Alicia Brooke Gray Email & Phone Number

California, United States

Global, Us

Talent Collective is a non-profit organization that empowers and connects talent acquisition women, non-binary, or those who identify as a woman. Our mission is to advance the careers and recruiting networks of our members through carefully curated in-person and virtual professional development experiences!

San Rafael, Ca, Us

In 1995, Equator Coffees was founded by Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell in a Marin County garage, driven by a commitment to sustainable and fair trade coffee practices. With over 29 years of expertise in green coffee sourcing and roasting, Equator has grown into a retail and wholesale coffee roaster with twelve cafes across California, from Marin County to Los Angeles. The company has established progressive partnerships with Michelin-starred chefs, specialty grocers, and tech campuses, setting industry standards in sourcing and roasting.As a women-owned, LGBTQ-founded company and the first California coffee roaster to achieve B Corp Certification, Equator Coffees continues to lead with purpose, ensuring their impact is felt from seed to cup.As Director of People, I focus on building strong, authentic relationships and fostering a purpose-driven culture that benefits both the communities we serve and the farmers in our supply chain. My role encompasses:* Leadership & Strategy: Guiding leadership meetings and discussions to shape company strategy and culture.* Talent Management: Overseeing recruitment, performance management, and career development, ensuring growth opportunities for all employees.* People Operations: Streamlining SOPs, procedures, and HR policies, ensuring compliance with California employment law.* Training & Development: Leading educational and training programs to empower our team.* Culture & Community: Organizing events and gatherings that strengthen our community and align with our mission.At Equator, my role transcends HR—it's about creating an environment where every individual thrives, and our collective impact resonates through every cup of coffee.

San Rafael, Ca, Us

San Rafael, California, Us

AIM serves 350+ farmers, food purveyors, and artisans from 40 California counties who participate in AIM’s eight Certified Farmers Markets across the Bay Area. AIM provides hands-on and virtual education and training programs, operates a farm audit program, runs a mobile market for older adults and underserved communities, curates a multi-farm produce box program, and operates CalFresh/EBT and Market Match services.The Covid-19 crisis has reaffirmed farmers markets as a mainstream and necessary element in our food system: farmers markets were deemed essential services alongside grocery stores in recognition as a critical source of nutrition for economically and socially diverse groups. Yet, what began farmers markets in the 1970s is not what will keep them thriving for the next century. Forty-three years after the establishment of the California Certified Farmers Market Program, the entire food system has gone through dramatic revolutions, and many social, political, cultural, and environmental factors are driving changes in how food is grown and the public’s priorities for food choices. Now is the time for AIM to shift the paradigm in its farmers markets within the context of a healthy, equitable food system.

In my role as Chief Creative Officer and Director of Operations at Dillon Beach Resort (DBR) and Brewsters Beer Garden, I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of sales, marketing, operations, and design. My responsibilities included brand design, merchandise selection, and event planning, such as winemaker dinners and community-focused events.At DBR, I played a pivotal role in the revitalization of this historic property. I co-designed and curated a unique guest experience through the creation of a General Store, a restaurant, 12 tiny homes, and 3 coastal cottages. I managed daily operations, including lodging, staffing, and guest services, across the entire property, which also featured a private mile-long beach and parking facilities. I hired and trained all staff, ensuring that our values of supporting the local economy and environmental responsibility were upheld in every aspect of the business.At Brewsters Beer Garden, I helped launch and oversee the successful execution of the inaugural "Miracles" events, contributing to the venue’s reputation as a community gathering place.Our mission at DBR was to create a comfortable, unique experience for guests, fostering a collaborative spirit centered around family, community, and sustainable practices. Our West Coast-inspired resort, nestled between rustic ranches and the rugged Northern California coast, was designed to feel like home, yet offer an escape to a world away.

Corte Madera, California, Us

As a Business Operations Partner and General Manager at Blue Barn Gourmet, I was instrumental in launching the first North Bay location of this farm-to-table dining concept. My role encompassed the comprehensive management of daily operations, focusing on both front and back of house to ensure seamless service and high standards.Key Responsibilities:Operational Leadership: Managed all day-to-day operations, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and maintaining high standards across both FOH and BOH.Employee Management: Led the recruitment, development, and performance management of all staff, cultivating a positive work environment focused on growth and teamwork.Financial Management: Optimized profitability by controlling food, beverage, supply, utility, and labor costs, ensuring daily financial efficiency.Human Resources: Oversaw hiring, training, and employee relations, fostering a workplace culture aligned with company values.Sales & Marketing: Developed and implemented marketing strategies to drive sales, enhance customer engagement, and build strong community ties.Business Development: Identified growth opportunities, aligning operational capabilities with business goals to support expansion.Organizational Efficiency: Streamlined processes and optimized organizational structures to enhance overall efficiency and productivity.This dynamic role allowed me to wear many hats, from HR and marketing to business development and operational management, all contributing to Blue Barn Gourmet’s success as a cherished North Bay dining destination.

