Today you will discover how leading restaurant companies are building remarkable brands, highlighting their distinctive values and cultures, appealing to their target customer base and generating strong loyalty among their guests. To lay the groundwork, we will start with an economic forecast for the restaurant industry by Professor Jerry Nickelsburg from the UCLA Anderson Forecast. Joth Ricci, formerly of Dutch Bros Coffee, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Adelsheim Vineyard and Jones Soda Co., and known as the “Founder Whisperer” for good reason, will receive our Innovation Award. Joth will discuss with Lauren Bailey, CEO of Upwards Projects, how he has significantly scaled founderled businesses without sacrificing their original culture. Rahul Aggarwal of Brentwood Associates will lead a panel focusing on “Controlling What You Can Control” with insights from the founders and CEOs of three extraordinary, growth-oriented brands: Jason McGowan of Crumbl Cookies, Chris Simms of Lazy Dog Restaurants and Steve Salm of PLANTA.

Lynsi Snyder, President of In-N-Out and passionate philanthropist through the Slave 2 Nothing Foundation, is our Foodmanitarian winner. Lynsi will discuss the core values that make In-N-Out the iconic brand that it is and her commitment to giving back during an interview with Robert Wallan, In-NOut’s long-time counsel at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. Alex Eagle, CEO of Freebirds World Burrito, John Dilazzaro, CFO of Innovative Dining Group and Daniel Lee, CTO and CMO of Flame Broiler, will demystify dynamic pricing in a panel moderated by Tammy Billings of SignalFlare.ai. We will also explore new and innovative methods for growing off-premises sales, learn how to use generative AI to build stronger customer connections and discover how supply chain management can create value and efficiency.

Conference Chair; Partner & Co-Leader of the Restaurant, Food & Beverage Industry Group, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Anna Graves is co-leader of Pillsbury’s Restaurant, Food & Beverage Industry Group and partner in the firm’s corporate and securities practice. Ms. Graves has broad experience in mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, joint ventures, brand licensing, startup structuring, finance and restaurant management agreements. Her clients include major national and international restaurant chains and retailers, early-stage restaurant ventures, food and beverage manufacturers and distributors and consumer product companies.

Ms. Graves regularly advises global operators as they bring their brands to the U.S. or invest in existing U.S. companies. She was designated an Acritas Star, selected by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of Southern California’s Most Influential Women Lawyers, and voted by her peers as one of Southern California’s “Super Lawyers.”

I am honored to serve as Chair of the Conference. The continued success of the conference is the product of our speakers’ willingness to share their expertise, the time and efforts of the dedicated individuals on the Advisory Board, and the strong financial commitment of our generous sponsors; I thank each of them. I know you will return to your office tomorrow full of energy and with a host of thought-provoking ideas and inspired plans. That was our goal.

Anna M. Graves

AGENDA

7:30 A.M.–8:30 A.M.

Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:30 A.M.–8:45 A.M.

Welcome & Program Overview

Ing Phansavath, Director, Department of Business, Management & Legal Programs, UCLA Extension

Anna M. Graves, Partner and Co-Leader of the Restaurant, Food & Beverage Industry Group, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

8:45 A.M.–9:40 A.M.

Economic Outlook: A Return to Normalcy or a New Normal?

Professor Jerry Nickelsburg, PhD, Adjunct Full Professor of Economics and Director UCLA Anderson Forecast, UCLA Anderson School of Management

9:40 A.M.–10:40 A.M.

Innovation Award Presentation

AWARD RECIPIENT

Joth Ricci, former CEO of Dutch Bros. Coffee, Adelsheim Vineyard, and Stumptown Coffee Roasters

INTERVIEWER

Lauren Bailey, CEO & Co-Founder, Upward Projects Restaurant Group

10:40 A.M.–11:00 A.M.

Networking Break

Agenda and speakers are subject to change.

11:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M.

