roadMAPP Business Webinar Series

The non-profit organization MAPP (Mentorship, Advocacy, Purpose and the Power of women) is hosting its roadMAPP Business Webinar Series, kicking off on Tuesday, Sept. 20. The series, which runs until May 2023, includes one webinar each month where attendees will hear from leaders in the culinary arts and hospitality industries on a range of topics including marketing and branding, access to capital and profitability, menu development, building equity business frameworks, leveraging technology for business, and more. Speakers include Amanda Cohen (Dirt Candy), Nina Compton (Compère Lapin/Bywater American Bistro), Tiffany Derry (Tiffany Derry Concepts), Lorena Garcia (CHICA Restaurants), Ji Hye Kim (Miss Kim), and dozens of other industry veterans.  

According to federal data, while men in the U.S. have recovered nearly all the jobs lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, women are still short by roughly 1.8 million jobs, with the biggest loss taking place in the hospitality industry. This was a motivating factor for filmmaker and MAPP founder Joanna James – whose 2018 critically acclaimed documentary, A Fine Line, sparked national conversations around gender bias in restaurant culture and the food system – to create the organization at the onset of the pandemic. The 501c3 non-profit empowers women to advance in their careers through one-on-one mentorship, advocacy for gender and racial equity and policies that support working families, sponsoring pandemic relief grants, and creating opportunities for representation where women and people of color are often overlooked. Following MAPP’s sold-out Restaurant Reset Conference this past spring – which was attended by women chefs, restaurateurs, food activists, and farmers from nearly every state – the organization will once again host its second annual conference from May 1 to 3, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  

“MAPP was created to empower more women into leadership roles. When we design our own authentic roadmaps to live our purpose, that is true leadership," said James. “By launching the roadMAPP Business Webinar Series, we’re not only providing educational resources, guidance, and a strong network for women to advance in their careers, but creating direct access to industry experts and leaders through introductions that can make a difference. The diverse range of topics and high energy from our speakers and participants throughout the series will lead into our annual conference next spring with some big surprises we can't wait to share.”

Tickets for the roadMAPP Business Webinar Series are available now for $195 via EventBrite. Registration includes access to all eight monthly, one-and-a-half hour sessions (held on the third Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m. PST / 2 p.m. EST), culminating in a full course where attendees can speak directly with renowned leaders, industry experts, and top operating chefs and restaurateurs. In addition to participating in inspiring and informative panels, participants will receive a wealth of resources and important materials to help grow their careers long after the series ends. Each webinar will be recorded and available to view at a later time for those who cannot attend live. 

The date, topic, and speakers for each webinar are as follows:

• September 20, 2022 – Create Your Very Own Lean Canvas Business roadMAPP (Speakers include Nina Compton, Michael Shemtov, Tom Foley, Elaine Chon-Baker, and Elizabeth Blau)
• October 18, 2022 – Marketing, Branding & PR (Speakers include Karen Akunowicz, Michael Shemtov, Ani Meinhold, Goldbelly, Oyster Sunday, Brustman Carrino PR, and Double Forte PR)
• November 15, 2022 – Financials, Accounting & Profitability (Speakers include MaryEllen Georgiadis, Tom Foley, Lauren Fernandez, and Toast)
• December 20, 2022 – Human Capital and Hospitality (Speakers include Katie Button, Ellen Yin, Mary Sue Milliken, Irene Li, Back of House, and Elliot Group)
• January 17, 2023 – Implementing Equity Frameworks (Speakers include Ji Hye Kim, Irene Li, Ellen Yin, Amanda Cohen, Cat Smith, and RAISE: High Road Restaurants)
• February 21, 2023 – Access to Capital and Scaling (Speakers include Lorena Garcia, Lauren Fernandez, Elaine Chon-Baker, Micheline Mendelsohn, and Michael Shemtov)
• March 21, 2023 – Incorporating Technology in Your Business (Speakers include Kelly Macpherson, Krystal Mobayeni/BentoBox, Dan Gertsacov, and OpenTable)
• April 18, 2023 – Menu Development & Sustainability (Speakers include Rethink Food, Dayanny De La Cruz, Chef Jennifer Hill Booker, Nathan Ricke, Sysco Foods, Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, and Markham Vineyards)

Founded in 2020 after Joanna James’ film premiere of A Fine Line – featuring the likes of Dominique Crenn, Cat Cora, and Elizabeth Falkner among others – sparked national conversations regarding gender bias in restaurant culture and the food system, the 501C3 non-profit Mentorship, Advocacy, Purpose, and the Power of Women (MAPP) was created to empower women to lead through mentorship and advocacy. MAPP furthers the fight for equal rights through one-on-one mentorship, advocacy for gender and racial equity and policies that support working families, sponsoring pandemic relief grants, and creating opportunities for representation where women and people of color are sorely missed.