Meet Our Members
Dynamic, deep-rooted, driven— We are a network of women who have achieved success in all aspects of the food, beverage, and hospitality fields.
If you would like to become a Dame please click the membership application below and see how you can join us in our mission.
Each vetted member of the Colorado chapter of LDEI is a respected professional in her area of specialization, from longstanding thought leaders to rising stars and change-makers. As our membership, collective expertise, and inclusivity continue to grow, our organization embodies the many professions and skills of today’s culinary industry as a whole:
Chefs
Restaurateurs
Sommeliers
Spirits Specialists
Caterers
Farmers
Food Tour Operators
Nutritionists
Food Bloggers
Certified Cheese Professionals
Culinary Instructors
Journalists
Public Relations Pros
Social Media Strategists
Publishers
Ranchers
Cookbook Authors
Food Writers
Food Photographers
Food & Beverage
Producers
Entrepreneurs
Alexis Watts
Founder & CEO, A.Watts Collective
Alexis Watts is the Founder and CEO of A.Watts Collective, a Denver-based marketing and public relations agency specializing in hospitality, tourism, and destination marketing. Known for her strategic vision and “boots-on-the-ground” approach, Alexis leads a team that helps restaurants, franchises, and community brands grow through authentic storytelling, influencer partnerships, and earned media visibility.
With more than a decade of experience in brand strategy, PR, and destination marketing, Alexis has collaborated with many of Colorado’s most recognized culinary and lifestyle brands. Her leadership and impact in the industry earned her recognition as one of the Denver Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business, highlighting her innovation, influence, and dedication to elevating others.
Ambyr Owens-Hayes
General Manager, Tavernetta
Before joining the Frasca Hospitality Group at Tavernetta Denver, Ambyr Owens-Hayes began her culinary journey watching Food Network with her mom after school everyday. This sparked Ambyr’s passion for all things food & beverage. She pursued this and earned degrees in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management at Johnson & Wales University.
Since then, Ambyr has gone from glass polisher at Tavernetta in 2017 to General Manager in 2025 and has even made her own appearance on Food Network this year!
Aminata Dia
Chef, Le French
Aminata Dia is an accomplished, award-winning chef and highly successful business owner with over a decade of experience in the culinary industry. She is the co-founder and co-owner of the acclaimed Denver-based restaurant, Le French, which has established a unique brand identity by masterfully blending authentic French techniques with vibrant West African flavors. Following the original restaurant’s immense success, Chef Dia demonstrated her strong entrepreneurial skill and leadership by overseeing the expansion and opening of Le French’s second location in 2023, just six years after the first. In recognition of her exceptional culinary talent and contribution to the mountain region’s dining scene, Chef Dia (alongside her sister, Rougui Dia) was named a 2024 James Beard Award Semi-Finalist for Best Chef: Mountain.
April Stamm
Executive Chef, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance/SSA Group
Chef April is a classically trained chef, culinary director/manager, chef instructor and writer. She has run culinary programs and taught for Whole Foods Market, The International Culinary Center/French Culinary Institute, Vegan Fusion Culinary Academy, Brookdale Senior Living and now the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. Feeding our souls and our communities is her passion and the foundation of all she does.
Bonnie Johnson
President
Bonnie Johnson is a marketing leader with 20 years of experience, specializing in strategic partnerships and scientific marketing initiatives. She has developed and executed strategic plans, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and led cross-functional teams to enhance brand positioning and market penetration. Her expertise includes engaging healthcare professionals, overseeing clinical trials, and managing advisory panels to create credibility for new and legacy brands and products. Bonnie excels at integrating scientific research with marketing strategies to create differentiation and drive growth and demand across various industries.
Brea Cameron-Walter
Published Author & Regional Accounts Manager
Brea Cameron-Walter is a dynamic and results-driven professional with a robust background in the Colorado hospitality sector, beginning her career in 2008. After gaining formative experience at HGI Denver Downtown and managing several popular restaurants, she transitioned to the distribution side of the industry in 2016, joining Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of Colorado. Her extensive sales experience spans both Southwest Colorado and the Denver Metro area, cultivating strong relationships within the local wine and spirits community.
