Born and raised in the heart of Texas, Joel has spent more than two decades honing his skills and passion for growing teams and helping organizations and people reach their potential. His journey began in San Antonio and Dallas, where he laid the foundation for a successful career that would span operations, marketing, and organizational development.

With over 12 years of experience in business and organizational development under his belt, Joel's commitment and passion for the hospitality industry led him to establish the nonprofit organization Saint City Culinary Foundation. As the Founder, Joel made it his mission to foster sustainability and wellbeing for those working in the food and beverage sector. The national program Heard, Saint City's flagship initiative, was born from this vision in 2017, focusing on mental health and wellness for service industry workers.

Joel's groundbreaking work has not gone unnoticed. In 2022 he was featured in the renowned Bon Appétit Magazine, named as one of their annual Heads of the Table award recipients, as well as being spotlighted in numerous other podcasts and publications. Since 2017, Joel has traveled the country, sharing his insights on mental health and company culture within the hospitality and service industry, all the while inspiring change and raising awareness.

Living in diverse cities, such as Mexico City, Portland, and Minneapolis, Joel has absorbed rich food cultures and expanded his horizons. Yet, despite his many accomplishments, Joel finds true happiness in the company of his wife and four children. There, in the heart of his family's kitchen, he relishes the opportunity to express his love for them through his culinary creations.