2026 Financial Literacy Workshop for Women
Tuesday, January 20 – Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - Wed, January 21, 2026
CohnReznick
1301 6th Avenue
New York, NY 10019
2-Day Ticket
$399
2-Day Early-Bird
$349
Regular tickets are now on sale.
This two-day financial fitness workshop aims to provide women and non-binary hospitality entrepreneurs at all stages of their career—from looking to turn ideas into operation to growing one’s existing businesses—with the financial literacy training they need to get to their next level.
Day 1 will focus on getting ready to ask for money, from setting goals and building the right mindset to identifying funding sources, and refining your pitch, as well as navigating contracts and real estate deals (new!).
Day 2 will focus on strengthening your financial foundation - understanding your financial statements, how you can impact them through operations, and future-proofing your business (from building new revenue models to putting the right team in place).
Ticket price covers two full days of programming, breakfast and lunch both days, a networking reception, and handouts.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided during both days of programming, and light bites at the evening reception on Tuesday. There will be coffee available all day as well as beverages provided by our Women’s Leadership Program sponsors.
Event Details
Financial Literacy Workshop
Tuesday, January 20 – Wednesday, January 21
CohnReznick
1301 6th Avenue
New York, NY
Tuesday, January 20 – Wednesday, January 21
CohnReznick
1301 6th Avenue
New York, NY
Cocktail Reception
Tuesday, January 20
5:30-7:30 P.M.
The James Beard House
167 W 12th Street
New York, NY
Tuesday, January 20
5:30-7:30 P.M.
The James Beard House
167 W 12th Street
New York, NY
Tuesday, January 20
8:30-9:15 A.M. Registration + Breakfast
9:15 Programming Begins
12:45 P.M. Networking Lunch
5:00 P.M. Programming Concludes
5:30-7:30 P.M. Cocktail Reception
9:15 Programming Begins
12:45 P.M. Networking Lunch
5:00 P.M. Programming Concludes
5:30-7:30 P.M. Cocktail Reception
Wednesday, January 21
8:30-9:00 A.M. Breakfast
9:00 A.M. Programming Begins
12:15 P.M. Networking Lunch
3:45 P.M. Programming Concludes
3:45-5:00 P.M. P&L Workshop
9:00 A.M. Programming Begins
12:15 P.M. Networking Lunch
3:45 P.M. Programming Concludes
3:45-5:00 P.M. P&L Workshop
The full schedule will be updated in the coming weeks.
Goal Setting Exercise
The Why, What and When of Raising Money
- Stephanie O’Rourk, Partner, CohnReznick Advisory LLC
Identifying Funding Sources, Pitching, and Deal Structuring (Operator Perspectives)
- Jen Pelka, Co-Founder and CEO, Une Femme Wines
- Ellen Yin, Co-Owner and Founder, High Street Hospitality Group
Investor and Deal Maker Perspectives
- Michael Davis, Co-founder and CEO, Homegrown
- Lynda Marren, Founder, Just Add Salt
- Andrew Peskoe, Partner, Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell & Peskoe LLP
Navigating Leases, Landlords, and Negotiations
- Lauren Lewis, Esq., Attorney, Norris McLaughlin
Getting Into the Money Mindset + Practice Pitching
- Jen Pelka, Co-Founder and CEO, Une Femme Wines
ABCs of Restaurant Financial Statements
- Ashley Campbell, COO, FMS-AMP Services
- Stephanie O’Rourk, Partner, CohnReznick Advisory LLC
Impacting Your Financials Through Operations
- Dede Lahman, Founder and Owner, Clinton Street Baking Company
- Kwini Reed, Co-Owner, Poppy + Rose, Poppy & Seed, and Root of all Food
JBF ABCs of Accounting Overview and Live Demo
- Anouska Biswas, Director of Finance, James Beard Foundation
Building a Diverse Portfolio of Revenue Sources (from CPG to Real Estate)
- Katie Button, Founder and Chef, Katie Button Restaurants
- Joy Crump, Founding Partner and Executive Chef, FOODE + Mercantile; 718 Venue
No Mission Without Margin: Financial Management for Values-Driven Businesses
- Irene Li, Co-Founder, Mei Mei Dumplings; CEO, Prepshift
P&L Statement Interactive Workshop
- Irene Li, Co-Founder, Mei Mei Dumplings; CEO, Prepshift
- Stephanie O’Rourk, Partner, CohnReznick Advisory LLC
- Jodi Posner, Chief Financial Officer, James Beard Foundation
The Why, What and When of Raising Money
Gain a firm understanding of the different stages and purposes of raising capital and when it’s best to be raising money. Better understand the pros and cons of raising more vs. less money, sooner vs. later. Understand the different types of restaurant funding available and the pros and cons of each.
