The beverage consulting space just got a major power player. Enliven, the Nashville-based market leader in beverage strategy and vendor negotiations, has appointed industry veteran Kelly Dolan as Director of Strategic Partnerships. With over two decades of food and beverage expertise under her belt, Dolan’s appointment signals Enliven’s commitment to delivering world-class service and expanding its reach in an increasingly competitive market.
This move comes at a pivotal time for the food and beverage industry, where strategic partnerships and vendor relationships can make or break a business. As procurement directors and foodservice executives navigate complex supply chains and evolving consumer demands, having the right expertise on your side has never been more critical.
A Proven Track Record in Food and Beverage Excellence
Kelly Dolan isn’t just another industry hire – she’s a seasoned professional who’s spent 16 years mastering the art of food and beverage partnerships at some of the biggest names in the business. Her tenure with PepsiCo and Tropicana Brands Group gave her front-row access to managing multi-million-dollar brands that dominate supermarket shelves and restaurant menus across the globe.
During her time with these industry giants, Dolan managed an impressive portfolio that reads like a who’s who of American favorites: Pepsi, Tropicana, Naked Juice, Gatorade on the beverage side, plus Frito-Lay and Quaker on the food front. This isn’t just brand management – it’s understanding how complex supply chains, consumer preferences, and retail relationships work together to create lasting success.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about building strong client relationships and delivering solutions that last well beyond the initial handshake,” said Dolan. “I look forward to working with our partners to deliver strategic value, while also helping expand Enliven’s reach with new opportunities.”
Her expertise spans the full spectrum of what today’s food and beverage companies need: sales strategy, account leadership, business development, contract negotiation, and most importantly, retention. In an industry where relationships drive everything, Dolan’s track record of building enduring partnerships makes her a natural fit for Enliven’s mission.
Strategic Leadership for Complex Times
Dolan’s new role at Enliven puts her at the center of two critical functions: ensuring existing clients receive exceptional service and value, while simultaneously hunting for new partnership opportunities. It’s a dual mandate that requires both deep industry knowledge and the ability to spot emerging trends before they become mainstream.
“Kelly’s deep knowledge of food and beverage go-to-market strategies and her track record of leading national accounts make her an exceptional addition to our team,” said Tim Harms, Chief Executive Officer of Enliven. “She understands how to build enduring partnerships that deliver measurable value : exactly what Enliven is known for.”
This appointment couldn’t come at a better time. The food and beverage industry is experiencing unprecedented change, from sustainability demands to technology integration and evolving consumer preferences. Companies need partners who can navigate these complexities while delivering tangible results.
Dolan’s experience with matrix organizations – working across sales, marketing, finance, and operations – positions her perfectly to understand the multifaceted challenges facing today’s hospitality industry leaders. Whether it’s a hotel chain renegotiating beverage contracts or a restaurant group exploring new supplier relationships, her background gives her the credibility and expertise to drive meaningful outcomes.
Enliven’s Expanding Influence
To understand the significance of Dolan’s appointment, it helps to know what Enliven brings to the table. The company has carved out a unique niche in the beverage consulting space, specializing in negotiating and managing exclusive pouring rights agreements – those crucial deals that determine which beverages appear in restaurants, hotels, airports, and other hospitality venues.
Enliven’s client base spans key sectors where beverage partnerships can significantly impact the bottom line:
- Hospitality: Hotels and resorts where beverage programs affect guest satisfaction and revenue
- Healthcare: Institutions where nutrition and cost management intersect
- Restaurants: Where beverage margins often determine profitability
- Aviation: Airports and airlines with unique logistical challenges
- Convenience: Retail locations where beverage selection drives traffic
- Entertainment: Venues where beverage sales create major revenue streams
The company’s track record is impressive – they’ve delivered more than one billion dollars in savings to clients through strategically negotiated beverage programs. That’s not just cost reduction; it’s value creation that flows directly to the bottom line.
With Enliven’s recent expansion into international markets including Europe, the Middle East, and Australia, Dolan’s experience managing global brands becomes even more valuable. Understanding cultural preferences, regulatory differences, and supply chain complexities across different markets requires exactly the kind of nuanced expertise she brings.
Industry Implications and Future Outlook
The beverage consulting space is evolving rapidly, driven by several key trends that make Dolan’s expertise particularly relevant:
Supply Chain Complexity: The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, making strategic vendor relationships more critical than ever. Companies need partners who can navigate disruptions and maintain service levels even when traditional supply routes fail.
Sustainability Demands: Consumers and institutional buyers increasingly prioritize environmental responsibility. This means beverage partnerships must consider packaging, transportation, ingredient sourcing, and waste reduction – areas where Dolan’s comprehensive industry knowledge proves invaluable.
Technology Integration: From inventory management systems to customer preference tracking, beverage programs increasingly rely on sophisticated technology. Understanding how to integrate these systems across different vendors and platforms requires deep industry expertise.
Margin Pressure: Whether it’s restaurant trends for 2025 or broader economic pressures, businesses need every advantage in maintaining profitability. Strategic beverage partnerships can provide that edge.
What This Means for Food and Beverage Professionals
For hospitality managers, procurement directors, and foodservice executives, Dolan’s appointment at Enliven represents access to a higher level of strategic thinking around beverage partnerships. Her background suggests Enliven is positioning itself not just as a negotiation service, but as a true strategic partner that understands the broader business implications of beverage decisions.
This evolution reflects broader changes in how successful companies approach vendor relationships. The days of simply choosing the lowest-cost option are gone. Today’s winners understand that the right partnerships can drive revenue growth, improve customer satisfaction, reduce operational complexity, and even support broader business objectives like sustainability and community engagement.
The appointment also signals continued growth and sophistication in the beverage consulting space. As more companies recognize the strategic value of optimized beverage programs, demand for expert guidance will only increase.
Building the Future of Beverage Strategy
Dolan’s appointment comes as Enliven continues expanding its reach and capabilities. Her role will be crucial in maintaining the company’s reputation for delivering results while scaling operations to serve new markets and client segments.
The combination of her PepsiCo/Tropicana background with Enliven’s consulting expertise creates interesting possibilities. She understands both sides of the equation – how major beverage companies think about partnerships and how customers can best leverage those relationships.
For the food and beverage industry overall, this appointment reflects the growing sophistication of B2B relationships. Success increasingly depends not just on great products, but on strategic partnerships that create value for everyone involved.
The beverage consulting space has certainly found its newest power player in Kelly Dolan. Her appointment at Enliven represents more than just a personnel change – it’s a signal that the industry’s approach to strategic partnerships is evolving, becoming more sophisticated and value-driven.
For food and beverage professionals looking to optimize their vendor relationships and drive better results, having access to this level of expertise and experience could be the competitive advantage that makes all the difference.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
