Owning your place in hospitality: a conversation about imposter syndrome

From the outside, hospitality is a world of confidence—fast pace, quick wit and big personalities. But behind the scenes, many of us struggle with a quieter, more persistent presence: imposter syndrome.

In this candid, conversational seminar, Elise Hanson—Bar Manager of Civil Works, winner of Bombay Sapphire’s Most Imaginative Bartender 2024, and Foodism’s Mixology Icon—shares her journey through some of the most acclaimed bars in Canada, and the self-doubt that often followed even her biggest wins.

Elise opens the door to a conversation that’s long overdue in our industry: the fear that we don’t belong, aren’t good enough, or are somehow just “faking it.” We’ll unpack how imposter syndrome shows up in every corner of hospitality—from perfectionism behind the bar to fear of failure in leadership—and how it especially affects women and marginalized folks in positions of power.

We’ll also explore strategies for quieting that inner voice, reframing what confidence really looks like, and building more emotionally intelligent, supportive workplaces. This isn’t a lecture—it’s a moment of honesty, reflection, and community.

If you’ve ever thought, “Am I supposed to be here?”—this conversation is for you.