who we are.

 
 

We are connectors and facilitators.

Our work is rooted in our ability to connect visionaries with actionable strategies and local communities with organizations working towards the greater good.

We are a nimble team of professional strategists, analysts, and advisors with multi-dimensional backgrounds across the hospitality, social impact, and financial sectors.

 
 Read Lauren's Story
 
Meet our team
 
 

Lauren Gamboa, Founder & CEO

A business strategist with a passion for the restaurant and hospitality industries, Lauren’s background is in management consulting and strategic brand partnerships. Before founding Cultivé, she was Head of Business Development for celebrity chef Susan Feniger, where she led partnership deals with various blue chip brands including Cirque du Soleil, Goldman Sachs, MAKER Studios (Disney), Yahoo!, and The Humane Society. 

One of my most memorable meals

I felt ill one morning in grade school, so my Mom came from work to pick me up. On the way home, we stopped by a restaurant to grab some lunch. It was a fancy seafood restaurant overlooking the sea, so my Mom figured it would lift my spirits – a special lunch, just me and her. All I really wanted was a gooey grilled cheese to make me feel better and without hesitation, our waiter assured me with a smile, “We’d be happy to make it for you, in fact we make a very special grilled cheese.” To this day, it is my favorite grilled cheese, served on a buttery sourdough with a medley of cheeses melting together. Anytime I was sick or was picked up from school early, this was my Mom and my little tradition: a special treat of grilled cheeses by the sea. Years later, when we were back in San Diego, I immediately begged my Mom to go to our favorite spot so we could have what I remembered to be the best grilled cheese in the city. She laughed kindly and told me that the grilled cheese was actually never on the menu – they had made that especially for us whenever we’d stop by. To this day, I’ll never forget how something that was never on the menu, turned into the most memorable tradition and treat with my Mom. It gave me my first glimpse into the magic of hospitality. How the humblest of meals served with heart can leave an impression and help create a beautiful connection.

A childhood passion that’s still part of my life today

Handwritten letters. When I moved to Hawai’i in the 5th grade I made it a practice of writing handwritten letters to my family and friends in California. Sometimes I’d just write about how my day was or something funny that I thought my friend should know. Now in this age of instant communication, it feels grounding to handwrite a letter and connect on a more personal level with someone I care about. I also love receiving handwritten notes and handmade art from my friends and family. They are little gifts from their world to mine.

If I could host 5 influential people for a dinner gathering, they would be

Maya Angelou, Robert Frost, Antonie de Saint-Exupéry, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Ansel Adams

A social cause I feel strongly about

Food accessibility. I believe that everyone deserves the right to be nourished. So much of our development is directly impacted by food, like our learning, focus, and overall health and wellbeing. It breaks my heart to know that people who are part of the agricultural business in our country and provide the food we have on our tables every day aren’t given fair wages to be able to eat the food they harvest. I would like to see more transparency around corporate social responsibility so that brands are genuinely held accountable for showing up and directing funds to communities that need it.

 
 

Linh Tu, Media Relations

Linh brings her love of international travel and food to her role overseeing media relations for hospitality clients. Having lived abroad in Asia and Europe, she has always been drawn to diverse cultures and genuine human (social) connections. A natural relationship builder, she prides herself on meaningful collaborations and storytelling.

One of my most memorable meals

My most memorable meal was in Vietnam when I tried cá kho tộ — caramelized and braised fish in a clay pot — for the first time. It is a classic Vietnamese dish that is both savory and sweet. Now I love anything cooked in a clay pot. Braised pork belly and eggs is another classic. They remind me of traditional home cooking and family meals. 

If I could host 5 influential people for a dinner gathering, they would be

Anthony Bourdain, Jane Austen, Stephen Colbert, Queen Elizabeth I, and Amelia Earhart

Words I live by

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”

Notable Clients

Hotel Hugo in NYC, Menin Hospitality in Miami, The Light Group (Hakkasan Group) in Las Vegas, James Beard Award-winners Ken Forkish and Vitaly Paley in Portland, Castagna Restaurant in Portland, Brooks Wine in Willamette Valley

 
 

Natalia Bourke, Client Relations

Natalia is a creative innovator, skilled in building and accelerating brands. She began her career in distilled spirits, working for the world leading Irish Whiskey brand, Jameson. Her success and bilingual capabilities took her from Europe to Mexico, and then the US, to drive growth, events, partnerships and advocacy for the Pernod Ricard Irish Whiskey brands. Natalia specializes in forming a unique link between operations, marketing and communications with a passion for sustainability, design and social responsibility.

One of my most memorable meals
If I could host 5 influential people for a dinner gathering, they would be
A social cause I feel strongly about
Words I live by
 

“Lauren is a true talent and an absolute delight to collaborate with. In addition to a superb work ethic, she brings her unique perspective to every issue, which drives sound, timely resolutions. She is the rare individual who combines exceptional professional talent with outstanding interpersonal skills – a pleasure in all regards!”

— Amanda Wiss | Senior Vice President of Citibank Global Retail Banking