The 2024 Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (WEL) Summit

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The James Beard Foundation (JBF) will host the 2024 Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (WEL) Summit in partnership with Houston First from September 8-10, 2024, at Hilton Americas-Houston. The event will gather over 150 of the nation’s leading women business owners in hospitality and culinary entrepreneurship for two days of intensive learning, connection, and empowerment. This is only the second time JBF has held a summit of this magnitude in support of women’s leadership in the industry. 

The WEL Summit is an extension of the Foundation’s flagship WEL program, an advanced educational, training, and networking program that aims to ensure the success of and increase the number of women-owned businesses across the country. Both WEL and the WEL Summit serve a particular need for an industry facing not only ongoing economic and food supply challenges, but also gender inequality. According to the National Restaurant Association, while women make up the majority of the workforce in the restaurant industry, only 34% of restaurant firms are majority owned by women.

“A key pillar of the mission of the James Beard Foundation is to push for new standards in the restaurant industry where all have the opportunity to thrive—particularly crucial for female restaurant owners who frequently do not receive the same levels of resources or support,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO, James Beard Foundation. “Thanks to our partners at Houston First, we are able to host this vital extension of our WEL program to provide a truly inspiring group of women the essential tools, resources, and networks required to ensure the success of their businesses and the future of the independent restaurant industry.”

Over the course of two days, participants will have the opportunity to delve into a wide range of topics crucial for business success, including team management, leadership development, optimizing marketing strategies, improving profitability, scaling up business operations, leveraging personal brand identity, and more, learning from influential women from across hospitality and business. Featured speakers include:

  • Mayan Bouskila, Founder and Attorney, Legal with Mayan

  • Maya-Camille Broussard, James Beard Award-Nominated Chef and Owner, Justice of the Pies

  • Ana Castro, James Beard Award-Nominated Chef and Owner, Acamaya 

  • Tiffany Derry, James Beard Award-Nominated Chef and Founder, Tiffany Derry Concepts 

  • Jacqueline Hensel, VP of Marketing and Communications, COTE 

  • Anita Jaisinghani, James Beard Award-Nominated Chef and Co-owner, Pondicheri

  • Bricia Lopez, James Beard Award-Winning Chef and Co-Owner, Guelaguetza

  • Dr. Anne E. McBride, VP of Programs, James Beard Foundation

  • Erika Prosper, Senior Director of Customer Insights, H-E-B

  • Emily Williams-Knight, CEO, Texas Restaurant Association 

“Houston First is proud to partner with the James Beard Foundation to bring the Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Summit to our city,” said Michael Heckman, President and CEO of Houston First. “Houston is an entrepreneurial city with a diverse and robust hospitality community that includes a talent base of outstanding female leadership. We recognize the importance of events such as this to empower women, help them overcome obstacles, and provide them with an opportunity to learn from those who have achieved success. With leadership from organizations like JBF, the future of the hospitality industry will be more inclusive and equitable.”

The WEL Summit is free to attend and is open to both past and current WEL program participants, as well as former applicants. This initiative underscores JBF’s dedication to increasing opportunities and support for women business leaders in the hospitality industry. 

To learn more about the 2024 WEL Summit, visit here. To learn more about JBF’s Women’s Leadership Programs,  visit here.