Shanna Lien

Shanna serves as Director of Operations for both Allora and Aiona, bringing decades of hospitality experience, operational expertise, and steady leadership to the WM Restaurants team. Known for her organization, problem-solving abilities, and deep understanding of restaurant systems, she plays an essential role in shaping the structure and consistency behind the guest experience.

Her career in hospitality spans decades and nearly every corner of the hospitality industry. Beginning in restaurants as a teenager, Shanna worked her way through roles including host, dishwasher, cook, and server, developing an early appreciation for how each position contributes to the larger experience of hospitality. That curiosity eventually evolved into leadership roles, including eight years as General Manager for a growing Italian fast-casual restaurant group, where she helped oversee the opening of 12 locations in a single year.

She later joined the executive opening team of a large-scale upscale restaurant and lounge concept, where she led operations and developed the events program from the ground up. After nearly a decade there, Shanna launched her own hospitality consulting company, specializing in operational systems, efficiency, and organizational development for restaurants and hospitality businesses.

At the core of Shanna’s work is a belief that exceptional hospitality is built through collaboration, structure, and consistency. She has a natural ability to identify patterns, streamline systems, and solve problems in ways that allow teams to function more smoothly and effectively. Equally important to her is sharing knowledge and mentoring others, drawing from years of experience to help teams grow with confidence and clarity.

Shanna’s approach to hospitality is deeply rooted in the emotional impact of an experience. Inspired by the Maya Angelou quote, “…but people will never forget how you made them feel,” she believes the true success of a restaurant lies in the collective effort behind creating moments that guests remember long after they leave.

Outside of work, Shanna has a lifelong love of travel and cultural exploration, especially through food. Whether traveling abroad or discovering hidden local gems, she is always drawn to the places where locals gather, believing that food is one of the most meaningful ways to understand a culture and connect with people.