Lori Raff

Lori Raff brings 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She entered the field as a waitress while raising two young children, drawn to the flexibility of weekend work that allowed her husband to care for the boys. Over the years, she advanced through various roles, developing numerous team members from hourly positions into leadership positions up to the multi-unit level. She currently works for the startup Matter, which has opened two restaurants since December with a third scheduled to open next month. Her primary goal is to scale the business and establish it as a national brand. Lori advises leaders to be firm but fair, to lead with care by putting heart first and head second, and to build trust by demonstrating integrity and considering team members as stakeholders. She maintains balance through daily self-care practices such as reading, walking, or listening to podcasts.