About Us
Foodservice organizations depend on more than great operations.
They depend on people who are prepared to lead and partnerships that know how to work together.
When either one breaks down, the impact spreads quickly. Managers may know how to run the operation but struggle to lead people. Teams become disconnected. Expectations become unclear. Small frustrations grow into bigger problems. And leaders spend more time reacting instead of moving the organization forward.
We understand how difficult it is to develop people and strengthen partnerships while still keeping complex foodservice operations running every day. That's why City of Hospitality exists.
Built for the realities of foodservice.
Foodservice moves fast. Leaders are managing people, customers, financial expectations, operational challenges, organizational priorities, and relationships—often all at the same time.
There is rarely unlimited time or budget for leadership development or another complicated program.
Across education, corporate dining, healthcare and senior living, sports and entertainment, travel and leisure, we've seen the same pattern:
Great operations require more than operational expertise.
They require people who know how to lead and relationships strong enough to handle difficult conversations, changing expectations, and shared accountability.
We work on both sides of the equation.
City of Hospitality helps organizations prepare their people and protect their most important partnerships.
We help managers practice leadership before the difficult conversation happens. We help organizations prepare leaders from within. And we help teams and partners see clearly, address what matters, align around expectations, and move forward together.
Because when people are prepared to lead, teams function better.
When relationships are aligned, partnerships become stronger.
And when both happen together, results improve.
That's what City of Hospitality is here to do.
Preparing People. Protecting Partnerships.
Our Story
Our Team
Meet the passionate professionals who bring our mission to life every day. Each team member brings unique strengths, a variety of experiences, and a shared commitment to transformational excellence. Together we’re dedicated to delivering exceptional service and building strong relationships with the clients we serve.
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Founder and CEO
Todd is the founder of City of Hospitality, living and working in the Great Lakes State of Michigan. With more than 40 years in the foodservice and hospitality industry, Todd is passionate about helping people, teams, and partnerships thrive.
Todd holds a BA in Hospitality Business from Michigan State University (Go Green!), an MS in Management, and a Master Certification in Applied Project Management. His career spans foodservice management, hotel sales and catering, campus services leadership, and many years as a trusted consultant and coach.
As a “side hustle,” Todd teaches graduate-level project management courses to international students. For “fun and relaxation,” he enjoys boating and biking, and he runs at least 1 mile daily, a streak he’s maintained since November 2013. Despite this, Todd is the first to tell you that his “journey is just beginning.”
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Leadership Coach
After graduating from Bates College, Anne began her career in higher education, working with students and alumni. Anne has 30+ years of experience, having run the career programs at Bowdoin, Carleton, Davidson, and Carnegie Mellon. She has consulted for peer colleges and teaches career coaching through the Institute of Life Coach Training. She earned her MS and holds BCC and ACC coaching certifications; Anne is a “Designing Your Life” trained coach. She founded Lighthouse Career Coaching as an encore career. She and her husband Ron live in western New York and have two grown sons.
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Certified Coach and Speaker
Valerie Renee is a speaker, a coach, and a connection enthusiast with a serious love for mountain air. With a career built on relationship-driven roles—from real estate to sales strategy to group fitness—she now helps individuals and teams build lives rooted in authenticity, purpose, and real human connection. As a Master Certified Life Coach and keynote speaker, she empowers audiences to move from merely surviving to truly thriving.
Valerie resides in a small Colorado mountain town, where she embraces her love of adventure by skiing, hiking, mountain biking, running, and anything else that takes her outdoors. She also enjoys good food, good music, and good friends.
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Strategic Coach
Jim is an experienced engineering manager and workshop facilitator with a demonstrated history of leading teams to creative and robust solutions worldwide. With 20 years of direct customer interface, and 17 years managing global teams, Jim has a unique recipe for driving excellence and delivering outstanding results. Jim is passionate about building team environments where everyone feels informed, aligned, and motivated around common outcomes.
Jim resides in Marshall, Michigan, a.k.a., the "City of Hospitality." He enjoys running (at least a mile a day), camping, photography, cooking, and hanging out with friends and family.
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Marketing and Training Coordinator
Kimberly plays a key role in planning and executing tradeshows, workshops, and masterclasses—making sure the details run smoothly, from behind-the-scenes prep to on-site support. With a passion for creativity and connecting people through meaningful learning experiences, she helps craft events and marketing materials that leave a lasting impact. Kimberly also works closely with the team to keep communications clear, consistent, and engaging.
Kimberly resides in Ohio and enjoys gardening and growing flowers, staying active as an exercise enthusiast, and traveling with her husband. She also loves spending quality time with their two sons.
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Survey Administrator
Carrie helps guide clients through every stage of the survey process, ensuring projects are organized, on schedule, and delivered with care. She works closely with clients to answer questions, communicate clearly, and provides a smooth, personalized experience from planning through final reporting. With strong attention to detail and a passion for solving problems, Carrie is committed to helping clients feel supported and confident every step of the way while helping create a well-organized survey experience and meaningful information they can use to strengthen their organizations.
Carrie resides in Nebraska and enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors, caring for her yard and flowers, and making the most of every season. She believes some of life’s greatest rewards come from caring for others, lending a hand where she can, and never passing up an opportunity to learn something new.