Rachel L. Burnett

Starting from humble beginnings, Rachel Burnett’s introduction to the hospitality industry came through cocktail serving in some of Detroit’s most popular neighborhood bars. Before long, her hustle evolved as she gained the skills necessary to become a bartender, quickly mastering the art of high-volume service. She was later introduced to the world of craft cocktails, and through that discovery, Rachel found her true calling at the intersection of beverage creativity, hospitality operations, industry education, and storytelling.

In 2016, Rachel joined Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, a nonprofit advocacy organization for hospitality workers that helped launch the One Fair Wage campaign—an initiative created to end the federal subminimum tipped wage. After completing a fellowship with the Economic Justice Coalition of Michigan, Rachel’s leadership, advocacy, and public speaking abilities were quickly recognized. She became a leader within the organization, traveling to multiple states to increase voter engagement, speaking at rallies and on Capitol Hill, and representing hospitality workers in conversations surrounding workplace equity and economic justice.

Rachel later became a bartender instructor within the organization’s CHOW program, a hospitality-focused training and development initiative. This experience further developed her ability to educate, engage, and connect with audiences, laying the foundation for her work as a speaker, facilitator, event host, and industry educator.

In 2017, Rachel’s career evolved once again when she became a traveling bartender. Working at seasonal resorts throughout the United States—from Maine to Montana—she gained extensive knowledge and experience serving guests from diverse regions, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. During her travels, Rachel was promoted into several leadership positions, including Bar Manager, Floor Manager, and Assistant General Manager. Through these roles, she developed expertise in the business and operational sides of hospitality, including bar program development, cocktail costing, labor management, staff training, guest experience, and marketing.

In 2020, Rachel relocated to Chicago, where she spent four years deepening her expertise through hospitality leadership, cocktail program management, consulting, education, and community engagement. Now based back in her hometown of Detroit, she continues to consult with bar owners, lead educational initiatives, and support hospitality projects and creative collaborations across Detroit and Chicago.

Rachel is also the host of Pour’d Detroit, an industry-centered event series that highlights leaders within Detroit’s cocktail scene and provides a space for bartenders, beverage professionals, and other members of the bar community to convene, connect, and support one another. Through Pour’d, speaking engagements, industry events, and other live experiences, Rachel continues to strengthen her presence as an engaging host, speaker, and connector within the hospitality community.

Today, Rachel brings her combined experience in hospitality operations, beverage development, advocacy, education, speaking, storytelling, and live event hosting to the work of Conjure Hospitality Group. Her work is rooted in intention—blending craft, culture, strategy, and education to shape a more inclusive and inspired future within the hospitality industry.

Rachel Burnett has spent her career building systems, shifting culture, and creating space. With every project, she is not simply raising the bar—she is conjuring a new era of what hospitality can be.