Carrie Leishman
President & CEO
Carrie Leishman is the President & CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association (DRA) and the Delaware Restaurant Foundation (DRF), where she has led the state’s hospitality industry for more than 25 years. Under her leadership, the DRA has grown into one of Delaware’s most influential and respected business organizations, representing nearly 2,000 restaurants and serving as the industry’s leading voice for advocacy, workforce development, and economic opportunity.
A graduate of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications, Carrie spent a decade with the Maryland Restaurant Association before becoming President & CEO of the DRA. Throughout her career, she has been recognized as a passionate, strategic, and fearless advocate for restaurants and small businesses — earning honors including Delaware Business Times “CEO of the Year,” Delaware Today’s “Women in Business,” and recognition as one of Delaware’s Most Influential Leaders. She has been featured in numerous state and national publications for her leadership and industry impact.
Carrie is also a national thought leader in workforce innovation and social impact. In 2018, she was invited to the White House to represent the nation’s restaurant industry at the signing of landmark bipartisan legislation addressing addiction. Her organization developed the industry’s first substance-use awareness training program — and later partnered with the University of Delaware to launch a national online HR certification focused on workforce wellness and recovery-friendly employment.
In 2014, Carrie established the Delaware Restaurant Foundation to expand the industry’s reach in education, training, and opportunity creation. Today, the Foundation delivers culinary and management career pathways to more than 7,000 students across 26 high schools and Delaware correctional institutions through ProStart — while also supporting youth apprenticeship, re-entry programs, and employment access for individuals with disabilities.
Beyond her work in industry leadership, Carrie has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Delaware’s Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management Program, is an avid writer and national speaker, and has mentored youth in Delaware’s foster care system.
Carrie currently serves as Chair of the Board of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, where she continues her lifelong commitment to advancing the restaurant and hospitality workforce, championing economic mobility, and shaping the future of the industry nationwide.
Meghan Gardner
Vice President
Meghan “Meg” Gardner is the Vice President of the Delaware Restaurant Association and the Delaware Restaurant Foundation. She joined the organization in 2023, bringing decades of experience as a restaurant owner, mentor, and industry advocate. Prior to stepping into her executive leadership role, Meg served for many years on the Delaware Restaurant Association and Foundation Boards of Directors and coached ProStart students through statewide and national competitions, helping shape the next generation of hospitality leaders.
A native Delawarean, Meg’s hospitality journey began at the Charcoal Pit in Pike Creek and led to ownership of the Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach, where she spent 18 years building a nationally recognized restaurant rooted in creativity, mentorship, and inclusive workplace culture. As an owner and operator, she developed talent, fostered leadership, and created environments where people could grow meaningful careers in hospitality.
As Vice President of the Delaware Restaurant Association and Foundation, Meg provides strategic leadership across workforce development, education, advocacy alignment, and enterprise-wide initiatives. She plays a central role in shaping organizational strategy, strengthening partnerships with employers, educators, and state agencies, and ensuring that programs are responsive to the real needs of the industry. Her work focuses on building scalable, inclusive pathways into and through hospitality careers, aligning state-level innovation with national frameworks, and positioning the Association and Foundation as leaders in workforce solutions, credentialing, and employer engagement.
For Meg, hospitality is more than an industry. It is a lifelong calling rooted in service, connection, and opportunity. She believes the future of hospitality depends on investing in people at every stage of their journey and remains deeply committed to supporting, educating, and inspiring the next generation of leaders. Through her work with the Delaware Restaurant Association and Foundation, Meg is helping shape a stronger, more resilient hospitality community for Delaware and beyond.
Yvette Sencion
Director, Events and Social Media
Yvette brings her wealth of expertise to the Delaware Restaurant Association as our Director of Events and Social Media, joining us in April 2024. With over two decades of experience in event planning and graphic design, she embodies the perfect blend of creativity and professionalism.
Originally from the Dominican Republic, Yvette's journey to this pivotal role has been marked by dedication and a commitment to excellence. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Graphic Communications Technology Management from Kean University in NJ. During her college years, Yvette held numerous executive positions, guiding and inspiring her fellow students. Today, she pays it forward by mentoring emerging student leaders, nurturing their potential for success. Yvette's entrepreneurial spirit led her to found OpulentCelebrations.com, a premier event planning and design company specializing in social events and luxury custom invitations. Her portfolio boasts a seamless fusion of creativity and precision. Her passion for orchestrating flawless events, combined with her keen eye for design, ensures that every project she undertakes is executed with finesse.
With her expertise, our events and social media presence will soar. Furthermore, her Hispanic/Latina roots and immigrant experience, along with her fluency in Spanish, will also help us connect with Delaware's vibrant Hispanic community, ensuring inclusivity and value for all. We're excited to welcome Yvette to the DRA team!
Rae Whichard
Director, Membership & Corporate Engagement
Rae has served as the Membership Director for the Delaware Restaurant Association (DRA) for over a decade, following a successful career in both inside and outside sales across Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Her extensive background in sales, combined with hands-on experience in restaurant management, allows her to build strong relationships with industry leaders and identify innovative benefits for the association’s valued members.
Known for her ability to connect with others, Rae consistently finds common ground and fosters meaningful connections within the industry. She resides in Middletown with her husband and two children, and enjoys spending time at the beach and traveling throughout the region to visit friends and family.
Ruthann Messick
Director, Workforce Development
Sarah Poursaied
Director, Finance
Sarah officially joined the team at the Delaware Restaurant Association after her graduate internship for the organization during the 2020-2021 school year. She was born and raised in Newark and graduated from the University of Delaware with a B.S. and M.S in Hospitality Business Management. Sarah has worked in restaurants throughout the state for over 10 years, and her passion for industry is what brought her back to the DRA. She currently lives in Rehoboth Beach, and in her spare time you can find her at the beach, going out to eat, or spending time with her dog, Pierre!
Laura Riehl Bourdeau
Office Manager | Executive Assistant
A proud mom of three, she’s guiding her children through their educational journeys—one a rising junior at Delaware Valley University, another a rising sophomore at the University of Delaware, and a third a rising sophomore at CRHS. Outside of work and spending time with her family, she enjoys reading, movies, travel, and, of course, exploring new food experiences. Deeply passionate about the restaurant industry and the people who make it thrive, she believes in the power of perseverance, community, and heart.