Meet the Team

​Who Are We?

Learn more about the smiling faces you see every day in the cafe!


  • ​Meet Michael Borja, Regional Director of Operations, a leader who believes in empowering his team, enhancing the guest experience, and embracing learning. Get to know his leadership philosophy, vision for operations, and a few fun facts in this Q&A!

    • What's your leadership philosophy, and how do you inspire your team to succeed?
      I'm a firm believer that there is no cookie cutter way to manage your team. Every individual may need to be managed differently. Additionally, I like to empower my team to use their creativity to complete a task. I'm there as a layer of support. The way I may complete a task may not be the most efficient way and as leaders we need to remain humble and remind ourselves to always continue to learn and be a sponge.
    • How do you see the operations evolving under your leadership?
      My goal is to enhance the guest experience, whether it's through their journey with us when placing a catering order, navigating through our dining amenities, or even reserving a room for an upcoming meeting. We need to constantly reevaluate ourselves on how we can move the needle forward and continue exceeding expectations.
    • What's your go-to comfort food, and does it have a special story behind it? 
      My go-to comfort food is Sancocho. It's something my mom would make every weekend and my family members in Colombia would make to welcome me with when I would visit. I always order that whenever it's available on a menu. 



  • ​Meet Jeff Cortez, Executive Chef. Jeff's culinary journey began in his childhood kitchen, flipping through cookbooks and learning alongside his mom. With a flavor-first philosophy and a passion for mentoring others, Jeff brings heart, creativity, and leadership to every dish and to every member of his team.

    • What inspired your culinary journey, and how did you get your start in the kitchen?

    Growing up as the youngest of three, I spent a lot of time in the kitchen with my mom. I helped prep vegetables, learned techniques, and eventually started cooking on my own. I was always flipping through The Joy of Cooking looking for recipes to try. That's where my passion for food began.

    • How would you describe your cooking style or food philosophy?

    I follow a flavor-focused philosophy, using fresh, high-quality ingredients to create dishes that are bold, satisfying, and rooted in authenticity. For me, it's all about crafting memorable meals through the senses. 

    • What motivates you most in the kitchen?

    Seeing people grow. Whether it's a dish coming together or a team member gaining confidence, I'm driven by progress, creativity, and the joy of watching others succeed.

    • What can guests look forward to under your leadership in the café?

    My leadership combines vision-driven inspiration with a strong focus on coaching. I'm passionate about helping others grow, building a collaborative environment, and supporting the team's success at every level.



  • ​Jennifer Brown, Controller


  • ​Felix Batista, Starbucks Manager


  • ​Kim Fernandez, Retail & Marketing Manager


  • Antonio Randazzo, Director of Dining Services​


  • Evelisse Santana, Retail Supervisor​


  • Diana Bruno, Cafe Supervisor ​


  • Fred Constantino, Cafe Manager​


  • Joshua Aguilar, Starbucks Supervisor