A published author, Brea also wrote Fort Collins Beer: A History of Brewing on the Front Range (History Press, 2017), demonstrating her deep passion for Colorado’s beverage landscape. Now serving as a Regional Accounts Manager, she continues to shape the industry while contributing to the SGWS Women in Leadership Colorado Chapter’s planning committee. Brea is further advancing her expertise by actively working towards her WSET Diploma certification, a testament to her commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in her field.
Brooke Medosch
Rocky Mountain Regional Manager
Brooke Michaels Medosch has enjoyed working in the world of Napa Valley Cabernet for 24 years. A native to Colorado, Brooke moved to California in 2000 after graduating college. She has worked with many different wine companies, most notably Inglenook (Francis Ford Coppola’s Estate), Silver Oak, TRU Estates (Robert Mondavi, Schrader, Mt. Veeder, The Prisoner) and the Huneeus Family (Quintessa, Faust, Flowers, Favia, Benton Lane, Leviathan) since 2013. She loves that she has been able to work for incredible Napa Valley Cabernet estates for the majority of her 23 year career, and enjoys bringing the romance, history and “why” behind the wines to all of the people she interacts with throughout the United States
Carlin Karr
Wine Director, Frasca Hospitality Group
Carlin Karr has been a sommelier for 15 years, starting in San Francisco, where she was opening wine director and general manager of Sons & Daughters, earning a Michelin Star in the first year open. After four years with Sons & Daughters, Carlin moved to Colorado in 2012 to work under Bobby Stuckey at Frasca Food and Wine. She is wine director for the Frasca Hospitality Group, overseeing all wine programs for their four restaurants and all new projects.
Carol Fenster, PhD
Gluten-free Cookbook Author
Carol Fenster, a pioneer in gluten-free cooking, is the author of 14 gluten-free cookbooks, including her latest, Gluten-Free Cooking for Two. She has developed gluten-free products for industry leader Bob’s Red Mill and appears on PBS as well as radio, newspaper, and web sites. She is a member of the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame and the former associate food editor at Living Without magazine.
Carol Maybach
Author, Food Writer
Author, food writer, food stylist, recipe tester, photographer, food critic, winner of Book of the Year Gold Award, IACP Book Award Judge, Academy Member of the National Taste Awards.
Clara Klein
Sommelier
Clara Klein, an Advanced Sommelier with over a decade of experience, began her career at The Little Nell in Aspen under Carlton McCoy MS. She later expanded her wine expertise at Mourad in San Francisco before returning to Colorado in 2017 to join the Frasca Hospitality Group’s wine team. Clara has also worked harvests with renowned winemakers, Chiara Boschis and Maya Dalla Valle and is a proud mentor and contributor in organizations like Bâtonnage and Asian Girl Ignites.
Denise Mickelsen
Communication Director
Denise Mickelsen oversees communication, marketing, and public relations efforts for the Colorado Restaurant Association and Foundation, in support of the state’s dynamic restaurant industry. Before joining the CRA, Denise served as food editor at 5280 Magazine. She holds a culinary arts degree and cooked professionally in renowned Manhattan restaurants before entering food media. She has worked in the test kitchens at Saveur and Martha Stewart Living, on the editorial staff at Fine Cooking, and as culinary acquisitions editor at Craftsy, a Denver-based digital media company. When she’s not dining or writing, Mickelsen can be found cooking (seafood) and baking (pies); reading cookbooks as if they’re novels; and hiking, skiing, and camping with her husband and son.
Elizabeth Yarnell
Traditional Naturopath
By day Elizabeth is a traditional naturopath empowering people with MS or other autoimmune issues to help themselves reclaim control over their futures; by night she teaches moviemaking skills to elementary and middle schoolers through online courses. She has worked with hundreds of MS and other autoimmune sufferers in her nationwide clinic using unique, personalized non-pharmaceutical therapies to empower them to reclaim their health. She’s a TEDx speaker, award-winning author whose cookbook has sold more than 70,000 copies, a patented inventor, and has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, and PBS as well as in Good Housekeeping, Health, Martha Stewart Living Radio, and many other outlets.
