Anda Brown

Anda is an East Coaster turned West Coaster by the allure of California’s food and wine scene. Growing up in a family who celebrated every milestone with a toast and a bite around the kitchen table, she learned the dire importance of connection through culinary and hospitable experiences at a young age. While pursuing her studies Anda found herself behind the scenes at bakeries and restaurants, even when on vacations helping her family with their long standing catering business.

After spending some time exploring Sweden’s food culture during her undergrad, Anda realized that the hospitality industry had taken her hostage. Switching paths from Criminology to Wine, she worked multiple internships in California’s highly regarded Napa Valley, trying her hand in winemaking and wine tasting. Anda has worked and helped coordinate countless events across various industries before finding af&co, where she spent her final semester of college gaining hands-on experience through an internship with the company. The short experience she had working with the team prompted a coast switch and she can now proudly say, “the West Coast ain’t half bad”.

When she and her google calendar aren’t on the clock, she can be found going on runs through the vineyards or experimenting in the kitchen. And almost always, with a glass of wine in her hand.

Chloe Gile

Originally from San Diego, Chloe’s passion for communications and media relations began at the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!), where she earned her degree in both Public Relations and Advertising. Following graduation, she made the move to Los Angeles and kick started her career at a travel and hospitality PR agency in Beverly Hills. Simultaneously, she pursued wedding planning on the side, which allowed her to gain experience in event coordination and sharpen her attention to detail – skills that would prove invaluable throughout her career.

After a couple of years in LA, Chloe transitioned into real estate PR, where she honed her skills and embraced a new industry. Now, with her dynamic background in travel, hospitality, and real estate communications, Chloe is excited to dive back into the hospitality world, bringing a unique and well-rounded skill set to her role at af&co.

Since moving to San Francisco earlier this year, Chloe has fully embraced the vibrant Bay Area food scene, discovering all the local flavors and culinary gems that the city has to offer. Outside of work, you’ll find her visiting local farmers’ markets, going on scenic runs, indulging in the latest self-care trends, or on the hunt for the best spritz in the city.

Skyler Markham

Marin County native, Skyler Markham, joined the af&co. team as an Account Manager for all things Influencer Marketing and Social Media! Skyler is a seasoned professional with many years of communications under his belt — and has the rolodex to prove it. Having spent the last decade going back and forth between New York City and Los Angeles, Skyler is excited and grateful to be back in his element of the beautiful Bay Area.

When he’s not marketing or connecting, Skyler enjoys a day spent outside at Dolores Park with friends, hopping on the Golden Gate Ferry to go visit his parents across The Bay, or any kind of dining experience — seriously, we’re ranging from 5-star Michelin meals all the way to Mission burritos from a food truck.

Skyler is a natural-born storyteller and tastemaker, as well as an ambassador for all things positive and peaceful, and believes that good communications boil down to 3 simple things: Consistency, Connections and Confidence. He is elated to be coming on board with such a wonderful team and is excited to hit the ground running. Let’s do this!

Madeline Parks

Forever a proud Midwestern — and a born-and-raised Cincinnati girl at heart — Maddie moved to Los Angeles in 2018. She got her start in Public Relations in the entertainment sector and quickly fell in love with its energy and collaborative culture. Five years later, she proudly sees herself as a well-versed industry expert and full-fledged Angeleno who revels in the city’s vibrant blend of pop culture and culinary diversity. She enjoys soaking up all the extra dirty martinis, beach oyster roasts, and underground Omakase experiences the city has to offer.

Ahead of joining the af&co. team, Maddie was busy building buzz for brands and thought-leaders within the beauty, interior design, wellness, consumer packaged goods (CPG), food and beverage, and spirits spaces. Blending her multifaceted experience in entertainment and lifestyle, with her personal passion for food, she brings a distinctive and playful approach to the hospitality PR sector. She is fueled by her passion for crafting influential narratives for her clients and securing them the next significant media placement that propels them onto the national media stage. Her enthusiasm for strategic communications and natural knack for media relations is evident upon meeting her IRL or over a Zoom call.

