Luna Grill Names Stephanie Atencio Chief People Officer
Restaurant and retail HR veteran Stephanie Atencio joins Luna Grill as chief people officer, bringing 25+ years of people and talent leadership.
Luna Grill Appoints New Chief People Officer
CARLSBAD, CA, UNITED STATES, November 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Luna Grill, the fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant group operating 65 locations across California, Texas and Arizona, has named Stephanie Atencio as its new chief people officer. In this role, Atencio will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Rich Pinnella and lead the company’s people strategy as the brand continues to expand.
Leading People and Talent at BJ’s Restaurants
Atencio joins Luna Grill with more than 25 years of experience heading people organizations in the restaurant, retail and global business sectors. Most recently, she spent several years at BJ’s Restaurants & Brewhouse, where she rose from human resources director to vice president of human resources and talent development and acquisition. In that position, she oversaw talent and leadership development strategies supporting more than 220 restaurants and 23,000 team members.
Global Retail Experience at Old Navy and Target
Before BJ’s, Atencio directed global learning and development for Gap Inc.’s Old Navy, with responsibility spanning North America, China and Japan. Her career also includes 16 years at Target, where she progressed through a series of human resources and operations roles, ultimately leading regions generating more than $1.2 billion in annual sales.
Atencio on Joining a Brand She Loves
“I’ve been a fan of Luna Grill for years, so joining a brand I truly love is incredibly exciting,” said Atencio. “The care this team puts into every guest experience starts with how we support our people. I’m eager to support our team members’ growth and help strengthen the culture that makes Luna Grill so special.”
CEO Highlights Culture as Key to Growth
Pinnella pointed to Atencio’s track record of building people organizations at every stage of growth. “Our people are the reason guests keep coming back to Luna Grill. Protecting and strengthening our world-class culture is essential as we grow,” he said. “She has built scalable people organizations at every stage, from founder-led brands to companies with hundreds of restaurants. She is exactly the leader we need to develop our teams, attract great talent and keep our culture strong, so we can continue our growth and sales success.”
Vickie Motte Retires After Four Years
Atencio succeeds Vickie Motte, who has retired after four years with the company. “Vickie has been a tremendous partner and champion for our team members, and we’re grateful for everything she’s given Luna Grill over the past four years,” said Pinnella. “We wish her the very best in retirement.”
About Luna Grill
Luna Grill was founded in San Diego in 2004 by husband-and-wife team Sean and Maria Pourteymour. Today the fast-casual brand operates 65 restaurants across Southern California, the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Arizona, pairing traditional hospitality with a modern take on classic Mediterranean cuisine. Its menu of flame-grilled kabobs, signature wraps, bowls and salads is made from scratch daily using antibiotic- and hormone-free proteins, fresh produce and time-honored family recipes. Guided by its mission to inspire good food and lifestyle choices, Luna Grill remains committed to sustainab