Erin Boyle
CEO
I am Erin Boyle, CEO of CHOW. Beyond my professional role, I’m a friend, sister, partner, daughter, dog lover, potter, avid reader, crafter, walker, and chef. Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, I’ve worked in San Francisco, Washington DC, New York, and Denver. After nearly two decades in the industry, I transitioned to teaching, which I found fulfilling.
I’ve faced my own battles with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD. Seeking help in 2013, I found a therapist who helped me name and manage my challenges. After witnessing struggles with mental health and substance use among my staff, family, and friends in hospitality, in 2019, I committed to improving access to mental health resources for all. As CHOW’s CEO, I focus on outreach, education, and destigmatizing conversations about health in the restaurant industry.
Erin Fletter
CEO, Founder & Food-Geek-in-Chief
Erin Fletter is a serial entrepreneur, founder of Sticky Fingers Cooking®, a nationwide children’s cooking school, CEO of the franchise brand, and author of five kids’ cookbooks. She co-owns the internationally acclaimed Barolo Grill with her dashing husband, Ryan, and together, they’ve created three amazing daughters. Obsessed with food, Erin has spent nearly 30 years creatively exploring how people experience everything from kale to cupcakes—and she’s on a mission to inspire others to do the same!
stickyfingerscooking.com
stickyfingerscookingfranchise.com
barologrilldenver.com
Fathima Dickerson
I am Fathima Dickerson, a Denver native, born and raised. I started in the restaurant industry at six years old working in my family restaurant. My family has owned and operated restaurants in Denver’s Historic Five Points for nearly 40 years. Growing up I learned every area of the restaurant but I took favor in working front of the house. Today, I am the chief operating office of my family restaurant, Welton Street Cafe.
Holly Arnold Kinney
Proprietress/Founder — The Fort
Founding member, former President of the Colorado Chapter of LDEI, Proprietress / CEO of The Fort restaurant, a fine dining award winning truly “Colorado “ experience.
Jen Hord
Co-Founder
Jen’s background is in beverage and tourism, specializing in brand creative and strategy, global marketing and luxury partnerships. Former Wine Enthusiast. Media, Brand sales for global companies including importers and distributors. Prior to that based in Dublin, Ireland ad agency side running global advertising and marketing.
Jordan Blakesley
Owner and Principal, B Public Relations
Jordan has more than 15 years of experience in public relations – the majority within the industries about which she is most passionate – hospitality, food and beverage and tourism. Over the course of her career, she has led local, national, regional and social media campaigns for a variety of clients, ranging from luxury guest ranches and boutique hotels, to internationally-known and celebrity chef-driven restaurants and for acclaimed brands like Shake Shack, Hilton, Marriott and many more. Jordan is a Certified Level II Sommelier by the International Wine Guild and was and a previous Public Relations Society of Colorado PR Person of the Year.
Kimberly Stewart
Journalist, Writer, Author
Kimberly Lord Stewart is an award-winning food and health journalist. She is the author of Eating Between the Lines, the supermarket shopper’s guide to the truth behind food labels (St. Martin’s Press), advocate for children’s culinary nutrition, and co-founder of TodaysPractitioner.com. She specializes in food, culinary nutrition, and integrative medicine.
Lauren Turner
Executive Sommelier
Lauren graduated from the University of Texas @ Austin w a Bachelor of Architecture just after 9-11, when jobs were scarce. She moved to Denver after graduating and began to think about other opportunities. Lauren was hungry to learn and tired of watching the Food Network. She enrolled at the Cook Street School of Fine Cooking. Her two years there pushed her to explore Spinning sugar and building a tall croquembouche on a sugar platform.
Lee Clayton Roper
Cookbook Author, Food Blogger, …
Lee is a cookbook author, food blogger, cooking instructor, public speaker and TV personality. She has authored two award-winning cookbooks, “A Well-Seasoned Kitchen®” and “Fresh Tastes.” She’s passionate making cooking and entertaining at home easy, elegant and fun!
Leigh Skomal
Commercial Photographer & Videographer
Leigh Skomal is a Denver-based commercial photographer and videographer specializing in food and beverage imagery. Drawing inspiration from the Rocky Mountains’ natural beauty and seasonal changes, Leigh creates authentic visuals that connect deeply with viewers. Her work features dynamic lighting, bold color contrasts, and nature-driven elements, capturing the essence of culinary culture.
