Active listening & asking the right questions can build trust and connection, aid in problem-solving, and create a safe space for speakers to fully share their message without judgment and critique. Needed skills for not just today’s hyper-polarized world, but also for the day-to-day of a foodservice designer. Learn the techniques and strategies that foodservice designers use to listen to clients and ask the right questions for customer service, problem solving, and crisis management during this insightful presentation.

Tarah Schroeder, FCSI, LEED AP, Vice President, Ricca Design Studios

Tarah brings over 20 years of experience in foodservice, design, visioning, and project oversight to Ricca Design Studios. Tarah promotes the client’s vision, proactively engaging all team members, building trust and consistency, to develop collaboration solutions and innovative designs. She is a good listener, able to elicit key information from the project and client team. Tarah started her career at Whole Foods Market developing its Rocky Mountain presence and Green Mission program. Now at Ricca Design Studios for over 15 years, she has deep experience leading projects with colleges, universities, schools, hotels, resorts, healthcare, senior dining, and chef-inspired restaurants.

Tarah is a sought-after expert of sustainability in the foodservice industry. She is one of the main authors of the National Association of College and Universities Food Services (NACUFS) Sustainability Guide and has presented numerous speeches on sustainable foodservice design to engineers, architects, and others within the foodservice industry.