Advisory Board
Sherry Ephraim
Sherry D. Ephraim is a seasoned sales and business development executive with more than 20 years of experience driving growth and building strategic partnerships across the foodservice, hospitality, and facilities management industries.
As Regional Sales Director for Compass Group's Chartwells K12 sector, Sherry partners with school district leaders to develop innovative, student-centered dining programs that enhance the educational experience and improve operational performance.
A passionate advocate for equity and representation, Sherry is committed to expanding opportunities for women and underrepresented leaders in the food industry. In 2026, she was recognized on the Hospitality Hued HUED 100 List, honoring leaders shaping the future of hospitality.
member
Chef Andrew Hunter is one of the country’s leading research and development chefs. He is head of culinary R&D for Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Executive Chef for Niman Ranch and Global Development Chef for Kikkoman. He is also Co-Founder of KOGI L.A. Street Sauces.
He has appeared as the R&D expert on Lifetime’s series, Supermarket Superstar, as a season regular on CNBC’s Restaurant Startup and on Food Network's 'Selena + Restaurant.' He also cooks at the OSCARS every year for Hollywood elite at Wolfgang Puck’s Governors Ball – the star-studded Academy Awards after-party.
Andrew’s culinary development company focuses on restaurant and menu development and product commercialization. He maintains clients in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States.
Andrew Hunter
MEMBER
Angela Johnson is a business strategist with nearly 15 years of experience leading cross-functional initiatives at Fortune 500 and high-growth technology companies. Her expertise spans business strategy, governance, global expansion, operational transformation, and strategic partnerships.
As Director, Head of Global Delivery Partnerships at Uber, Angela leads global partnerships that drive operational scale and growth. She previously served as Chief of Staff to Uber's CEO and led the company's product legal team, supporting major business lines including Uber One, Uber Direct, and Grocery & Retail.
Angela served as CEO and Board Chair of the Coalition of Black Excellence, helping raise more than $1.3 million to support professionals, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits, and as Advisory Board Chair of OneJustice.
MemberAngela Johnson
Minia Mikael
Minia Mikael is an international development and fundraising leader with nearly 20 years of experience advancing global initiatives across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. As Global Pricing Manager at FHI 360, she leads the development of multimillion-dollar funding proposals and supports projects in more than 60 countries.
A dedicated advocate for women and girls, Minia recently served as Interim Chair of the Batonga Foundation Board and has chaired the Black Women in Food Summit since its inception, helping shape the organization's flagship leadership event.
She also serves as Vice Chair of DC SAFE, supporting survivors of gender-based violence and advancing community impact. Born to Eritrean parents and raised in Côte d'Ivoire and Switzerland, Minia brings a global perspective to her work and is fluent in English, French, and Amharic, with proficiency in Italian.
Chair
Katherine Miller is an award-winning strategist working at the intersection of food, policy, and social impact. Named one of the most innovative women in food by Fortune and Food & Wine, she is the former founding Executive Director of the Chef Action Network and former Vice President of Impact at the James Beard Foundation.
Katherine develops advocacy campaigns, advises nonprofits, foundations, and mission-driven companies, and has helped mobilize millions of supporters and hundreds of millions of dollars for initiatives focused on food systems, climate, global health, and gender equity. She is also the author of At the Table: The Chef's Guide to Advocacy, recognized as a must-read by Food Tank and a 2024 James Beard Foundation Media Award nominee.
A frequent speaker and thought leader, Katherine brings deep expertise in advocacy, communications, philanthropy, and systems change to advance lasting social impact.
memberKatherine Miller
Dawn Padmore is Vice President of Awards at the James Beard Foundation, where she leads the prestigious James Beard Awards and advances the Foundation's commitment to excellence, equity, and sustainability across the food industry. Under her leadership, the Awards were successfully relaunched in 2022 following significant reforms to policies and procedures.
With more than two decades of experience, Dawn has helped produce some of the industry's most influential culinary events, including the James Beard Awards, the New York City Wine & Food Festival, Harlem EatUp!, and international culinary collaborations. She is widely recognized for her expertise in event strategy, stakeholder engagement, and driving meaningful change within the food and hospitality industry.
In addition to her leadership in food, Dawn is an accomplished classically trained soprano who has performed internationally.
member