Liliana Myers
Liliana Myers has been working in the restaurant industry for 21 years. She has worked mainly in pastry kitchens in New York for Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller, in France for Reine Sammut. She moved to Colorado ten years ago where she was in charge of the pastry programs at the Mediterranean Restaurant group, Frasca Food and Wine, and Pizzeria Locale Boulder. Liliana has been the Pastry Chef since Safta Restaurant Pastry chef since they opened their doors in 2018. Liliana is a member of the Lee Initiative and Star Chefs Rising star Pastry Chef for Denver 2022.
Linda Hampsten Fox
Chef/Owner, The Bindery Denver
From serving ice cream at a Carvel’s soft serve, to tossing cheesesteaks on a grill at a fast food restaurant, to being a waitress in a greek diner all before I left high school, I could never have predicted the course my life would eventually take. I was interested in art and medicine growing up but with jobs as a hostess, as a dish washer, as a prep cook, as a caterer, working my through college the path became clearer. My parents threw parties and picnics and I loved cooking and the celebration of eating interesting food. I found my fortune in travel and learning to cook professionally.
Lisa Balcom
Restauranteur
I am a pastry chef and sommelier turned restauranteur. I own and operate a seasonal farm focused restaurant and wine shop Farow in Niwot, CO. I also own Pie Dog pizza, a neo-new York brick oven pizza ghost kitchen and Baa Hachi- a Japanese street food concept in the Parkway Food Hall.
Loren Matthews
Owner
Loren Matthews is the owner and head distiller of Elevation 5003 Distillery, founded in 2015. Loren has over 22 years of experience in the alcohol industry. She holds a bachelors in Biology, with an emphasis in Genetic Engineering, and an MBA.
Lori Tieszen
Founder, Concrete Marketing Solutions
Lori J. Tieszen is the Founder of Concrete Marketing Solutions, a Colorado based marketing consultancy specializing in business strategy, brand expansion and new product development. Lori brings more than 30 years’ experience – with both U.S. and international companies – in the marketing and sales of premium and luxury brands. Lori is considered an industry expert in the wines and spirits arena, where she worked in both senior sales and marketing roles with Stoli Group USA, Moët Hennessy USA, Wines of Chile USA, and Kobrand Corporation, among others.
Maia Parish
Maia Parish is Denver-based sommelier, wine writer, wine educator, wine judge, award-winning events producer, consultant, and momtrepreneur. Ms. Parish produces wine-educated inspired events. Her wine writing includes stories on wine, winemakers, pay equity, passive income, and food passions. Maia is the Founder of The Wine Suite LLC, an education wine concierge service and wine-producing company in Denver, Colorado. She is a member of the Black Wine Professionals, and is currently a fellow with the Society of Wine Educators studying for the Certified Specialist of Wine Certification.
Mara Tcheunou
Co-founder
Mara draws on her creative and psychotherapy background to manage operations of Bibamba, founded in 2015 by a husband-and-wife team. Bibamba is an award-winning, farm-to-table chocolate company that crafts its products from cacao grown on their family farm in Cameroon. Dedicated to sustainable and ethical practices that work for everybody, Bibamba utilizes clean ingredients and the highest agricultural standards to create premium chocolate that benefits customers, employees, and the earth.
Megan Bucholz
Chief Tasting Officer
Megan is the founder of Local Table Tours, a boutique food tour company that explores the unique food scenes of Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins. She’s currently the President of the Colorado chapter of Les Dames and co-chair of their signature event, The Big Stir Festival. Megan likes to say it’s her job to have her finger on the pulse of food and beverage across the Front Range of Colorado.
Megan Dunlap
Field Sales Manager for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
Megan is a young professional in the alcohol distribution industry. She has worked for two of the major distributors in CO and now works for one of the leading wine suppliers.
Megan Gray Stromberg
COO
It’s in her blood to lead and work with a team interacting with guests in a high touch hospitality environment where she can build brands, exercise creativity, and offer strategic thinking. She truly enjoys collaborating with owners and thought partners who share her passion for hospitality, the great outdoors, and philanthropy. She is a charismatic, dynamic, and magnetic leader. She is a strong and visible leader who helps drive storytelling mechanisms for the stakeholders she supports. In her role as COO, she focuses on focuses on historic adaptive reuse projects that will materially change the communities in which they reside. NuovoRE is shaping and driving community-centered real estate development endeavors, ensuring they resonate with our core values and mission.
