Jen Ziskin is the Executive Director of Mass Restaurants United (MRU), a statewide
coalition dedicated to empowering and advocating for independent restaurants and the
hospitality industry in Massachusetts. She also serves as the Wine & Events Director
and co-owner of La Morra and Punch Bowl Brookline, which she runs with her
husband, Josh.
Jen was initiated into the restaurant business at age fifteen and has since gained deep
experience in all aspects of the industry, with a particular passion for creating
meaningful and memorable guest experiences.
In 2003, Jen and Josh opened La Morra, named after the small village in Italy where
they lived and trained after their wedding. Known for her close personal relationships
with small, family-owned vineyards around the world, Jen curates the wine lists at both
restaurants, continually sourcing unique wines from producers with whom she has
direct connections.
In 2015, they expanded to Sherborn to open Heritage of Sherborn, which they owned
and operated until 2024. Heritage allowed Jen to combine her love of hospitality, event
design, and wine into one space, hosting weddings, private functions, and wine
dinners.
In 2021, she and Josh opened Punch Bowl, a modern City Tavern in Brookline. Inspired
by the history of female innkeepers and barmaids of the late 1700s, Jen designed
Punch Bowl’s wine list to spotlight women — featuring female winemakers, vineyard
owners, and managers.
Jen is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, holds an Italian
Wine Specialist certification from the North American Sommelier Association, and is
currently pursuing her WSET Diploma. She is the Co-Host of Let’s Talk Womxn Boston,
a national movement of women entrepreneurs in food and beverage, and serves on the
Executive Board of Mass Restaurants United as Secretary — now proudly leading the
organization as Executive Director.