Administrative Support Team
Patty Lowen
Office Manager
Patty joined the Manna team in September 2016. Her primary duties include managing the company Staples and Verizon accounts, café support, customer service support and general office duties. Patty was born & raised in San Diego. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her nephew, hiking, running and playing with her dogs!
Office Manager
Patty joined the Manna team in September 2016. Her primary duties include managing the company Staples and Verizon accounts, café support, customer service support and general office duties. Patty was born & raised in San Diego. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her nephew, hiking, running and playing with her dogs!
Gloria Talamantes
Executive Assistant
Gloria’s role includes providing administrative assistance, distributing the mail, answering phone and much more! She lives in Escondido and has a husband and two grown daughters. In her free time she enjoys reading, dancing and spending time with my family and pups.
Executive Assistant
Gloria’s role includes providing administrative assistance, distributing the mail, answering phone and much more! She lives in Escondido and has a husband and two grown daughters. In her free time she enjoys reading, dancing and spending time with my family and pups.
Nancy Rogers
Office Administrator
Nancy joined Manna Development at its inception in 2003 as the Office Manager. Nancy’s primary duties include overseeing the company vehicles’ insurance, registrations, gas cards, employee name tags, business cards, correspondence for guests of the cafes, as well as acknowledgements for our catering reps.
Nancy was born in Chicago, grew up in Michigan. Nancy graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2003.
Nancy is the mother of Patrick Rogers, Sheilah DiLorenzo and Dianne Saber and is the grandmother of eight. Nancy’s interests include golf, running on the beach, book club, her children and grandchildren.
Office Administrator
Nancy joined Manna Development at its inception in 2003 as the Office Manager. Nancy’s primary duties include overseeing the company vehicles’ insurance, registrations, gas cards, employee name tags, business cards, correspondence for guests of the cafes, as well as acknowledgements for our catering reps.
Nancy was born in Chicago, grew up in Michigan. Nancy graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2003.
Nancy is the mother of Patrick Rogers, Sheilah DiLorenzo and Dianne Saber and is the grandmother of eight. Nancy’s interests include golf, running on the beach, book club, her children and grandchildren.
Leslie Jones
Office Administration
Leslie joined the Panera Bread family in 2016 as an Administrative Assistant. Before joining Panera Bread she worked at Federal Protection as a project manager, an Operations Manager for Circuit City and served in the United States Army National Guard. Leslie received her degree in Business Management in Springfield, MO in 2011.
Leslie was born and raised in the Springfield, MO area and fills her time being a wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoys being outdoors, raising cattle, knitting/crocheting and quilting.
Office Administration
Leslie joined the Panera Bread family in 2016 as an Administrative Assistant. Before joining Panera Bread she worked at Federal Protection as a project manager, an Operations Manager for Circuit City and served in the United States Army National Guard. Leslie received her degree in Business Management in Springfield, MO in 2011.
Leslie was born and raised in the Springfield, MO area and fills her time being a wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoys being outdoors, raising cattle, knitting/crocheting and quilting.
Robin Kelley
Project Coordinator Manna Construction
Robin joined the Manna Team in April of 2012 helping to launch the Construction Division. Robin’s primary duties are coordinating new café construction/remodels and providing support for the Construction Team. Robin is also responsible for maintaining permits/licenses and insurance for all cafes. Robin lives in San Diego with her Husband Sean and enjoys spending time outside, walking, hiking, 5 & 10k’s (for good causes) and spending time with family and friends.
Project Coordinator Manna Construction
Robin joined the Manna Team in April of 2012 helping to launch the Construction Division. Robin’s primary duties are coordinating new café construction/remodels and providing support for the Construction Team. Robin is also responsible for maintaining permits/licenses and insurance for all cafes. Robin lives in San Diego with her Husband Sean and enjoys spending time outside, walking, hiking, 5 & 10k’s (for good causes) and spending time with family and friends.
Rachel Flanagan
Share the Dough Director
Rachel joined the Manna team in April 2017 as the Director of Share the Dough. Rachel oversees the nonprofit and the various programs including: the employee emergency relief fund, educational scholarship fund, Change for Children Round Up program, Christmas family program, community philanthropic grants and social outreach events. Share the Dough is growing and impacting many people in our company, in our communities and around the world! She is excited to be leading the efforts!
Before working with Manna, Rachel worked as a public health consultant for a variety of different international nutrition projects. She received her B.S. from the University of Delaware in Health Sciences and her Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Rachel lives in Huntington Beach with her husband Jimmy and their two daughters Eloise and Adia. She enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, waterskiing, rock climbing and playing volleyball. She also loves to travel and experience different cultures.
