Patricia Deon Gill

As the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s Workforce Development Director, Patricia leads strategy, investment, and implementation of programs preparing diverse populations for workforce entry and advancement, including the 30-state Restaurant Ready Work-Readiness Network. Some of the key focus areas are the HOPES program for justice-involved individuals, the Hospitality Pathways program for individuals with disabilities, and the Young Adult Employment Initiative.

Patricia has 30+ years’ experience in federal grant administration, program management, and technical assistance and has written over $50 million in government and foundation proposals, including workforce development, after-school, reentry, and mentoring programs in the United States and conducting site visits, focus groups, and program standards development in Haiti. Patricia holds a JD from Georgetown University and a Speech Communication BA from the University of Maryland.  She is the proud foster-to-adopt mother of a daughter, puppy, and rabbit.