Téa Ivanovic '14
Téa Ivanovic '14
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Immigrant Food
I'm a co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Immigrant Food, a Washington D.C.-based restaurant startup that ‘marries’ innovative gastronomy with social advocacy. Immigrant Food currently has three locations in the D.C. area, and has received notable recognitions (Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas 2019, Ayuda’s Advocate of Change Award 2022, etc) for its innovative cause-casual model of integrating a social justice component into the business model since inception. I also moonlight as a commentator at Altamar, a well-respected independent international affairs podcast.
Where you've been in your career and where you are going...
My professional career includes creating and implementing strategic communications for international policy and politics at a Washington D.C. think tank, and global financial matters at a financial public and media relations firm. I was the first Washington Correspondent for Oslobodjenje, one of the oldest and most prominent news outlets in the Balkans. I was born in Belgium to parents from the former Yugoslavia and recruited to the United States by Virginia Tech’s Division 1 Varsity tennis team. I graduated with a master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). In 2022, I was named on the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 List, Washington Business Journal’s 25 Women Who Mean Business, FSR’s 40 Restaurant Stars on the Rise, and DC Fray’s 8 Trailblazing Women in Hospitality.
How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline...
Disruptive Food Startup Incorporates Gastronomy and Advocacy
How Virginia Tech equipped me for the 'real world'...
The experience of having met people from around the world (and around the U.S.) who were fellow students, and having played tennis on a competitive varsity team dealing with the ups and downs of winning and losing, gave me a taste of the complexities of the real world. I'm so grateful for that.
A key habit, practice, or skill that's worth the effort...
Waking up early and visualizing your day. Preparation is a huge part of getting things done, and keep going.
Biggest misconception about my job or industry...
I think the hospitality industry often gets a reputation of hard work for minimal pay - and many people almost look down upon servers or line cooks. In fact, the restaurant workers are some of the most resilient, intelligent and dynamic people out there!
My favorite quote...
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” — Mary Engelbreit
My hidden talent...
Remembering people's birthdays
The work project/initiative you're most excited about...
Immigrant Food is my passion project, and I'm excited to see where we go from having grown to three locations in Washington, D.C. during the pandemic. We opened in November 2019, just mere months before the pandemic hit. Through hard work and dedication we managed to expand, and we are looking to continue growing in the years ahead.
Fondest Virginia Tech memory or tradition...
Jumping at Enter Sandman, duh!
Best part of being a Virginia Tech alum...
The vast alumni network, and always being able to call Blacksburg home!
Words of encouragement to a current Virginia Tech student...
Virginia Tech is a special place. Cherish the experiences, challenge yourself, and expand your network. The moments don't last forever, but you'll always look back at the memories you made and the lessons you learned.
A cause I'm most passionate about...
Immigration, of course. It's the reason I'm here, and it's the reason America is one of the greatest countries in the world.
Last book I read...
Adultery, Paulo Coelho
If I had a superpower, it would be...
Being invisible. Not because I want to hide - just imagine all the awesome places I could witness!
The most formative experience I've had...
Dealing with people who don't believe in me. You think about the mentors in your life, the advisors and the incredible people who have shaped you. But I'm also grateful to those who have challenged me, who didn't believe in me, who may have even tried to tear me down. I'm so much stronger because of them. I may not have realized it at the time, but those experiences are some of the most formative of my entire life.