Meet the Speakers
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Jazmynn Appleton
Entrepreneur, Public Speaker & Life Coach Jazmynn Appleton is a multifaceted entrepreneur, public speaker, certified life coach, author and devoted mother to her son. Jazmynn served as the Chief Director of Entrepreneurial Growth and Innovation at the Progress Center for Black Women for the last 5 years where she provided entrepreneurial and professional development training and comprehensive support for local entrepreneurs and community members throughout Dane and surrounding counties. She is the co-founder of FOCUS, an entrepreneurial training accelerator that has gained recognition from media outlets like the Wisconsin State Journal and Cap Times. Through FOCUS, Jazmynn has been instrumental in guiding entrepreneurs across diverse sectors, facilitating their growth, securing storefronts, boosting media visibility, and expanding their businesses successfully. Prior to this, Jazmynn held several roles within the credit union industry over the course of 5+ years, ranging from member service representative to teller supervisor. In 2017, she became a certified financial counselor, presenting several financial education seminars in the community. This led to her election to the Young Professionals Advisory Board for the Wisconsin Credit Union League. She was a panelist for the 2022 Annual Upstart Celebration and a panelist at 100state with other Madison Area Business Consultants members to discuss their book project, “Wish We Had Known, Volume 2 and organized a panel of Black entrepreneurs at 100state to discuss their successes and barriers as Black entrepreneurs in Madison, a speaker at the 5th Annual Black History Education Conference twice, hosted her personalized Networking for Introverts workshops at Marquette University, DreamBank, Third Coast Advisors, Founders Day, Madison Club’s Women of 608 networking group, UW-Madison and was a panel moderator at the 2024 YWCA Racial Justice Summit, spoke at the Flagrant Tech conference and was a part of Forward Fest's panel discussion, "Fempreneurs: Bold Narratives and What It Takes To Make Your Break." She was named one of 2024’s Brava Women to Watch, an Honoree Madison Magazine’s Amy Award for 2024, named the Professional of the Month for In Business Madison Magazine for their October 2025 issue and was recently named one of In Business Madison Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders for the class of 2026. She is also the co-author of “Wish We Had Known, Volume 2 and 3 which was #1 Best Selling on Amazon. |
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Natalie Butler
Emerging Leaders graduate and Manager at Onesto Natalie has been working in the service industry for fourteen years, starting as a dishwasher at fifteen and now is a front of house manager. She has worked in over 7 restaurants and catering companies over the years, including the Milwaukee Art Museum, The Edison, and now Onesto. She is known for a warm, upbeat presence and a commitment to top-tier hospitality and team excellence. |
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Lauren V. Davis
Personal Brand Strategist and Founder of Lauren Davis Creative Lauren V. Davis is the founder of Lauren Davis Creative, where she helps professionals and entrepreneurs establish their memorable personal brands, resulting in higher confidence, better performance, and professional influence. The skills Lauren acquired while building a non-profit for 1000 business owners and operators taught her the power of cultivating loyal community. As the former owner of a popular brick-and-mortar IL record store for over a decade, Lauren learned how to see through manipulative “one-hit-wonder” tactics and create powerful relationships and influence. Today, as a speaker and strategist with a strong pulse on social behavior and patterns in positioning, she offers entrepreneurial support (and of course, great music recommendations) for experts around the world. Lauren has been a featured expert in national publications and on global top-rated podcasts. She also hosts The Real Personal Branding Podcast, a bi-weekly podcast where she uncovers the secrets of personal brand building from some of the top thought-leaders, speakers, authors, and coaches in the world. |
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Annie Frisoli
