Navigating the Complex World of Human Resources When You Don’t Have an HR Department

Jack Campbell has been a Chef Instructor at Kendall College full time since 2018. He has over 30 years experience in the restaurant industry. He has held positions from Executive Chef, Corporate Chef, GM, and Owner. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of American and has a Master's of Business Administration from National Louis University.

Jordan Heiliczer is the Director of Labor and Workforce Policy at the National Restaurant Association. With over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, Jordan works with restaurants to advance their interests before Congress and the executive branch, focusing on issues critical to the industry, such as labor laws, workforce development, and immigration policy. Prior to her role at the Association, Jordan was the Senior Director of Government and Political Affairs at AAHOA, where she directed federal and political efforts on behalf of America's hotel owners.

Jordan is a proud Terp, holding a degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland. Her hospitality career started with her first job as a waitress at a mom-and-pop restaurant in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania.

Viviana Radenbaugh is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the field of Human Resources, specializing in hotel openings, employee relations, benefits, compensation, learning and development, recruitment, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and employee engagement. Originally from Lima, Peru, Viviana has made a significant impact in the HR industry since relocating to Chicago in 2000.

Currently serving as the Director of Human Resources at East Bank Club, Viviana has worked in various capacities within the hospitality sector, including The Alinea Group (restaurants), Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Hard Rock, Ian Schrager and Hilton hotels and was also the Head of HR for Soho House central region. Her dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces and championing employee engagement has earned her recognition as a Notable Leader in HR by Crain’s Chicago.

In addition to her professional role, Viviana is actively involved in the community as a board member for the IL Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Viviana holds a SHRM certification and is part of the SHRM Executive Network, reflecting her commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments and best practices in the HR field. Viviana is also an Emotional Intelligence Certified Trainer.

Outside of work, Viviana enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two children, exploring the vibrant culture and culinary scene of Chicago. With her wealth of experience and passion for creating thriving work environments, Viviana is poised to deliver insightful perspectives as a speaker at the upcoming webinar.

Heather Jackson is co-chair of Taft’s Employment practice. She has a background in commercial litigation, with an emphasis on employment law and class action defense. Jackson has been involved in the litigation of a wide range of employment-related disputes, including the enforcement of restrictive covenants, wage and hour claims and employment discrimination claims. She also routinely counsels clients regarding employment decisions, such as hiring, discipline, and firing of employees, as well as the implementation and modification of employment policies.

Patrick Wartan is chair of Taft’s Food and Beverage team. He counsels multi-unit restaurant, hotel developers, and food and beverage consumer brand companies on day-to-day legal needs. Additionally, he brings extensive experience to matters relating to financing arrangements, food and liquor licensing, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, and general corporate governance in jurisdictions from coast to coast.