Lena DiGenti

Locals 8 Restaurant Group
Chief Strategy Officer 

Years with company: Seven years

Education degrees and professional/volunteer organizations

BS-ED, MS – Community Psychology, Vistage Member, Farm to Chef Board Member, Founding member of Sustainable Farm School, Food Not Bombs Volunteer

Mentors and how have they assisted you in your career: My first mentor was my boss at a waitressing job in college, he taught me the importance of working to your own standards even if they are higher then those around you. Currently I belong to Vistage, a peer advisory group for CEOs and Key Executives, we help each other with Best Practices and in observing our own behavior and participation in my work dynamics.

What are you most proud in your career achievements? Do you have a defining moment of your career to date? I adopted my three children, which was the happiest day of my life. I left my career to be with them while they were small. When I returned to my career, rebuilding it from scratch was so much harder then I thought it would be. The day I worked my way back to an executive level meant so much to me, for my own personal sense of achievement and the fact that I was able to model for others that you can write your own story and create your own definition of success based on your own values.

Most challenging part of your job: The most challenging part of my job is trying to simultaneously engage in the day to day while keeping a big picture perspective. Some days the balance is great, others it’s like a pendulum but it’s always a growth opportunity. 

Advice for upcoming younger executives: Take every opportunity to challenge yourself. Listen, observe, self-reflect, find people that challenge you to think strategically about yourself and the issues your company is facing. Create your own pathway to success based on your values and stay true to yourself.

Hobbies: In all honesty I love experiencing life, whether it’s snowboarding in the winter, hiking with my dog on the weekends, cooking a huge meal for a group of friends, discovering a new restaurant, curling up with a good book, or going to a show. I guess my hobby is tasting life.