Share the Dough Director
Rachel joined the Manna team in April 2017 as the Director of Share the Dough. Rachel oversees the nonprofit and the various programs including: the employee emergency relief fund, educational scholarship fund, Change for Children Round Up program, Christmas family program, community philanthropic grants and social outreach events. Share the Dough is growing and impacting many people in our company, in our communities and around the world! She is excited to be leading the efforts!
Before working with Manna, Rachel worked as a public health consultant for a variety of different international nutrition projects. She received her B.S. from the University of Delaware in Health Sciences and her Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Rachel lives in Huntington Beach with her husband Jimmy and their two daughters Eloise and Adia. She enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, waterskiing, rock climbing and playing volleyball. She also loves to travel and experience different cultures.
Mary Thompson
Share the Dough Programs Coordinator
Share the Dough Programs Coordinator
John Bonifield
Finance Manager
John first started out in one of our cafés in 2010 as an associate, where he worked his way up to being a well-versed trainer. After working in the café for three years, John left the café and decided to focus on finishing his Bachelor’s degree in Economics at San Diego State University where he graduated in May 2015. He joined Manna Development again in September of 2015 as a temp, and officially became part of the team in February 2016. In his role as an Accounting Assistant his primary focuses include Accounts Receivable collections and maintenance, and reconciling credit cards.
John’s interests outside of work include; staying active by playing indoor soccer and golf, spending time with his family, and learning.
Finance Manager
John first started out in one of our cafés in 2010 as an associate, where he worked his way up to being a well-versed trainer. After working in the café for three years, John left the café and decided to focus on finishing his Bachelor’s degree in Economics at San Diego State University where he graduated in May 2015. He joined Manna Development again in September of 2015 as a temp, and officially became part of the team in February 2016. In his role as an Accounting Assistant his primary focuses include Accounts Receivable collections and maintenance, and reconciling credit cards.
John’s interests outside of work include; staying active by playing indoor soccer and golf, spending time with his family, and learning.
Amanda Verjan
Senior Accountant
Amanda officially joined the Manna team in November 2008 after starting as a temp in July 2008. During her time with the company she has witnessed the acquisition of 3 new entities of Manna and has been instrumental in transitioning the processes to manage our growing company. In her current role as Senior Accountant, Amanda handles Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable as well as Sales & Tip Reconciliation. Amanda started her accounting career in 1991 and says that she loves numbers and math and finds problem solving fun.
Amanda has been a volunteer at North Coast Church in the children’s ministry since 2008. She resides in Oceanside with her husband and 2 children and their cat Sizzles.
Senior Accountant
Amanda officially joined the Manna team in November 2008 after starting as a temp in July 2008. During her time with the company she has witnessed the acquisition of 3 new entities of Manna and has been instrumental in transitioning the processes to manage our growing company. In her current role as Senior Accountant, Amanda handles Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable as well as Sales & Tip Reconciliation. Amanda started her accounting career in 1991 and says that she loves numbers and math and finds problem solving fun.
Amanda has been a volunteer at North Coast Church in the children’s ministry since 2008. She resides in Oceanside with her husband and 2 children and their cat Sizzles.
Austin Challis
Senior Accountant
Austin joined the Manna team in March 2022. He started his career in accounting after attending and graduating from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2010. He enjoys problem solving and the puzzles accounting brings everyday. Nothing is like putting the last piece of a puzzle together! He appreciates the close knit Manna team and the care they take for every employee. Austin was raised in Denver, CO and enjoys being active and outdoors; you can catch him doing a variety of activities on the weekends such as sporting events, hiking, skiing, or golfing. He is currently engaged and cannot wait to marry his fiancé Sarah!
Senior Accountant
Austin joined the Manna team in March 2022. He started his career in accounting after attending and graduating from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2010. He enjoys problem solving and the puzzles accounting brings everyday. Nothing is like putting the last piece of a puzzle together! He appreciates the close knit Manna team and the care they take for every employee. Austin was raised in Denver, CO and enjoys being active and outdoors; you can catch him doing a variety of activities on the weekends such as sporting events, hiking, skiing, or golfing. He is currently engaged and cannot wait to marry his fiancé Sarah!
