Brandy Blackwell is a seasoned marketing leader with over 17 years of experience driving brand growth, digital innovation, and off-premises strategy across some of the restaurant industry's most well-known brands—including Tijuana Flats, McAlister’s Deli, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, Another Broken Egg Cafe and &pizza. She is an active voice in the industry, serving on FSR’s NextGen Casual Council, the Women in Restaurant Leadership Council (WIRL), the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Expert Exchange (MEG), and Brand Innovators Innovation Council. Brandy’s contributions have earned her industry recognition, including FSR Magazine’s Rising Stars: Top 20 Under 40, Lunchbox’s Top 30 Women in Food (2024), and ClearPath Solutions’ Rising Stars.

Brian Siemienas is a seasoned marketing professional with over 25 years of experience in the restaurant, hospitality, and entertainment industries. As the Vice President of Restaurant Solutions at Nift, Brian is passionate about driving customer acquisition and enhancing restaurant traffic. Before Nift, Brian’s tenure included leading marketing for brands like Darden, Margaritaville, and Hard Rock. Most recently, he was the CMO at IMCMV, overseeing 28 Margaritaville and Landshark Bar & Grill restaurants across the United States. Brian orchestrated a symphony of brand strategy, communications, partnerships, advertising, creative development, public relations, loyalty programs, and digital/social media in this role. Brian’s fingerprints are all over the success of these iconic establishments.