SEMINAR 03: PANEL

MAKING HELP, HELPFUL:
Crisis Management, Volunteering, Donating, and Civic Engagement

LIEN TA

  • Lien Ta is the owner and operator of Los Angeles restaurant Here’s Looking At You. After its debut in 2016, Food & Wine Magazine recognized HLAY as a “Restaurant of the Year.” After a long Covid closure, HLAY reopened and was listed on The NY Times' "2022 Restaurant List" and named a 2023 James Beard semifinalist for "Outstanding Hospitality."

    After HLAY, she and her partner, the late Chef Jonathan Whitener, opened All Day Baby, which enjoyed five years in business and played host to a year-longVietnamese-inspired pop-up called Tet-a-Tet.

    She is the subject of "Becoming a Restaurateur" by book author Patric Kuh, former restaurant critic of Los Angeles Magazine.

    In 2020, Lien co-founded Regarding Her, a non-profit organization accelerating the growth and economic mobility for women business leaders in the food and beverage industry. At the 2021 James Beard Foundation’s live broadcast, RE:Her was highlighted as a “Story of Resilience and Leadership.” Lien is also a regular contributor of the Independent Hospitality Coalition, an advocacy organization whose mission is to provide timely resources and representation to help shape policy for our Los Angeles hospitality community and beyond.

    Before working in hospitality, she was a food, fashion & lifestyle writer and entertainment editor for eight years.

STEPHEN POUX

  • As the Executive Vice President of Risk Management at The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, Stephen Poux brings over three decades of unparalleled expertise in the insurance industry. In his role, he oversees a center-of-excellence dedicated to safeguarding the properties and passions of high-net-worth families.

    Stephen's extensive experience includes pivotal leadership positions at renowned insurance firms such as Chubb, Fireman's Fund, and most recently, AIG. At AIG, he served as the Senior Vice President and Head of Risk Management Services and Loss Prevention, where he spearheaded innovative programs like the Wildfire Protection Unit® and Hurricane Protection Unit®, revolutionizing loss prevention for high-net-worth clients. His strategic vision and client-centric approach have consistently driven operational growth and industry-leading solutions.

    A recognized thought leader, Stephen has been featured in prominent media outlets, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and CNBC. He has also contributed his expertise as a subject matter expert for the Biden Administration's Wildland Fire Commission and as a speaker at U.S. Congressional science briefings on catastrophe preparedness.

    Stephen's passion for protecting what families cherish most extends beyond his professional endeavors. He is an active duty volunteer firefighter in his local community, underscoring his commitment to service and safety.

    Stephen’s comprehensive expertise and innovative approach to risk management make him an invaluable asset to Liberty. His leadership continues to drive the company’s mission of delivering exceptional protection and peace of mind to high-net-worth clients.

ALYCIA HARSHFIELD

  • Alycia Harshfield is the President of the California Restaurant Foundation and Restaurants Care, leading efforts to support restaurant workers and the next generation of hospitality professionals. Since 2009, she has expanded CRF’s impact through job training, scholarships, and relief grants. A nonprofit leader for 25 years, she has dedicated her career to serving communities through fundraising, program development, and strategic partnerships. She is active in industry organizations and serves on the Blanchard Institute board of directors. A Sacramento native, she now lives in Carlsbad with her husband and dog.

ALEXA CARPENA-ROUSSO

  • BIO COMING

MODERATOR: LUCA SERVODIO

  • Luca Servodio is the host of The LA Food Podcast and The LA Countdown. He’s known for ambitious quests nobody asked for - like eating 100 LA burgers in 365 days - and a fresh, respectfully irreverent approach to exploring LA’s vast culinary landscape. 

    In its more than 100 episodes, The LA Food Podcast has gained a following by discussing the food news, culture, and happenings of the day through an approachable LA-centric lens, and welcoming guests like Wolfgang Puck, Brooke Williamson, and Jeremy Fox. 

    A native of Italy who’s been living in LA for the last 15 years, Luca’s favorite food is pizza and if he could resurrect one Los Angeles restaurant from the dead, it’d probably be Los Feliz’s Mother Dough.

PREVIOUS PANELISTS:

TACKLING LABOR IN AMERICA’S TOUGHEST MARKET: Recruitment, Retention, Gratuities, and Culture

Kwini Reed // Partner @ Poppy + Rose, Poppy & Seed

Matt Glaser // Partner @ Park Hospitality

Jacqui Leanza // Partner @ Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions

Jon Light // Managing Partner @ Light Gabler Law

THE ROLE OF MEDIA & MARKETING IN THE SUCCESS OF RESTAURANTS: Press, PR, Social Media, AND Marketing

Jenn Harris // Food Columnist @ LA Times

Josh Kopel // Restaurateur & Marketing Expert @ Full Comp Podcast

Rashida Holmes // Chef & Owner @ Bridgetown Roti

Max Block // President @ Carvingblock