ABOUT
ILANA

“I open things”

Ilana Scher has directed some of the most ambitious real estate expansion initiatives for high-growth startups, both domestically and internationally. Leveraging a multidisciplinary background that spans culinary arts, hospitality operations, and construction design, she possesses the unique ability to adapt seamlessly across diverse industries. Ilana thrives in dynamic environments, specializing in guiding concepts from initial inception to full-scale operational reality while optimizing processes for speed and efficiency.

As a founding member of the development team at Wonder, Ilana conceptualized, designed, and launched the company’s brick-and-mortar model. She successfully scaled the program from a single test concept in 2022 to over 90 operating locations by 2025, with an additional 110 sites in the design pipeline. In this role, she manages capital projects exceeding $2M per build and serves as the Director of the Restaurant Development & Programming overseeing interior fit-out, FF&E sourcing, procurement, and development strategy.

Previously, Ilana served as the Director of Development for Wings Over, where she spearheaded a complete brand revitalization and defined the physical vision and expansion strategy for the franchise's expansion. Her expertise also extends to operational excellence; as a consultant, she utilized Lean Management, Kaizen, and Agile methodologies to drive performance optimization and significant cost savings. Earlier in her career, she was the Operations Lead & Logistics Manager for WeLive, playing a key role in developing and constructing a $100M+ micro-housing co-living concept in New York and Washington, D.C.