JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY, March 27, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Elbert K. Sanders has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Sanders has established a distinguished career in hospitality and leadership, currently serving as the director of catering and regional catering lead at Restaurant Associates since 2022. In this capacity, he oversees the execution of high-profile events and manages lunch and executive dining services for chief executive officers and vice presidents at various Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Sanders's tenure at Restaurant Associates is marked by his commitment to excellence and innovation, earning him recognition as a regional leader within the organization.

Before joining Restaurant Associates, Mr. Sanders was a food and beverage manager at Lotte New York Palace from 2021 to 2022, where he managed operations for one of New York City's premier luxury hotels. Between 2018 and 2021, he served as the director of food and beverage at Hilton Garden Inn Financial Center. Mr. Sanders's ability to adapt quickly and lead by example contributed significantly to the hotel's operational success.

Mr. Sanders excelled at Shake Shack from 2016 to 2018, initially as a restaurant manager and then as the assistant general manager. As the assistant general manager, he initially accepted the role to open a new location at Penn Station but soon realized that the demanding hours conflicted with his family priorities. Nevertheless, Mr. Sanders played a crucial role in stabilizing operations until a permanent manager was appointed.

Mr. Sanders's experience also included serving as banquet operations manager at the Rainbow Room between 2015 and 2016. He also succeeded as a banquet steward and assistant catering operations manager at Restaurant Associates for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, starting in 2011. These roles provided foundational experience in large-scale event management and client service.

Before transitioning fully into hospitality, Mr. Sanders built a strong background in education and human resources. He was the AmeriCorps director at Groundwork Inc. in East New York from 2009 to 2010, leading initiatives that mentored students from kindergarten through college and helped secure scholarships for participants. He also served as a program director for Peace Games (later known as Peace First) between 2006 and 2009, promoting social-emotional learning in schools until the program concluded. In earlier positions, Mr. Sanders held the roles of human resources coordinator at Lex Court Reporting from 2005 to 2006, integrated services coordinator and human resources liaison at Civicorps between 2001 and 2005, staff orientation coordinator at San Francisco Conservation Corps from 1999 to 2001, and YouthBuild program manager at Asian Neighborhood Design between 1998 and 1999.

Mr. Sanders' educational background has been instrumental in shaping his approach to leadership and organizational development. He earned an Associate of Arts in business management from the University of Phoenix and an associate's degree in leadership development from Laney College. Moreover, Mr. Sanders completed coursework at the City College of San Francisco.

Throughout his career, Mr. Sanders has received numerous accolades for his contributions to workplace culture and excellence in hospitality. He was named Regional Lead for Catering Champions in 2024. At Restaurant Associates, he earned the Positive Workplace Culture Award and three Hospitality Hero Awards for outstanding service and leadership. Additionally, he was honored with the Manager of the Year Award at the Hilton Garden Inn Financial Center. In light of his civic contributions, Mr. Sanders received the Mayor's Award in Oakland, California, his hometown.

Mr. Sanders' career reflects a steadfast commitment to mentorship, operational excellence, and positive organizational change across both hospitality and community-focused roles. He is dedicated not only to his profession but also to his family life. Looking ahead, Mr. Sanders plans to establish his own consulting firm focused on leadership training for organizations seeking to adapt to an evolving workforce landscape. He aims to help companies foster healthier workplace cultures by prioritizing quality over quantity in events and encouraging meaningful engagement among staff members.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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