Sales Team
Tara Phillips
Senior Catering Sales Manager - Colorado
Tara joined the Manna team in 2018 as a Senior Catering Sales Manager. Prior to that, she worked for two other Panera franchises over the past 14 years. During that time, she has helped out in many different roles including Catering Coordinator, Assistant Manager & various community relation roles.
She grew up in Michigan and has also lived in Oregon and Florida before moving to Colorado—which she absolutely loves! She enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, gardening, star gazing and long walks with her two dogs.
Her most favorite thing to do is spend time with her 3 kids and be an active role in their schools and sports programs. She helps coach her sons soccer team, is an active PTA member and room mom at the elementary school. Work and kids keep her on her toes but she enjoys keeping busy and wouldn’t have it any other way!
Senior Catering Sales Manager - Colorado
Tara joined the Manna team in 2018 as a Senior Catering Sales Manager. Prior to that, she worked for two other Panera franchises over the past 14 years. During that time, she has helped out in many different roles including Catering Coordinator, Assistant Manager & various community relation roles.
She grew up in Michigan and has also lived in Oregon and Florida before moving to Colorado—which she absolutely loves! She enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, gardening, star gazing and long walks with her two dogs.
Her most favorite thing to do is spend time with her 3 kids and be an active role in their schools and sports programs. She helps coach her sons soccer team, is an active PTA member and room mom at the elementary school. Work and kids keep her on her toes but she enjoys keeping busy and wouldn’t have it any other way!
Kristina Pankowski
Catering Sales Manager - Los Angeles
Kristina Pankowski began as a shift supervisor with Panera Bread in 2011, and quickly realized catering was where her heart is. After moving to the Catering Sales Coordinator position in our Glendale café, Kristina focused on sales building and training. In 2016 Kristina became the Regional Catering Sales Manager for Risen Bread and loves having the capacity to help each café grow in sales and build strong community relationships.
Kristina is a New Jersey native and loves the beach, hiking and cooking. She loves exploring the outdoors with her dog, Sir Benjamin.
Catering Sales Manager - Los Angeles
Kristina Pankowski began as a shift supervisor with Panera Bread in 2011, and quickly realized catering was where her heart is. After moving to the Catering Sales Coordinator position in our Glendale café, Kristina focused on sales building and training. In 2016 Kristina became the Regional Catering Sales Manager for Risen Bread and loves having the capacity to help each café grow in sales and build strong community relationships.
Kristina is a New Jersey native and loves the beach, hiking and cooking. She loves exploring the outdoors with her dog, Sir Benjamin.
Kelsey Bock
Catering Sales Manager - Michigan
Kelsey started with Manna Development Group in 2020 as a Catering Lead at one of our Bread of Life cafes located in West Michigan. Prior to Panera, Kelseygraduated from Grand Valley State University where she acquired a degree in Hospitality Tourism Management. From there she worked as a Sales Manager at a country club and a few other restaurants in the area.
Kelsey was born and raised in West Michigan where she has always appreciated time spent at the beach and on the water during the summer months and snowboarding with friends and family up north during the winter season. In their free time, Kelsey and her husband Eric enjoy attending concerts, watching movies, grabbing a bite to eat and spending time with their niece and nephew.
Catering Sales Manager - Michigan
Kelsey started with Manna Development Group in 2020 as a Catering Lead at one of our Bread of Life cafes located in West Michigan. Prior to Panera, Kelseygraduated from Grand Valley State University where she acquired a degree in Hospitality Tourism Management. From there she worked as a Sales Manager at a country club and a few other restaurants in the area.
Kelsey was born and raised in West Michigan where she has always appreciated time spent at the beach and on the water during the summer months and snowboarding with friends and family up north during the winter season. In their free time, Kelsey and her husband Eric enjoy attending concerts, watching movies, grabbing a bite to eat and spending time with their niece and nephew.
Bridget Ackins
Catering Sales Manager - Orange County, Oregon & SW Washington
Bridget started in her position as a Catering Sales Manager in North San Diego in 2018. She now manages the Orange County, California and Northwest Region for Manna Development Group. Bridget has a gift of hospitality and loves to serve her guests to provide the best catering experience possible.
Bridget was born and raised in California where she grew up loving the beach. She has a passion for painting watercolors, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Catering Sales Manager - Orange County, Oregon & SW Washington
Bridget started in her position as a Catering Sales Manager in North San Diego in 2018. She now manages the Orange County, California and Northwest Region for Manna Development Group. Bridget has a gift of hospitality and loves to serve her guests to provide the best catering experience possible.
Bridget was born and raised in California where she grew up loving the beach. She has a passion for painting watercolors, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Jenn Karcher
Senior Delivery Operations Manager
Jenn has been with Panera Bread since 2002. She has served in many different capacities from associate to Training GM. More recently she moved into the Delivery Operations Manager role to expand Panera's guest service.
She received by Bachelors degree in Political Science from GVSU and currently reside in Rockford, MI with her husband and our three children. She serves with her church as a Sunday school leader and is also involved with Hand2Hand as well as her children's school.
Her family enjoys all things outdoors, from bugs and grubs to hitting the waves at the beach and you can find her at a soccer field most weekends.
Senior Delivery Operations Manager
Jenn has been with Panera Bread since 2002. She has served in many different capacities from associate to Training GM. More recently she moved into the Delivery Operations Manager role to expand Panera's guest service.
She received by Bachelors degree in Political Science from GVSU and currently reside in Rockford, MI with her husband and our three children. She serves with her church as a Sunday school leader and is also involved with Hand2Hand as well as her children's school.
Her family enjoys all things outdoors, from bugs and grubs to hitting the waves at the beach and you can find her at a soccer field most weekends.
Marketing Team
Meghan Anderson
Marketing Manager
Meghan has been a Marketing Manager for Panera Bread since 2016. Throughout High School and College she worked in several bakery cafes as an Associate Trainer, Shift Supervisor and Catering Coordinator. Meghan attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO and has a degree in Technical Journalism and Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. Upon graduation, Meghan worked in the marketing departments for two other restaurant concepts before ultimately coming back to Panera. Her favorite part of her job is building relationships within the cafes and communities.
She is a Colorado native and is passionate about animals including her three dogs and two cats. When she isn’t working she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, Ryan, who they welcomed in September of 2020.
Marketing Manager
Meghan has been a Marketing Manager for Panera Bread since 2016. Throughout High School and College she worked in several bakery cafes as an Associate Trainer, Shift Supervisor and Catering Coordinator. Meghan attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO and has a degree in Technical Journalism and Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. Upon graduation, Meghan worked in the marketing departments for two other restaurant concepts before ultimately coming back to Panera. Her favorite part of her job is building relationships within the cafes and communities.
She is a Colorado native and is passionate about animals including her three dogs and two cats. When she isn’t working she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, Ryan, who they welcomed in September of 2020.