Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Awards 74 Recipients with $174,700 in 2022
The mission of the non-profit is to foster the next generation, cultivate leaders, feed the talent pipeline, and promote greater diversity, equity and inclusion in wine, beer and spirits.
September 28, 2022 (New York, NY) – Women of the Vine & Spirits, the all-encompassing global membership organization, dedicated to boldly pushing the wine, beer and spirits industry toward a more diverse, equitable and inclusive era, announced today its non-profit arm, the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3), has awarded scholarships to 74 deserving candidates, totaling $174,700 in total funds given in 2022, bringing the total amount of scholarships awarded since its inception in 2017 to $595,600.
The Foundation received 304 applications from candidates in 30 Countries, including Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“Once again, the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation received a plethora of outstanding applications from individuals worldwide,” said Deborah Brenner, President of Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation. “I am so honored to celebrate this year’s recipients for their incredible achievements, and I am so grateful to our Donors, Committee Members, and our Board. Together, we are crafting a better world for women in wine, beer and spirits.”
For the fourth year in a row, E. & J. Gallo Winery donated $100,000 as a Patron Donor to its namesake “Women Behind the Wine” Educational Fund, and the Foundation received generous donations from 14 additional companies in 2022. It is through the ongoing generosity of WOTVS Donors that the Foundation has been able to continue to increase the number of annual scholarships awarded, promoting greater access to continued education and professional development. For a list of all 2022 donors visit wotvsfoundation.org/our-donors.
Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Scholarship Recipients Supported by Our Generous Donors:
Professional & Leadership Development Scholarship: Sarah Andrew, Victoria, Australia. Student Educational Scholarship: Marie Berson, Saint Macaire du Bois, France; Laura DeOliveira, San Francisco, CA; Snehal Deshmukh, Nashik, India; Limor Finkel, Mill Valley, CA; Leyla Gonzalez, Pasco, WA; Victoria Terrill, San Luis Obispo, CA. Continuing Education Scholarship: Kirsten Ainslie, Glasgow, Scottland; Miriam Chambers, Sacramento, CA; Juanita Diusaba Yusunguaira, Bogotá, Colombia; Charese Embree, Santa Rosa, CA; Miriah Falce, Manson, WA; Anna Maksimova, British Columbia, Canada; Debra Mortillaro, Pittsburgh, PA; Sophia Mumbi, Nairobi, Kenya; Chijindu Peace Onwuchekwa, Lagos, Nigeria; Morgan Plew, San Francisco, CA; Emma Rangsinee Promjant, Bangkok, Thailand; Tonya Rawe, Washington, DC; Elise Vaux, West Des Moines, IA. WSET Level 1 Award in Wines: Karen Freyre, Miami, FL; Runasi Assante Perry, Demerara, Guyana; Britt Spears, Silver Spring, MD. WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits: Antonia Davis, Cincinnati, OH; Becca Goldklang, Gardena, CA; Keiani Worrell Thomas, Nassau, Bahamas. WSET Level 1 Award in Sake: Caitlin Burdick, Austin, TX. WSET Level 2 Award in Wines: Tanisha Edwards, Brooklyn, NY; Carolyne Wairimu, Kiambu, Kenya. WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits: Mollie Reese, Surprise, AZ; Alma Leticia Robles Valdez, Guadalajara, Mexico. WSET Level 3 Award in Wines: Nina Keyser, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Ty Morrison, Houston, TX. WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits: Connie Lee, British Columbia, Canada; Jaya Mootoo, Ontario, Canada. WSET Level 3 Award in Sake: Zaloren Gonzalez Fontes, Mexico City, Mexico. WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines: Mackenzie Pedersen, Seattle, WA. Executive Leadership Program Scholarship to Attend DISCUS Academy: Elana Effrat, Washington, DC; Lauren Reynolds, Crestwood, KY. Developing Leadership Program Scholarship to Attend DISCUS Academy: Lindsay Parmele, Lemont, IL; Otesha Mosley-Bremond, Los Angeles, CA; Ashley Noble, Brooklyn, NY.
