Join us in kicking off our inaugural event!
PIZZA INDUSTRY EMPOWERS Conference
A multi-day event geared towards uniting, educating, and uplifting underrepresented people in the pizza industry. These groups make up a large portion of the hospitality industry from the Front of House to the Back of House and everywhere in between. This conference is meant to advance our industry forward by empowering women and minorities with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their businesses or chosen professions.
Brought to You by a New Grass Roots Non-Profit
Laura Meyer
Leah Scurto
Nicole Bean
Melinda Carbajal
Christy Alia
Stephanie Swane
Founded by women who work, and lead, within the Food, Beverage & Hospitality Industry
September 22 & 23, 2025
Located at the
Washington State University- Breadlab
Burlington, Washington
Inaugural class of 2025:
Erica Bell - Las Vegas, NV, Amy Connors - Salt Lake City, UT, Colleen Constant - Seattle, WA, Christina Cord - Silver Spring, MD, Jhy Coulter - Kansas City - MO, Cassie Dekrone - Huntington, NY, Louise Joseph - Greenwich, CT, Dani Mendez - Brooklyn, NY, Alexis Mersel - Columbus, OH, Jillana Miller - Long Beach, CA, Michele Querin - Santa Rosa, CA, Rio Rivers - Charleston, SC, Maddie Saglibene - Las Vegas, NV, Suzi Schaefer - Philly, PA, Liz Schuler - Sterling Heights, MI, Emma Schwendeman - Wauwatosa, WI, Maaren Spears - Saint Croix Falls, WI, Diana Lee Zadlo - Nashville, TN,
8 female industry leaders who will lead classes with a balance of demos and business expertise including keynote by Sarah Minnick owner of Lovely’s Fifty Fifty - Portland, OR
Additional speakers include: Audrey Kelly (Audrey Jane’s Pizza Garage, Boulder, CO), Holly Robinson (Fathom35, Seattle, WA), Christina Martin (Manizza’s Pizza, Las Vegas, NV), Mel Darbyshire (Grand Central Bakery, Seattle, WA), and Janine Sanguine (WSU Breadlab, Burlington, WA),
