Lauren Bailey is the CEO & co-founder of Upward Projects. Named to the Nation’s Restaurant News “Power 50” list in 2019, Lauren focuses on strategy, conceptualization and development for 15 restaurants over five brands in three states. Five additional locations are currently in development. Recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing companies for the fourth year in a row, Upward Projects places an emphasis on preparing high-quality food and adapting and reusing historically relevant buildings that are an integral part of the neighborhoods they serve. The brands are comprised of Postino, Joyride Taco House, Windsor, Churn Ice Cream and Federal Pizza. Collectively, Lauren is responsible for growth and vision of the existing company as well as future projects.
Recently named to the Arizona State University Foundation’s Board of Directors, Lauren helps to oversee the nearly $1B endowment for this university, named the most innovative school in the U.S. for the fifth year in a row by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020 college rankings. A proud ASU graduate, Lauren is also the first alumna to study under current ASU president Michael Crow to now serve alongside him at the Foundation. Lauren also sits on the Grand Canyon University Colangelo College of Business Advisory Board, and is a proud “big sister” with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona. Lauren previously completed a five-year term as a board member of Local First Arizona, is a former Steering Committee Member for Devour Phoenix, and a former board member of the Entrepreneurs Organization. Inducted into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame as “Restaurateur of the Year”, Lauren has been honored as a “Food Pioneer” by the Arizona Restaurant Association, named by the Phoenix Business Journal as the “Outstanding Women in Business” and selected as a finalist for the Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” award.
Lauren was raised in the state of Indiana and has inhabited a fair amount of cities up and down the East Coast, including New York City and Nantucket. She attended Arizona State University, graduating in 2002 with dual degrees in Communication and Fine Art. In her spare time, Lauren travels the world, chases her 6-year-old, hunts for vintage treasures, creates art, cooks dinner for friends, and spends time with the most important people in her life.
Lauren Bailey is the CEO & co-founder of Upward Projects. Named to the Nation’s Restaurant News “Power 50” list in 2019, Lauren focuses on strategy, conceptualization and development for 15 restaurants over five brands in three states. Five additional locations are currently in development. Recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing companies for the fourth year in a row, Upward Projects places an emphasis on preparing high-quality food and adapting and reusing historically relevant buildings that are an integral part of the neighborhoods they serve. The brands are comprised of Postino, Joyride Taco House, Windsor, Churn Ice Cream and Federal Pizza. Collectively, Lauren is responsible for growth and vision of the existing company as well as future projects.
Jim first kicked a soccer ball at the age of 3 and started playing professionally at the age of 16 with Dundee FC where he played as a defender. He […]