I’ve always wanted to work with people, serve them, and influence their lives for the better; I never thought that desire would be met in the quick-serve industry. My father and his cousin started Cousins Subs in 1972, and I became a member of the team at 15 years old. I worked as a cashier through high school, and even some while in college, but took a break after graduation. Armed with a degree in criminology and a master’s in public administration, I sought out opportunities outside of quick service. It wasn’t until re-entering Cousins as the human resources manager in 2001 that I realized I was destined for the family business. Coming back on the other side of the counter, it became clear that I could uphold my needs to help people in this industry and fuel my passion for influencing others.

I had a number of different roles with the brand before becoming CEO: president and COO, to name a couple. While there are changes with each position, my motivation has always been to grow this brand to the best of my abilities. While there are different ways of operating a business, driving our brand forward remains constant. I love being the face of this company, looking at the big picture, and asking what we can do to make our model even stronger.

This industry is about peeling back the layers and looking at each in detail to make sure we’re adapting accordingly. Are we utilizing the best technology in our stores? Is our menu relevant to the tastes and trends? Are we communicating effectively to our customers? My amazing team and I hold proudly the things that have worked in the past but are not afraid to change for the better.

Having an opportunity to connect with franchisees and our employees is a constant source of motivation, especially when it comes to the longevity of this brand. When I think about leadership, it’s always been a balance of inspiration and accountability. Setting the tone and the culture for Cousins is something I hold in very high esteem. Whether you’re a guest or an employee, you’re going to know what this brand is all about.

Lately I’ve been craving our half tuna sandwich with Provolone and hot pepper relish added.

I love a good steak at a classic steakhouse.

My family: my husband and two boys.

I’ve had the opportunity to work on a number of nonprofit boards; the leaders of those organizations constantly inspire me. And, obviously, my father.

If I can serve others by helping them achieve their goals, then the brand achieves its goals, too.