Carrie Leishman

President & CEO​

Carrie Leishman is the President & CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association (DRA) and its philanthropic arm—The Delaware Restaurant Foundation (DRF). 2024 marks Carrie’s 24th year as President & CEO of the DRA, the state trade association dedicated to promoting, educating and advocating for the Delaware’s foodservice industry; which represents close to 2,000 restaurants in the state.

Carrie grew up in upstate New York and graduated from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. After spending 10 years with the Maryland Restaurant Association, she became the President of the Delaware Restaurant Association. She is credited with building and strengthening the DRA—taking a handful of members and a minuscule yearly budget and turning it into one of the most influential business organization in the state. Carrie is often described as a passionate and fearless advocate for the industry, and has been featured in Delaware Today Magazine where she was recognized as an influential Woman in Business as well as The Delaware Business Times “25 People to Watch” and most recently named a “Local Food Hero” in Edible Delmarva Magazine.

Carrie was recognized by The White House In late 2018 and attended the signing of President Trump’s landmark, bipartisan legislation to combat substance abuse and addiction. Carrie represented the nation’s restaurants for her organization’s development of the first, industry training for substance abuse awareness and prevention and most recently a new nationwide online certification course in collaboration with The University of Delaware for hospitality human resources.

In 2014 Carrie expanded the DRA by forming the Delaware Restaurant Foundation (DRF). This non-profit entity of the DRA focuses on training, education and workforce development for students, underserved populations, and those already in the foodservice industry. The DRF’s premier culinary and management program is the ProStart Program, which currently reaches over 3,000 students in 18 high schools throughout Delaware as well as in Delaware’s prison system. The Foundation expanded by developing one of the first in the nation’s cook apprenticeship programs and is now leading in the state’s effort to expand youth apprenticeship.

​Carrie has spent time mentoring high school youth in Delaware’s foster care system, is an avid writer and national speaker and is an adjunct professor in the University of Delaware’s Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management Program.

Karen Stauffer

Senior Director, Communications & Strategy

Karen joined the DRA in 2013, after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh and spending years in the industry soaking up experiences and information from leading restaurateurs and business owners at Abbotts Grill, Nage, Dogfish Head, and the Light Up the Queen Foundation. She has worked in every aspect of the industry from festivals and large-scale events to marketing and fundraising. The restaurant industry will always be her second (very colorful and very diverse) family, and she can’t think of a greater job than to support this awesome industry, through promotion, education, and advocacy. Karen chronicles her many travel and culinary adventures on social media, while currently residing in Wilmington as her home base. Her favorite hobby will always be checking out new restaurants….though traveling, hiking, cooking, learning about wine, and watching soccer run a close second. She loves being the go-to person for restaurant recommendations for family and friends.

Meghan Gardner

Director, Delaware Restaurant Foundation

Meghan Gardner joined the leadership staff of the Delaware Restaurant Foundation in 2023, after having served on the Delaware Restaurant Association and Foundation Board of Directors for many years and coaching/mentoring ProStart Program high school students in statewide and national competitions.

A native Delawarean, Meg’s first foray into the hospitality industry was at the famed Charcoal Pit in Pike Creek…she later began as a back waiter and ascended to owner/partner at another iconic Delaware restaurant, the Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach, where she spent 18 years curating fine dining, entertainment, and catered event experiences with her business partners and husband/Chef Lion Gardner.

Most recently, Meg served as the Director of Resource Development with the Children’s Beach House in Lewes, supporting youth development programs by creating a social enterprise catering and foodservice company to provide further support and access to opportunities and education for Delaware’s youth.

“Joining the Delaware Restaurant Foundation is an honor and a responsibility that I am thrilled to embrace. My journey in the hospitality industry has been defined by a commitment to mentorship, a dedication to diversity and inclusion, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. I am excited to lead the DRF in its mission to shape the future of Delaware's restaurant and hospitality industries, fostering career opportunities and making a positive impact on our communities.”​

Yvette Sencion

Director of 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 Opulent Celebrations (formerly SDezigns), 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 of Membership​

Rae has served as the Membership Manager for the DRA for over two years after years in inside and outside sales for companies throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Her background in not only sales, but restaurant management enables her to connect with industry owners and help find new and innovative benefits for all of our amazing association members. She loves getting to know new people and seems to always find a connection and common ground. Rae resides in Middletown with her husband and two children, and can often be found at the beach or traveling throughout the area to visit friends and family.

Ruthann Messick

Director, Workforce Development ​

Ruthann joined us in November of 2020. She worked in Workforce Development prior to joining the DRA team and has many resource connections throughout Delaware. Her background is working with those who are facing challenges…whether that is due to incarceration, homelessness, substance abuse, food insecurity or any other barrier one may face. Her passion is assisting others in challenging times. She loves to meet people and get to know them to be able to provide them with the resources they need to be productive and successful! She is a board member of Continuum of Care Delaware and Partnership in Reentry Coalition of Delaware. Ruthann resides in Dover with her husband and many pets. She has two adult children and loves to spend time with them. She volunteers with Runners for Rescues and Literacy Delaware. In her spare time, she loves to spend time crafting, sewing, or being outdoors.

Sarah Poursaied

Finance and Operations Manager

Sarah recently rejoined the DRA team in 2022 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. She has worked in restaurants throughout the state for almost 10 years, and her passion for industry is what brought her back to the DRA. She currently lives in Lewes, and in her spare time you can find her at the beach, going out to eat, or at concerts and music festivals!