This live online event is free and open to all. Click here now to register and join us at 2 p.m. ET on July 7!
Women have always been the pizza community’s driving force—but, in decades past, they often worked behind the scenes. Not anymore. Today, women are stepping forward and taking center stage as industry leaders and influencers who are driving innovation, pushing boundaries, and reshaping our culture and communities for the better.
If you’re one of those women or an ally to women in the pizza business, PMQ’s upcoming webinar, “Pizza Women on the Rise: Claiming Your Space in the Pizza Community,” is for you. Taking place at 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 7, it will be co-moderated by Alexandra Mortati, founder of Women in Pizza, and PMQ Pizza associate editor Tracy Morin. And we’ll explore the myriad ways women are finding their voice, claiming their space, planting their flag—and powering forward no matter the obstacles in their path.
Want to join the conversation? We would love to have you. Click here now to register and join us at 2 p.m. ET on July 7! And a huge thank you to our awesome sponsors: Orlando Foods, Caputo Flour, Grande Cheese Company, Hormel Foods, Ciao Tomatoes, Olitalia, and Pizza Master.
You’ll hear from a panel of female pizzeria industry standouts—Giorgia Caporuscio, master pizzaiola and owner of Don Antonio; Erica Bell, lead pizzaiola and general manager at Double Zero Pie & Pub; and Audrey Kelly, owner and pizzaiola of Audrey Jane’s Pizza Garage—as they share the challenges they’ve faced, the victories they’ve achieved and the progress still to be made.
In this webinar, we will discover:
- Key barriers women face in launching, operating and scaling pizzerias—and how to overcome them.
- Actionable strategies for accessing resources such as capital, mentorship and industry networks.
- How to navigate biased perceptions and unspoken expectations in the pizza business.
- How to build a personal and professional support system that fuels success.
- What the industry stands to gain from more inclusive leadership at every level.
- Where the movement goes next—and the role you can play in it.
Here’s a quick look at our speakers and moderators for this free webinar:
Giorgia Caporuscio
Born and raised in Terracina, Italy, Giorgia Caporuscio grew up surrounded by food culture but discovered her true passion for pizza later in life—and now serves as owner of Don Antonio, a renowned Neapolitan pizzeria in New York City. After moving to the United States, Caporuscio trained under some of the most respected names in Neapolitan pizza, refining her technique and developing a deep understanding of dough, fermentation and balance. At Don Antonio, she leads with a commitment to authenticity, using high-quality ingredients and traditional methods. Caporuscio has become one of the most recognized female pizza makers in the world, earning accolades such as Pizza Maker of the Year 2024 in the U.S. and multiple international rankings. She is also one of the founders of Women in Pizza, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and connecting women in the pizza industry. Her work has been featured by major media outlets and institutions, including Harvard University, where she has spoken about her journey and philosophy, “Pizza Is My Yoga.” Through her work, Caporuscio continues to represent and evolve the art of Neapolitan pizza on a global stage.
Erica Bell
As lead pizzaiola and general manager of Double Zero Pie & Pub in Las Vegas, Erica Bell leads with heart, hustle, and a deep love for great pizza and great people. With more than a decade of experience in hospitality and community events, Bell brings a unique blend of creativity and care to everything she does—both in and out of the kitchen. Under her leadership, Double Zero was named one of the top 50 pizza restaurants in the U.S. not once, but twice. Bell is all about building strong teams, creating memorable guest experiences and supporting the local community.
Audrey Kelly
Audrey Kelly is the owner and pizzaiola of Audrey Jane’s Pizza Garage in Boulder, Colorado. While living in Italy to pursue a journalism degree, she fell in love with pizza. Upon returning to San Francisco, she decided to change course and studied the art of pizza under Tony Gemignani at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana—then moved back to her hometown of Boulder to open her own restaurant, which quickly gained a local following.
Audrey Jane’s Pizza Garage has been featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on the Food Network three times, as well as Food Paradise on the Travel Channel. The Garage is considered one of the best pizzerias in Colorado, receiving the Best of Denver award from Westword. As a member of the World Pizza Champions, she has competed both nationally and internationally, winning the Pizza in Teglia division at the Trofeo Caputo in Naples, Italy. Kelly is an educator in the pizza industry and an ambassador for Women in Pizza.
She has been featured in articles on NPR, The New York Times and The Denver Post, and on podcasts such as Pizza Quest, Smart Pizza Marketing, Modernist Pizza and What’s Good Dough.
Alexandra Mortati
Alexandra “Azie” Mortati is the VP of marketing at Orlando Foods, where she leads brand strategy in the U.S., oversees a dynamic, growing team, and combines her passion for storytelling with the food industry. Mortati is also a driving force behind the Women in Pizza nonprofit, helping build community, amplify voices and create meaningful connections across the industry. Focused on the intersection of people, food and narrative, she brings a thoughtful, creative approach to marketing while staying rooted in the relationships that define the pizza world.
Tracy Morin
Since 2007, Tracy Morin has served as a writer, editor and enthusiastic pizza lover in her role with PMQ Pizza, the pizza industry’s source for news, marketing and operational strategies, and expert insights. Always on the search for a pie or slice in her travels, Morin loves connecting with pizzaioli around the globe. Closer to home, she keeps her finger on the pulse of the pizza community while writing articles for PMQ’s print magazine and website. Morin has spearheaded PMQ’s monthly column Pizza Hall of Fame since its 2008 inception, honoring pizzerias in business for 50 years or more.
