Kingston is the Managing Partner of Proof Positive, leveraging over 15 years of experience in private equity and operations to drive the company’s strategic direction. As a former Principal and CFO in private equity, he has backed and guided several high-profile operators in the city, ultimately transitioning into an operator role himself.

Kingston holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA from UC Berkeley, in addition to being a licensed CPA. His academic and professional credentials are matched by his personal achievements, including walking onto Cal’s Division 1 Track Team—a remarkable feat he frequently highlights, even though it was 20 years ago.

Lily is a Founding Partner at Proof Positive, where she provides consulting services to restaurants, tech companies, and startups at various stages of growth. Before founding Proof Positive, Lily managed Strategy and National Growth for Caviar, a premium food delivery service acquired by Square, operating in 18 cities. She also has experience in corporate finance at Apple and product marketing at Facebook.

Lily earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from UC Berkeley and an MBA from Harvard Business School—so yes, she's definitely as smart as she sounds.

Lillian is an Operating Partner at Proof Positive, where she manages all operational aspects of our Northern California locations, including payroll, compliance, live music, events, and the bottle service program at select venues.

Before joining Proof Positive, Lillian was an operations manager for a leading nightclub group, overseeing the management of some of San Francisco’s busiest and most well-known venues. In her free time, she trains in jiu-jitsu—and she's definitely the toughest person on this page.

Jesus is the Chef de Cuisine at Westwood, Wilder, and newly opened Morella, our renowned collection of restaurants in San Francisco's Marina district.

A seasoned culinary leader, Jesus spent 10 years as sous chef at Campton Place, a two-Michelin-star restaurant, before co-owning and shaping the success of Little by Little, a beloved restaurant in Fremont. Throughout his career, Jesus has been instrumental in opening multiple high-profile restaurants in San Francisco. His unparalleled work ethic and culinary expertise have made a lasting impact on our team since he joined in 2019.

Sean is the Director of Operations for Westwood, Wilder, and the newly opened Morella, a distinguished collection of restaurants in San Francisco’s Marina district. In addition to overseeing the award-winning cocktail program at each venue, Sean plays a key role in consulting on beverage strategy for our properties beyond the region.

With a wealth of expertise in beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails, Sean’s career spans notable roles at some of the most prestigious establishments in the industry, including Republic, Boboquivari’s Steak House (ranked among the top 10 steakhouses in the U.S. by USA Today), Hollow Cow, and Jaxson. His deep understanding of craft and passion for hospitality have made him a standout in the field. Outside of his professional life, Sean is a dedicated athlete, regularly training to maintain a fitness level that once nearly earned him a spot in the Major Leagues in baseball.

Carlo Gaabucayan is the General Manager of Thriller Social Club and the highly anticipated Elektra, as well as the operating partner at Eastwood in Los Angeles.

A seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and entertainment sectors, Carlo’s career began as a bar back at City Nights, where his talent and dedication quickly propelled him to the role of General Manager. He went on to manage some of the region's most iconic nightlife venues, including City Nights, Sound Factory, and Club NV—renowned for their dynamic atmospheres and capacity to host over 1,000 guests across 18+ and 21+ events.

Following his success in nightlife, Carlo shifted his focus to the restaurant and bar industry, spending three years as the Restaurant and Bar Manager at Kuletos, followed by a four-year tenure at Waterbar, where he further honed his expertise in upscale dining and operations.

Known for his commitment to fitness, Carlo is rumored to hold memberships at five gyms and has developed a reputation for impressive strength—reportedly bench pressing more than even the renowned Sean.

Shane is the General Manager of Morella, formerly serving as a manager at Wilder and Westwood after joining the team in 2020.

Shane’s interest in food and beverage brought him from a corporate chain in Albuquerque to San Francisco, where he developed his cocktail and management skills while working at Lord George and Delarosa.

You can’t miss Shane. He’s got the longest legs-to-torso ratio of any male on the planet.

Linore is the Social Media Manager for all Proof Positive concepts across Northern and Southern California. She joined our team immediately after graduating from college and has quickly made her mark.

Though relatively new to the team, Linore has already showcased a remarkable breadth of talents. She has played a pivotal role in developing and executing unique pop-up experiences, including designing and building several high-profile holiday pop-up bars. Linore also brings a strong background in apparel design and influencer marketing, helping to elevate our brand’s presence and engagement. Outside of her professional achievements, Linore is a fierce competitor with a passion for sports, having played—and now coaching—her high school’s women’s flag football team to two championships

With over 15 years of experience in esteemed establishments across the city, Justin has refined his expertise in creating exceptional experiences within the bar industry. His commitment is driven by a deep passion for family, life, and the importance of living fully in each moment, which he brings to all his professional endeavors.

Justin takes delight in exploring San Francisco's vibrant culinary scene while savoring select barrel picks from the Smoked Spirits Society, which he co-founded. Additionally, he enjoys capturing the city's unique essence through his vintage film camera. He also engages in Fantasy Football, where he has faced some challenges, having concluded the last two seasons in last place.