Founder and CEO, Creating Community LLC Annie Frisoli is the Founder and CEO of Creating Community LLC, a leadership development and organizational consulting firm that helps leaders and organizations create greater direction, connection, and presence through strategic planning, professional development, consulting, and keynote speaking. Annie believes exceptional experiences don't happen by accident, they are intentionally designed through leadership, culture, and the everyday moments that shape how people feel. Whether serving employees, customers, guests, or communities, the most memorable organizations understand that great experiences begin from the inside out. A Certified Festival & Events Executive (CFEE), Annie spent nearly two decades as an award-winning university instructor in parks, recreation, and event management and served as faculty for the International Festivals & Events Association's Event Management School. Today, she partners with organizations across the country to strengthen leadership, organizational culture, communication, and team performance. Annie is the author of Leadership by Design: 24 Intentional Actions to Inspire Great Leadership and creator of the Designed, Not Default™ framework, which challenges leaders to move beyond autopilot and intentionally design how they lead, connect, and create lasting impact. Known for her energetic facilitation style, practical strategies, engaging storytelling, and audience interaction, Annie equips leaders with tools they can immediately apply in their organizations. Her goal is simple: create meaningful conversations that lead to practical action. |
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Jodi Goldbeck
Program Director & Instructor, Small Business Entrepreneurship Program, Faculty Liaison, Second Chance Pell Program (SCP), Madison College Jodi Goldbeck has been a full-time instructor at Madison College since 2009. She began studying mindset, grit, and well-being in 2015 after experiencing a series of unexpected challenges in her life. Based on her studies and the unwavering belief that individuals can change the trajectory of their lives, she developed a curriculum called Mastering Mindfulness, which is a series of one-credit courses that focus on topics such as gratitude, resilience, habit building, listening and many other topics related to living a happier life. Jodi is currently the Program Director and Instructor for the Small Business Entrepreneurship Program at Madison College, as well as the Faculty Liaison for the Second Chance Pell Program (SCP). The SCP focuses on students in the care of Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) state prisons. Jodi has certifications in Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and University of North Carolina. She has also completed a certification in the Science of Well-Being from Yale University and The Foundations of Well-Being Program through the University of California-Berkeley. Jodi has presented on the topics of mindfulness and well-being at numerous conferences, including the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurs (NACCE), Online Learning Consortium (OLC), International Forum for Women in E-Learning (IFWE) and Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). Jodi has been a full-time instructor at Madison College since 2009 and received the Excellence in Full-Time Teaching Award in 2017. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University, embracing her roots as a proud Yooper. |
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Gesa Hegeman
HR Director Gesa Hegeman, SHRM-CP, is an accomplished and highly collaborative Human Resources executive who believes that true business growth starts by investing in people. As the Director of Human Resources at Marcus Investments, LLC, Gesa oversees the HR function across a diverse, multi-industry portfolio, including Benson's Restaurant Group, Verlo Mattresses, and Marquee Capital. Throughout her career, she has distinguished herself as an executive leadership partner who treats HR not just as an administrative function, but as the core engine of organizational culture, connection, and talent development. What sets Gesa apart is her deep passion for the hospitality industry, rising through the ranks as a restaurant operator, general manager, and multi-unit director for The Bartolotta Restaurants, she gained firsthand operational expertise before stepping into HR. This foundational background gives her a unique perspective on the business, enabling her to balance frontline operational needs with corporate compliance. Her core passion lies in sculpting workplace cultures where teams can thrive and scale sustainably. A dedicated mentor at heart, she finds immense fulfillment in coaching executives, guiding team leaders, and actively developing young professionals to help them unlock their full potential and advance their careers. At home, Gesa channels that same passion for connection into her personal life. She resides in Franklin with her husband, their two daughters, and the family dog. An avid traveler and enthusiastic home cook, she loves exploring new cultures and hosting friends and family. |
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Dr. Lynea LaVoy
