Next Up Columbus 2020: Gretchen Moore
Interview by Sarah Shumick
Name: Gretchen Moore
Age: 28
Profession: Marketing Manager for Cameron Mitchell Restaurants
Neighborhood: Victorian Village
Education/Certifications: Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature from The Ohio State University. Certified Tourism Ambassador by Experience Columbus
Quote: “Our company philosophy to be ‘better today than we were yesterday and better tomorrow than we are today’ keeps me motivated to bring new ideas to the table, challenge myself, and proactively plan with our goals in mind.”
Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram
Gretchen Moore’s career with Cameron Mitchell started out with an internship during her senior year at Ohio State where she quickly “fell in love with the company culture and philosophies, the home office team, and the impact CMR was making on Columbus’ growth and development as a city.” Moore has especially enjoyed her role in traveling across the country to support the Ocean Prime brand, located in 16 markets across the U.S., including Mitchell’s Ocean Club at Easton Town Center.
And when she’s not traveling, her favorite place to unwind in Columbus is at Goodale Park with her husband and their dog, Luna. “It is great to have a beautiful park right in the heart of the Short North,” she said.
Ultimately, Moore says she loves people. She has been fortunate to find a strong mentor in Heather Leonard (SVP of Marketing at CMR) and emphasizes some of the best advice she has been given: “Trust and communication are the foundation of any strong team.”
Give us a snapshot of your career path:
I had the opportunity to intern with Cameron Mitchell Restaurants (CMR) my senior year at Ohio State. I fell in love with the company culture and philosophies, our home office team, and the impact CMR was making on Columbus’ growth and development as a city. Since beginning my career with the company, I have been fortunate to work with a variety of concepts to broaden my experience and understanding of our business. During my time at CMR, our team has supported numerous restaurant openings under 15 concepts, expanded coast-to-coast, moved our home office, and celebrated 25 years in business – among other milestones. As our team grew, my focus shifted to support our nationally-acclaimed Ocean Prime brand – located in 16 markets across the US, including Mitchell’s Ocean Club at Easton Town Center. Through working with Ocean Prime I’m grateful to have the opportunity to travel throughout the country and work with our amazing teams and incredible partners in each city. I also oversee our marketing internship program which allows me to recruit and develop new associates just as the company did for me as an intern.
What gets you up in the morning? And what gets you through the workweek?
I love the people I work with and what I have been given the opportunity to do! Working with so many different restaurant teams, partners and communities means there are always new and exciting opportunities to be creative each day. Our company philosophy to be “better today than we were yesterday and better tomorrow than we are today” keeps me motivated to bring new ideas to the table, challenge myself, and proactively plan with our goals in mind.
What advice or mentors have helped guide you along the way?
While I look up to many individuals particularly at CMR, my biggest professional mentor is Heather Leonard (SVP of Marketing at CMR). She has invested in me over the last 7 years and helped develop my current path and pave way for my future. Through working with Heather and other members of our team, some of the best advice I’ve been given is that trust and communication are the foundation of any strong team. Our team has built immense trust with one another through open and honest communication, conflict resolution, learning to apologize and accept apologies from others, support one another through challenges and successes, and when in doubt – over communicate.
What do you do or where do you go to unwind?
My husband and I love to go to Goodale Park with our dog, Luna! It is great to have a beautiful park right in the heart of the Short North.
When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up?
I told my parents I wanted to be a “Professional Shelf (Chef)” – wrong job, right industry!
What books or podcasts are you reading/listening to right now?
Book: The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker
Podcast: HBR Women at Work
What does it mean to you to be chosen for the Next Up Columbus award?
What an honor! I’m humbled by the award and proud that Columbus recognizes young professionals in this way. As each of us grows in our careers, I look forward to how we can impact Columbus in a big way.
If someone were to ask you what the “pulse” of Columbus is, what would you tell them?
I think the “pulse” of Columbus is found in the constant growth and evolution of our city. In the last decade that I’ve lived here, the city has changed in major ways, allowing for more opportunity, economic growth and national recognition. We live in an amazing city and there is so much more to come.
The Next Up Columbus Awards highlight emerging leaders who are connectors and ambassadors in Central Ohio and who are making a positive impact on the future of Columbus. Special thanks to the Columbus Young Professionals Club, Discover Financial, and Zipline Logistics for their support of this awards program. Meet the entire “Class of 2020” »
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