Vanessa S.

Vanessa was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in Colombia with her close-knit family. There, she worked in Human Resources and as an Executive Assistant. In 2020, she moved to the United States and began as a Quick Service Sales Associate at Eataly NYC Downtown in 2022. Within a year, she was promoted to Quick Service Lead.

With a keen eye for detail, Vanessa pays attention to the small but impactful elements in every task, ensuring precision. Her commitment to excellence not only drives efficiency and quality in day-to-day operations but also fosters an atmosphere in which continuous improvement is celebrated.

Leading with integrity and compassion, Vanessa knows how to support her team in challenging moments. During the busy holidays, she recognized inefficiencies in workflow and quickly implemented adjustments to improve speed without sacrificing quality. Her attention to detail in ensuring every guest received a positive experience, combined with her ability to stay calm under pressure, not only kept the operation running smoothly but also made her team feel appreciated and motivated.

Recognizing the importance of strong leadership, Vanessa has enrolled in leadership and management courses provided by Eataly, resulting in refined communication skills. She has recently been promoted to QSR Assistant General Manager at Eataly Flatiron. We are excited to see all she will achieve as her journey continues!

What has your Eataly journey been like?
“Since starting as an Associate, I have been promoted to a Lead and now to Assistant General Manager. I am responsible now for seeing the bigger picture of my department. I love supporting and helping my team members. Every day, I learn more about managing people and improve my communication skills. Spanish is my first language, so I am constantly working on my English.”

What advice do you have for a fellow Eatalian?
“We are a big team with many departments, and we have to work together. Look for ways and be willing to help others out.”

Outside of Eataly, what do you enjoy doing?
“I like to go on walks and make time to reflect, read the Bible, and pray. When I’m in Colombia, I love to spend time with my family. I also enjoy cooking, especially Colombian food. My favorite dish is a soup typical of Bogotá called Ajiaco.”