Elise Ruf

Consultant

Elise began her career in the culinary world, working every position in a restaurant from back of house to fine dining service, building a ground-level understanding of how food service operations work. That foundation deepened through hospitality roles at luxury mountain and coastal resorts, including a AAA Five-Diamond resort and an independent gallery cafe concept in Scottsdale, AZ. There, she saw firsthand how food service could serve as a strategic extension of an organization’s mission, attracting new audiences and driving engagement beyond its role as an amenity.

Elise’s path to consulting was shaped by her work on both sides of food service partnerships. In business development at a national hospitality management company, she developed proposals for institutional dining and cultural clients, learning to understand clients’ missions deeply and to think creatively about how food service could advance them while protecting the bottom line. Most recently, she worked in supply management at a global hotel headquarters, operating at the intersection of procurement, brand standards, and ownership priorities across a portfolio of 25 brands. Elise joined JGL in 2026, bringing a research-driven approach, creative problem-solving skills, and a passion for helping businesses amplify their operations and guest experience.

Elise holds a B.S. in Hospitality Management from Grand Canyon University, eCornell certificates in Hotel Real Estate Investments & Asset Management and Financial Management, and is an alumna of She Has a Deal, a hotel investment and development program. Based in Sandy, Utah, she spends her time skiing, baking, and exploring national parks with her husband and her dog.

Elise’s favorite food is any pasta variety, and her favorite gift shop item is a colorful sticker to add to her collection.