Eleni Gates
Eleni Gates is a senior strategic communications leader with deep experience helping founder-led and hospitality-driven consumer brands clarify their message, align leadership, and build trust at scale. She brings executive-level judgment and hands-on practicality to organizations where brand, culture, and communication must move together to support growth.
As founder of Gates Hospitality Group, Eleni partners with founders and executive teams to unify messaging across executive communications, internal alignment, public relations, and brand storytelling. She is known for translating a leader’s vision into a cohesive, repeatable narrative that resonates with employees, guests, media, and partners, ensuring every touchpoint reflects one clear and credible voice.
Eleni has led national communications and public relations strategy for respected restaurant brands including First Watch Restaurants and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, guiding executive visibility, crisis communications, and earned media. Valued for her empathy, clarity, and decisiveness, she modernizes brand storytelling without losing the heart of the founder or the hospitality at the core.