Bella McWhorter

Bella is a creative social media marketer with a strong passion for storytelling & uncovering the numbers that guide strategic decisions. Her career began as a journalist in Austin, Texas, where she grew a long-lasting admiration for the culture that cities upkeep, from mouth-watering food to new music talent & good wine (search Hotel Saint Cecilia to peep the inspiration). She is always looking to photograph new experiences in cities & bring awareness to the best of the best businesses, people, & experiences.

When she went into Marketing, Bella stayed true to her journalism roots & led marketing campaigns with an emphasis on storytelling a brand’s value, creating messaging for niche audiences, & amplifying what matters through a data-driven creative strategy. She offers a balance of creative strategy & data analytics reporting to ensure a client’s goals will be met efficiently.

Prior to living in San Francisco, Bella grew up in Carmel Valley, nourishing her passion for nature & hiking. You can often find her sipping wine at a local tasting or buying (yet another) collection of herbs or plants. And, when she’s not exploring new food menus, she’ll be with her Australian Shepherd on a hiking trail & uncovering all her city has to offer.

Rose Guiliano

Rose Guiliano was born and raised in El Salvador to a Mexican mother and an Italian father. Naturally, her food heritage is at the core of her identity and has always pushed her to explore new foods, drinks and cultures. She enjoys expanding her palette and is only allergic to bad food.

At af&co., Rose is our founder’s right-hand-woman, handles PR & Marketing accounts, manages our agency’s social media, creates content, plans events, conducts and oversees all recruiting efforts, and manages all operations. Her most important job, however, is making sure that Andrew is kept on schedule and to occasionally order him a stack of chocolate chip cookies.

After graduating from the University of San Francisco with a B.A. in Global Politics and Societies, Rose jumped right into politics and worked for a California Senator and some other major political players. She has lived in San Francisco for the past seven years and in her spare time, she enjoys bouncing to house music, throwing pottery, spending time outside, planning her next trip and watching the Great British Bake Off.

Brianna Danner

Brianna is a California native who grew up among the towering redwoods of Mendocino County. She is an accomplished food photographer and social media manager who enjoys showing her clients in the best light possible – literally and figuratively.

Her enthusiasm for all things food and wine led her to a career in hospitality, gaining experience working in hotels, fine dining, and wineries throughout Sonoma and Napa Counties. She has had the pleasure of working front of house at the establishments of esteemed chefs such as Charlie Palmer and Thomas Keller. Today she brings over a decade of experience in the food and wine industry to better understand and elevate her clients as a social media and marketing professional.

Her love for all things gustatory is well documented through her career as a professional food photographer. She loves telling her clients’ stories not only through words but through images as well. Her work has been published in Eater, Sunset Magazine and The Michelin Guide, among other places.

Brianna resides in San Francisco and has mastered the art of romanticizing the ever-present coastal fog. When she’s not working, you can find her indulging in one of her other creative hobbies like painting, or knitting, doting on her spoiled cat, Hugo, or devouring her next book.

Bri Waldbillig

Bri has a strong admiration for social media, photography, writing and design. They arrived at af&co. with an industry background in home & design, fashion, education and non-profit healthcare. Bri’s creative versatility and keen eye for content curation help clients reach their full potential. They love finding a brand’s sweet spot and amplifying it across all the right social channels and marketing mediums. Their ad designs can be found in past issues of Architectural Digest, House Beautiful and Elle Decor, to name a few.

Before moving to the dreamy green pacific northwest, Bri grew up in Minnesota, where they also received their BA in Public Relations from Winona State University. On evenings and weekends, Bri can be found dancing at concerts, enjoying Portland’s endless vegetarian eats, soaking up the sun along the Columbia River, and sipping a sparkling glass of bubbly at the newest rooftop patio. Bri’s limited post-concert funds fuel their inner travel bug, from outdoor adventures to new city exploration.

Olive Corya

The hospitality space piqued Olive’s interest from a young age, as she sat at the bar of her parent’s Southern restaurant in Portland drinking lemonade and watching SpongeBob while they brainstormed weekly specials. As she grew, Olive helped her family manage a growing business while forging her own path as a communications professional.

