Lead like it matters.
Because it does, now more than ever.
Leadership that’s honest, adaptable, and built to last. For franchise, restaurant, and retail brands ready for real change.
I help franchise, restaurant, and retail leaders build the leadership skills needed to thrive in today’s high-stakes, people-first world. With over 25 years at brands like Starbucks, Apple, and Boston Pizza, and a doctoral focus on leadership development, I bring a unique blend of credibility, strategy, and heart.
At the center of my work is the Lead Like It Matters Methodology, a four-part framework designed for real-world leadership:
Surface the Truth: uncover what’s really going on
Prepare for Action: align teams through adaptive, collaborative leadership
Execute with Flexibility: blend structure and change management to drive results
Revisit and Reinforce: create a culture of reflection and evolution
Whether I’m leading a keynote, retreat, or coaching session, my goal is simple: help leaders shift from firefighting to forward momentum.
Because teams don’t need more slogans. They need leaders who actually lead.
Real leadership isn’t polished. It’s present.
ABOUT LAURA
I partner with franchise, restaurant, and retail leaders who recognize that surface-level training alone won’t address deeper cultural challenges.
With two decades of senior leadership experience and a doctorate in progress, I’ve learned what actually works: leaders who are self-aware, adaptable, and committed to doing the real work of transformation.
That’s why I created the Lead Like It Matters Methodology, a four-part framework that helps leaders get honest about where they are, build buy-in across teams, lead change with intention, and revisit what’s working before it breaks.
This isn’t theory. It’s battle-tested. And it’s built for the complexity of today’s workforce, especially for leaders navigating Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and the growing trust gap in work culture.
If your team’s ready to lead with more clarity and less spin, let’s talk.
MY SERVICES
You can’t transform what you’re unwilling to face.
I work with franchise, restaurant, and retail leaders who want more than motivation. They want movement. Together, we transform leadership into a practice that cultivates culture, fosters trust, and drives sustainable results.
My Lead Like It Matters Methodology is woven through every offering, a four-stage framework that surfaces the truth, aligns action, drives change, and builds lasting momentum.
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Keynotes and event talks that challenge assumptions, unlock insight, and equip leaders with tools they can use the moment they leave their seat.
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Immersive experiences that combine strategy, culture work, and practical leadership development—tailored for executive teams, multi-unit leaders, and culture builders.
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Hands-on, highly relevant training for franchise, restaurant, and retail leaders focused on adaptability, collaboration, and the leadership skills today's teams actually need.
Built on Truth. Powered by Action. Trusted by Top Brands.
I know the franchise world because I’ve lived it. From fry cook to executive, I’ve led teams for multi-unit franchisees and sat at the corporate table as an operations and training executive, helping shape systems and develop brands.
That journey, from the back of house to the boardroom, gives me a unique lens on what franchise leaders truly need:
practical tools, adaptable systems, and leadership that actually works in the real world.
I speak the language of franchisees and franchisors, and my work bridges the space between the two, building cultures of trust, accountability, and long-term success.
My insights and strategies, featured in the industry's top publications, help brands lead with clarity and grow with purpose.
Trusted by Top Brands to Shape the Future of Franchise and Restaurant Leadership
If you’re leading in today’s workplace, you’ve felt it: the quiet quitting, the disengagement, the constant churn.
In The Great Resignation, I draw on 25 years of frontline and executive leadership to show how coaching, empathy, and appreciation aren’t just “nice-to-haves”—they’re competitive advantages.
This isn’t a fluffy leadership book. It’s a call to action backed by real-world strategies. Inside, you’ll find practical ways to:
Uncover the root causes of turnover
Build a people-first culture that actually sticks
Lead with credibility in a rapidly shifting workplaces
Whether you're leading a restaurant, a franchise system, or a multi-unit team, this book gives you the tools to retain your best people and develop the next generation of leaders.
How a Culture of Coaching and Appreciation Can Help You Win the War for Talent
THE GREAT RESIGNATION
SUCCESS STORIES
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Inspiring Frontline Leaders: In-Person Retreats That Drive Culture Shift
Over a two-year engagement in the Canadian casual dining sector, I led four in-person, two-day leadership retreats for frontline managers.
Focused on Situational Leadership, Servant Leadership, Coaching, and Appreciative Leadership, these retreats blended tactical training with open dialogue, grounded in my Lead Like It Matters™ Methodology.
The results:
25% reduction in turnover, as leaders felt more connected and supported
Dramatic increase in internal promotions, accelerating bench strength
A more resilient, motivated leadership culture, ready to adapt and grow
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Strategic Executive Leadership Retreat: Profitability Through People
I facilitated executive retreats for a mid-sized, multi-unit franchisee group in the restaurant space, aligning operational execution with leadership strategy.
Using my methodology to bridge clarity, accountability, and adaptive leadership, the retreat helped shift leaders from reactive to strategic.
The results:
Enhanced guest experience via more consistent execution
Lower turnover, through trust-based leadership development
Improved system-wide profitability, aligned with clearer priorities and ownership
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Restaurant Leadership Conference: Equipping 1,200+ Leaders for What’s Next
I designed and delivered custom content for a major North American casual dining brand’s annual leadership conference, drawing over 1,200 attendees.
Every session was built to drive real-world application across stores—focusing on:
Profitability and Gen Z engagement
Talent retention and team dynamics
Community impact and store-level execution
The outcome? A renewed leadership culture focused on results, resilience, and relevance in a changing workforce landscape.