At Nick's Cove and Cottages, I was entrusted with revitalizing the hotel operations and transforming the guest experience. Tasked with turning around a struggling property, I embraced the challenge and successfully elevated hotel occupancy from a low 35% to a robust 80-90% average during my tenure.Key Achievements & Responsibilities:Hotel Operations Revitalization: Spearheaded the overhaul of our reservation systems, including Autoclerk and iHotelier, optimizing point-of-sale interfaces and driving a significant increase in occupancy rates.Revenue Management: Led rate loading, yield management, and revenue strategies, ensuring optimal financial performance. I also developed and implemented innovative package concepts, and configured the GDS to maximize reach and sales.Sales & Marketing Leadership: Directed luxury transient and consortia sales outreach, significantly expanding our market presence. I designed and managed all social media platforms, crafted graphic designs, and conducted photography for marketing materials, showcasing the unique charm of Nick's Cove.Team Leadership: Managed and inspired a diverse team of Innkeepers, Hosts, Reservationists, and Housekeepers, implementing new standards of procedure that promoted exceptional service and earned us a Michelin Guide recommendation for our lodging.Event & Banquet Management: Introduced and executed unique epicurean events and banquet sales, enhancing the guest experience and generating additional revenue streams.Community & Business Development: Fostered strong relationships with local businesses and communities, driving engagement and collaboration that further solidified Nick's Cove as a premier destination.My role was not just about managing operations—it was about breathing new life into a historic property, creating memorable experiences for our guests, and building a legacy of excellence. The success we achieved together is a testament to the power of dedication, creativity, and teamwork.

Napa, Ca, Us

Hired as the Executive Meeting Manager for the brand new 4-star, 4-diamond Preferred Hotels & Resorts property in the Napa Valley, I excelled in saturating my territory and exceeded my goals within one quarter’s time, I was quickly promoted to Corporate Group Sales Manager. Specializing in the wine and spirits industry; I have successfully sold over 4,000 group room nights and booked over $1,000,000 in group business in only 14 short months. After exceeding my third quarter goals I was given the additional market segment of transient bookings, including, but not limited to, establishing and nuturing preferred accounts and the consortia market. I was recognized for my efforts as the recipient of Pacific Hospitality Group’s Pinnacle Sales Manager Award for the 4th quarter of 2006. Since taking on the transient market segment I have booked over 1,000 transient room nights and generated over $150,000 in total room revenue this first quarter of 2007.

My primary role was to promote intercultural understanding through educational travel abroad. Organize, research, and coordinate trips abroad for high school and college students. Manage and develop an independent sales territory. Utilize interpersonal communication, sales and customer service skills to assist teachers in organizing tours. Create, research, and implement innovative educational experiences through product development. Present information directly to clients through teacher conventions and on-site meetings.

Hand-picked for last year’s Steering Committee, I am an active member of the following teams: Marketing & Advertising, Community Outreach, Photography, Translation, Hospitality & Events. A short time before the event I was appointed a key position after an unforeseen vacancy surfaced as the SF Event Coordinator. With little time to prepare for this position I managed to successfully take charge of the Events Committee and carry out three major events. Managing a team of volunteers as well as drafting and finalizing contracts with local restaurants and vendors.

As banquet and special events coordinator I planned and organized luncheons, cocktail parties, dinner parties and corporate banquets in the Club Room facility at Betelnut Restaurant in the popular Cow Hollow neighborhood of the city. Reserving the Club Room requires a contract, deposit and a sales minimum. As lead host I planned and organized the floor seating for reservations and walk-in clientele. On any given evening, myself and one runner sat between 450-550 covers. Phone, office, reservations and scheduling hosts are additional responsibilities.

Us

Played an integral role in coordinating the “Best of the Bay Area 2003” party. Event coordination, fact checking, editing, media kit preparation, general office duties and upkeep and served as a liaison between client and magazine. Spearheaded silent auction projects and ideas for the event. Wrote and edited production materials and bid sheets for the auction. Volunteered at local events such as the Fillmore Street Festival selling subscriptions and “Best of the Bay Area” party tickets. Set-up and preparation for the day of the event. During the silent auction represented the magazine and offered information about each auction item. We successfully raised over $150,000 for the Glide Foundation.

Sf, California, Us

While running the day-to-day operations of a small business my primary responsibility was daily sales, however, the duties necessary to operate the school with fluidity and growth, absorbed most of my time and energy. Office management consisted of, but was not limited to; phones, email, machine operation and maintenance, Filemaker Pro database administration, daily sales, scheduling, document preparation, web site management, office supplies and organization, event preparation, light bookkeeping, marketing, advertising and the management of four teachers.

B.A., Political Economics Of Industrial Societies, Spanish, Portuguese, Latin American Studies

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Latin American Studies

Political Science, Economics, Spanish, Literature, History

Spanish, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Anthropology, Communications, Chicano Studies, Statistics

Diploma