Will Guidara, born in 1979 in Sleepy Hollow, New York, has been immersed in hospitality since his early teens and went on to graduate from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, later studying culinary techniques in Spain. He began his career at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago in Beverly Hills before joining Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, where he held a variety of management roles and refined his philosophy on service. In 2006, Guidara became General Manager of Eleven Madison Park (EMP), where he partnered with chef Daniel Humm to transform the restaurant into one of the most acclaimed dining destinations in the world. Together, they purchased EMP in 2011 and built the Make It Nice hospitality group, which expanded to include NoMad in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, as well as the fast-casual concept Made Nice. Under their leadership, EMP earned three Michelin stars, multiple James Beard Awards, four stars from The New York Times, and in 2017 was named the #1 restaurant in the world by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

After parting ways with Humm in 2019, Guidara founded Thank You, a hospitality and consulting venture, and co-created the Welcome Conference, an annual gathering of leaders passionate about service and human connection. He is the author of the bestselling book Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect (2022), a work that has influenced industries far beyond restaurants and was even referenced in the acclaimed series The Bear, where Guidara contributed to the story and appeared as himself. His philosophy centers on the idea that true hospitality goes beyond good service to create moments of genuine connection that surprise, delight, and make people feel seen. Known for examples like serving a hot dog to guests craving New York street food at EMP or creating “Dream Weaver” roles dedicated to crafting personalized experiences, Guidara has championed the belief that leaders and businesses can elevate themselves through generosity and emotional intelligence.

Recognized with numerous honors, including James Beard Awards, a spot on Crain’s “40 Under 40,” and a Wall Street Journal Innovator Award, Guidara is now regarded as a thought leader in leadership and service culture. He continues to consult, speak, and design large-scale hospitality projects, including a recently announced partnership to shape the food and beverage vision for the new Las Vegas stadium opening in 2028. Beyond his professional achievements, Guidara is a husband and father of two, whose personal and professional lives are deeply intertwined with his enduring passion for creating extraordinary experiences.