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For Danielle Ingle, hospitality has never just been a career. It has been part of her life for as long as she can remember.

Growing up in Dunedin, Danielle’s mum ran a bed and breakfast, giving her an early introduction to what hospitality is really about, welcoming people, hearing their stories and making someone feel at home, even when they are a long way from it.

More than 20 years later, that same love of people and connection continues to shape Danielle’s career. From luxury lodge operations and leadership to international trade and industry relationships, her journey has taken her across some of Queenstown’s most recognised hospitality properties, including Azur Lodge, Matakauri Lodge and Headwaters Glenorchy Eco Lodge.

But one of the biggest turning points in that journey came when Danielle made the decision to return to study at QRC at 30.

I wanted more than experience. I wanted the leadership skills and broader business understanding to back myself when bigger opportunities came along.

From Industry Experience to QRC 

By the time Danielle came to Queenstown Resort College, she already had a decade of hospitality experience behind her.

She knew the industry. She loved the pace, the creativity and, most importantly, the people. But she also knew that if she wanted to step confidently into bigger leadership opportunities, experience alone wasn’t enough.

For Danielle, studying Hospitality Management at QRC felt less like changing direction and more like building on everything she had already learned.

“Honestly, it felt like a natural next step rather than a big leap.”

Returning to the classroom after ten years in the workforce still came with its doubts. Danielle knew she could perform in the workplace, but academically, she wasn’t as sure. That uncertainty made one of her achievements at QRC even more meaningful.

Recognising Her Own Potential

During her time at QRC, Danielle went onto on to receive the Highest Academic Achievement Award.

It shifted something in how I saw myself. I realised I could hold my own in both worlds, and that was quietly huge.

It wasn’t simply an academic achievement. It gave Danielle greater confidence in what she was capable of and reinforced that the knowledge she had developed through years in the industry could sit alongside formal study.

During her time at QRC, Danielle was also involved in early research alongside Karen Murphy and Masoud Karami, exploring how students perceive careers in hospitality and tourism. She later had the satisfaction of seeing that research developed into a published paper.

A Career Shaped by Opportunity

Danielle describes her career since QRC in three words:

Far from linear

She believes that is one of the best things about hospitality.

After graduating, Danielle launched her own accommodation relief management business, exposing her to a wide range of properties, management styles and operational environments.

Earlier in here career Danielle had spent eight years at Azur, but since graduating she returned as General Manager, bringing new knowledge, confidence and a fresh perspective to a property she already knew well.

She later stepped into Operations Manager roles at Matakauri Lodge and Headwaters Glenorchy Eco Lodge, continuing to develop her experience across high-end accommodation, guest experience, leadership and operations.

Each role added another layer to Danielle’s career, but an unexpected opportunity would eventually take it in a new direction.

From Lodge Operations to International Trade

While working at Azur, founder Joanne Ross encouraged Danielle to attend TRENZ and explore whether the trade side of tourism might be a good fit. That opportunity opened Danielle’s eyes to another side of the industry.

It clicked immediately, not because I loved sales, but because I loved the storytelling, the relationships, and the chance to genuinely advocate for places and experiences I believed in.

Her role at Headwaters later evolved into Adventures in Paradise and Trade Relationship Manager, opening the door to the wider tourism industry. She has since represented New Zealand hospitality internationally, including at trade shows in Las Vegas, while building relationships with travel advisors around the world.

Industry Recognition

Being part of the teams that achieved Qualmark Gold accreditation at both Azur Lodge and Headwaters remains a particularly proud moment for Danielle.

It reflects a real commitment to guest experience and sustainability, not just a badge!

Danielle was also part of the Headwaters team when the property received recognition at the Queenstown Business Awards. For Danielle, that recognition meant celebrating the vision of founders Paul and Debbi Brainerd and the work of the wider team who had brought that vision to life

Some of Danielles proudest achievements trace all the way back to QRC. Returning to study, proving to herself that she could thrive academically, and gaining the confidence to pursue leadership positions she may otherwise have waited longer to step into.

It Always Comes Back to People

For Danielle, the opportunity to meet people from around the world, build genuine connections and play a part in creating memorable experiences is what continues to make the hospitality industry rewarding. That people-focused approach has also shaped the kind of leader she has become.

If you’re willing to keep learning and stay open, the industry keeps giving back.

Danielle is now preparing for a new chapter, stepping away from full-time work to focus on studying life and career coaching. Inspired by the founders of Headwaters and her own experience developing others, she hopes to build on what has always been one of her favourite parts of management.

Coaching others has been my favourite part of management. Now I want to learn formally how to coach, so I have more to give back to others in hospitality.

Hospitality has shaped far more than Danielle’s career. It has influenced her friendships, travel and the community she calls home, with Queenstown remaining at the centre of it all.

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