Women Behind the Wine Fund Scholarship Recipients Supported by Patron Donor E. & J. Gallo Winery:
Elizabeth Smyth Student Scholarship: Paige Breen, Raleigh, NC. Masters of Wine Scholarship: Cristina Mercuri, Milan, Italy; Carrie Rau, Ontario, Canada. Fuel Your Dreams Award: Gillian Allen, Carlsbad, CA; Hayley Aubin, Los Angeles, CA; Robin Bogue, Central Coast, CA; Jon’ll Boyd, Silver Spring, MD; Nicole Chaffin, Cincinnati, Ohio; Claudia Chamberlain, Arlington, VA; Victoria Chitko, Athens, GA; Elisa Cordova, Phoenix, AZ; Hope Cortez, Fort Mill, SC; Fallon Ely, Fiddleton, CA; Anne Estrada, Los Angeles, CA; Jessica Forster, Buffalo, NY; Morgan Gray, Santa Rosa, CA; Glycine Jiang, Ithaca, NY; Kenda Jones Waugh, New Orleans, LA; Yasmin Kahn, Fairfield, CA; Alexsandra Lesnak, Hilton Head, SC; Milé Lin, Orange County, CA; Andie McKinnon, Charlotte, NC; Charity Potter, Temecula, CA; Erika Quintana, Los Angeles, CA; Karin Rockstad, Burnsville, MN; Alexa Rodriguez, Miami, FL; Nancy Sharp, Oaktown, VA; Merisa Soluri, Watertown, NY; Christina Vizcaino, Windsor, CA; Amanda Voyles, Cape Coral, FL; Sydney Werry, Indian Wells, CA; Ashley Whitfield, Donovan, Tulsa, OK.
2022 Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Donors:
Patron ($100,000+): E. & J. Gallo Winery; Benefactor ($15,000-$34,999): Beam Suntory, Edrington, ForceBrands, Love, Tito’s; Affiliate ($5,000-$14,999): Breakthru Beverage, Grounded World, ReserveBar, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; Supporter ($1,000-$4,999): Bordeaux Wines / Gregory + Vine, Scott Laboratories Inc., The Women of Stone ERG; Friend ($100-$999): Kendra Scott, Montanya Distillers, The Spearhead Group.
Overseeing the growth and development of the non-profit is Executive Director, Tara Davey, alongside the Board of Trustees, led by Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits; Béatrice Cointreau, President & CEO, byBC Wines; and Richard Tobin, CPA, CVA, CFF, Tobin & Collins, CPA, PA.
The 2022 Foundation Committee is comprised of the following individuals: Tyson Bauer, Director, DEI Employee Led Initiatives, Beam Suntory; Hannah Becker, Associate Attorney, Gray | Robinson; Chris Cataldi, VP, Commercial Operations, Atlantic Corporate Division, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits; Anna Chamness, Associate Manager, Public Relations & Social Media, Tito’s Handmade Vodka; Béatrice Cointreau, President & CEO, byBC Wines; Debra Dziena, Recruiter, Global Talent Attraction, Royal Caribbean Group; Renata Franzia Price, Project Manager-Finance, Bronco Wine Company; Jennifer Friedrichs, Manager, Midwest South Region, Disaronno International USA; Melody Fuller, Founder & President, The Oakland Wine Festival / The Exceptional Vine; Felicia Ganthier, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Breakthru Beverage Group; Cindy Haas, VP, External Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits. Rachel Harris, VP, On Premise, Beam Suntory; Sarah Kaneshiki, Brewing Supervisor, Stone Brewing; Julie Kinch, Founder, JK Leadership Advisors; Dr. Kathryn LaTour, Associate Professor, Wine Services Marketing, Cornell University; Narelle McDonald, Director-On Trade & Brand Advocacy International Region, Beam Suntory; Rhonda Motil, VP, Marketing, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; Courtney Nuss, Wisconsin State Manager, Tito’s Handmade Vodka; Cathleen Price, Business Manager, Breakthru Beverage Group; Francie Purnell, Corporate Director, Retirement Plans, Scholarships & Foundations, Republic National Distributing Co; David Rudman, Executive Director USA, Wine & Spirit Education Trust; Kelly Stevens, Director National Accounts, On-Premise, Stone Brewing; Nellie Thornton, Sr. Manager of Marketing, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Stacey Townsend, Director, Sales Training & Education - Spirits, Constellation Brands. The Committee was responsible for reviewing applications and selecting finalists with guidance by Davey.
For more information about the various scholarships awarded visit wotvsfoundation.org.
The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3) is looking for donations to award scholarships in 2023. To donate and learn more about donor levels and benefits visit wotvsfoundation.org or contact the Foundation at foundation@womenofthevine.com.
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About the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation
The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3) is the charitable arm of Women of the Vine & Spirits. The Foundation provides scholarships and awards for the purpose of helping individuals advance their careers in the food, wine, spirits, beer, or hospitality industries through education, leadership, and professional development, as well as fostering gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large. For more information, please visit wotvsfoundation.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Olivia Campbell
323-610-2322