Ashley Durán-Colburn

Ashley Duran-Colburn brings a thoughtful, detail-driven approach to her role as Dining Room Manager at Aiona, shaped by over a decade of experience in San Francisco’s dynamic restaurant scene. Her background spans both neighborhood establishments and refined dining rooms, giving her a well-rounded perspective on hospitality that is both grounded and elevated.

She was part of the opening team at Penny Roma, part of the Flour + Water Hospitality Group, where she developed a strong foundation in intentional, guest-centered service. During her time with the group, Ashley was awarded an education grant that took her to Tuscany to pursue her WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, which she completed with distinction. She later joined the Michelin-starred restaurant Nari, where she refined a more polished and detail-oriented style of service within a highly regarded culinary environment.

Ashley is also an alumna of Mills College, where she developed a people-centered approach to leadership that continues to inform how she manages teams and creates meaningful guest experiences. She believes that strong restaurants are built on thoughtful details and a shared sense of purpose, where the team operates in sync and the guest experience feels both seamless and personal.

Her connection to hospitality began early. Growing up in San Francisco, she spent time in her father’s bar in North Beach, learning the rhythms of service from a young age. With deep family roots in the industry, including a great uncle who opened one of the city’s early taquerias, hospitality has always felt like a natural path.

At Aiona, Ashley is known for her calm presence under pressure and her ability to keep a dining room moving with clarity and intention. She takes pride in creating an environment where both guests and team members feel supported, confident, and cared for.

Outside of the restaurant, Ashley enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures through food, language, and wine. She also embraces a lighter side of life, with a love for reality television and hospital dramas.