Department Chair, Program Director, Faculty – Hospitality Management, Madison College With over 30 years of combined experience in both academia and the hospitality industry, Dr. Lynea LaVoy is a passionate champion of leadership grounded in excellence, compassion, and service. She currently serves as Department Chair, Program Director, and full-time Instructor for the Hospitality Management program at Madison College, where she leads with a people-first, justice-driven approach committed to accessible education and inclusive leadership development. Dr. LaVoy’s career bridges business and education, with deep expertise in hospitality operations, customer service, strategic management, teaching and learning, talent development, servant leadership, and communication. She has designed and led transformative workforce initiatives — including the Hospitality Service Champions and Leadership Academies — which have impacted more than 300 incumbent workers throughout Dane County. Her academic credentials include a Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Edgewood College), an MBA in Strategic Management and Organizational Behavior (Roosevelt University), and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership (Regis University). She also holds certifications in Servant Leadership, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Digital Instruction, and is a Certified Hotel Educator (CHE) through the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. Prior to her work in higher education, Lynea held pivotal industry roles, including General Manager for Hilton Hotels and Manager of Talent Development at TDS Telecom — roles that continue to inform her practical, student-centered approach to teaching and leadership. In addition to being honored at this conference as a 2024 Top 20 Woman in Hospitality, Dr. LaVoy was named the 2023 Educator of the Year by the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association. She is a frequent speaker at industry events including WHLA, WRA, Wisconsin Women in Lodging, and numerous regional business and leadership organizations. At her core, Dr. LaVoy believes in creating spaces where both learners and leaders feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow — because for her, hospitality is more than a profession, it’s a purpose. |
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Alaska Matthews
Emerging Leaders graduate and Sous Chef at Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequileria, Benson’s Restaurant Group Originally coming from a background in veterinary medicine, Alaska has brought a balance of understanding of differing learning and communication styles, adhering to protocol, and flexibility to respond to situations as they arise to the kitchen environment. With experience in upscale American cuisine and global fusion, their favorite part of working in the service industry is to experiment and create new dishes for people to enjoy. Encouraging their employees to contribute to the creative process as well, they push their employees to go for opportunities and try new things, enhancing the team dynamic that, in Alaska's opinion, is essential in the kitchen. |
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Matt Meuleners
Executive Partner & Lead Instructor, Focus Training Matt Meuleners has over 24 years of experience as a speaker, trainer, and Talent Development professional. He is an expert in leadership development who specializes in: program design and delivery, L&D consulting, training audits, and leader coaching. Matt holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin: Milwaukee and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin: Madison. He taught Training & Development at Marquette University as an adjunct professor and is a Past President of the SEWI chapter of the Association of Talent Development. An Executive Partner with FOCUS Training, Matt leads the professional development market team and serves as Lead Instructor for the Accelerate and Elevate Institutes where he trains and coaches managers and high-potential talent from the nation’s top companies. |
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Marla Poytinger
Co-Founder, Owner, and CEO, Bars & Recreation, Inc. Marla Poytinger is the visionary Co-Founder, Owner, and CEO of Bars & Recreation, a pioneering entertainment and hospitality group that oversees the diverse portfolio of brands including Amped, AXE MKE, Game Show MKE, Nine Below, NorthSouth Club, Splash Studio, and The New Fashioned. Since founding the company in 2012, Marla has transformed Bars & Recreation from a 2,600 square foot painting studio into a hospitality, entertainment, and real estate empire. The company now offers an innovative range of experiences—from axe throwing and corporate meetings, to catering and commercial property development. Under her leadership, Bars & Recreation has become known for creating memorable, engaging experiences wherever people gather. Marla holds an MBA in Arts Administration & Non-Profit Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a dedicated member of the Milwaukee business and arts communities, serving on the Board of Directors for Danceworks and Deer District BID 53, as a Fundraising Committee member for Arts @ Large, and as a member of the executive women’s leadership group TEMPO Milwaukee. In August 2024, Marla was honored as one of the Top 20 Women to Watch in Hospitality by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association. Marla lives in Pewaukee, Wisconsin with her husband and three children. |
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Carissa Remitz
