Justine Ochal: 40 Under 40

This past week, Albany Business Review rolled out their 40 under 40 honorees for 2023. Our Director of Strategic Alignment and HR, Justine Ochal, was honored this year for her hard work, dedication and leadership over the past 24 years of her career at Mazzone Hospitality. 

"The Business Review has been honoring young professionals in the region for over two decades. Past 40 Under 40 winners have risen to the tops of their companies. They are entrepreneurs and dealmakers, job creators and innovators. And most importantly, they continue to shape the Capital Region." (Albany Business Review)

Justine started working with Angelo, our founder, when she was 16 years old working as a busser in the restaurant that once lived inside Glen Sanders Mansion. Justine quickly grew her role in the company becoming the youngest manager at the age of 20. Over the past few years, she has taken on her role as known today, Director of Strategic Alignment and HR. She is a leader in both Mazzone Hospitality and in our community. 

Being a part of the Executive Mentorship Program for the Capital Region Chamber Young Professional Network as a mentor, she shows her commitment to helping others and sharing her knowledge. The Executive Mentorship Program, presented by our Young Professionals Network (YPN), connects ambitious young professionals with high-level business leaders to support each other’s professional and personal development throughout their career. 

Her work with the Executive Mentorship Program for the Caption Region Chamber Young Professional Network is just a small piece of the work Justine does in our community. Sitting as VP of Outreach for Steven's Elementary PTA, spearheading donations in our company like: Things of My Very Own, which helps families in need in the Capital District, especially during the holiday season, and being an active member of her church in Schenectady for over a decade. 

Throughout her career, Justine has worked hard to get to where she is. Being the first C-Suite female in our organization, she is opening doors and creating seats at bigger tables for her team across the organization. Amplifying every voice of our team, doing the work along side us, and never shying away from a challenge. When Mazzone Hospitality was acquired in 2017 by Compass Group, fierce ambassador for the pillars our company was built on was added to her already impressive resume.  

We are so proud of Justine for this accomplishment and can't wait to see what comes next!