Amanda Gunderson has seen firsthand the challenges faced by hospitality workers after spending more than two decades in the field herself. She now draws upon her inside knowledge of the industry daily in her role as CEO and Co-Founder of Another Round Another Rally.
Amanda co-founded the nonprofit that provides financial resources and support for hospitality workers in 2018 alongside partner Travis Nass after becoming increasingly aware of the inequities and inequalities plaguing the industry. Recognizing that members of marginalized communities and individuals with intersectional identities have long been underpaid and under-represented in upper-management and other high-paying hospitality roles, she and Nass set about creating an organization that would help turn the tables.
Since launching, Another Round Another Rally has given out more than $3 million in aid and helped tens of thousands of hospitality professionals and their families find not only financial assistance, but also scholarship, mentorship and career-advancement opportunities. Because immigrants, people of color and LGBTQ populations represent a significant percentage of workers who’ve faced historical inclusion in hospitality, many of Another Round Another Rally’s efforts involve breaking down language barriers, developing diversity, equity and inclusion practices, and otherwise advocating for these communities.
Amanda’s advocacy efforts on behalf of bar and restaurant workers everywhere have earned her applause industrywide, including an induction into Tales of the Cocktail’s Dame Hall of Fame, which recognizes industry leaders who make lasting contributions within the food and beverage industry. She was also the 2022 recipient of the coveted Pioneer Award from Tales of the Cocktail, which recognizes an industry alum whose efforts enhance equality and inclusiveness in bars and restaurants with regard to gender identity, race, religion and socioeconomic status.
While Amanda oversees Another Round Another Rally’s emergency and educational assistance programs, she also serves as the primary face of the nonprofit, spearheading its efforts to create more innovative, dynamic workplaces where equity and inclusion allow marginalized populations the space and safety they need to advance and thrive. She also establishes and maintains relationships with donors and supporters while staying current on existing and emerging grant opportunities.
Before diving headfirst into advocacy work, Amanda honed her hospitality skills holding virtually every role in the industry, from barback to regional brand ambassador and everything in between. She worked alongside James Beard Award-winning Chef and Humanitarian Jose Andrés and was part of the team nominated for Best American Restaurant Bar at Julian Cox’s bar at Rivera in 2012.
Most recently, Amanda served as West Coast American Whiskey Ambassador for Beam Suntory, a global leader in bourbon-making, after working at several small-batch distillers and spending a five-year stint at House of Tequila at Pernod Ricard. Prior to that, she was the Director of Product Development and Education for Congenial Spirits, where she helped introduce the United States to some of the finest craft spirits available around the globe.
Her bartending work has graced the pages of numerous industry authorities including Los Angeles Confidential and “Tequila Made Me Do It,” a tequila and mezcal cocktails recipe book.
An educator and regular at numerous industry events ranging from San Antonio Cocktail Conference and Sacramento Cocktail Week to Golden State of Cocktails and Portland Cocktail Week, Amanda also finds time to mentor up-and-coming industry talents who are hungry to make their marks in the field.