About Us
Nuestra Familia
We couldn’t ask for a better team and familia! Everything starts with great leadership, and we are grateful to have one of the best around. Jorge, Lauren and Branden have poured their hearts into developing an amazing group of hospitalitarians and continue to lead the charge in the Midwest culinary scene. The ownership team at The Idea Collective has over 30+ years in hospitality design and leadership, and invests in their people first and foremost. Get to know them more below.
Jorge Guzmàn
Executive Chef/Partner
Yucatán native, Jorge Guzmán, started working in kitchens at 16. After graduating from Drake University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism he went on to attend culinary school at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park New York, finishing at the top of his class. Following culinary school, he moved to Minneapolis to head up Tejas Restaurant. Guzmán followed that post as Chef de Cuisine at Corner Table and then Executive Chef of Solera Restaurant. After 4 years at Solera he was tapped to be the opening Executive Chef at the lauded Surly Brewing Co.
Guzmán himself has been the recipient of many accolades. He was a finalist and semi-finalist for James Beard “Best Chef Midwest” and earned Chef of the Year by local media as well as a Food & Wine Top 10 Restaurant of the Year. He has competed in Grand Cochon in Aspen and has been featured on Food Networks Diners, Drive in’s & Dives. Time magazine quoted “Minneapolis’ Jorge Guzmán is reinventing north country fare with the Yucatecan flavors of his childhood”.
Guzmán lives in Minneapolis with his wife Jill and son Everest. Guzmán is the chef/owner of Petite León an award winning restaurant in the heart of the kingfield neighborhood of Minneapolis, splitting his time between Sueño in Ohio and Minnesota.
Jack Petitt
General Manager
Isaiah Ashba
OPERATIONS Manager
Isaiah is a dedicated hospitality professional with experience in everything from small mom & pop shops, to large corporate chains, and everywhere in between. After graduating from Indiana University with a degree in hospitality management, he arrived in Dayton to pursue a career in nonprofit management and fell in love with the community. While working at several area organizations over the course of 7+ years, he always held a part-time serving position. Come Covid, he made the choice to transition back to his true passion— hospitality.
After spending a year and a half as the bar manager at Sueño, Isaiah took the helm as General Manager of Tender Mercy. After successfully leading the team in Dayton’s Underground, Isaiah was General Manager of Sueño before moving into his role as Operations Manager.
When he’s not welcoming you in or slinging cocktails, you’ll find him enjoying downtown, in the kitchen at home making a giant pot of soup regardless of the weather, or exploring with his four-legged best buds, Archie & Elwood.
Gabriel Prado
Bar Manager
Lauren Gay
Wine Director
Lauren Gay is a native Daytonian with wanderlust and a penchant for wine.
After obtaining a Business Management/Musicology degree from The Ohio State University, she shipped off to Kenya with the U.S. Peace Corps to teach business skills to rural youth. Her stateside return landed in Los Angeles, where she had the privilege to work with Chef Nancy Silverton and Joe Bastianich at Hollywood’s chi Spacca. This is where her ultimate career path unfolded, and she pursued sommelier certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers.
The next few years were spent traveling in an RV, creating travel, food, and booze-centric content for several media outlets. A quick stint in Mexico City sparked a deep love for Mexican culture and cuisine. In an effort to deepen her understanding of wine, she got her hands dirty during a cellar gig in Napa Valley. Lauren returned to Dayton in 2018 specifically to be a part of the Sueño and Tender Mercy team.
Lauren is CMS Certified, WSET Level 2 with distinction, and Certified Beer Server by the Cicerone.
Tyler Hampton
Beverage Director
You know, you love him - Tyler is an OG from our sister concept, Tender Mercy. Starting out as a bartender and moving quickly into bar manager, he has been a crucial part of TM since opening. He originally developed his hospitality ethos at local country clubs and Dayton staples like the Pine Club as a bartender and bar manager. After developing his palate as a wine rep and passing his Certified Specialist of Wine, he joined the Tender Mercy family. In the summer of 2023, he accepted the position as Beverage Director for both Tender Mercy and Sueño.
When he’s not working, he loves spending time with his kiddos, watching anime, wearing hats backwards, and won’t ever say no to a well-crafted Negroni.
Julia Lesniak
Creative Director
Mixing up magic behind the bar, on the floor, and behind the camera, Julia blends hospitality leadership and storytelling together to inspire others in the food and beverage industry.
Originally from Arizona, she credits her love of restaurants starting after working at a small, intimate pizzeria in Flagstaff. It was there she began to develop her hospitality and leadership skills. She went on to hold leadership roles at places throughout state, including Hops on Birch, Penca Restaurante, and Miraval Resort and Spa.
After serving as Tender Mercy and Dozo’s General Manager, she took over as Creative Director in 2024. Julia feels most at home in bars and restaurants because of the camaraderie. When she’s behind the camera, she’s a connoisseur of Nora Ephron movies.
The Idea Collective
Ownership
Ginger Roddick, David Kittredge and Chris Dimmick