Ann Higdon
Payroll Administrator
Ann joined the Manna Team May 2018. Prior to that she served as the Payroll Administrator for Breads of the World for over 17 years. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Shawn, and her furry children. She also enjoys traveling, baking, taking walks and being with her family & friends
Payroll Administrator
Ann joined the Manna Team May 2018. Prior to that she served as the Payroll Administrator for Breads of the World for over 17 years. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Shawn, and her furry children. She also enjoys traveling, baking, taking walks and being with her family & friends
Raquel Reyna
Payroll Administrator
Raquel joined the Manna team in August 2019. She started a career in Payroll in 2007 and has enjoyed the puzzle solving and connecting with people through customer service aspects of her field.
Raquel was born and raised in San Diego and fills her time with her family, church community, and friends. Raquel loves to travel, read, watch movies and will do just about anything to see her Goddaughter laugh.
Payroll Administrator
Raquel joined the Manna team in August 2019. She started a career in Payroll in 2007 and has enjoyed the puzzle solving and connecting with people through customer service aspects of her field.
Raquel was born and raised in San Diego and fills her time with her family, church community, and friends. Raquel loves to travel, read, watch movies and will do just about anything to see her Goddaughter laugh.
Susan Gardner
Payroll Supervisor
Susan joined the Manna Team in October of 2018. Prior to joining Manna she worked in the Resort Hospitality Industry for 25 years. She is a native Californian and grew up in the Valley Center and Escondido areas. Outside of work Susan enjoy all things “outdoors," spending time with friends, family, and especially enjoys being a grandma to her two grandbabies, age 2 and 6 months.
Payroll Supervisor
Susan joined the Manna Team in October of 2018. Prior to joining Manna she worked in the Resort Hospitality Industry for 25 years. She is a native Californian and grew up in the Valley Center and Escondido areas. Outside of work Susan enjoy all things “outdoors," spending time with friends, family, and especially enjoys being a grandma to her two grandbabies, age 2 and 6 months.
Pam Montoya
Payroll Administrator
Pam Montoya is a Payroll Administrator for Manna Northwest and Risen Bread. She enjoys working with her Manna colleagues in our beautiful new home office. Pam loves to travel and has many destinations on her bucket list. She resides in Oceanside with her husband, Sal and dog, Sadie.
Payroll Administrator
Pam Montoya is a Payroll Administrator for Manna Northwest and Risen Bread. She enjoys working with her Manna colleagues in our beautiful new home office. Pam loves to travel and has many destinations on her bucket list. She resides in Oceanside with her husband, Sal and dog, Sadie.
Michelle Westcarr
Accounts Payable Specialist
Originally from the beautiful island of Jamaica, Michelle lived in NYC until 2002 and moved to Oceanside with her son in 2003. She currently resides in Vista, enjoys daily sunset walks in Oceanside, is a prayer warrior at Calvary Vista church and enjoys knitting or crocheting while watching European murder mysteries. Michelle also fosters kittens for the San Diego Humane Society.
Accounts Payable Specialist
Originally from the beautiful island of Jamaica, Michelle lived in NYC until 2002 and moved to Oceanside with her son in 2003. She currently resides in Vista, enjoys daily sunset walks in Oceanside, is a prayer warrior at Calvary Vista church and enjoys knitting or crocheting while watching European murder mysteries. Michelle also fosters kittens for the San Diego Humane Society.
Anisia Mendoza
Treasury
Anisia began working at our Escondido café in 2018 as an associate. She gradually made her way up to Assistant Manager and eventually transitioned to the Accounts Receivable department. Anisia enjoys reading, music, hiking, road trips and learning new things.
Treasury
Anisia began working at our Escondido café in 2018 as an associate. She gradually made her way up to Assistant Manager and eventually transitioned to the Accounts Receivable department. Anisia enjoys reading, music, hiking, road trips and learning new things.
Jennifer Bates
Recruiting and Employee Life Cycle Coordinator
Jennifer joined the Panera Bread family in 2016. Before joining Panera Bread she held managerial and training roles for several companies including The Walt Disney Co, The Children’s Place and Vera Bradley
Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Denver. She lives in Aurora, CO with her husband and daughter and loves to travel, going to sporting events, the mountains and anything Disney!
Recruiting and Employee Life Cycle Coordinator
Jennifer joined the Panera Bread family in 2016. Before joining Panera Bread she held managerial and training roles for several companies including The Walt Disney Co, The Children’s Place and Vera Bradley
Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Denver. She lives in Aurora, CO with her husband and daughter and loves to travel, going to sporting events, the mountains and anything Disney!
Melinda Allison District Recruiting Specialist
Melinda started her Panera journey in October of 2015 as a Market Recruiter for Oklahoma City. At the beginning of 2020, she transitioned into the role of Recruiting Specialist. In this role she supports the Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Southwest Missouri markets. Her favorite parts of her role are helping cafes be successful through staffing and giving opportunities to help others reach their career goals.
