Laura Sorensen is the Chief People Officer at First Watch Restaurant Group Inc., a leading daytime dining concept with over 500 restaurants across the United States. In this role, she oversees all aspects of human resources, including talent acquisition, leadership development, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and total rewards, ensuring the company's people strategies align with its mission to create exceptional guest experiences through a thriving workforce. Laura's leadership emphasizes building a high-performance culture that supports First Watch's rapid expansion and commitment to work-life balance in the fast-paced restaurant industry. With more than 25 years of progressive HR experience in the hospitality sector, Laura has held senior leadership positions at major restaurant groups, including Bloomin' Brands, where she served as Vice President of Human Resources, and Darden Restaurants, managing HR for multi-concept operations. Her achievements include spearheading enterprise-wide talent transformations that boosted employee retention by over 20%, launching innovative leadership academies, and implementing data-driven diversity initiatives that earned national recognition, such as Great Place to Work certifications. Under Laura's guidance at First Watch since 2018, the company has been repeatedly honored as a top workplace by Fortune and Glassdoor, with standout programs in mental health support, career progression pathways, and inclusive hiring practices. Passionate about empowering restaurant teams, she continues to drive strategic initiatives that position First Watch as an employer of choice, fueling sustainable growth and operational excellence.