DALLAS — Kelli Valade, president of Chili’s Grill & Bar, is stepping down to pursue an opportunity outside of the company, following a 22-year career with Brinker International, Inc. Wyman Roberts, president and chief executive officer of Brinker International, will assume the role of Chili’s president in the interim.

“I’m not sure I can find the words to express how extremely proud I am of Kelli and all that she's accomplished,” Mr. Roberts said. “I’ve seen firsthand the impact she’s made at Brinker and Chili’s and now she will help impact the entire industry.”

Ms. Valade has been named president and c.e.o. of restaurant industry insights and analytics firm TDn2K, the parent company of People Report, Black Box Intelligence and White Box Social Intelligence.

Mr. Roberts previously was president of Chili’s for more than seven years before Ms. Valade stepped in in June 2016. Prior to that, she was executive vice-president and chief operating officer for Chili’s.

“This was an incredibly tough decision to leave a brand that I absolutely love and taught me the power of making people feel special,” she said.