Ana Yuristy is the Chief People + Brand Officer at The Drake, where she leads the Human Resources, Marketing + Communications, and Information Technology teams in support of the company’s operations.

A Kanien’keha:ka from the Wahta Mohawks First Nation near Bala, Ontario, Commandant is driven by a passion for preserving and sharing Indigenous culinary traditions. His work extends beyond the art of cooking—he is deeply engaged in conversations around Indigenous food sovereignty, food security, and traditional cooking methods.

For more than a decade, Jeremy Bonia has stood at the crossroads of hospitality and advocacy, balancing the immediate demands of running restaurants with the broader fight to shape national policy. As he steps down from his extended two-year tenure as Chair of the Restaurants Canada board of directors, Bonia leaves behind a legacy as a steady hand in turbulent times.

The journey from a high school cashier to the corner office is seldom straightforward, yet Michèle Boudria’s path to becoming McDonald’s Canada’s first female CEO reads like a modern parable of grit, growth and passion for hospitality.

Meeru Dhalwala is a celebrated chef and co-founder of Vij’s Restaurant, a cookbook author, co-owner of Lila restaurant and founder of My Bambiri Organic Baby Food. She is also the Restaurants Canada Culinary Award of Excellence Winner (2024).