Having a social purpose is no longer an emerging trend, it's a requirement for every business.
Innovative entrepreneur and passionate change-maker, Lisa King is the founder of Eat My Lunch, one of New Zealand’s most successful social enterprises tackling child poverty.
After spending 15 years in the fast-paced world of FMCG marketing with global brands like Unilever, Fonterra, Heinz Wattie’s, and Cadbury, Lisa turned her expertise to a new purpose. In 2015, she launched Eat My Lunch with a bold mission: to ensure no child in Aotearoa goes to school hungry. Through a buy-one, give-one model, the initiative quickly gained momentum and has since delivered over one and a half million lunches to children in need across the country.
Her belief that business should be a force for good reshaped expectations of corporate responsibility in New Zealand. Lisa's ability to fuse commercial success with social impact has not only transformed lives but also inspired a new wave of purpose-driven ventures.
In 2020, she expanded her impact by launching AF Drinks, a line of alcohol-free beverages designed for the sober curious — challenging drinking culture and helping people reimagine their relationship with alcohol.
Lisa’s work has earned widespread recognition. She was named the 2019 MYOB Woman Entrepreneur of the Year and went on to represent New Zealand at the international awards in Paris. She was a finalist for New Zealander of the Year the same year, praised for her creativity, drive, and vision. Other accolades include being an EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, a two-time Women of Influence winner, and receiving a Local Hero Award in 2016.
Eat My Lunch has also been recognised with business awards including the Deloitte Fast 50 Rising Star, Westpac Business Awards, and TVNZ Marketing Awards — testament to Lisa’s ability to blend purpose with performance.
Talking Points
Eat My Lunch and COVID-19:
In this session, Lisa shares how Eat My Lunch survived COVID-19 by pivoting their business while still keeping to their mission!
Eat My Lunch and COVID-19:
Creating a social enterprise
Creating a social enterprise
Collaboration and partnerships
Collaboration and partnerships
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
Marketing
Marketing
How clever business solutions can solve big social issues
How clever business solutions can solve big social issues
Video
Woman of Influence: Lisa King, Eat My Lunch
Lisa King is our 2016 Women of Influence Business Enterprise Award Winner and Founder of Eat My Lunch. Here's how she used her commercial experience to build a business that helps address a social issue in a sustainable and meaningful way.Lisa was voted the best speaker not only for the amazing work she and the team at Eat My Lunch are doing to help kids in need but for her strong and unique business model. Lisa had many a qu ... keep reading NZ Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Lisa was wonderful so humble and inspiring! The people who attended our conference were blown away by her and all that she has achieved in such a short time. I am sure they will be buying/using Eat My Lunch in the future
