Headshots for Female Product Executive
I had the honor of photographing Dana Pellicano earlier this year. We got to talking about our journeys and events that shaped us.
Dana shared how her father passed away when she was young and her mother raised her and her younger sister on her own in New Jersey.
“My mom was the most badass, resilient, and intrepid single mom you will ever know. Every day, she traveled from our home in suburban New Jersey to NYC for work, leaving at 6am and not returning til 6pm. My mother wanted nothing more than to ensure my sister and I could always take care of ourselves. She placed a premium on education and learning, so doing well in school was a non-negotiable. My mother taught us how to hustle, the value of hard work, and a fearlessness that I doubt I would have otherwise known. Afraid of nothing, and wanting to expose us to different cultures and flavors, she would take us on the most unusual vacations – to Caracas, or the Canary Islands, for example. I don't remember a time when I didn't love to eat, entertain, and travel—it's fitting that I've spent the last 25 years working in restaurants, hotels and hospitality.”
In an industry that’s over 55% female, only 7% of women in restaurants rise to the top as executive chefs or business owners. Dana shared, “This business is notoriously hard; the pace can be relentless; and often women are given little choice but to opt out in order to make other parts of their lives work. I feel such a special responsibility to mentor, encourage and advocate for women in hospitality, restaurants and operations. I feel that food and beverage is the connective tissue of shared experiences, and I'm so fortunate to make a living making memories for people!”
Thank you, Dana, for sharing your story of hard work, resilience, and passion.