Olive considers herself a public relations generalist, having worked with clients from B2B technology startups to local Pacific Northwest distillers, and everything in between. In a past life, Olive worked with the likes of Budweiser, Toyota, 1-800 Contacts, Primark, Blueair and more. However, in her free time, she never strayed far from her roots in the hospitality industry and was always first to try a new restaurant or rally her loved ones to attend local events. In her role as an Account Manager at af&co., Olive found a way to combine her two passion areas: strategic communications and hospitality.

Olive is a storyteller at heart and is passionate about bringing unique brand messaging alive through events, social media and influencer marketing, media relations and more. When she’s off the clock, you can find Olive on an urban hike taking photos of interesting plants, teaching herself how to bake, or re-watching Gilmore Girls for the seventh time with her two cats, Oliver and Alfredo.

Lianna Wehrung

As a sunny San Diego native, Lianna has never met a burrito or sushi roll she didn’t like. Moving to San Francisco to further her career in PR was a monumental evolution, but one she found where her profession and passion for food and drink could cleverly coincide.

Lianna has spent the last 5 years as a key creator in building PR strategies and campaigns for a number of different industries from design and tech, to beauty and wellness. Working with food & beverage businesses to gain exposure and growth in San Francisco has been one of her most rewarding accomplishments to date. Lianna is inspired by the flair, uniqueness and diehard enthusiasts of the cuisine and dining scene in SF to generate activation of the community and tell a story for the ages. She has contributed to the successful launch of a well-known local coffee roaster’s new location and products, drawing cohesive and compelling narratives that achieved media buzz in Eater SF, SF Magazine, 7×7 and others. She has also executed curated events with the purpose of engaging consumers and increasing brand awareness while stimulating excitement within the community and press.

Outside of her profession, Lianna is a spritz enthusiast, beach dweller, and yoga goer. On the weekends, you can find her at a farmers market with her pup or grooving to some live music with bubbly in hand.

Jessica Seggman

Growing up as a multi-ethnic Angeleno, Jessica would have Tex-Mex brisket tacos for breakfast, kimbap for lunch and tlayudas for dinner – unaware of how these meals would spark her passion for the culinary arts. Her exposure to the non-conforming diversity within Los Angeles has become the ardent spirit that lives in her work.

While pursuing her degree at California State University, Northridge, she began her career in hospitality, working for renowned chefs like Evan Funke, Josh Loeb & Zoe Nathan, and Micah Wexler. At the same time, she began working as an intern at Miller PR. Within three months she was hired as a full-time publicist, working with clients such as Stan Lee, Paris Hilton, Gene Simmons, Boy George & Culture Club and more.

Utilizing her Communications degree and her passion for food, Jessica moved to the Bay Area to start her own digital marketing and social media company. For the past couple of years, her passion for food led her to primarily work with brick-and-mortar food & beverage businesses affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

When Jessica is not working, she is coaching girl’s lacrosse at Berkeley High School, training at her Muay Thai studio, wandering the great outdoors with her K9 companion, Noche, or binge-watching Chef’s Table… again.

Makenna Lepowsky

Originally from Arizona, Makenna Lepowsky moved to Los Angeles in pursuit of a career in public relations. Now after 5 years of living in LA, the city checks so many boxes for her, both personally and professionally, due to its charm, vibrant communities, and trendy dining destinations.
 

Having worked for several full-service talent and lifestyle PR agencies in LA, Makenna has quickly climbed the ladder in the industry, becoming an established professional with a passion for thoughtful messaging, compelling stories, and creative collaboration. Keeping her fingers on the pulse of all things media and pop culture, Makenna uses her eminent understanding of media relations, marketing and luxury brand building to help organizations and individuals discover their voice. She has proven success in creating large-scale press plans, digital/social campaigns and influencer strategies to drive brand awareness for national hospitality groups, lifestyle and fashion brands, as well as chefs, cocktail personalities, entrepreneurs and creators.
 

In her free time, Makenna enjoys visiting one of the many standout Mexican, Thai, Italian and American restaurants in LA that best represent the city’s incredible dining culture. Like any Angeleno, she relishes in the year-round sunshine, visiting Instagrammable coffee shops and perusing farmers’ markets on any day of the week!

