Meet The Team

PIONEER | STRATEGY | FINANCE

John is a respected figure in the hospitality industry, known for his pioneering spirit. With a deep passion for building profitable systems, John brings a wealth of experience and expertise to help businesses transform their concepts into thriving and profitable beacons of hospitality.

Before spearheading The Legacy Collective, John honed his skills by working alongside some of the most exceptional organizations in New York City as an educator for the Diageo Hospitality Partnership. There, he focused on financial intelligence, systems & team development, and strategic partnerships, collaborating with leading industry teams to drive innovation and excellence in the hospitality sector.

Beyond his professional pursuits, John finds solace and inspiration in martial arts and spiritual practices. These disciplines foster a well-rounded approach to life, further fueling his dedication to transforming the world of hospitality through the power of creativity, connection, and profitable systems.

SYSTEMS | CONCEPTS | STANDARDS

Belfast-native Jack McGarry is Managing Partner of The Dead Rabbit where he oversees all operations and business expansion. Under his stewardship–and now in its 10th year–The Dead Rabbit has become one of the world’s most awarded and globally recognized pubs, winning eight Tales of the Cocktail awards and five World’s 50 Best Bars awards, including World’s Best Bar twice. He is the youngest ever recipient of International Bartender of the Year and is recognized as an expert on Irish Whiskey, Irish spirits overall, cocktail development, and world-class pub operations. Thus far, he has authored five books on the subject. Jack is a tireless champion for contemporary Irish culture, and has built an ecosystem at The Dead Rabbit that reinforces this mission. In an effort to challenge conventional Irish-American pub stereotypes and create more ways to tell a modern, authentic story, Jack will be bringing The Dead Rabbit to new U.S. cities in 2023 and beyond, starting with Austin and New Orleans. Both inside and outside of the four-walls of The Dead Rabbit, Jack is a strong supporter of philanthropy centered around Irish arts and education in the U.S. and in Ireland, as well as mental health, and specifically within the hospitality industry.

STANDARDS | DEVELOPMENT | NETWORKS

Keith Larry, known for his innovative approach to mixology, is the current Beverage Director at Little Rascal Greenpoint. His diverse hospitality journey started with waiting tables at French restaurants and traversing the vibrant nightlife of New York City, before focusing on the art of cocktail creation.

His career took a pivotal turn at Employees Only, where he played an instrumental role in training international bar teams and gained valuable global insights. As Head Bartender at Gallow Green and the Beatrice Inn, Keith honed his skills further, solidifying his reputation in the industry.

DESIGN | PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT | TRAINING

Gregory J. Buda is a renowned bar industry educator and hospitality consultant, and is the co-owner and beverage director of Bar Bisou Bisou in Montréal, Canada. Known for delivering seminars and masterclasses on diverse hospitality topics all around the globe, he further uses his expertise to create innovative bar programs for a range of hospitality venues. Before opening Bisou Bisou, he spent 8 years at the highly awarded Dead Rabbit in New York City, serving as their director of education and senior barman. Leveraging his degrees in chemistry, molecular biology, and a Ph.D. in plant biology from Cornell University, he applies his scientific background to menu development and the creation of high quality beverage programs. Outside of hospitality, Greg has a photography company, focused on food and beverage and on documenting the people and culture behind alcoholic beverage production worldwide.

CREATIVE DIRECTION | CONCEPT | BRAND CURATION

Vivian is our creative luminary. Having enjoyed a flourishing career as a professor of visual arts for over nine years, she moved on from academia to forge a personal path of creativity. She has since developed relationships within the hospitality industry from her expert consultation and brand curation.

Her multifaceted expertise and guidance is highly valued when it comes to developing concepts and their compelling expressions in the world. With her signature intuitive approach and attention to detail she thoughtfully guides the creative vision of each project into full bloom. From the foundational beginning of a brand strategy to having the menu in hand, she revels in unlocking the full potential of each project. Working with Vivian ensures a vision, strategy, and impact that is one of a kind.

OPERATIONS | PEOPLE | EXECUTION

Jaclyn is an experienced and versatile professional with a career focused on management and operations in consumer-facing businesses. With a track record of success, she has excelled in multi-unit management roles within the retail and F&B sectors, overseeing multimillion-dollar revenue centers.

Jaclyn's specialty lies in developing people and fostering high-performing teams. Her leadership skills have been honed through managing teams of over 100 individuals, allowing her to effectively nurture talent and build successful teams.

Additionally, Jaclyn's expertise extends to project management and systems development, which have been pivotal in her accomplishments within the F&B industry. Her strategic approach to project execution and ability to implement efficient systems have significantly contributed to operational excellence.

Throughout her career, Jaclyn's dedication to driving results, coupled with her strong leadership abilities, has consistently produced positive outcomes. Her keen focus on talent development, project management, and systems implementation have been instrumental in her success within the retail and F&B sectors.

INSIGHT | LEGAL | GROWTH

Stephanie has worked as a commercial real estate attorney for the past 13 years and has represented hotel owners and operators, F&B tenants, major New York and Dallas developers, investment banks and publicly traded real estate companies in connection with leases, development, acquisitions, financing and joint ventures. Stephanie’s extensive leasing practice has given her experience with construction and site improvements, space planning and utilization and operations. Representing clients such as Host Hotels, Marriott, The Related Companies and SL Green and closing transactions involving hospitality assets such as The W Lexington Avenue, The W Times Square, The Marriott Times Square, The Mayflower Hotel and others, has given Stephanie a unique understanding of all facets of the hospitality and F&B industries, including licensure, operations and management. Stephanie currently works as Counsel at Haynes & Boone in Dallas and has previously worked at Fried Frank and Gibson Dunn.

CONSCIOUS | CONNECTOR | EXPERIENTIAL

Over the years, Yuna Asriyan has emerged as a leading figure in the non-alcoholic beverage sector and the realm of alternative therapeutics. As a skilled stylist and discerning connoisseur, Yuna has brought her multifaceted ideas and talents to prestigious innovators in the luxury industry, including Pernod Ricard and Seedlip, contributing significantly to the vibrant New England market. Now stationed in New York City, Yuna employs precise sales strategies, creative marketing methods, and stellar relationship-building skills to deliver double-digit growth, territory expansion, and robust brand momentum. Yuna has further extended her reach through her venture, Y|A Apparel, a bespoke styling consultancy, further showcasing her dynamic talents and relentless ambition.

CONCEPT | CREATION | DETAILS

Jerry is a seasoned hospitality expert with significant experience in NYC and Europe. His portfolio includes managing and conceptualizing Quick Service Restaurants, multinational chains, hotels, and bars. Noted for his professional catering, Jerry's passion for people and experiences fuels his creativity, resulting in unique, successful concepts. He excels in designing efficient, cost-effective kitchens and bars, making dreams a tangible reality. Outside work, he treasures time spent with his family.

FINANCE | INSIGHT | COLLABORATION

Chris Pershad is a dedicated professional financial administrator with five years of experience in the industry. With a meticulous eye for detail and a deep understanding of financial management, Chris excels in maintaining accurate and well-organized financial records.

His expertise extends to various bookkeeping principles, and advanced financial software systems. Chris has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results, supporting businesses in optimizing their financial processes and ensuring compliance. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris enjoys staying abreast of industry advancements and exploring innovative ways to streamline financial operations. Passionate about helping businesses succeed, Chris is a valuable asset in maintaining financial stability and growth.