Our Team

Robert LeBlanc

  • Upon graduating from Loyola University New Orleans, Robert LeBlanc started a record label, Renaissance Records, that evolved into an event planning and guerrilla marketing firm called The Renaissance Initiative. His first hospitality project was music venue Republic New Orleans, with hotel bars LePhare and Loa New Orleans following shortly thereafter. LeBlanc opened his first restaurant, Sylvain, in October 2010. In 2014, he created LeBLANC+SMITH, which is a boutique hospitality portfolio that now also includes The Will & The Way Bar, Barrel Proof Bar, Barracuda Taco Bar, Anna’s Bar and boutique hotel The Chloe. Robert is married to Danielle Webb and has two sons, Bear and Will and calls Uptown New Orleans home.

Ali Grieb

  • absolutely fell in love with the larger than life personalities and style of New Orleans hospitality. Ali has always been dedicated to creating spaces where teams can flourish, both professionally and personally.  Today, she’s driven by the mission of connecting people and fostering environments where all people can thrive and make meaningful contributions—not just at work, but in their personal lives and communities as well. 

Josh Atterberry

  • Josh began his career in hospitality by bartending in Chicago. This journey evolved into a leadership role as Art Director at Four Corners, a prominent hospitality group in the city. Overseeing branding and design projects across restaurant, hotel, and bar venues, he cultivated deep expertise in the industry. After nearly a decade, Josh pursued new paths, managing promotions for over 34 TED Talks at Wrigley Field and serving as an art director at an advertising agency. He also ventured into the tech industry, collaborating remotely with notable clients such as Honda, Sydney Opera House, and BBC News for a publishing platform based in Brisbane, Australia. Drawn by New Orleans' vibrant culture and music scene, Josh made the leap from Chicago to New Orleans, returning to the hospitality industry he loves while escaping the harsh winters he didn't.

Elizabeth Harris

  • Born under the warm Florida sun, Elizabeth moved to Texas to pursue a career in hospitality, focusing on boutique and lifestyle hotels. She began her journey at the iconic Hotel San Jose, where she developed a passion for creating intimate, memorable guest experiences. Her talent and dedication led her to Austin Motel and later Carpenter Hotel, where she honed her skills in personalized service and managing unique properties that each have a distinctive story to tell. Elizabeth’s career took a vibrant turn that led her to New Orleans, a city known for its rich cultural tapestry and lively spirit. Here, she applies her expertise, ensuring that each guest feels uniquely valued and welcomed.Outside of her professional life, Elizabeth enjoys baking, any excuse for a dance party, exploring New Orleans with her fiancé, Scott , and spending time with their beloved cats, Pierre and Olive.

Amanda Osborn

  • Amanda Osborn’s 15-year career in hospitality has been defined by her ability to build meaningful connections, drive revenue, and deliver exceptional results. Her journey began in Los Angeles, where she helped open renowned properties like NoMad LA, Tommie, and Thompson. As a Sales Manager and consultant, she has worked with high-profile clients, including production groups, A-list actors, and musical artists, seamlessly transitioning these relationships to her New Orleans properties. Her passion for sales and innate ability to connect with people have allowed her to cultivate long-lasting relationships while showcasing her expertise in event planning, group sales, and hospitality marketing. When Amanda isn’t driving sales or building strong client relationships, she’s diving into the vibrant culture of New Orleans. Her love for bringing people together and creating memorable experiences fuels her success as a passionate and forward-thinking Sales Manager.

Clyde LeBlanc

  • Clyde LeBlanc's journey began in New Orleans, where he developed a profound admiration for the service industry through the city's renowned hospitality scene. He pursued his academic interests at Louisiana State University (LSU), graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. His formative experience working at Sylvain ignited his fascination with the restaurant industry and its diverse community of professionals. In 2023, following his graduation from LSU, Clyde joined the LeBlanc+Smith team as Robért's executive assistant. In his downtime, Clyde enjoys spending time in Audubon Park and exploring the bars and restaurants around New Orleans. 