Lawrence Ricardo

Since moving to San Francisco in 2016, Lawrence has established himself as a community and experience builder specializing in digital, social media and content marketing initiatives. He brings a blended background of working in architecture, design, arts & entertainment, transportation, and healthcare for both profit and non-profit organizations. He is a passionate storyteller and has taken that approach to convey the untold stories of his clients.

Prior to joining af&co., Lawrence worked on brand and experiential design projects, content and communications strategies, and digital/social media campaigns for clients at an integrated marketing and communications agency in San Francisco. He received multiple marketing awards for his work in branding, design, and video production.

Lawrence is a community advocate and welcomes any opportunity he receives to blend his interests and passions in food, music, and culture with his core values in diversity, equity, and inclusion. He co-founded More Than Asian, a storytelling platform that takes a deeper dive into the narratives of the community. Aside from supporting local businesses and celebrating San Francisco’s diverse culture, you’ll find Lawrence traveling (when it’s safe!) and festival-hopping around the world.

Kelsey Perry

Born and raised in Northern California, Kelsey’s appreciation for food started at an early age, picking pears in the Delta at her Grandparent’s pear orchard. A lifelong food lover and self-taught chef, Kelsey has a decade of experience in the hospitality industry with extensive knowledge in public relations, marketing, brand management, event planning and business development. Her client focus spans across the hospitality, lifestyle and start-up industries with experience in producing large-scale special events. She has worked with notable clients such as the James Beard Foundation, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Wente Family Estates. When she’s not flipping through food magazines, Kelsey can often be found cooking for family and friends, hiking with her dog or obsessing over her garden.

Knarik Brewster

As a native Angeleno, Knarik’s passion for storytelling emerged while growing up in the heart of one of the most diverse culinary and hospitality landscapes in the country. At af&co, Knarik draws from her experience supervising at bread&Butter where she oversaw the successful execution of integrated PR and influencer marketing campaigns for clients ranging from local landmark destinations to critically acclaimed chefs. From thought leadership initiatives to high-profile launches, client highlights include Giada Catering (Giada De Laurentiis), Knife Modern Steak (Chef John Tesar), Grupo Hunan (Alma), Sushi Note Omakase (Chef Kiminobu Saito), North Italia, Little Dom’s and more.

Prior to bread&Butter, Knarik realized her knack for hospitality public relations during her time at Murphy O’Brien working with globally recognized hotel brands. From creating a communications strategy to announce The Arizona Biltmore’s $70 million dollar renovation, to planning media FAM trips to Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, Knarik is a media maven passionate about conveying unique narratives through out-of-the-box partnerships and activations. Before joining the hospitality PR space, Knarik focused on entertainment tech clients such as Fathom Events, Cisco and Anthem Sports & Entertainment; and enjoyed a 4-year real estate stint leasing and selling luxury properties in Beverly Hills’ iconic 90210 neighborhood.

When not cultivating new and existing relationships with top-tier media, Knarik enjoys experiencing hot new restaurant openings, scouting for vintage treasures at local flea markets and soaking up the sun at the beach with her husband and daughter.

Rachel Keigley

Since moving to the Bay Area in 2011, Rachel began her career in the wine industry specializing in hospitality management and social media. She brings a multifaceted background managing events, culinary departments, hospitality teams, making wine throughout different parts of the world, public relations, photography and digital media. Her passion for all things food and beverage related, and the essence behind each business, is what drives her creativity and devotion toward client success.

Prior to joining af&co., Rachel has worked for multiple agencies leading digital/social campaigns, influencer strategies and public relations for hotels, restaurants and wineries nationwide. Rachel holds a B.A. in Communications and Media Studies and her WSET Level Two. She is currently studying for her Level Three exam.

Rachel finds joy in supporting local businesses and building lasting personal connections. She thrives on capturing a companies’ story digitally and sharing it with the social community. When she isn’t discovering a new restaurant or tasting wine, you’ll find Rachel gardening, leading her book club, or beating her Peloton average with Cody Rigsby.

