Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellesse Piper.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started in the food and beverage industry years ago as a dishwasher while studying to become a teacher. What I discovered was that hospitality gave me the same opportunity to teach and develop others, just through a different lens. That realization set the foundation for the leader I would become.
Today, I serve as the Senior Director of Operations at 7 Leaves Café, where I have the privilege of overseeing multiple departments including Operations, HR, Training, Branding, and Product. For the past seven years, five of which have been at 7 Leaves, I’ve been able to blend leadership, operations, and people development into work that truly aligns with my purpose.
One of our core values is Be That Change, and it’s something I carry with me both at work and at home. As a mom, I’m constantly reminded of the importance of modeling the values I hope to instill in my children: kindness, resilience, and a commitment to serving others. Those same values guide how I show up for my teams and our customers every day.
Growing up in this industry and now getting to lead within it has been one of the greatest joys of my career. I feel honored to serve, teach, and help shape environments where people can grow.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This question definitely brings a smile to my face. Anyone who has ever worked in operations knows the irony in asking whether the road has been smooth; our job is literally to pave the road. And the truth is, my road has had its fair share of bumps, overgrown weeds, unexpected detours, and even a few fallen trees blocking the way.
But I’ve learned that the road only becomes navigable by staying committed to the craft: committed to serving others, committed to showing up for myself, and committed to growing through every challenge.
My struggles have come from both personal and professional chapters. Learning how to be a mom, how to raise two tiny humans who are becoming their own people while also serving as their walking mirror, has probably amplified my growth the most. Motherhood has a way of holding up a reflection that challenges you, grounds you, and humbles you all at once.
Professionally, one of the hardest seasons was during the pandemic. The industry was shaken, and my previous workplace closed completely. It took six months of uncertainty, searching, and recalibrating before I found my way to 7 Leaves. That season was difficult, but it redirected me to a place where my values, my purpose, and my love for people could come alive again.
So has it been a smooth road? I would say the path has been right, even if not smooth. And every challenge along the way has shaped the leader I am today, one who is grateful for the journey and even more grateful for the opportunity to serve others through it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently serve as the Senior Director of Operations at 7 Leaves Café, overseeing our Operations, HR, Training & Development, Branding, and Product teams. My work lives at the intersection of people, performance, and purpose. I specialize in building alignment across departments, developing leaders at every level, and ensuring that our teams and customers experience the heart of our brand in every interaction.
What I’m known for is my commitment to people. I believe we’re fundamentally in the human experience business, and my approach is rooted in teaching, coaching, and developing others. Whether I’m building operational frameworks, guiding culture, launching new initiatives, or supporting someone through a difficult moment, I try to bring clarity, care, and a sense of belonging to everything I do.
I’m especially proud of the leaders we’ve developed along the way. Watching someone step into their potential, find their voice, or build trust with their team is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. I also take pride in the way we’ve expanded as a company while still holding onto the core values that make us who we are. Creating environments where people feel supported, psychologically safe, and inspired to serve others is something I take seriously.
What sets me apart is my blend of operational rigor and human-centered leadership. I lead with a teacher’s heart, an operator’s discipline, and a mom’s instinct for nurturing growth. I care deeply about alignment, not just in strategy, but in how people feel, how they show up, and how they grow. I see systems and people as interconnected, and I work to ensure that both receive the attention, structure, and compassion they need.
Ultimately, I’m most proud that my work allows me to serve others. Whether through a cup of coffee or a moment of coaching, I get to help people experience care, connection, and opportunity. And that, to me, is the greatest privilege of this role.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Oh, this is such a clever question. I’ve grown a lot in learning that as much as I love to serve, support, and pour into others, I also have to create space to receive that same support. We all deserve that exchange of honesty, transparency, humility, and passion, especially in a people-driven industry where how you do anything is how you do everything.
People can collaborate with me best when the intention is genuine, grounded, and aligned with a shared purpose. I value partnerships that are human-centered: thoughtful dialogue, curiosity, and a willingness to grind each day for a greater reason. I believe deeply in clarity, communication, and connection, and I respond most to collaborators who bring those same qualities forward.
If the question is also meant in the networking sense, I welcome opportunities where values align and the goal is to elevate people, experiences, or communities. Whether it’s through leadership development, operations strategy, culture building, or brand growth, I’m always open to connecting with those who are passionate about serving others and creating meaningful impact.
In short, support and collaboration land most powerfully when they’re approached with authenticity, heart, and a shared commitment to making things better: for our teams, our customers, and the world around us.
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