Topic: Build a Peak Performance Culture

Speaker:  Liz Townsend, Executive Coach and Leadership Advisory Partner at Allen Austin

Presentation:
Industry leading executives and organizations know the value of a great culture in achieving superior financial success. Organizations that outperform their markets, deliver superior shareholder returns, boast engaged workforces, and have exceptional leadership teams apply key principles better than their competitors.  Learn these principles and the magic of creating a peak performance culture.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn the importance of a Culture Playbook.

2. Learn the necessity of Disciplined Human Capital practices.

3. Discover how Execution is the difference maker for an engaged workforce.

Speaker’s bio:
Based in Houston, Liz Townsend leads the expanding Executive Coaching and Leadership Advisory practice at Allen Austin. Liz specializes in fast-growing companies, entrepreneurial start-ups, mergers, and acquisitions.  She has worked with c-suite executives and emerging leaders around the country to lean in on their skills and talents to deliver unprecedented results.

Prior to joining Allen Austin, Liz spent thirteen years as a P&L operator with 24 Hour Fitness during their exponential growth and acquisition phase, was the Chief Operating Officer for start-up, My Fit Foods, growing the company to $100 Million Valuation. After the sale of My Fit Foods, Liz served as owner/operator Houston local brands of Brown Bag Deli and Lou Lou's Beignets.

Liz started her career as an Exercise Physiologist for Gold's Gym. After Gold's Gym was acquired by 24 Hour Fitness in 1997, she had the opportunity to start the in-house personal training program for the Central Division of 24-Hour Fitness. She quickly grew in that role with a people, product, process, profit system that allowed her to lead and teach a team and network of 1,200 trainers and district leaders. The rapid growth and change during the time she led at 24 Hour Fitness forced the opportunity to learn every aspect of business and people management, ultimately becoming a Regional Vice President and P&L operator for the Houston and Austin territory.

In 2008, Liz teamed up with two business partners to develop and grow a healthy fast-food concept geared at being the solution to the growing obesity epidemic. As Chief Operating Officer, Liz was responsible for all aspects of company sales and operations ultimately growing the company from 5 to 75 locations in four years while achieving high honors in “Best Places to Work” by Houston Chronicle and “Top Marketer” Award by American Marketing Association. She recruited and developed a team that implemented all aspects of company structure including store and kitchen standard operating procedures, new menu design, marketing and promotions, PR and media, Human Resources, Learning and Development and Corporate Wellness. After getting the attention of great companies such as HEB and Cigna Healthcare, My Fit Foods was sold in 2013.

After the sale of My Fit Foods, Liz tackled the world of small business, owning and operating the local sandwich chain, Brown Bag Deli and creating and opening Lou Lous Beignets. Through this time, Liz was able to gain first-hand knowledge, “sitting in every seat” of the business. Liz sold the company to a Houston local in 2019.

Most recently, Liz worked with holding company, Tilted Concepts, and their growing brands including Tune Up-The Manly Salon, Balanced Foods and Martini’s &Manicures resulting in a 19% increase in Average Unit volume, 27% in top line revenue, and overall streamlining of company structure over the last year.

Liz is a certified coach and speaker with John C. Maxwell and served on his team that launched leadership training to the Guatemalan government and key business segments in 2013. She is an accredited provider of The BluePrint Toolset and certified Gallup Global Strengths Coach.  Liz is passionate about people and the impact that great leadership has on building high performance teams and brands.