Supply Chain Management, Support for Fiscal Sustainability

This panel will discuss how supply chain management and specialty suppliers can create value and efficiency below the sales line, within cost of goods sold, and without damaging the Guest experience or brand standards.

MODERATOR

Rocky Merron, Vice President of Sales, Green Leaf, a Chefs Warehouse Company

PANELISTS

David Kraus, Chief Strategy Officer, Produce Alliance

Scott Sanders, recently retired CEO of Food Buy and a former National Vice President with Sysco

12:00 P.M.–12:30 P.M.

Break & Luncheon

12:30 P.M.–1:25 P.M.

Foodmanitarian™ Award Presentation

AWARD RECIPIENT

Lynsi Snyder, Owner of In-N-Out Burger, and Director of Philanthropic Efforts through the In-N-Out Burger Foundation and the Slave 2 Nothing Foundation

INTERVIEWER

Robert Wallen, Partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman

1:25 P.M.–1:45 P.M.

Networking Break

1:45 P.M.–2:30 P.M.

Using

AI to Build Stronger Customer Connections

As companies learn to use generative AI to create value, there’s a risk that they take the wrong approach when applying the technology to the customer experience. In fact, research shows AI can help boost customer satisfaction when it’s used to offer customers more personalized solutions or to help human employees provide better service than they would without the technological assist. Learn how to use this new technology to delight customers in new and different ways.

Maureen Burns , Bain & Company

2:30 P.M.–3:15 P.M.

Dynamic Pricing Demystified: A Peek at the Future

A panel of restaurant executives from fine dining to quick service takes the mystery out of what dynamic pricing really is—and isn’t. The use cases of dynamic, or simply, variable pricing range from charging a premium for a specific table in fine dining to issuing a discount via personalization at a kiosk in quick service.

MODERATOR

Tammy Billings, SignalFlare.ai, New Business Development Advisor

PANELISTS

Alex Eagle, CEO, Freebirds

John Dilazzaro, CFO, Innovative Dining Group

Daniel Lee, CTO & CMO, Flame Broiler

3:15 P.M.–3:35 P.M.

Networking Break

3:35 P.M.–4:30 P.M.

The Takeaways on Takeaway

This panel will explore the evolving world of off-premise dining. Panelists will discuss its impact and the approach behind navigating a successful roadmap for takeout, delivery, catering, consumer packaged goods, and will also share their valuable insights and proven strategies.

Join and learn how to leverage the value and take advantage of the constantly expanding off-premise dining sector.

MODERATOR

Chris Webb, CEO, ChowNow

PANELISTS

Briana Valdez, Founder and CEO, HomeState

Sean Reiter, Director, Brand revenue, The Melt

Sam Bernstein, Founder & CEO, Table22

4:30 P.M.–5:30 P.M.

Control What You Can Control: Founders’ Perspectives

This panel will spotlight the Founders and CEOs of three concepts that are driving success in the industry despite the obvious challenges. Whether it is marketing prowess, building an employee centric culture, finding the right value proposition, developing a loyal guest base, or creating craveable menu items, these executives will provide you with ideas that you can take back to use in your own operations.

MODERATOR

Rahul Aggarwal, Managing Director, Brentwood Associates

PANELISTS

Jason McGowan, Founder and CEO of Crumbl Cookies

Chris Simms, CEO and Founder, Lazy Dog

Steve Salm, CEO, PLANTA

5:30 P.M.–7:00 P.M. Evening Reception

INNOVATION AWARD AND ARMCHAIR CONVERSATION

INNOVATION AWARD RECIPIENT

Joth Ricci

Former CEO of Dutch Bros. Coffee, Adelsheim Vineyard & Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Joth Ricci served Dutch Bros. as President, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member from January 2019to January 2024, where he led the company through a 5-year strategic growth plan and IPO in September, 2021. Throughout his career, Mr. Ricci has led several founder-built companies, including Adelsheim Vineyard, Stumptown Coffee and Jones Soda. In addition to his leadership in the beverage industry, Mr. Ricci is the past Chairman of the Oregon Business Council, has served on the state of Oregon’s Racial Justice Council, and co-founded TASTE for Equity. He also currently serves on the Oregon State University Food Science Advisory Council and is Vice Chairman of the Children’s Institute. Through his work with The System, Mr. Ricci is dedicated to mentoring and advising boards, organizations, leadership teams and individuals on culture, personal and organizational development, strategic planning and training.

