“Combining a clear hospitality ethos with the professional grit of a seasoned executive, Michaela Finlayson embodies the future of the restaurant industry. She is a powerhouse of integrity, a relentless developer of people and undeniably a Rising Star,” according to her nominator Doug Warner, Chief Solutions Officer for Your 3rd Spot.
“What truly sets Mich apart is her commitment to ‘radical candor,’” he adds. “She fosters psychological safety while maintaining an uncompromising standard for excellence, ensuring her team never gets stuck in place.”
Beginning in hospitality at age 15, Finlayson is already an accomplished mentor at age 27. She has already helped guide several hourly team members at Y3S into leadership roles, and she has experienced an explosive growth trajectory herself, growing from server to General Manager at Your 3rd Spot in just three years.
Guided by a strong relationship with her mother, with whom she shares a birthday, and strong female mentors such as Isabell Williams, her former manager at Longhorn Steakhouse, Finlayson now savors the opportunity to help guide other women in the hospitality industry.
“The first thing I do is keep it real. I’m honest about the good, the bad and the uncomfortable. I believe in telling people what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. Growth doesn’t come from comfort—it comes from clarity,” she says.
“Every woman has her own version of a ‘hard thing’—whether it’s confidence, boundaries, communication or stepping into authority. I encourage them to lean into that discomfort rather than avoid it. When you face it head-on and push through, there’s a sense of renewal and confidence that follows. That’s where real transformation happens.”
She owes her own success to the discipline she tries to bring to work each day. “I’ve remained gritty and curious throughout my time here, which I believe showed that I was hungry to learn and grow. I also think being coachable, taking time to self-reflect, and then making the necessary pivots, has allowed me to continue growing through repetition and refinement.”
Her journey at Your 3rd Spot, “has been my greatest success because of what it required from me. I had to lean into discomfort, release roles I had already mastered and step into rooms where the expectations were higher. I learned how to lead diverse teams, make difficult decisions, intentionally build culture and ground myself in moments of doubt.”
Warner calls her a “unicorn leader,” adding, “Mich has mastered the rare balance between high-level operational acumen—P&L’s, labor and cost management—and outstanding emotional intelligence.” He explains further: “She leads with a stoic, calming presence that earns respect from both guests and a large, multi-departmental team.”
Where does she go from here? “A major future goal of mine would be assisting with opening new locations. I’ve heard those experiences are challenging but incredibly rewarding, when you look back six months to a year later and see everything that was built.”
For now, she plans to keep learning, and to see more of the world. Dubai and Japan stand out as her most memorable trips so far, and Thailand is high on her list next. She also plans to keep encouraging her team however she can.
“Knowing someone is in your corner, challenging you and cheering you on at the same time, can make the difference between shrinking back and stepping fully into your potential.”
Read More About the Other 2026 Rising Stars
Frank Fodor
Austin Goetzman
Remy Loet
Sebastián Montero-Hernández
Alexandria Rogers
Richard Wilson
Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Georgia Natural Gas, and table sponsors, Society Insurance and Savannah Distributing, for making this event possible:
Presenting Sponsor
Table Sponsors
Savannah Distributing and Society Insurance