At home she enjoys a busy blended family life with my husband of 6 years and their = 5 daughters. They also have 2 large breed dogs and a variety of other small pets. Her hobbies include collecting plants and trying not to kill them, outdoor activities, traveling, trying out new restaurants and reading. She is also a portrait photographer.
Melinda started her Panera journey in October of 2015 as a Market Recruiter for Oklahoma City. At the beginning of 2020, she transitioned into the role of Recruiting Specialist. In this role she supports the Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Southwest Missouri markets. Her favorite parts of her role are helping cafes be successful through staffing and giving opportunities to help others reach their career goals.
At home she enjoys a busy blended family life with my husband of 6 years and their = 5 daughters. They also have 2 large breed dogs and a variety of other small pets. Her hobbies include collecting plants and trying not to kill them, outdoor activities, traveling, trying out new restaurants and reading. She is also a portrait photographer.
Eli Shmueli
IT Support
Eli has been a consultant for Panera Bread since 2007, and joined Panera Bread as a full time employee in 2016.
Eli and his wife, Gila, have four children – Elad, Oren and twins Sharon and Arielle. Eli and Gila met in Israel while he was serving in the Israeli Air Force after high school. They moved to Colorado after his 3.5-year stint in the military. Eli has a degree in electrical engineering from CU-Denver and has been working in IT ever since graduation. When he’s not helping our cafés, he enjoys traveling, jet-skiing, and building and flying R/C airplanes.
IT Support
Eli has been a consultant for Panera Bread since 2007, and joined Panera Bread as a full time employee in 2016.
Eli and his wife, Gila, have four children – Elad, Oren and twins Sharon and Arielle. Eli and Gila met in Israel while he was serving in the Israeli Air Force after high school. They moved to Colorado after his 3.5-year stint in the military. Eli has a degree in electrical engineering from CU-Denver and has been working in IT ever since graduation. When he’s not helping our cafés, he enjoys traveling, jet-skiing, and building and flying R/C airplanes.
Angela Kozair
Human Resources Manager
Angela joined Manna Development Group in 2019 with over 10 years of experience working in Human Resources for restaurant and retail environments. She loves helping people and sees her role as that of a liaison between employees and employer. Angela received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications at the University of California, San Diego. She is a former foster parent who continues to advocate for children in the foster care system. Angela lives in Escondido with her two teenage sons, who keep her constantly on the go!
Human Resources Manager
Angela joined Manna Development Group in 2019 with over 10 years of experience working in Human Resources for restaurant and retail environments. She loves helping people and sees her role as that of a liaison between employees and employer. Angela received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications at the University of California, San Diego. She is a former foster parent who continues to advocate for children in the foster care system. Angela lives in Escondido with her two teenage sons, who keep her constantly on the go!
Janice Buenafe
Human Resources Specialist
Janice first started with Manna as an Associate in 2019 while still in high school. She spent two years working her way up to an Assistant General Manager doing what she loves most – serving our community and our guests. Janice joined the Human Resources team soon after, continuing to serve our guests and our team members in a different capacity. She enjoys taking day trips around Southern California on her days off or winding down from the week with some board games with her family.
Human Resources Specialist
Janice first started with Manna as an Associate in 2019 while still in high school. She spent two years working her way up to an Assistant General Manager doing what she loves most – serving our community and our guests. Janice joined the Human Resources team soon after, continuing to serve our guests and our team members in a different capacity. She enjoys taking day trips around Southern California on her days off or winding down from the week with some board games with her family.
Karina Valdez
Human Resources Specialist
Karina is a Human Resources Specialist who joined the Manna family in 2021 with lots and lots of customer service experience in the retail world. While her background is very customer service based, she gained skills in handling employee relations during her retail career. She believes connections with people are an important part of a company’s culture and this value has allowed her to go into human resources with a human first mindset.
Karina enjoys spending time with her family and most of all, her fur baby! She also loves reading, dancing, and is a makeup artist on the weekends.
Human Resources Specialist
Karina is a Human Resources Specialist who joined the Manna family in 2021 with lots and lots of customer service experience in the retail world. While her background is very customer service based, she gained skills in handling employee relations during her retail career. She believes connections with people are an important part of a company’s culture and this value has allowed her to go into human resources with a human first mindset.
Karina enjoys spending time with her family and most of all, her fur baby! She also loves reading, dancing, and is a makeup artist on the weekends.