Michele Morris
Food Writer and Culinary Tour Guide
Michele Morris is a professional recipe developer and food photographer who leads food and wine tours in Italy. Her food writing has appeared in numerous regional publications, including The Denver Post, Colorado Homes & Lifestyles, Edible Front Range, and Nourish Food Magazine. She is the award-winning author of two cookbooks, Tasting Colorado and A Taste of Washington, and the author of two popular blogs, one devoted to food and wine, and one covering her worldwide travels.
Nicole Knaddison
Slow Food Denver
My path to working in food education started through my work as a Spanish teacher. I started cooking with students, discovering a vast universe of culture and meaning that helped bring the language alive for my students. I discovered how much hands-on learning enhanced my lessons and inspired my students to connect with culture through food.
My current role is at Slow Food Denver, a non-profit chapter of a worldwide organization with the mission of Good, Clean and Fair food for all. My work involves hiring and supporting instructors that teach cooking class in mostly under-resourced schools, developing curriculum, collaborating with other food organizations, and expanding our programming for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Samantha New
Personal Chef
Chef Samantha New is currently self-employed as a personal chef doing weekly in-home meal prep for a handful of clients. She is the former owner of Eclat Culinary and Avengard Events and has been cooking in the Denver area since 2015. She enjoys camping in the mountains with her dogs and spending time with her two teenage kids.
Sara Schiffer
Founder + CEO
Sara Schiffer brings nearly twenty years of experience and an impressive portfolio to her Denver-based public relations firm, which she founded in 2012. Through her years in the business, Sara has built a strong network of media relationships across the country, giving her clients excellent opportunities to tell their brand stories in the publications that matter. To her Denver business, Sara brings a diverse range of skills, with experience representing clients in a variety of markets including restaurant and hospitality; hospitality technology; health and wellness; and consumer lifestyle.
Shelley Sale
Trade Development Manager SR, Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits of CO
Shelley is a Colorado native and has been in the Hospitality industry for over 30 years. Works for Southern Glazers of Colorado; focusing on Fine Wine and is the Riedel Ambassador for Colorado.
Shellie Kark
Chef and Culinary Educator
Local acclaimed chef and culinary educator, Chef Shellie Kark is passionately dedicated to inspiring and educating around food and cooking bringing renewed joy and communion back to the kitchen and the table. Shellie has worked in a number of renowned restaurants San Francisco and Seattle and was an Assistant Professor at Johnson and Wales University, Denver Campus. She is the co-founder of KitchenCUE™, a series of technique- based videos that teach the fundamentals of food preparation and presentation through a simple, step-based approach. She consults on school food reform across Colorado and participates in product development for the food and beverage industry. She is currently at Metropolitan State University of Denver, School of Hospitality.
Talia Haykin
Cidermaker, Haykin Cidery
Talia Haykin is an award-winning cidermaker and founder of Haykin Family Cider, a boutique producer celebrated for its varietal-driven approach and meticulous craftsmanship. Since launching the cidery in 2017, she has earned national recognition, including multiple Small Cidermaker of the Year titles and gold medals at the Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition and the Great American Beer Festival. Beyond production, Talia serves on the Board of Directors for the American Cider Association, advocating for education, policy advancement, and industry growth across the Mountain West. She is recognized as a leader whose work blends artistry, innovation, and community engagement to elevate the profile of craft cider.
Teresa Farney
Food editor, The Gazette newspaper, Colorado Springs
Founding member and president for first two years of the Colorado Chapter LDEI. Member of Washington DC chapter since 1989. Third vice president of Les Dames d’Escoffier (2010-2012), second vice president LDEI (2013-14) and president (2015-16). Professionally: Biology/home economics teacher Air Academy High School, food editor – The Colorado Sun Newspaper, Vice President of Marketing and Consumer Affairs – National Turkey Federation (DC) – 1986-96, food editor at The Gazette – 1997 to present.
Colorado Chapter