Our TEam
| MARIAM PARKER, Executive Director Mariam Parker is a food and beverage industry leader, marketer, and community builder dedicated to strengthening connections and fostering innovation across the food and beverage ecosystem. With a career spanning industry and nonprofit leadership and experiential programming, she brings a strategic and people-centered approach to advancing industry collaboration and growth. Prior to CFBN, she served as the Executive Director for the Texas Food & Wine Alliance championing start-ups and entrepreneurs through a culinary grant program and launched a conference dedicated to introducing high school students to careers in the food and beverage industry. Her thought leadership has been featured in several media outlets as well as she has spoken on panels for SXSW and Texas Restaurant Show. |
MAYRA CRUZ, Administrative and Event Coordinator Mayra Cruz joined the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network in 2018. She comes to CFBN and Bigger Table with over 30 years of administrative experience. Prior to joining CFBN, Mayra worked as an Executive Assistant at Dairy Management, Inc. She attended Northwestern Business College in Chicago. |
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| TONIA ROBINSON, Event Manager Tonia came on board as the Event Manager for CFBN and Bigger Table in May 2024. She has been in the hospitality industry since 1994 and has been involved in many aspects of this industry like food, venues and events. |
PATRICK SCHAFFLER, Finance & Planning Pat has been with Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network soon after its inception, initially serving as interim COO, and now primarily as a consultant for varying financial control needs and special projects. Prior to this role, Pat served as the Executive Director at the Northern Michigan Catholic Foundation, leading the organization through an operational stabilization. He spent much of his career in Chicago in the banking and fund services sector, then serving as a Director in Dairy Management Inc.’s Strategy, Insights and Planning department. Patrick has a degree in Finance and Business Economics from The University of Notre Dame. | 
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| ERIN DAVIS, Communications Manager Erin is CFBN’s Communications Strategist and Content Creator with a passion for storytelling, marketing, and event production. She holds degrees in communication management and has experience working across nonprofits, media, and small businesses. Her expertise lies in helping brands grow through strategic campaigns, social media, and press. Erin is thrilled to be at the forefront of this shift, helping businesses thrive in a space where connection and creativity drive success. |
Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network
1210 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 525-9653
info@chicagolandfood.org
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©Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network. |