Kadie Quada
Kadie Quada is the Director of Facilities Operations at Partake Collective, where she leverages her extensive background in operations, facilities management, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship to drive innovation in scalable food infrastructure. In her role, Kadie oversees all aspects of Partake’s flexible ghost kitchen and commercial kitchen platforms, ensuring restaurants, caterers, and delivery-first brands across Southern California have seamless access to fully permitted prep and commercial kitchen spaces. Her work focuses on building efficient systems, empowering teams, and creating sustainable solutions that enable operators to launch, expand, and scale with low overhead and rapid speed to market.
Before joining Partake Collective, Kadie owned and operated hospitality concepts and managed large, complex facilities, giving her a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the needs of food operators. She has led initiatives to activate multiple kitchens, manage leasing and tenant relations, oversee preventive maintenance programs, and implement AI strategies and city partnerships. Her leadership has helped countless culinary businesses grow efficiently while maintaining operational excellence, positioning her as a thought leader in the intersection of hospitality, technology, and commercial real estate.
A graduate of Great Lakes Culinary Institute with a certification in culinary arts, Kadie combines hands-on culinary expertise with strategic business and facilities management skills. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation, efficiency, and scalability, helping food entrepreneurs thrive in today’s fast-paced market. Kadie’s vision is to remove barriers, unlock access, and create platforms for sustainable growth in the hospitality industry, making her a driving force in the evolution of modern food infrastructure.
• Food Handler License, Manager - ServSafe Certified
• Great Lakes Culinary Institute - Associate's degree, Certified Culinarian , Culinary Arts/Chef Training
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of dedication, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace innovation. Over my 17-year career in the hospitality industry, I’ve learned the importance of balancing operational excellence with creative problem-solving. As Director of Facilities at Partake, I’ve led initiatives such as opening multiple ghost kitchens and collaborating on tech software development for marketing, which required both strategic thinking and hands-on execution. Equally important has been my commitment to giving back—participating in nonprofit and child/ women-focused programs during COVID reinforced my belief that leadership is not just about results, but also about impact. I strive to approach every challenge with focus, flexibility, and a mindset of continuous growth, which has been essential to my achievements and professional development.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received comes from my mother, whose Southern roots and time spent in the kitchen taught me the value of hard work, attention to detail, and perseverance. Those lessons early on shaped my approach to leadership, problem-solving, and building meaningful experiences in my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the hospitality industry is to stick with it if you love it. While some areas of the industry may be male-dominated, it is incredibly rewarding for those who are passionate, dedicated, and willing to learn. Pursuing what you enjoy and staying persistent can lead to a fulfilling and successful career.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
A major challenge in hospitality today is balancing operations, leadership, and long-term growth. The real opportunity lies in technology and AI, optimizing labor, automating sales and marketing, and streamlining operations so leaders can focus on people and guest experience. Tools that boost direct-to-consumer sales and strengthen marketing are especially impactful, while AI enables deeper customer connections, personalization, and sustainable growth in a competitive market.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In both my work and personal life, I value hard work, strong leadership, and a continuous path of growth. I believe in autonomy while fostering collaboration, making sure everyone works in sync to support one another and give back to the community. Outside of work, my partner Stephanie inspires me daily through her empathy and dedication as an RN, and my dog Nala has been my companion on countless adventures exploring national parks across the country. Most of all, I credit my friends and family—my greatest support system and cheerleaders—for shaping the values of care, resilience, and connection that guide everything I do.