Job Search Status
Open to workDesired start date: Immediately
Open To Work
Hi, I’m
Ariel E. Neal
Hospitality Consultant
New Orleans,LA
Work Preference
Summary
A visionary hospitality leader and community advocate with 15+ years of experience transforming cocktail culture through marketing, education, inclusion, and holistic professional development. As the founder of Leira Knows Cocktails Events and Co-founder of industry-shifting initiatives like Causing A Stir and Good Vibes Healing Haven, I specialize in designing sustainable beverage programs, high-impact corporate activations, and wellness-centered leadership training. Dedicated to "exceeding the bar" by bridging the gap between technical excellence and emotional well-being for hospitality professionals worldwide.
Overview
11
years of professional experience
1
Certificate
2005
years of post-secondary education
Work History
TALES OF THE COCKTAILNew Orleans, LA
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT & FESTIVAL LIAISON
06.2025 - Current
Job overview
- Managed Tales Executive Penthouse suite logistics at The Ritz-Carlton, overseeing high-volume load-ins, daily operations, and sponsor partnership strategic planning meetings while maintaining budget and implementing sustainable practices.
- Strategized and executed a staffing pipeline that bridged the seasonal employment gap for local hospitality professionals by creating training, speed clinics, cocktail batching and community safety through Safe Bar Network. This lead to standard protocol for 100% venue compliance for sanctioned activations during TOTC.
- Provided a curated New Orleans experience and coordinated 12 inaugural Tales Scholars from across the globe. Ensured they were able to fulfill their program commitments and the mentorship meet up activities.
- Coordinated the global debut of the Tales Scholars program, managing 12 international participants and curating immersive exclusive New Orleans cultural experiences.
TURNING TABLESNew Orleans, Louisiana
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
04.2024 - Current
Job overview
- Specialized in creating scalable, disruptive brand educational frameworks that deliver sustainable community, economic growth and clear hospitality career path development.
- 85% Graduation rates and externship placements that ultimately results in generational financial stability.
- Spearheaded competitive skill development which includes WSet Level 2, Three Tier System and distribution training across the Greater New Orleans area.
- Scalable infrastructure developing robust operational frameworks in SOP's that allow local programming to maintain quality while trying to expand nationally.
- Curated Zero waste beverage programs that resulted lower cost per cocktail and 30% decline in operational cost.
- Trained Cohort on Public Speaking & Narrative Storytelling in community settings. This helped push confidence, creativity and innovation which helped them become successful influencers.
- Directed event logistics and high-volume production for industry-leading cocktail experiences (Popeyes Vs Don Julio at Superbowl, ensuring seamless operations and vendor coordination.
- Developed immersive brand activations that bridged the gap between education and execution through live showcases and depletion contests for the local trade community this resulted in menu placements for over 25 venues.
GOOD VIBES HEALING HAVEN Chicago, Illinois
CO-FOUNDER
01.2019 - Current
Job overview
- Co-founded a retreat consultancy delivering holistic professional development to mitigate industry burnout. Design and facilitate "Wellness Resets" in that integrate mindfulness mental health stability and inner-voice work with skill-building to foster resilience and long-term career sustainability for hospitality professionals.
LEIRA KNOWS COCKTAILS & EVENTS LLC
CEO & FOUNDER
01.2016 - Current
Job overview
- Architected a premier hospitality agency specializing in spirits-driven social and corporate events.
- Consults for global brands to design sustainable cocktail programs and inclusive event narratives.
- Build Professional hospitality communities for sustainable career development.
- Facilitates high-level educational workshops and immersive travel programs for hospitality professionals.
- Features: Ebony Magazine, Food & Wine, Tales of the Cocktail, and various industry-leading podcasts.
CAUSING A STIR (NON-PROFIT)Chicago, IL
ORIGINAL CO-FOUNDER
01.2015 - 01.2019
Job overview
- Pioneered a movement to provide education and career advancement opportunities for hospitality professionals of underserved communities.
- Developed community-focused programming that addressed systemic barriers within the beverage industry.
- Successfully advocated for diversity and inclusion across national hospitality platforms and spirit brands.
- Executed the Express Your Cocktail Challenge presented by Grey Goose and USBG
Education
Robert Morris UniversityChicago, IL
Bachelor of Science from Business Administration: Management and Marketing
University Overview
Skills
- Deliver high-quality, goal oriented results within strict timelines
- Proactive problem solver Identifying and mitigating potential pitfalls through preventative troubleshooting
- Cross functional leaderships navigating communication between internal departments and external clients
- Strategic resource allocation prioritize spending for brand impact while maintaining strict cost control and administrative efficiency
- Experiential Branding: Creating immersive "brand moments" that translate a company’s values into physical or digital experiences
Certification
- WSET Level 3 Award in spirits
- Executive Bourbon Steward
- Certified Whiskey Specialist
- SAFE Bar Network Facilitator
- USBG Master Bartender Program
Timeline
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT & FESTIVAL LIAISON
TALES OF THE COCKTAIL
06.2025 - Current
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
TURNING TABLES
04.2024 - Current
CO-FOUNDER
GOOD VIBES HEALING HAVEN
01.2019 - Current
CEO & FOUNDER
LEIRA KNOWS COCKTAILS & EVENTS LLC
01.2016 - Current
ORIGINAL CO-FOUNDER
CAUSING A STIR (NON-PROFIT)
01.2015 - 01.2019
Robert Morris University
Bachelor of Science from Business Administration: Management and Marketing
01.2005
Accolades
Accolades
- Recruiter of the Year, USBG, 2023
- Recruiter of the Year, USBG, 2024
Accolades
Accolades
- Recruiter of the Year, USBG, 2023
- Recruiter of the Year, USBG, 2024
Media
Media
- Featured In, Ebony Magazine, Food & Wine Magazine, Punch Magazine
- TV Appearances, Cocktail Swagger, On The Menu, WGN Morning News, Free Pour
- Panelist/Educator, Tales of the Cocktail, BCB Brooklyn, USBG, Multiple Industry Podcasts