Originally from Atlanta, A-K Hada began her career in the industry after moving to New York in 2012 working with the then new Major Food Group. Under the tutelage of Jim Meehan and Jeff Bell, A-K joined the team at PDT in 2014 where she eventually served as the Head Bartender. She has also helped lead the Cocktail Apprentice Program at Tales of the Cocktail. In 2017 and 2018, A-K was a National Finalist in the Diageo World Class competition and she was a judge for the Bacardi Legacy Nationals in 2019. After nearly six years at PDT, A-K left to be a General Manager at Dave Arnold and Don Lee’s bar Existing Conditions and helped lead the beverage programs for two of Dante’s collaborations with Jean George in NY and the Snow Lodge in Aspen. She began her current role as the North American Brand Ambassador for Bacardí in spring 2021.