About Kathleen Wood

Founder of Kathleen Wood Partners, LLC

Kathleen is the founder of Kathleen Wood Partners, LLC, an innovative growth strategy firm specializing in shifting leaders and businesses to new levels of success. Kathleen and her partners offer consulting services, career coaching, keynote presentations and result driven solutions for hospitality, healthcare, service, manufacturing and retail clients. Her firm is comprised of experts with reputations for innovative solutions, creative thinking, and delivering sustainable results!

Kathleen impacts and motivates individuals from the front lines to the board room. Her unique career history and achievements give her tremendous appeal to a broad range of leaders and organizations. She has consistently worked with leaders at Fortune 500 and INC 1000 founders and entrepreneurs to front line managers.

Kathleen is a nationally recognized business strategist, motivational speaker and author, and a proven leader in business and non-profits. She leverages her success as a company founder and owner, a president and COO, a corporate executive, advisor, board member and volunteer. She blends her corporate sensibility and rigor with entrepreneurial vigor and innovation to deliver sustainable solutions.

President and COO of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
An award-winning company operating 68 restaurants in 14 states with over 2,100 employees and annual revenues of over $100 million.
During her tenure, she led the organization through Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to an unprecedented growth of 100% in two years. She created the strategic planning process that facilitated the future growth and development of the company.

Co-Founder/President of Elliot Solutions
A premier consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, organizational development and infrastructure management.
Elliot Solutions has worked with the Marriott Corporation, PepsiCo North America, Church's Chicken, Corrections Corporation of America, Digital DNA, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, Famous Dave's, and Carlson Restaurants Worldwide (TGI Friday's).

Co-Founder/President of the Elliot Leadership Institute
The only non-profit organization dedicated to the development and advancement of executives in the foodservice and hospitality industry.
The Elliot Leadership Institute provides leadership development programs for IHOP Corporation, Dunkin Brands Restaurants (Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins, and ToGos) and Whataburger.

Widely Acclaimed Motivational Speaker for executives and young leaders.
Kathleen has spoken to thousands of executives both nationally and internationally. She speaks frequently at colleges and universities about business, leadership and charting the course of a career.

Active Leadership Roles
Contributing Author, Best Practices for Building Diverse Executive Talent, 2004.
Active Contributor, Nation's Restaurant News, Restaurant Hospitality and American Express Business Briefings.
Advisory Board Member, Two Chefs on a Roll
Advisory Board Member, People Report
Chairperson, Speaker, Committee Member, People Report Quick Service Symposium
Chairperson, Women's Foodservice Forum Entrepreneur Committee
Treasurer, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure - LA County Affiliate
Inner Circle Member, Trevor Project

Past Leadership Roles
President and Board Member, Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers
Board Member, Women's Foodservice Forum
Recipient, Roundtable for Women in Foodservice Pacesetter Award
Honorary Doctorate of Foodservice, National Association of Foodservice Equipment Manufacturers