Izabela Wojcik has been with the James Beard Foundation for 20+ years, leading the programs at the historic James Beard House in NYC, and celebrating the people shaping our food culture. The James Beard Foundation is a national non-profit culinary organization whose mission of Good Food for Good® embraces the joys of gastronomy while pushing for new standards of leadership, sustainability, and equity in the restaurant industry. She currently oversees the Friends of James Beard Benefits program, designing and hosting events around the country to spotlight unique communities and engaging local chefs. A graduate of the Cornell University Hotel School, Izabela has devoted her professional life to restaurants, hotels, and culinary businesses, serving as culinary judge in various national and international competitions.