Amanda Lai offers nearly a decade of cross-functional retail and food industry expertise in her consulting engagements at McMillanDoolittle, leveraging multidisciplinary knowledge in strategic planning, sales, marketing, concept development and real estate to craft comprehensive strategies that help her clients win.
She leads McMillanDoolittle’s food industry practice and has experience working alongside partner firms, real estate agencies, technology solution providers, architects, designers, construction managers and law firms to ensure strong execution for her clients in North America, Europe and Asia. She is a regular guest analyst on the TD Ameritrade Network; a keynote speaker at industry conferences including the FMI - Food Industry Association and National Grocers Association; and a subject matter expert quoted in publications including The Chicago Tribune, Progressive Grocer and Winsight Grocery Business. Key client engagements include Emart (South Korea), The Fresh Market, Sprouts, Bristol Farms, Metropolitan Market, New Seasons Market, Roche Bros, Dom’s Kitchen & Market and more.
Lai began her career at PepsiCo, where she managed sales and beverage assortments for customers such as 7-Eleven, CVS and Walgreens. She also has experience in promotional marketing at global advertising conglomerate WPP, where her client roster included Kellogg’s, Dunkin’ Donuts and Snapchat.
She was named a Rising Star of Consulting by Consulting Magazine in the category of Retail Excellence and a GenNext Award honoree by Progressive Grocer for her contributions as a young professional to the food industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in retail merchandising, marketing and global studies from the University of Minnesota.