Todd Pulsinelli

  • Born in Bitburg, Germany, Todd grew up in Columbus, OH and has been in hospitality for over 25 years, working in several acclaimed restaurants throughout New Orleans including August, Domenica and American Sector at the National World War II Museum. In 2012, he returned to August as executive chef for six years, where he experienced career highs like cooking for Michelle Obama and various heads of state and appearing on national television, like Iron Chef America. In 2019, Todd joined the LeBlanc + Smith team, overseeing various menus over the years, including Sylvain and The Chloe restaurant and bar. Todd lives in Mid-City New Orleans with his wife, Elizabeth and their children.

Fiona Swanson

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Rescalla Curry

  • Born in Rio de Janeiro, Rescalla began his marketing career at 17 as an intern at Warner Music Brasil before producing large-scale events across Brazil. At 20, he moved to New York City, where he quickly rose from busboy to restaurant manager. During his 15 years in Brooklyn, he expanded his marketing expertise through roles in fashion, real estate, and freelancing, collaborating with companies such as Viacom, Neiman Marcus, and Oxford. Rescalla relocated to New Orleans in 2020 and joined the team in 2023 as a part-time bartender at The Will & The Way. His passion for storytelling and hospitality soon earned him the role of Digital Marketing & Social Media Coordinator, where he brings the vibrant spirit of the city and the excellence of LeBLANC+SMITH venues to life online. A dedicated musician, he also leads a local music collective hosted at Anna’s, one of the group’s beloved venues.

L+S Managing Partners

Liam Deegan

  • Liam Deegan hails from Providence, RI and attended Loyola University New Orleans. His first job bartending was on Bourbon Street, before becoming the Beverage Director at Sylvain in the French Quarter. In founding Barrel Proof and partnering in Anna’s & The Will and The Way, he began his lifelong pursuit of creating world-class neighborhood bars where someone can get an excellent cocktail or a rare spirit but would feel equally comfortable ordering a beer and a shot.

Anna Giordano

  • Anna Giordano has been living and working in New Orleans for a decade. The most rewarding part of hospitality for her is the comradery. The Cheers of it all. While she has excelled in the craft of mixing drinks, she values modesty and inclusivity over "look what I can do" bar experiences. She has been hosting parties and events since childhood and holds the highest esteem for fun kitschy trinkets, events and imagery. Mix that all together and you can imagine a pretty apt account of what she and her team have molded Anna's to be. Anna is also a partner in a gallery pop-up held upstairs at Anna's called Salon D'Whatever, which is a collaborative effort to bring her love of art, community, spirits, and hospitality into one. 

Jason Sorbet

  • Jason Sorbet is a New Orleans native who found his footing behind the bar early in life at 21st Amendment Bar in the French Quarter while also earning his degree in Neuroscience. Of the two paths, he chose bartending. Jason joined the Barrel Proof team in 2017, he quickly rose to a leadership position before moving on to develop the cocktail and beverage program for the opening of The Chloe. He is now located in Nashville to lead the expansion of the Barrel Proof brand as Managing Partner.

TRISTAN FERCHL

  • Tristan has spent the past decade in New Orleans’ hospitality scene. The Miami native started out as a short order cook and quickly moved into the coffee industry, where he discovered his passion for beverage programs. After the Miami native opened Piscobar at the Catahoula Hotel, Tristan joined the bar team at Sylvain in 2017. He has been with LeBLANC + SMITH ever since, serving as Bar Director and Interim General Manager at Sylvain before opening the Will and The Way as Managing Partner alongside Josh Williams. His favorite moments behind the bar are when he can help guests discover something new, be that anything from their first sip of amaro to an elevated version of a Cosmopolitan.

Joshua Williams

  • Josh’s earliest culinary memories include fishing, hunting, picking berries and foraging with his godmother on the Western banks of the Mississippi River in Napoleonville, LA. He found a home in professional kitchens during high school before joining the Army at age 18. After five years of active duty, Josh pursued culinary studies at Delgado Community College. He honed his skills in legendary New Orleans kitchens like Brennan’s, The American Sector, Besh Steakhouse and Restaurant August. Josh grew to become Executive Sous Chef at Warbucks and, later, Compère Lapin. He rejoined his mentor and close friend, Chef Todd Pulsinelli, to open The Chloe before moving on to open The Will and The Way as its Managing Partner.