Jonathan Knudsen's expertise is founded on strong business acumen, budget and forecast preparation and management, profit and loss critiquing and hotel management. Growing up in New York, Jonathan's passion for hospitality was rooted in a line of family-owned and operated establishments. Knowing he wanted to make this his life’s work, Jonathan enrolled in Johnson & Wales University, earning a double degree in restaurant management and hospitality management with a concentration in entrepreneurship. Jonathan has extensive industry experience bringing projects to market with hotel openings, concept development and execution. Groomed by global hospitality leader Starwood Hotels & Resorts, he led multiple teams from Southern California, to the Caribbean to New York City before joining boutique hotel Pioneer Morgans Hotel Group as an Executive Operational Leader directing the renovation and operation of the iconic Hudson Hotel New York and its regional portfolio of NYC properties.

Josh was born and raised in a hospitality household. Between his grandfather owning a drive-in diner in the sixties and his father running multiple steakhouses during his childhood, Josh learned the value of delivering excellent food and service at an exceptionally young age. Josh began his career working for some of the leading hotel groups in the world, including Starwood Hotels and Morgans Hotel Group. Through his career Josh excelled in some of the most influential cities in North America including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. Expanding on his hospitality experience, Josh collaborated with leading luxury co-working space Neuehouse here in New York City. Josh has extensive meeting and events experience overseeing properties which boast over 50,000 sq ft of meeting space. He brings over fifteen years of hospitality experience to the table, along with a passion for food, beverage, music, art and fashion. All of these elements come together to deliver marketing operational excellence and a dynamic culture.

Nora Berishaj is a New York City native with over a decade of experience in hospitality finance, specializing in accounting operations, team development, and sustainable business growth. She began her career in restaurant and hospitality accounting, gaining broad experience in full-cycle finance and property-level operations before joining Major Food Group during a period of rapid expansion. There, she trained new accounting staff, streamlined processes for greater accuracy, and supported several high-profile openings. She later served as Controller for LT Hospitality, overseeing a multi-outlet property, leading a sales tax audit, managing payroll and POS migrations, and playing a key role in the successful sale of the property. Nora is passionate about partnering with operators and owners to strengthen financial performance and support teams through growth and transformation. She thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments and brings a results-driven, collaborative approach to every project.

Catherine brings more than 20 years of experience leading group and event sales across boutique and large-format hotels. She specializes in event revenue production, long-term client relationships, and market-specific sales strategy—building repeatable demand through disciplined outreach, smart pacing, and strong account management. Throughout her career, Catherine has led teams that execute highly curated events ranging from intimate gatherings to 5,000+ attendees, serving clients that include U.S. Presidents, foreign heads of state, Fortune 500 companies, national associations, international celebrities, and private philanthropists. Her background spans key U.S. gateway markets including New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Austin, Boston, and beyond, with sales leadership roles at Hilton and Starwood. Catherine is a two-time Hilton Circle of Excellence honoree, a recipient of Starwood Global Incentives for both revenue and client loyalty, and was awarded Hilton New York’s Leader of the Year.

Elisa serves as Area Marketing Manager for Concrete Hospitality Group, leading marketing and brand execution across the New York–based portfolio. Raised in a family of restaurants, she brings an authentic hospitality mindset and a sharp creative eye to every project—ensuring each concept is positioned with clarity, consistency, and purpose. Elisa specializes in campaign development, brand identity building, and experience-driven storytelling that reflects the distinct character of each property. She partners closely with key stakeholders to translate ideas into compelling go-to-market plans, creative direction, and guest-facing touchpoints that drive awareness and engagement. As the brand gatekeeper, Elisa develops and protects brand standards, guides visual communication, and ensures each venue delivers a cohesive, elevated presence across digital, in-venue, and promotional channels. She also coordinates closely with third-party strategic partners—including public relations, graphic design, and hotel leadership—to align messaging, creative, and execution across the portfolio.

Kyle Puchir is Concrete Hospitality Group’s Director of Culinary, with nearly 20 years of experience working alongside some of the region’s most respected teams—from neighborhood favorites to Michelin-starred kitchens and private dining at the highest level. His background includes time in the Daniel Boulud organization and acclaimed restaurants such as Eleven Madison Park, Rotisserie Georgette, Rouge Tomate, Bill’s Supper Club, and Ladurée. As a culinary leader, Kyle brings disciplined systems and high standards across the portfolio, supporting menu development, back-of-house talent acquisition, and financial performance through consistent execution, thoughtful kitchen structure, and strong procurement and vendor relationships. Kyle began his career in the front of house before committing fully to the kitchen, ultimately refining his craft under influential mentors in these demanding environments. He further shaped his style through private client work and later on a working farm, where ingredients and timing dictated the menu. At CHG, Kyle is focused on building quality-first menus tailored to each property while maintaining cost effectiveness and brand compliance where applicable.

Melvilin “Mel” Rodriguez’s expertise is rooted in more than two decades of experience spanning human resources, hospitality operations, nonprofit development, fundraising, marketing and strategic communications. A bilingual People & Culture leader, Mel has built her career around strengthening organizational infrastructure while cultivating people-centered workplace cultures. She currently serves as Area People & Culture Manager for Concrete Hospitality Group, leading employee relations, organizational compliance, talent development and culture initiatives across multiple hospitality properties. Mel’s multidisciplinary background includes leadership roles in hospitality, nonprofit, legal and corporate organizations, where she developed HR programs, managed employee relations, supported organizational change, led fundraising initiatives and created strategic communications and marketing campaigns. Her experience across both people and business functions allows her to approach People & Culture through an operational and communications lens, connecting organizational strategy with meaningful employee experiences. Mel holds a Master of Science in International Affairs with a concentration in Nonprofit Development and a Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing and Communication. Her combination of people leadership, operational experience and cross-sector expertise provides a unique perspective on building sustainable organizations and cultures where both employees and businesses can thrive.

Corey Rubenstein serves as Director of Programming for Concrete Hospitality Group, where he seamlessly brings the company’s credo to life: "experiences worth paying for are those you cannot recreate yourself." With a lauded reputation across the New York City promotional scene and beyond, Corey has demonstrated an exceptional aptitude for designing immersive guest experiences, innovative brand activations, and cultivating highly unique events. He leverages his extensive industry network to foster strong, synergetic relationships with both our hotel and strategic partners. Driven by a deep passion for the entertainment and hospitality spaces, Corey's sharp awareness of emerging trends in music, art, and culture ensures that Concrete Hospitality Group remains at the forefront of the industry, consistently anticipating and delivering what’s coming next.