Founder & CEO

Meet Sergio M. Espinoza, the founder and CEO of Manka! Originally hailing from Lima, Peru, Sergio made his way to the U.S. in 1991. After spending most of his life in Hartford, CT, he ventured to Providence, RI to pursue his passion at Johnson & Wales University. There, he earned his degree in culinary arts and food service management. Sergio has been deeply involved in the food service industry since the young age of 17, holding various positions and successfully managing restaurants for 9 years before venturing out to start Manka. One of the things that sets Sergio apart is that he’s one of the few ServSafe instructors in New England who conducts the servsafe manager course in Spanish. Sergio’s expertise lies in restaurant food safety and restaurant construction project management.

Business Development Director

Ana is our amazing Director of Business Development! Ana’s role involves finding new business opportunities and working with our management team to create plans that support the company’s growth and expansion goals. She’s a lawyer with an MBA and is known for her positive and cheerful attitude. On top of that, she’s also the co-founder of Graff Inc., a startup that was launched in Boston in 2022!

Strategic Marketing Director

Meet Juliana, our amazing Strategic Marketing Director! She brings a wealth of expertise with her master’s degrees in International Marketing and Finance. Fluent in Spanish, English, and French, she excels in creative problem-solving and has a deep passion for fitness and travel. Juliana’s extensive experience and diverse skill set drive our marketing strategies to achieve global success.

Administrative Manager

Meet Thalia from Providence, Rhode Island! She found her passion for the food service industry while studying at the University of Rhode Island and has over 7 years of experience. Thalia has been with Manka, previously known as We Serve Safely, from the start. When she’s not working, she loves traveling, dancing, and exploring new restaurants.

Business Development & Operations Specialist

Meet Lucas, our dedicated Business Development & Operations Specialist! Despite being Argentinian, Lucas humorously admits he’s not great at soccer—and even worse at dancing. However, he makes up for it with a deep love for writing, having participated in several literature and short story workshops. His creative mindset, combined with his passion for operational excellence, drives innovation and growth in every aspect of our business.

Founder & CEO

Senior Specialist in Food Production Design and Process Engineering

Meet Johann, our expert Senior Specialist in Food Production Design and Process Engineering! With over 18 years of experience in the food sector and a specialization in food safety, Johann has implemented efficient processes that have significantly boosted profitability and operational optimization while meeting the highest safety standards. His background in haute cuisine and food safety allows him to reduce costs and optimize resources without sacrificing quality. Johann has led teams and crafted transformative strategies across more than 28 food and beverage projects, consistently elevating operational success.

Fun fact: Johann loves playing guitar, enjoys cycling, and—despite his culinary expertise—has yet to master dancing!

Meet Camila, our incredible Construction Operations Manager! With a sharp eye for detail and a strong background in project execution, she ensures that every build runs smoothly from start to finish. Camila’s passion for global cuisine fuels her creativity—she loves experimenting with recipes from around the world. When she’s not on-site, you’ll find her embracing the seasons with outdoor sports like skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. Her energy and versatility bring strength and balance to our operations team.