INTERVIEWER

Lauren Bailey

Co-Founder & CEO of Postino & parent company Upward Projects

Lauren Bailey is the co-founder and CEO of Postino WineCafé and its parent company, Upward Projects, an Arizona-based restaurant development and hospitality company known for one thing: making people feel good. Spanning 32 restaurants across six states, Upward Projects is comprised of a primary growth brand, Postino, as well as “indies” Joyride Taco House, Windsor, Churn Ice Cream and Federal Pizza. Ms. Bailey sits on numerous boards, including Brand USA.

FOODMANITARIAN™ AWARD PRESENTED TO LYNSI SNYDER

Lynsi Snyder

Owner of In-N-Out Burger, and Director of Philanthropic Efforts through the In-N-Out Burger Foundation and the Slave 2 Nothing Foundation

Lynsi Snyder’s grandparents, Harry and Esther Snyder, founded In-N-Out Burger in Baldwin Park, California, in 1948, and, to this day, the business remains privately owned and operated. As President, Lynsi is passionate about maintaining its focus on quality and service, including caring for the wellbeing of the In-N-Out family, which consists of more than 30,000 employees. Lynsi also leads In-N-Out’s philanthropic efforts: the In-N-Out Burger Foundation and the Slave 2 Nothing Foundation.

Robert Wallan

Partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman

UCLA alumnus Robert Wallan learned restaurant work at In-NOut store #3 before heading off to college and law school. Robert is now a long-standing business trial partner with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and has represented In-N-Out Burger since the 1990s. His experience includes more than 50 trials, appeals, and arbitrations for a wide range of clients in hospitality, manufacturing and retail, resulting in more than $3 billion in recoveries and significant defense results.

SPEAKERS

Rahul Aggarwal, Partner, Brentwood Associates

Rahul Aggarwal is a partner at Brentwood Associates, where he has 25 years of experience as a private equity investor and leads Brentwood’s restaurant investing practice. He serves on the board of directors of seven current Brentwood restaurant investments. Four of these companies are based in California: Lazy Dog, Pacific Catch, Blaze Pizza and Far West (a Wingstop franchisee). In addition, he also works with Upward Projects, Chicken Salad Chick and Snooze.

Tammy Billings, SignalFlare.ai, New Business Development Advisor

Tammy, a former marketing leader turned restaurant technology advisor, is currently working with SignalFlare.ai, Devour.io, Ovation and GoZone WiFi Marketing. She is the founder of Industry Bias, a forthcoming job site that serves restaurant industry executives. In March, she received an Innovator Award as a Top Woman in Restaurant Tech. Find her weekly on Rock My Restaurant, a podcast with Paul Barron or via WORTH, the women’s group she co-founded.

Maureen Burns, Bain & Company

Maureen Burns is a leader in our customer practice and, in that role, works extensively with clients on topics related to marketing excellence, the Net Promoter System®, customer journey redesign, and digital transformations across industries. She works with clients to build and implement value creation plans that leverage technology to enhance revenue and reduce cost while creating a better customer and employee experience. Prior to joining us, she was an investment banker with Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. Maureen earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree, with honors, from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

John Dilazarro, Chief Financial Officer, Innovative Dining Group

John is the Chief Financial Officer of Innovative Dining Group, a company that owns and operates 13 fine-dining restaurants in California, Nevada, and Texas. The group has three brands: Boa Steakhouse, Sushi Roku, and Katana. John holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and has previously worked in strategy at Gap Corporation. Before joining Innovative Dining Group, he spent 13 years in various pricing and financial roles at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Alex Eagle, CEO of Freebirds

