Navigating Uncertainty: A Conversation with Sherry Villanueva
As markets shift and federal funding evolves, we have entered a period of extreme unpredictability and uncertainty impacting our startup and research communities. How can leaders effectively navigate an ever-changing landscape? How can young companies prepare and insulate themselves in the face of uncertainty? How do you assess when to pivot and when to “wait and see”?
In 2020, businesses nationwide faced unprecedented challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. From full closures to safety measures, industries had to pivot quickly to survive. In a matter of days, the food and hospitality industry saw almost their entire business model shuttered, and an era of ever-shifting safety and quarantine regulations ensued.
Join us for an insightful conversation with Sherry Villanueva, Founder and Managing Partner of Acme Hospitality, and one of the region’s most accomplished business leaders and restaurateurs. Sherry will share her experience leading teams through uncertainty and overcoming significant challenges in the restaurant industry during the pandemic. She will provide invaluable insights on resilience, strategic decision-making, and leadership in complex business environments.
About Sherry Villanueva
Sherry is an entrepreneur, active community volunteer, and longtime Santa Barbara resident. As the founder of Acme Hospitality, she has built a portfolio of restaurants, boutique hotels, and wine ventures, including The Lark, Lucky Penny, Pearl Social, Loquita, and La Paloma Café.
With a 25-year career in marketing, Sherry brings a wealth of experience in business strategy and innovation. Her dedication to Santa Barbara extends to volunteer positions and board roles with organizations such as Direct Relief and the Food Bank of Santa Barbara. She has also been widely recognized for her impact, earning honors such as the 2021 Executive of the Year (South Coast Business & Technology Awards) and the 2020 Top Women in Business Honoree (Pacific Coast Business Times).
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear firsthand how a successful leader navigates uncertainty and builds resilience. A reception will follow the one-hour program in the Henley Hall Lobby.