Identifying Funding Sources, Pitching, and Deal Structuring (Operator Perspectives)
Identifying Funding Sources, Pitching, and Deal Structuring (Operator Perspectives)
Learn strategies and resources to deepen funding relationships, confidently pitch prospective investors, and strike a deal that makes sense for you and your business from experienced restaurant founders.
Investor and Deal Maker Perspectives
Investor and Deal Maker Perspectives
Learn from a panel of seasoned investors and dealmakers on what makes a compelling investment, do’s and don’ts in pitching, and deal structure tips and pitfalls.
Navigating Leases, Landlords, and Negotiations
Navigating Leases, Landlords, and Negotiations
Hear from experts on key elements to look for in real estate contracts and leases, strategies for navigating landlord relationships, and best practices for successful negotiation.
ABCs of Restaurant Financial Statements
ABCs of Restaurant Financial Statements
Increase your confidence in interpreting financial statements and understand what is most in your control. Learn about some common pitfalls to avoid and what the important metrics are to focus on and why.
Impacting your Financials Through Operations
Impacting your Financials Through Operations
Hear from experienced operators on how they have implemented tools and processes in day-to-day operations to lead to better financial results.
Building A Diverse Portfolio of Revenue Sources (from CPG to Real state)
Building A Diverse Portfolio of Revenue Sources (from CPG to Real state)
Adopt a mindset of maximizing your restaurant business (and your own!) financial success and sustainability by thinking about ways to grow revenue outside of it. Gain valuable insights on how to launch a CPG business and how to invest in real estate from experienced restaurant founders.
No Mission Without Margin: Financial Management for Values-Driven Businesses
Learn why sound financial management practices are especially critical for businesses seeking to achieve a triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. Explore how forecasting and planning can help you evaluate and responsibly implement mission-based initiatives, because you can’t deliver on your values if you’re broke.
P&L Statement Interactive Workshop
Take a deep dive into your numbers with hands-on guidance from Irene Li, Stephanie O’Rourk, and Jodi Posner. This session offers a unique opportunity to review your own P&L, ask questions, and receive individual feedback to help you strengthen your business’s financial foundation.
Participation is limited; advance registration is required
Attendees can book their stay HERE at the Michelangelo Hotel (a few blocks from CohnReznick), at a discounted rate of $229 + taxes/night. Please book by December 19th to lock in the special rate. Event speakers will also be staying at the Michelangelo.
To find other hotels nearby, we recommend using a hotel booking site like hotels.com or booking.com. Hotels located in Times Square and Midtown will be a short walk from the CohnReznick office.
Check out these businesses owned by our Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program alum while you are in town!
