Commentary

Uncle Maddio's VP of Ops: 'Welcome adversity'

Restaurant openings at Outback Steakhouse were the gateway to Jenelle Brown's career, but that progressed into managing human capital and the health of operations.

March 16, 2017 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Editor's note: In honor of International Women's Day and Women's History Month, FastCasual interviewed several female leaders in the restaurant industry to learn about their success and how they feel about leading in a male-dominated industry. To read the entire series, click here.

It's safe to say Jenelle Brown understands the business of training. Before joining Uncle Maddio's as VP of operations, she worked as the director of training for several brands, including Joe’s Crab Shack, Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina and Outback Steakhouse.

Throughout her tenure, Brown has found that employing a diverse leadership team creates a powerful source of new ideas.

"Diversity in thought is a key component to any high-performing organization," she said.

How she got her start in the biz
Restaurant openings at Outback Steakhouse were the gateway to Brown's career, but that progressed into managing human capital and the health of operations.

Why women make great leaders
"There is a sense of self-awareness and a level of confidence that comes with knowing you are often one of the only women in the board room. When you actively seek to understand, make thoughtful decisions and consistently think what could be the implications of my decisions, you find less unintended consequences."

Advice to women looking to lead
"Go get it done, and always lead from the front. Being a woman in business is never a burden or added responsibility but a platform to inspire and motivate the people you are lucky enough to impact. Take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves and never get complacent. Welcome adversity because I only believe in failing forward."

Operations Staffing

About Cherryh Cansler

Cherryh Cansler is VP of Events for Networld Media Group and publisher of FastCasual.com. She has been covering the restaurant industry since 2012. Her byline has appeared in Forbes, The Kansas City Star and American Fitness magazine, among many others.

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