Director of Marketing & PR, Midwest Foods Carissa has spent her career at the intersection of food and storytelling. After culinary school, she cut her teeth covering food and wine at the San Francisco Chronicle before spending nearly two decades leading PR and marketing for some of the country's top hospitality brands at Wagstaff. Between her agency career and her current role, she consulted independently on PR, marketing, and leadership, developing and leading trainings for restaurant and hospitality teams on topics ranging from personal user manuals to media training. Now, as Director of Marketing & PR at Midwest Foods, a women- and family-owned produce distributor based in Chicago and Kenosha, serving the restaurant and hospitality industries across the Midwest, she brings that same passion to connecting chefs, farms, and communities. A lifelong champion of fresh, seasonal food, Carissa is as committed to the industry off the clock as she is on it. She co-founded and serves as Chapter Director of Together Hospitality Chicago, a network dedicated to supporting and strengthening the Chicagoland restaurant community. Each month, she leads candid conversations with industry peers covering everything from operations and leadership to the evolving challenges of running a hospitality business in today's landscape. She previously served on the associate board of Green City Market, advancing sustainable food initiatives in Chicago. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. |
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Jennifer Ryan
CEO & Co-founder, Croux Jennifer Ryan is CEO and co-founder of Croux, the AI-native platform reinventing how hospitality businesses staff their hardest-to-fill shifts. Croux matches hotels, clubs, stadiums, convention centers, and events with vetted, reliable workers — fast — using technology that predicts who will actually show up and perform. Under Jennifer's leadership, Croux has earned the trust of brands like Marriott, Hyatt, and Troon, scaled to seven markets with a 96% worker show-up rate, and drawn backing from Microsoft and two NFL franchises. |
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Lisa Shell
Director of Training Lisa Shell is the Director of Training for Benson’s Restaurant Group in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she supports leadership development, service training, onboarding, and team growth across a diverse group of restaurant concepts ranging from casual dining to upscale hospitality. With more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Lisa’s career began at age 17 as a host and grew through roles in service, training, and leadership. Before stepping into her current role, she spent nearly a decade helping train and develop teams at one of Milwaukee’s busiest fine dining restaurants. That foundation gave her a deep appreciation for the pace, pressure, and people-centered nature of hospitality. Today, Lisa focuses on building practical training programs that help restaurant employees grow with confidence, whether they are line cooks, servers, bartenders, hosts, managers, or emerging leaders. She leads initiatives such as manager development, unit trainer programs, service standards, compliance training, and leadership education through Benson’s University. Lisa is passionate about creating career pathways in hospitality and helping employees see the industry as more than “just a job.” Her work is rooted in the belief that strong training can change not only the guest experience, but also the confidence, professionalism, and future opportunities of the people providing it. Known for her approachable coaching style, Lisa brings a grounded, real-world perspective to leadership development, one shaped by years on the restaurant floor and a genuine respect for the people who make hospitality happen every day. |
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Ava Vitale
Co-Founder & Beverage Director, Crave Kitchen & Cocktails Ava Vitale is the Co-Founder and Beverage Director of Crave Kitchen & Cocktails, a women-owned, mother-daughter-operated restaurant in Rockford, Illinois. After growing up in the restaurant industry and beginning her hospitality career at 16, Ava helped open Crave at just 23 years old. Today, she leads the restaurant's nationally recognized beverage program while overseeing day-to-day operations. In 2025, Ava was named Bartender of the Year at the Bar & Restaurant Expo Industry Excellence Awards and was recognized as one of Bar & Restaurant News' Top Shelf: Next Generation of Hospitality Excellence – 30 Under 30. In 2026, she returned to the Bar & Restaurant Expo as both a featured speaker and live demonstration presenter, leading an educational cocktail demonstration and serving as a panelist for "Gen Z Speaks: What They Want as Employees & Customers," where she shared her perspective on leadership, workplace culture, and the future of hospitality. Beyond the restaurant, Ava is passionate about creating opportunities that bring people together. Through community initiatives, mentorship, educational events, and programs like Women of the 815, she is committed to fostering meaningful connections within her community. |
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