Meet the Team
Valentina Ellison
Chief Executive Officer
With over 20 years of experience in the non-traditional industry, Valentina Ellison is a dynamic CEO known for her strategic leadership and deep industry expertise. Under her direction, she has successfully secured over $10B worth of contracts, establishing herself as a key player in the industry.
Valentina has built strong relationships with 12 major airports across the United States and has extensive experience in travel plazas, creating innovative solutions that drive growth and operational efficiency. She is also a proud leader in fostering diversity, with over 40 ACDBE partners and a commitment to supporting over 20 non-profit and community partnerships.
Her leadership style blends vision, innovation, and collaboration, empowering teams to achieve ambitious goals while strengthening community ties and fostering inclusivity. Valentina’s proven track record and dedication to excellence make her a respected leader in the industry.
Irina Viveiros-Capcelea
CFO | CPA | Finance & Accounting Expert | Food Manufacturing Specialist
With over 15 years of expertise in accounting and finance and more than 5 years in the food manufacturing industry, Irina De Hart brings a wealth of knowledge to every project she undertakes. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a leader in her field, Irina has successfully overseen financial operations for corporations generating $100M+ in annual revenue.
Her extensive background includes strategic financial planning, budgeting, and analysis, combined with a deep understanding of the complexities of the food manufacturing sector. Irina's ACDBE certification further underscores her commitment to diversity and inclusion in business, while her experience as a controller demonstrates her capability in driving profitability, optimizing financial processes, and ensuring compliance.
Irina is passionate about leveraging her expertise to help businesses thrive financially, streamline operations, and achieve sustainable growth.
Neil Thompson
COO | Hospitality Industry Veteran | Strategic Advisor | Empowering Frontline Teams
With over 30 years in the hospitality industry, Neil Thompson has built his career on the belief that technology is most powerful when it enhances human connections. From his early days at Pizza Hut to leading $650M as Canadian lead for HMSHost, Neil has consistently focused on creating memorable guest experiences by empowering teams with the right tools and insights.
At Pizza Hut, he learned that while systems and metrics drive efficiency, true success comes from the people delivering the experience. This philosophy shaped his 12 years at Tim Hortons, where he championed data-driven decision making, introducing innovations like drive-thru timers that optimized service while keeping team members engaged in delivering great hospitality.
As Vice President of Canadian Operations at HMSHost, Neil oversaw operations across nine airports and 23 motorway travel plazas, later leading a digital transformation that increased digital sales to 25%. By integrating technology seamlessly into operations, he improved efficiency while maintaining the personal touch that defines great hospitality.
Now, with Evolvending, Neil is bringing that same philosophy to the future of unstaffed restaurants: leveraging technology to create seamless, convenient, and fresh dining experiences while ensuring the guest experience remains at the heart of everything.
Raul Ramis
CTO | Futuristic Thought Leader | Technology Executive | Systems Integration Specialist
With over 25 years of experience in information technology and more than 20 years specializing in P.O.S. integrations, Raul Ramis is a visionary technology executive known for leading industry-first transformation initiatives. His expertise has driven a $780M increase in food and beverage sales through innovative mobile app development across U.S. airports.
Raul is passionate about transforming IT into a strategic business partner, driving revenue growth, cost efficiencies, and speed-to-market strategies while mitigating risks. He has a strong track record of integrating AI for business automation, increasing new business opportunities, and enhancing customer retention through seamless system integration.
A collaborative leader and trusted bridge builder, Raul inspires buy-in from diverse stakeholders and leads high-performance teams to deliver agile, impactful solutions. His experience spans insurance, travel, retail, distribution, and financial services, creating competitive advantages through customer-centric technology solutions.
