Kendra Anderson
Owner + Managing Partner | MQ Consulting Group
Kendra Anderson is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of MQ Consulting Group. Kendra was inspired to launch MQCG in 2020 in order to merge her professional career paths with her personal passions: entrepreneurship, hospitality concepting and operations, strategic management consulting, and DEI-focused advocacy.
Prior to launching MQ Consulting group, Kendra was the creator, owner and operator of bar helix, {winner Westword Denver and 5280 Best New Bar 2018, and Eater Denver’s 2018 Bar of the Year}, a modern, elevated bar + restaurant concept located in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood. She subsequently created and launched Cabana X, a tropical destination-themed, pop-up restaurant. as the only BIPOC female bar owner in the city, Kendra leveraged her experience as a professional chef, advanced sommelier, and event planner along with her personal relationships and social media prowess to curate two of the most inclusive, diverse spaces in the Mile High City.
Before launching bar helix, Kendra owned and operated flavor catering + event planning from 2003-2008, which she transitioned in 2011 to SwirlGirl Denver, a sommelier + wine consulting and event management business. from 2010 to 2013, she authored a weekly column on wine + culture for the Denver Westword, and contributed content to other publications including Colorado Homes + Lifestyles and Wine + Spirits.
Kendra gives back to the Denver community by serving as a board member of the EatDenver Coalition of Independent Restaurant Owners, Women Inspiring Leaders (WIL), and Clayton Contributes Fund. She also served on Mayor Michael B. Hancock’s Economic Relief and Recovery Council, established to develop policy designed to support restaurateurs responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kendra’s education includes the University of Denver, the Cook Street School of Culinary Arts, and the International Sommelier Guild. Kendra is a Professional Chef and an Advanced Sommelier."
