California Restaurant Foundation Elects Wayne Hilston as New Chair of the Board of Directors. Photo courtesy of the California Restaurant Foundation

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The California Restaurant Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit that invests in and empowers California restaurants and its workforce, has elected Wayne Hilston as its new Chair of the Board of Directors. A proud and active CRF Board member since 2019, Hilston has served as Second Vice Chair and Vice Chair overseeing the Investment Committee, where his leadership has been instrumental in advancing the foundation’s mission to provide financial support and volunteer participation for key initiatives, including Restaurants Care and ProStart. Hilston’s term began Sept. 1 and will continue through Aug. 31, 2025.

“I am honored and humbled to continue supporting California Restaurant Foundation as its newly elected Foundation Chairman,” said Hilston. “It is inspiring to see the impact CRF has had on California’s restaurant community, its workers and the students who will become the industry’s future leaders. I am excited to amplify the foundation’s mission as Chairman and look forward to continuing my advocacy for CRF and its remarkable programs.”

Touting more than 35 years in commercial insurance with an emphasis on serving the hospitality community, Hilston brings a wealth of industry knowledge and dedication to his new role as CRF Chairman. Hilston has served as Vice President of Sales for Programs and Payroll Alliances at EMPLOYERS® for nearly a decade, where he has developed a deep passion for working with business owners across the breadth of the restaurant and hospitality industry. EMPLOYERS has had a long-term relationship with the California Restaurant Association (CRA), a member-driven restaurant advocacy group that oversees CRF, to which it has lent Workers’ Compensation knowledge and guidance to CRA’s member community since 2006.

"We are thrilled to welcome Wayne Hilston as the new Chair of our Board of Directors, as his extensive experience with the hospitality industry, coupled with his deep commitment to our mission, makes him the perfect leader to guide us through this next chapter,” said Alycia Harshfield, Executive Director of CRF. “His vision and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to support and uplift California’s restaurant community."

Outside of his work with CRF and EMPLOYERS, Hilston is an avid sports fan and enthusiastic outdoorsman. He and his wife Monica have four children and four grandchildren.

For more information about the California Restaurant Foundation and its initiatives, please visit www.calrestfoundation.org.