We don’t lower the bar to meet the workforce. We build the workforce to meet the bar.

H.E.A.R.D. Accelerator exists because the workforce deserves better preparation — and the industry deserves better leadership. With 60+ years of combined hospitality experience and 14+ years of professional teaching experience on our team, our programs are designed to help solve the realities of the workforce post-pandemic.

We have:

Built teams
Developed talent
Conceptualized award-winning food and beverage concepts
Written and executed training programs and educational courses
Taught in classrooms in public schools and colleges
Worked inside kitchens and dining rooms where performance matters

That perspective allows us to design leadership development that is grounded, relevant, and accountable.

Our culinary culture cannot advance without a workforce that has technical skills and the right mindset. Your kitchens cannot sustain the expectations of your diners if the labor market cannot meet standards of excellence.

We provide solutions to ensure that concepts can excel and thrive.

MICHELLE CARPENTER

DIRECTOR OF CULINARY SYSTEMS

Chef Michelle has over three decades of professional restaurant experience. Trained a a professional sushi chef, she opened Zen Sushi in the Bishop Arts in 2007.

Her second restaurant, Restaurant Beatrice, was a finalist for "Best New Restaurant" in 2023 by the James Beard Foundation. She pioneered two major milestones for the restaurant industry by becoming the first restaurant in Texas to become B Corp certified and the first restaurant in Texas to release a greenhouse gas inventory, tracking carbon emissions alongside a climate action plan. In 2024, VisitDallas selected Chef Michelle to be one of the city's ambassadors in their new marketing campaign. In 2025, D Magazine included Chef Michelle on the D500 List, as one of the most influential business leaders in Dallas.

In 2023, Chef Michelle launched the Women in Restaurants Leadership Program with Dallas College Culinary school. The impact of the program, the placement rates, and success stories incubated the development of HEARD Accelerator. She designs chef competency and operations efficiency curricula.

ROSILIND COLEMAN

CO-FOUNDER & LEAD STRATEGIST

Chef Rosilind is a workforce strategist committed to reshaping how leadership, readiness, and culture are developed in hospitality and service-driven industries. With over a decade of experience teaching and building talent across education, corporate, and foodservice environments, she brings a rare, systems-level perspective to workforce development.

Her work is grounded in the belief that technical skill alone is not enough to sustain careers or organizations. Through HEARD, Chef Rosilind designs human-centered, industry-aligned learning experiences that develop emotionally intelligent, adaptable leaders—bridging the gap between education and the real demands of today’s workforce. She serves as a connector between institutions and industry, ensuring talent is not only trained, but truly prepared to lead, contribute, and grow.

Chef Rosilind will be the incoming President of Les Dames de Escoffier International Dallas Chapter for 2026 - 2027 and currently serves as the 1st Vice President of the organization.

PROVEN TRACK RECORD

This work didn’t happen in isolation. It was built alongside real institutions, organizations, and leaders.

The first course was piloted and improved at Dallas College Culinary School. It was a smashing success. 100% of students confirmed that the course positively influenced their careers. 82% of students in the first cohort received paid work opportunities.

"I am a firm believer that the

impact the content they created makes a difference in the lives of students."

Steve DeShazo

Senior Workforce Director (retired)

Dallas College