A catalyst for transformation, growth, and operational excellence, Alex Eagle is a proven performer in the hospitality industry. As CEO of Freebirds World Burrito, an Austin, TX-based QSR concept, he has led the company to achieve unprecedented growth and evolve to become a QSR employer of choice across Texas. Prior to his appointment as CEO in 2018, Alex rose through the ranks at Freebirds’ parent company, Tavistock Group, an international private investment organization comprised of a family office, trading operation, and portfolio of public investments and private companies with over 200 assets across 13 countries, including the TRC (Tavistock Restaurant Collection) portfolio, a family of awardwinning upscale dining brands, and Freebirds World Burrito, a QSR asset with 64+ fast-casual restaurants.

David Kraus, Chief Strategy Officer, Produce Alliance

David serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at Produce Alliance, LLC, which was founded in 1996. Produce Alliance is a pioneering force in fresh produce management and procurement services, uniting an international network of over 400 growers with 150 distribution partners supporting the country’s most successful Quick Service, Fast Casual, and Convenience Store brands. In his current role, David spearheads the company’s business development and supply chain strategies while also overseeing strategic initiatives for the supply chain and client relations teams. Since joining the company in 2010, he has focused on modernizing PA’s operations and introducing first-to-market fresh solutions, significantly improving the quality, cost, and sustainability of the fresh produce supply chain.

Jason McGowan, Founder and CEO of Crumbl Cookies

Jason McGowan is the CEO and cofounder of Crumbl, the fastest-growing dessert company in America. Prior to Crumbl, McGowan created We’re Related, an app that connected 120 million users to their families. He played a role in the design and development of Nintendo TVii. In 2023, Jason won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year National Award, making him the first person from the Mountain West Region to do so.

Rocky Merron, Director of Sales, Green Leaf

Rocky Merron is VP of Sales for Greenleaf, a wholesale produce and specialty food distributor located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Having worked in multiple capacities in the food industry over the course of his career, he started out as a chef in New York, then moved to San Francisco, where he transitioned out of the kitchen to become an account executive for a boutique restaurant marketing and PR agency. He then landed in sales management at Sysco Corporation, where he spent 12 years. Rocky worked on the business development team at the Culinary Edge, a San Francisco-based consulting agency that collaborates with food and restaurant companies to create brand, menu, and culinary operations strategies. Currently, Rocky serves on the executive team, leading the company’s strategic growth initiatives and overseeing the sales department. Since joining the company in 2016, Greenleaf has expanded its regional footprint and its product portfolio to include new categories such as locally raised, pastured meats. In 2023, Greenleaf was acquired by The Chefs’ Warehouse and is now part of the company’s portfolio of specialized distributors.

Jerry Nickelsburg, PhD, Adjunct Full Professor of Economics and Director UCLA Anderson Forecast, UCLA Anderson School of Management

Jerry Nickelsburg joined the UCLA Anderson School of Management and the UCLA Anderson Forecast in 2006. Since 2017, he has served as faculty director of the Forecast. Nickelsburg plays a key role in the economic modeling and forecasting of the national, California, and regional economic forecasts. He has conducted special studies for the UCLA Anderson Forecast on manufacturing, trade, and labor markets.

Sean Reiter, Director, Revenue, The Melt

Sean is a 30-year restaurant executive and consultant with broad leadership experience, focused for the last decade on elevating profitable sales through online ordering and delivery. He has driven record revenue for companies like The Melt, Specialty’s Café & Bakery and Homeroom Mac+Cheese. Sean brings a diverse background that combines consulting with experience as COO, Vice President of Marketing, Director of Online Revenue, Training Director and Culinary Development Director.

