Lorietta Bahr Email & Phone Number

While studying in high school, I was introduced to the creative, fast-paced hospitality industry. This led me down a vibrant career path; working in some of New Zealand’s top bars and restaurants, managing teams, competing in national bar competitions, representing New Zealand beverage brands in South East Asia, and travelling around the world with work. An interest in expanding my knowledge of the beverage industry led to a decision to study wine through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and then later finding a role at Lion New Zealand in the role of National Wine Ambassador. In this role, I was responsible for the creation and execution of wine education for hospitality staff around New Zealand. While in my wine role, a desire to learn and increase business understanding led me to request increased responsibilities and take on Assistant Brand Management duties for Lanson Champagne.Shifting from hospitality to corporate work was an eye-opening experience. For the first time in my life I experienced what it was like to work within a business that pro-actively supported well-being. At the same time, I began to realise the systems and culture within hospitality were extremely damaging for mental and physical health. This realisation guided the creation of a proposal to Lion’s director, asking for funding to build and roll-out an initiative addressing well-being in hospitality. 5 years later, Healthy Hospo is now delivering workshops nationwide, and reaching 1000+ hospitality staff. This year, our team will be announcing an official partnership with national industry body, Hospitality New Zealand at their conference in July 2024.Healthy Hospo grabbed the attention of Lion’s Sustainability and External Relations Team, and became part of the Australasian Sustainability Strategy. That, coupled with my deep love for nature, a sense of loss over the state of our climate, an exposure to regenerative farming practices in the wine industry, and a desire to pursue a career path that would genuinely make a difference - led me to apply and successfully transition into a role as Lion New Zealand’s Sustainability Advisor in December 2021.