Alexandria Dempsey

Alexandria is a marketing leader in the hospitality industry with a passion for bringing concepts to life through compelling brand storytelling, marketing strategy, and programming that resonate with target audiences. With an MBA in Food and Wine from the University of Bologna in Italy, she has a deep understanding of both the practical and the creative sides of the hospitality industry.

Alexandria started her career over 15 years ago at Food Network, creating brand extensions including a line of wine, national food festivals, and restaurants at airports and sports stadiums across the country. Since then, she’s worked both in-house and for agencies, representing iconic brands such as Caviar and Google, along with celebrity chefs, independent restaurants, hotel groups, and food and beverage products, on everything from go-to-market launch strategies to naming and brand design to ongoing marketing and PR efforts. Alexandria’s experience working with hospitality interior design teams has taken her across the U.S. to conduct market studies and concept strategy reports for hotel and real estate teams.

Alexandria is returning to af&co after a two year hiatus, where she leveraged her hospitality background to lead the marketing, programming, and operations teams for the launch of the first-ever Google Visitor Experience in Mountain View, CA.

Alexandria is energized by traveling and experiencing restaurants wherever she goes, finding inspiration in local art and live music.

Andrew Freeman

Named as one of the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, and was named a PRNEWS CEO of the Year Honoree for 2023, Andrew brings a combination of deep industry experience, passion and creativity to every endeavor. With 40 years in the hospitality industry and af&co. celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, Andrew has built a legacy of innovation while staying at the forefront of industry trends.

With over 200 restaurant and hotel launches, Andrew and his team have provided branding, marketing, PR, and operations consulting for hundreds more, including spirits, wine brands, and destinations. af&co. has also produced culinary events ranging from intimate dinners to festivals drawing over 10,000 guests. From 2016 to present, af&co. has been named by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the Top 50 LGBTQ-Owned Businesses in the Bay Area, consecutively moving up the ranks to its current position at number 34. 

Andrew got his start in the restaurant business by working his way up through the ranks at several legendary New York City establishments. At the Russian Tea Room, Andrew opened the Cabaret, which became the toast of the town after only six months and he spent six years as VP of PR at The Rainbow Room, working alongside Joe Baum. He then moved onto the famed Windows on the World, Andrew was the VP of Public Relations and Marketing and oversaw the re-launch after the Trade Center bombing in 1992. 

Before founding af&co., Andrew spent a decade as VP of Public Relations and Strategic Partnerships at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, launching over 40 properties and expanding the brand globally. He also spearheaded Kimpton’s award-winning LGBTQ+ travel program, helping it become the first hospitality company to earn a 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index—a distinction it has maintained since 2002.

In addition to af&co., Andrew co-founded Carbonate in 2020, an independent branding and creative agency specializing in storytelling, identity, and positioning for the hospitality industry. Under Andrew’s leadership, af&co. and Carbonate have become highly respected consulting firms with headquarters in San Francisco and Cincinnati, serving clients nationwide. The af&co. + Carbonate Annual Trends Report, now in its 17th year, continues to be one of the most influential industry resources, providing insights into emerging hospitality trends.

When Andrew is not consulting with his growing list of notable clients, he dedicates any extra time he has to philanthropic efforts sitting on the boards of SF Travel, The Golden Gate Restaurant Association, Foodwise, and The Richmond Ermet AID Foundation. He’s an honorary board member of Meals on Wheels San Francisco and a co-founder for Dress for Success San Francisco. 

Andrew has been a driving force in initiatives that amplify and support hospitality businesses in the Bay Area. He is a co-founder of the Oakland Restaurant Collective and Savor Oakland and collaborates with Visit Oakland, Eat Drink SF, and The James Beard Foundation on yearly culinary events. He continues to advocate for hospitality businesses, ensuring they remain integral to the cultural and economic landscape. A regular contributor to industry publications, Andrew is a sought-after speaker at hospitality conferences worldwide. 

When not working – you can find Andrew at Barry’s Bootcamp, catching the latest Broadway show (obsessed), exploring the wonders of San Francisco with his pooch Dolly and of course celebrating life’s everyday moments at his favorite restaurants and hotels.