Leeanne Grunow

Leeanne Grunow says the secret to her success is "to say yes to everything, even things you think you're not prepared for." That fearless, can-do attitude is why Leeanne is part of the fifth cohort of the elite Carnival Gold Scholarship program, which awards five full-ride scholarships every year to exemplary freshmen seeking an undergraduate degree in hospitality management at FIU. 

Leeanne is passionate about the food and beverage industry and believes that it elevates any event experience. Following her love for the industry, Leeanne is currently an intern at Bacardi where she serves as an ambassador for advocacy, sharing the history of the brand. She is also the founding president of The Wine Guild at FIU, a club that helps students expand their knowledge and appreciation for one of the world's most popular drinks and is an active member of the FIU Bacardi Center of Excellence and Bartenders Guild at FIU. Leeanne also received her certification from the Rioja Wine Academy. She accomplished all this while overcoming familial loss and two serious car accidents, and focusing on improving her health and strengthening her Hyper Mobility, a chronic pain syndrome. These experiences have shown Leeanne what it means to be alive, as well as to take and enjoy each new opportunity.  

As a combined bachelor and master’s degree student, after graduation, Leeanne plans to continue her hospitality studies at FIU and anticipates receiving her master's degree in Hospitality Management in Summer 2022.  

In the future, Leeanne plans to incorporate her passion for food and beverage to a future career in the hospitality industry. 

By Ivonne Yee-Amor 
Communications, PR & Marketing 
Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management