Balaboosta
611 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
Owned by 2024 Winter alum Einat Admony
Owned by 2024 Winter alum Einat Admony
Sugar Hill Creamery
Various locations
Owned by 2024 Winter alum Petrushka Bazin Larsen
Owned by 2024 Winter alum Petrushka Bazin Larsen
Mimi Cheng’s
309 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023
179 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10003
Owned by 2022 alum Marian Cheng
179 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10003
Owned by 2022 alum Marian Cheng
Mökbar
The Hugh, 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Owned by 2018 alum Esther Choi
Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Owned by 2018 alum Esther Choi
Ms. Yoo
163 Allen Street, New York, NY 10002
Owned by 2018 alum Esther Choi
Owned by 2018 alum Esther Choi
Poppy’s Cafe
243 Degraw Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Owned by 2024 Fall alum Jamie Erickson
Owned by 2024 Fall alum Jamie Erickson
Poppy’s Cafe + Market
48 Henry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Owned by 2024 Fall alum Jamie Erickson
Owned by 2024 Fall alum Jamie Erickson
La NewYorkina
61 Commerce Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Owned by 2021 alum Fany Gerson
Owned by 2021 alum Fany Gerson
Fan-Fan Doughnuts
448 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205
Owned by 2021 alum Fany Gerson
Owned by 2021 alum Fany Gerson
Mijo
Market 57, 57 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Owned by 2021 alum Fany Gerson
Owned by 2021 alum Fany Gerson
Due Madri
Market 57, 57 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Owned by 2019 alum Jocelyn Guest
Owned by 2019 alum Jocelyn Guest
Butcher Girls
5-18 50th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
Owned by 2019 alum Jocelyn Guest
Owned by 2019 alum Jocelyn Guest
Bean & Bean
318 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10001
71 Broadway, New York, NY 10006
Owned by Fall 2023 alum Jiyoon Han
71 Broadway, New York, NY 10006
Owned by Fall 2023 alum Jiyoon Han
Kos Kaffe
251 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Owned by 2017 alum Sarah Huck
Owned by 2017 alum Sarah Huck
MáLà Project
122 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10009
245 E 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
41 W 46th Street, New York, NY 10036
603 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Owned by Winter 2024 alum Amelie Kang
245 E 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
41 W 46th Street, New York, NY 10036
603 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Owned by Winter 2024 alum Amelie Kang
Clinton St. Baking Co.
4 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002
Owned by Fall 2023 alum Dede Lahman
Owned by Fall 2023 alum Dede Lahman
Vinatería
2211 Frederick Douglass Boulevard, New York, NY 10026
Owned by 2021 alum Yvette Leeper-Bueno
Owned by 2021 alum Yvette Leeper-Bueno
Ma•dé
22 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012
Owned by Winter 2024 alum Ochi Latjuba Vongerichten
Owned by Winter 2024 alum Ochi Latjuba Vongerichten
Wayan
20 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012
Owned by Winter 2024 alum Ochi Latjuba Vongerichten
Owned by Winter 2024 alum Ochi Latjuba Vongerichten
Honeybrains
34 W 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010
372 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012
Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
Owned by 2020 alum Marisa Seifan
372 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012
Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
Owned by 2020 alum Marisa Seifan
Jupiter
Rink Level, 20 W 50th Street, New York, NY 10020
Owned by 2021 alum Annie Shi
Owned by 2021 alum Annie Shi
King
18 King Street, New York, NY 10014
Owned by 2021 alum Annie Shi
Owned by 2021 alum Annie Shi
La Palapa Cocina Mexicana
77 Saint Marks Place, New York, NY 10003
Owned by 2022 alum Barbara Sibley
Owned by 2022 alum Barbara Sibley
ZaabZaab
76-04 Woodside Avenue, Elmhurst, NY 11373
208 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
25 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Owned by Fall 2025 alum Pei Shan Wei
208 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
25 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Owned by Fall 2025 alum Pei Shan Wei
Zaab Burger NYC
88 Essex Street, New York, NY 10002
Owned by Fall 2025 alum Pei Shan Wei
Owned by Fall 2025 alum Pei Shan Wei
Norma’s Corner Shoppe
59-02 Catalpa Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385
Owned by Fall 2025 alum Crystal Williams
Owned by Fall 2025 alum Crystal Williams
Julia’s Ridgewood
8-18 Woodward Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385
Owned by Fall 2025 alum Crystal Williams
Owned by Fall 2025 alum Crystal Williams
Women's Leadership Program Sponsor
Official James Beard Foundation Partners