Scott Sanders, retired CEO, Compass Foodbuy Foodservice and Restaurants

Scott Sanders is the Chief Executive Officer of Foodbuy Foodservice, which serves national and regional chain restaurants and other commercial foodservice establishments. Scott brings with him a distinguished track record of success in designing, implementing and delivering ground-breaking solutions for foodservice brands, distribution chains and major retailers. He is exceptionally well versed in all elements of strategic business development, generating multi-billion-dollar sales growth while identifying new markets and revenue streams. Scott is an ethical, strategic and results-driven leader with an extraordinary talent for building long-term client and employee relationships. Scott has over 30 years of industry experience with distribution leaders such as Sysco, DMA and GFS. Throughout his career, he has had progressive responsibility in the areas of sales, account management and business development. As a result of his wide-ranging expertise, Scott has built a reputation as a business leader and has been invited to serve in a number of key foodservice association roles.

Chris Simms, CEO/Founder, Lazy Dog Restaurants

Born and raised in Southern California, Chris Simms has been involved in the restaurant business all of his life. While attending Cornell University, Chris worked his way up the ladder through various restaurants, both in the kitchen and the dining room. Chris and his team opened the first Lazy Dog in Huntington Beach, CA, in 2003. Lazy Dog serves handcrafted American food and drink with seasonally inspired ingredients. As CEO, Chris helps guide the concept and develop new sites, resulting in the 50th Lazy Dog, which will open in May 2024.

Briana Valdez , Founder & CEO of HomeState

Briana “Breezy” Valdez is a first-generation Mexican-American from Houston, TX. When she moved to LA, she became passionate about creating a restaurant that shared Texas food and culture. Learning at Bouchon Bistro under Chef Thomas Keller, she honed her skills. In 2013, she opened HomeState in Los Feliz. Today, with locations across LA and San Diego, she continues to offer high-quality Texan cuisine and hospitality at affordable prices.

Chris Webb, CEO & co-founder of ChowNow

Chris Webb is CEO and co-founder of ChowNow, the leading online ordering and marketing platform for local restaurants. Since its founding in 2011, ChowNow has saved restaurants over $640 million in commission fees. In 2021, Fast Company named Webb among its Most Creative People in Business for ‘Getting People Their Fair Share’ – shaping meaningful impact within the food tech industry. Chris currently resides in Los Angeles with his family.

ADVISORY BOARD

Daryl Ansel, Director of Hospitality, Presidio of San Francisco

Daryl Ansel is Director of Hospitality for the Presidio of San Francisco, overseeing hotels, restaurants, special events, and golf on this iconic National Park site, a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Previously, Mr. Ansel was the Associate Dean of Students and Executive Director of the ASUC Student Union on the UC Berkeley campus, leading a wide array of services, programs, and activities that promote community, individual growth, responsible citizenship, and global leadership to enhance the co-curricular experience for UC Berkeley students. Mr. Ansel’s 20-plus years of experience include executive-level positions in both operations and finance at a diverse and prestigious group of organizations, including L.A. Kitchen, UCLA Dining Services, the Starr Restaurant Organization, Grill Concepts, and Universal Studios Hollywood. Mr. Ansel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley and a master’s in Hospitality Management from Cornell University’s prestigious School of Hotel Administration.

David Birzon, CEO, Snooze, an AM Eatery In 2011, David and his family moved to Carbondale, Colorado. He set out to find a restaurant business that “could change the world.” David heard about an innovative breakfast concept named Snooze and was immediately blown away by how differentiated the concept was. David became the CEO of Snooze in 2012 and was nicknamed “Old Major,” after the pig who leads all the other animals to revolution in George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Under David’s leadership, Snooze has grown to more than 71 restaurants across nine states, with over 3000 employees.

Damon Chandik, Co-Head of Consumer Investment Banking, Piper Sandler & Co.

Damon Chandik is the global co-head of the Consumer Group and leads restaurant investment banking at Piper Sandler. He is focused on providing investment banking, mergers and acquisitions and debt advisory services to consumer companies. He has more than 20 years of investment banking experience, including public equity and debt offerings, private capital raising, mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations.

