With more than 20 years of experience spanning culinary arts, hospitality marketing, public relations, and brand strategy, Leith Steel brings a unique industry perspective to her work at Carbonate. She began her career in professional kitchens, spending five years cooking in acclaimed restaurants before transitioning to marketing and communications.

Leith joined af&co., one of the country’s leading hospitality consulting firms, as its fourth employee, where she managed restaurant accounts, supported openings, and secured coverage in outlets including the San Francisco Chronicle, Saveur, and Food & Wine. She later spent six years in Italy working in luxury real estate marketing, leading food and wine tours, and deepening her knowledge of Italian food and wine.

As Head of Insights at Carbonate, Leith leads the agency’s annual Hospitality Trends Report and weekly Insight Out newsletter. She also contributes thought leadership to industry publications and helps clients translate emerging trends into actionable opportunities.

Leith holds a B.S. from Cornell University and a degree in Culinary Arts from Le Cordon Bleu. She currently lives in Napa Valley and is an avid traveler who enjoys discovering new food and wine experiences around the world.