Writing - (I have a novel in the works); baking and cooking; walking; interior design
Wendy Voegelin
Auckland,AUK
Summary
Dynamic and commercially savvy Food & Beverage Sector Specialist with over 20 years of multi-disciplinary experience, consistently delivering innovative concepts and outcomes across private and public sectors. Proven ability to provide strong vision and strategy while fostering high-quality partnerships that drive positive organizational and sector growth. Equipped with exceptional problem-solving skills and a commitment to continuous learning, dedicated to enhancing team success and achieving impactful results. Eager to embrace new challenges and advance organizational objectives with enthusiasm and a strategic mindset.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Economic Growth Advisor | Director
Kismet Culinary | Wendy Voegelin
08.2022 - Current
- Kismet Culinary is an innovative consultancy in the Hospitality, Food and Beverage & Tourism sector that supports local businesses to grow and develop, to consider new pathways and options to make their vision come alive.
- Kismet Culinary uses its combined expertise of project planning and design, creativity, and business partnerships to develop and deliver innovative projects and initiatives from concept development, management and marketing to delivery.
Growth Programme Specialist | Food & Beverage
ATEED | TATAKI AUCKLAND UNLIMITED
03.2014 - 08.2022
- Tataki Auckland Unlimited lays a strong foundation for Auckland’s economic and cultural development, delivering a co-ordinated, region-wide programme to maximise cultural, social and economic benefits for Auckland residents and visitors. Tataki Auckland works with partners to grow Auckland’s innovation culture, support growing businesses and key industries; and attract foreign direct investment, international events and visitors from around the world.
- Major Achievements:
- Developed and designed a high-value framework, Government funded project in the Food & Beverage Sector – ‘From the Ground Up’ working with key industry partners (Company Managers, Business Associations, growers) and sector stakeholders such as TCDC to build value and volume for the Food and Beverage sector
- Accessed funding ($250k) for ‘From the Ground Up’ – from deleted ‘and’ stakeholder partners
- Created the vision for project partners to consider longer-term opportunities such as the development of innovation hubs and value add products to create visibility and a consumer interface
- Invited to be an Advisor on and support an international documentary on innovation in the horticulture & seafood sector for Netflix KJ can we delete this please as it is in early stage development and highly confidential. I can add this to my CV once underway
- Collaboratively working with international partners, local iwi and indigenous groups to deliver a major Food & Beverage event with an expected audience of 2000-3000 from NZ and around the world. This will be inspired by New Zealand’s history and culture and provide integration between indigenous cultures worldwide
- Travelled to San Francisco and researched how migrant women in the neighbourhood can rebuild a community through the F & B industry. The initiation of the ‘Kitchen Project’ to support start-up food and beverage businesses was the outcome of this
- Represented New Zealand at the World Food Travel Association Summit in Sweden in 2017 presenting the winning bid to host the event in Auckland
- Judge for the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) start-up food entrepreneur programme (over a 3-year period)
- Judge (and face) for ‘Foodstarter’ powered by New World Supermarkets and Ministry of Awesome – a national innovation competition searching for New Zealand’s most innovative food and beverage product
- Key-note speaker at industry forums – EAT NZ; Destination Coromandel
- Got the buy-in and support from key stakeholders such as Auckland Council to connect with F & B suppliers and distributors
- Concept design, development and delivery of ‘Auckland on the Menu’ (5 years) – a hosted trade event for 20 + innovative food and beverage businesses at the Auckland Food Show. This created new pathways for niche and artisan start-up businesses in Auckland and the Coromandel
- Mentored food and beverage businesses across New Zealand from start-up to high-value delivery. This enabled businesses to develop a platform for growth and self-belief
- Attended ‘Global Table 2019’ in Melbourne Australia representing the Auckland region. Built connections and enduring partnerships with global F & B leaders considering how climate change will affect the world’s food systems.
