Flavia Padilha Gomes

My background combines economics, business leadership, and hands-on execution in the food service industry, really around market entries, multi-unit development, and portfolio growth. In my career, I transitioned to leading roles that were related to business development and generating revenue streams and new negotiations and deals in the franchising aspect of the business. Previously to that, I had positions in retail and B2B companies in Brazil, where I started my journey and my career. I've had experience in retail industry as well. The multi-cultural fluency that I have came from the opportunity that my parents granted me to live in three different continents, and being exposed to and enjoying life and connecting to different communities throughout time has helped me navigate starting a new life in the U.S. and connecting businesses, people, and opportunities throughout my career as well. I advocate for not only other women, but diversity in leadership and diversity in thought, and I am part of different networks. I think it's important that as women and leaders, we provide and foster space for the younger and the new generations to embrace diversity, inclusion, and the opportunities that come along with being open, being curious, being open to learn, to share, and to value others.