From 2007 to 2009 , Kennedy served as chief of staff to U . S . Sen . Claire McCaskill ( D-MO .), where he helped her establish her unique brand and voice and sustain a high public and media profile , and oversaw operations at her Washington , D . C . and state of-
Convention Speakers
ANNA BRAWLEY AICP Senior Associate ,
Agnew :: Beck Consulting
DAVID SCOTT PETERS
Restaurant Prosperity Coaching
Anna is a project manager at Agnew :: Beck Consulting , based in Anchorage . She has over 10 years of experience working on public policy in Alaska , including public health , community planning , housing , organizational development and coalition building . Her overall focus is to work toward policies that best represent the public interest , find common ground to solve shared problems , and promote health and well-being for Alaska ’ s communities . She has been primary staff support to and lead content expert on the Title 4 Review project since 2012 , working closely with the Alaska Alcohol Beverage Control Board , and stakeholders representing industry , public health and safety , local governments and others to identify ways to improve and modernize Alaska ’ s alcohol statutes . Since 2015 , she has also worked closely with Sen . Micciche ’ s office and key stakeholders leading legislative strategy to pass a comprehensive legislative package , mostly recently Senate Bill 9 , introduced in January 2021 .
David Scott Peters is an author , restaurant coach and speaker who teaches restaurant operators how to use his trademark Restaurant Prosperity Formula to transform their businesses and their lives . His first book , Restaurant Prosperity Formula : What Successful Restaurateurs Do , teaches the systems and traits to develop to run a profitable restaurant . Known as THE expert in the restaurant industry , he uses a no-BS style to teach and motivate restaurant owners to take control of their businesses and finally realize their full potential . Thousands of restaurants have used his formula to cut costs , increase profits and create the lives they ’ ve always wanted . To learn more about David Scott Peters , his formula for restaurant success , his book , or his coaching program , visit davidscottpeters . com .
SEAN KENNEDY
Executive Vice President , Public Affairs National Restaurant Association
KIMBERLEY VANDERVOORN
Vice President of Consumer Solutions United Health Group / Optum
Sean Kennedy joined the National Restaurant Association in June 2019 as executive vice president of public affairs . He is the group ’ s senior-most executive in the development and execution of its multiyear strategy , directing all advocacy , federal and state lobbying , grassroots activity , policy analysis , and association litigation and Restaurant Law Center cases .
Kennedy joined the Association from Airlines for America , a trade group representing leading U . S . -based passenger and cargo airlines , where he served as senior vice president , global government affairs . His portfolio spanned government relations around the world , and his efforts helped achieve a series of bipartisan legislative victories in a divided Congress .
Before working for the airline industry , Kennedy served in the Obama White House as special assistant to the President for legislative affairs . From 2008 to 2011 , he was tasked with promoting Administration initiatives in Congress and identifying challenges and opportunities for President Obama ’ s legislative agenda . He also served as a liaison to moderate Republican and Democratic Senators and was the lead White House official working across political , vetting , and communications teams to guide the President ’ s nominees through the Senate confirmation process .
Kimberlee Vandervoorn , Vice President of Consumer Solutions with United- Health Group / Optum , has developed and led UnitedHealth Group ’ s joint venture partnership with the National Restaurant Association since its inception in 2010 . This joint venture is a platform for developing and offering a variety of members-only negotiated products and services that meet the unique physical and mental health needs of the hospitality industry .
Ms . Vandervoorn started her career as a labor attorney and went on the become a Six Sigma Master Black Belt , applying a variety of business principles to design and build organizational cultures and processes to deliver the most efficient and consistent value and highest quality to the customer . During her tenure with UnitedHealth Group she has worked with multiple industries to develop health and wellness solutions that meet their unique needs and help them navigate the complex health care system . Ms . Vandervoorn sits on multiple state restaurant and lodging association boards and councils to better advocate for and understand the challenges faced by the hospitality industry . She holds a BA degree from Connecticut College , Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt from Villanova University and Juris Doctorate from Catholic University of America .