Rural Development Specialist | South
AUCKLAND TOURISM EVENTS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LTD | ATEED
10.2010 - 03.2014
- Tamaki Makaurau Auckland’s economic and cultural agency - committed to making the region a desirable place to live, work, visit, invest and do business.
- Major Achievements:
- Presented economic development strategies at the Rural Industry Advisory Group which created an increased awareness of the importance and contribution of Auckland’s rural sector to the Auckland economy
- Built strategic, high value relationships with growers and producers which has enabled on-going work toward developing strategic initiations to grow the sector
- Developed a concept for Pukekohe to highlight the value of its productive rural hinterland which has provided a blue-print for town centre development and a culinary tourism proposal
- Design and development of the Franklin Food Junction F & B incubator which enabled a consortium of investors to consider investing in business development in the region
- Responsibilities:
- Developing concepts to grow the rural economy with industry partners
- Project management and design for harvesting waste streams from vegetable processing
- Destination management based on a productive rural economy
- Reporting to Auckland Council’s Rural Advisory Group
Visitor Experience Manager
Enterprise Franklin Development Trust
07.2007 - 10.2010
- Major Achievements:
- Identified opportunities to attract investment into the Franklin region which has resulted in attracting new business into the region
- Organised the Australian/NZ V8 Supercars event growing the economy and positioning Pukekohe on a global stage in the motorsport sector
- Implemented and identified a number of highly effective campaigns to promote Franklin as a destination drawing visitors to the area
- Developed and delivered a producer-based farmers market for Pukekohe creating visibility around the area’s rural economy
- Re-designed the Visitor i-sites concept to increase visitation “Where will you go today” We’ll help you get there…” which optimised the region’s visitor economy
- Developed and framed the concept “Franklin – the FoodBowl of the Auckland region to provide a focus for future work and actions from sector, tourism and local government groups
- Responsibilities:
- Identifying opportunities to grow the Franklin visitor economy
- Developed a strategy for the promotion and marketing of the Franklin region
- Preparation and design of marketing and promotion materials
- Establishing a benchmark for a high-quality visitor experience
- Working with local businesses and organisations to promote the district
- Enterprise Franklin Development Trust is located in Pukekohe, Auckland Region. This business works in the following industries: Social work, Community & Government, and Business Services. They primarily provide Business support service activities, activities of membership organizations, and other social work activities to improve the economic growth and development in the region.
Business Development Manager
Enterprise Franklin Development Trust
07.2005 - 06.2007
Skills
- Strategic analysis
- Strong relationship management
- Effective written communication
- Strong business insight
- Skilled in critical thinking
- Motivated problem solver
- Proficient in delivering engaging concepts
- Promotional strategy development
- Results-oriented
- Stakeholder engagement expertise
- Strategic planning and execution
- Project planning and oversight
- Independently motivated
- Facilitation and development expertise
- Strong F & B sector understanding and engagement
Interests
Timeline
Economic Growth Advisor | Director
Kismet Culinary | Wendy Voegelin
08.2022 - Current
Growth Programme Specialist | Food & Beverage
ATEED | TATAKI AUCKLAND UNLIMITED
03.2014 - 08.2022
Rural Development Specialist | South
AUCKLAND TOURISM EVENTS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LTD | ATEED
10.2010 - 03.2014
Visitor Experience Manager
Enterprise Franklin Development Trust
07.2007 - 10.2010
Business Development Manager
Enterprise Franklin Development Trust
07.2005 - 06.2007
Interests | Volunteer Experience
Providing mentorship for start-up food and beverage businesses on their pathway to growth (volunteering my time), Supporting community groups regarding accessing kitchen facilities, equipment and food products to support food provision in high need communities, Paddle-boarding, kayaking, Motorsports – Member of the MX-5 and New Zealand Mustang car clubs
Qualifications & Professional Development
- Massey University – extra-mural studies toward a BA in Psychology, Personnel Management and Linguistics
- American Hotel & Management Assn – Tutor in Hospitality Management
- Project Management – PRINCE 1 & 2