David E. Goldstein, Chief Operating Officer, Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill

As chief operating officer of Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill, David has been an integral part of the company’s strategic planning and growth since 2007. He has a background in the fast casual sector and is an industry veteran with more than 35 years of progressive management, operations, and R&D experience. During his career, David has been involved at the executive level in the expansion of three national restaurant concepts, including TGI Friday’s, Kenny Rogers Roasters and Baja Fresh. His experience in organizing and directing successful teams to establish new enterprises, enhance businesses, and build profitable operations is an asset to Sharky’s. David is an experienced cook and brings that innate knowledge to menu development at Sharky’s.

Anna M. Graves, Conference Chair, Partner, and Co-Leader of the Restaurant, Food & Beverage Industry Group Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP (See “A Message from the Chair” page for full bio.)

Sarah Grover, Principal, Sarah Grover, Inc.

Sarah is principal of Sarah Grover, Inc., where she leverages her 35+ years of hospitality experience advising restaurants and CPG companies. She is hired to assess, stabilize, restructure and coach executives in all sizes of organizations. In 2021, Sarah was Director of Communications and Marketing for Inspiration4, the world’s first all civilian mission to orbit the earth. She is currently leading communications for the Polaris Program, a series of three human spaceflight missions that will demonstrate new technologies and ultimately culminate in the first flight of SpaceX’s Starship with humans on board. Sarah sits on the Board of Directors for Shift4 (NYSE: FOUR) and ChowNow.

Justine Hunter, Partner, National Practice Leader, Restaurants, Moss Adams, LLP

Justine is a coordinating audit partner and has served the retail and consumer product industries for over 39 years. She’s served the restaurant industry since 2003. Justine’s role as the National Practice Leader for Restaurants has given her a unique experience of the variations between the types of concepts and issues that they face. Justine is a recipient of the Moss Adams Technical Excellence Award. Additionally, she works closely with several private equity firms that specialize in the restaurant industry and has gained their trust. Previously a partner with a Big Four firm, her experience includes acquisition-related services, financial structuring, complex equity structuring, and other acquisitions and due diligence opportunities. She’s participated in more than 20 public fundings for her clients, including IPOs, SPACs, public debt transactions and restructurings, and public merger transactions.

Michael Patrick, Client Executive & Private Equity Practice, Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA)

Michael Patrick serves as a client executive and member of the Private Equity Practice for Marsh & McLennan Agency (MMA). He brings with him more than 15 years of experience within insurance, focusing on transactional diligence, human capital, risk analysis, and employment benefits strategies.

Michael is responsible for analyzing clients’ risk exposures and providing tailored risk management and human capital solutions. In addition to overseeing his clients’ programs, Michael deploys in-house risk and loss and claims management resources and ensures exceptional day-to-day service for the clients he manages.

Before coming to MMA, Michael was an executive director at Crystal & Company and the managing director for Gallagher Equity Advisors at Arthur J. Gallagher. He has advised on more than $10 billion in transactions.

Lauralynn Rogers, Executive Director, Internal Audit, Dine Brands Global

Lauralynn Rogers leads the internal audit function that delivers financial, operational, SOX and IT audit services. In addition, she oversees the franchisee sales verification audit program. To enhance the internal audit process, her team identifies and executes audit innovation opportunities, including automation and audit analytics. Ms. Rogers makes regular presentations to the Audit Committee of the Dine Brands Board of Directors. Ms. Rogers has over 20 years of auditing and consulting experience and began her career in the audit practice at EY.

Safwan Shah, CEO and Founder, PayActiv Safwan Shah is a serial fintech entrepreneur, the author of It’s About TIME, a two-time TEDx speaker, and holds a PhD in aerospace engineering. Safwan is a board member of Conscious Capitalism and the recipient of CU Boulder’s George Norlin Award for his devotion to the betterment of society. Safwan pioneered earned wage access, and his company serves over 3,000 U.S. businesses for their employee financial wellness needs.

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