Kris Moon
Chief Operating Officer
Kris Moon joins a21 as Chief Operating Officer, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in the culinary and nonprofit sectors. He began his career in 2007 at the historic James Beard House in NYC as the Manager of House Operations and Events. Over the past 17 years, Kris held multiple positions within the organization, playing a pivotal role in its growth and strategic evolution into America’s preeminent culinary institution.
During his tenure at the James Beard Foundation (JBF), Kris was instrumental in transforming the Foundation from a primarily experiential nonprofit into a critical support system for the independent food and beverage industry. His notable achievements include launching and overseeing the JBF Chef Boot Camp for Policy and Change in 2012, leading the strategic planning and launch of the JBF Impact programs in 2016, and spearheading the Foundation’s Covid Relief Fund, which raised nearly $5 million to provide $15,000 grants to hundreds of independent restaurants during a challenging time.
Beginning in 2011, Kris was responsible for the Foundation’s revenue growth, successfully increasing gross revenues from just over $6 million in 2011 to over $21 million in 2024. His management of event and programmatic partnerships resulted in securing the first-ever official and exclusive partners for JBF across various sectors, including credit cards, banking, airlines, restaurant technology, and cruises, achieving more than 100% growth in partner revenue during his tenure.
From 2020-2023, Kris led the conception and launch of Platform by JBF at Pier 57 in NYC, overseeing everything from the business model development and brand creation to construction timelines and the first 18 months of operations. As a skilled and respected leader, Kris made significant contributions to the James Beard Foundation, building deep relationships within the culinary community and with numerous brands supporting the broader industry.
In his new capacity as COO of a21, beginning in January 2025, Kris will oversee the operations of all divisions within the company, management of the executive team, and the ongoing financial performance of the company. In partnership with a21 CEO Brett Friedman, Kris will support the acquisition of new assets and the company’s expansion into the Canadian and European markets.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to be part of the James Beard Foundation’s growth and evolution these past 17 years. I’ve long respected a21 as a leader in the experiential space and after learning more about the growth that has taken place and the trajectory that is ahead, I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the company during this pivotal time.” says Moon. “I look forward to drawing on my deep knowledge of the culinary and experiential spaces and the meaningful relationships I’ve cultivated throughout my career to help lead a21 into the next chapter, solidifying the agency as a global leader in live experiences.”
Kris joins a21 at a pivotal moment for the fast-growing live events company, which has steadily become the driving force behind the country’s largest and most reputable culinary festivals. At a21, Kris will leverage his extensive experience and passion for the culinary arts to drive the organization’s vision and operational excellence.
