Kira Zabrowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Much Ado About Pizza in Pleasanton, CA, brings her passion for pizza and the arts to life. With a BA in Theatre and a CA Teacher’s credential in English, Kira's diverse career spans teaching, acting, and authorship before launching Much Ado in 2022. Known for its slow-fermented sourdough crusts and seasonal toppings, Much Ado has earned acclaim as a top pizzeria, recognized on Yelp’s 2024 Top 100 US restaurants list and by Diablo magazine as a top 5 Bay Area pizzeria in 2023. Kira's commitment to her community and culinary craft shines through her involvement with the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, Women in Pizza, and the US Pizza Team.

Mark Zabrowski, Managing Partner and Operator of Much Ado About Pizza in Pleasanton, CA, leads a celebrated pizzeria renowned for its slow-fermented sourdough crusts and seasonal toppings. Recently honored on Yelp's 2024 Top 100 US restaurants list and recognized by Diablo magazine as a top 5 Bay Area pizzeria in 2023, Much Ado was also named one of PMQ magazine's top 20 pizzerias to watch in 2024. Before founding Much Ado in 2022, Mark earned a Marketing degree from Florida State University and enjoyed a career in sales management and education, including teaching Business and Economics. He finds joy in working alongside his family at the pizzeria, driven by a passion for community engagement, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and crafting exceptional pizzas. Mark actively participates in the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, Slice Out Hunger, and the US Pizza Team, showcasing his dedication to both his craft and community.

Zack Oates is an author, husband, father, entrepreneur, and hot tub aficionado (but not in that order, necessarily). He grew up in restaurants before getting into startups. He was voted Top 100 Entrepreneurs, rang the NASDAQ bell, won the world’s biggest business competition, has been to 50 countries, and started 3 companies. He went on over 1,000 dates before he got married and wrote a book, “Dating Never Works…Until it Does.” He currently is Founder and CEO of Ovation, the no. 1 restaurant feedback platform in America, voted Top 50 Most Influential Supplier by Nation’s Restaurant News, and host of “Give an Ovation: A Podcast for Restaurants.”

A Yale alum and emigrant to the US, Etkin Tekin brings 15 years of entrepreneurial and corporate experience to the Haven Hot Chicken team. Cutting his teeth in the hospitality space with two startups in his early twenties, he then moved to ZX Ventures, the corporate innovation and venture capital arm of AB-InBev, where he gained the management and leadership experience he has today. As HHC's CEO, Etkin’s primary responsibilities for Haven include business planning & strategy, leadership development, marketing & branding, and fundraising & investor relations.