Women of the Vine & Spirits Las Vegas Forum

Alaina Alexander

Executive Director of Beverage and Cocktail Services
Wynn Las Vegas

Alaina Alexander has been elevating the cocktail and spirits scene at Wynn Las Vegas since 2005. As Executive Director of Beverage and Cocktail Services for Wynn and Encore Las Vegas, she is responsible for all aspects of the resort’s beverage program and presides over a team of over 664 cocktail servers, mixologists, bartenders, bar backs and beverage managers. In addition to developing cocktail and spirits lists for six lounges and two resort pools, Alaina collaborates with the chefs throughout Wynn’s portfolio of 18 fine dining, contemporary and casual restaurants to create, refine and perfect their cocktail and spirit offerings.

Alaina joined the opening team of Wynn Las Vegas a Senior Cocktail Manager where her principal focus was on the performance of casino beverage service. In this role she developed training and recognition programs that would be critical to Wynn Tower Suite’s prestigious designation as a Forbes five-star resort. Subsequent promotions included Director of Cocktail Services in 2007, and Director of Beverage in 2010.

Most recently she was responsible for a complete redesign of Wynn’s signature Parasol Up and Down Bars, which were recognized as “the on-Strip spots where locals drink” by Bon Appetit magazine, and Wynn’s newest addition, the sports lounge at Charlie’s Bar and Grill. Alaina continues to play a vital role in the development and opening of Wynn properties, most notably with the opening of Encore in 2008 and such future projects as Wynn Boston Harbor and Wynn Paradise Park.

Passionate about Wynn’s community outreach program, Alaina actively participates in the support of Wynn’s neighboring elementary school and encourages her team’s involvement. She also serves as both active board member and past-Chairwoman of the Nevada Restaurant Association. 

Flor Bernal

Chief Financial Officer and President
BACK BAR USA®

As CFO, Flor Bernal is an essential part of the brains behind the gains of BACK BAR USA®, a Las Vegas-based spirits marketing and consulting firm that has found a niche in the industry and increased service revenue by 505 percent and its employee base from 20 to 300 since Bernal joined in 2011.

“My position at BACK BAR is a perfect fit for me because it combines my passion for the history and culture of the spirits industry with my love and experience with math and numbers,” Bernal said. “BACK BAR is a unique company in that it’s very diverse and composed of mostly millennials; so there’s never a boring day in the office.”

In her role, Bernal is tasked with overseeing the finances and big-picture strategy for BACK BAR, along with managing a variety of operations. BACK BAR is a full-service marketing, consulting and design firm specializing in connecting spirits brands with major casinos and corporations. The company has worked with MGM Resorts International, Landry’s Inc., Caesars Entertainment, Bacardi USA, Heineken USA and many others.

In addition to attaining a degree from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Bernal earned an Emerging Leaders Accelerated MBA from the Small Business Administration was awarded a Level 1 certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2016. Prior to joining BACK BAR, she spent two years with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and held positions at Hakkasan Group (formerly Pure Management Group) and Montecristo Rum, which was founded by BACK BAR CEO Tim Haughinberry. Bernal started her career at Southern Wine & Spirits (now Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits) in the accounting department.

Bernal is passionate about supporting her community and gets involved through the Saint Anne Catholic School, Make-A-Wish Foundation and the annual Aid for AIDS of Nevada ‘Black & White Party.’ She was also instrumental in the founding, and continuing success, of the BACK BAR USA® Scholarship at UNLV.

Bernal is married, has two children and enjoys traveling in her spare time.  

Deborah Brenner

President & Founder
Women of the Vine & Spirits

Deborah Brenner graduated from the University of Delaware with degrees in English and Journalism, and was soon hired by a television and film technology company that required international travel to countries for whom wine is a part of everyday life. After over 20 years in the male-dominated field of high-end technology and owning a marketing and public relations firm, Ms. Brenner discovered during a fortuitous trip to Napa and Sonoma that many women in the wine industry – like her own – were under-recognized. Compelled to tell their stories, she authored a bestselling collection of profiles on women in the wine industry, Women of the Vine: Inside the World of Women Who Make, Taste and Enjoy Wine, which Wine Spectator named a Critical Read of 2007.

Through the process of writing the book and championing its subjects, Ms. Brenner became inspired to enter the wine business herself, releasing wine from a first-of-its-kind collective of seven artisan women winemakers from Napa, Sonoma and Paso Robles. For the following seven years, Ms. Brenner learned the business inside and out. Ultimately, however, all the money, blood, sweat and (a lot) of tears could  not foster women in the wine industry the way Brenner had hoped, which led her to shut down the Women of the Vine wine brand and return to the drawing board.

One year later, Brenner organized the inaugural Women of the Vine Global Symposium, held in March of 2015, which quickly sold out to 500 women from five countries. Due to the overwhelming response, Brenner and the Women of the Vine Advisory Board went to work developing a consortium that supports professionals in the alcohol beverage industry year-round. Thus emerged the Women of the Vine Alliance, a membership-based organization, anchored by the annual Symposium, whose mission is to empower and equip women worldwide to advance their careers in the alcohol beverage industry, fostering gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large.

Ms. Brenner has received a Rising Star Award from Women for WineSense (2008), a New York Small Business Administration Women in Business Champion Of The Year (2009), a New York City National Association of Women Business Owners Signature Award (2010), the Lillian Vernon Award for Outstanding Community Service by the Women's Enterprise Development Center (2011), a NY Women in Communications Rising Star Award (2013), and the Rockland Business Women's Network Woman of the Year Award (2014). 

Gwen Chappell

Director of Strategic Sourcing,
MGM Resorts International

Gwen is responsible for leading and directing all strategic sourcing activities for assigned categories relating to beverage,  Current role - Responsible for negotiations and implementation of all sourcing contracts under the Beverage Program specifically Spirit, Beer and Non Alcoholic  16 MGM Resorts International Properties.  Manage Spend of $60 Million in annual spend subsidiaries.  Strategic planning of processes to ensure compliance across the enterprise. Gwen is a seasoned veteran of MGMRI F&B industry.  Upon coming to Las Vegas in 1998, starting out as a cocktail server at the Mirage, then quickly started advancement in entry level management positions.  This then led into executive positions as the Beverage Director of Mirage then Bellagio.

Beatrice Cointreau

Owner & Chief Executive Officer
ADMIRABLE Wines

Béatrice Cointreau international CEO now lives between California and France.

Béatrice Cointreau was born into a long line of vine-growers and distillers. With a Masters in law, in business (ISG), a degree in marketing and a MBA from Cornell University – Johnson Graduate School of Management, she completed her studies at the Bordeaux Institute of Oenology and at the ISIPCA European school of perfumery.

Great-granddaughter of the Cointreau liquor founder and granddaughter of the founder of Rémy Martin, she is proud to carry their values of entrepreneurship without working in those historical companies

Member of the Wine Academy of France, formed at the University of Bordeaux wine, Béatrice Cointreau has successfully managed a house of Cognac and Champagne for nearly 25 years,  she created an advertising agency specialized in wine and food and developed an international expertise as manager of various companies during a quarter of Century.

Beatrice Cointreau was honored by the French government, receiving both official titles of chevalier de “l’Ordre du Merite Agricole” for her input in the agricultural industry & the highest recognition of “Legion of Honor”  for her civilian activities.

She is the author of Sense & Quintessence (Cherche Midi 2009), Organic wine: the marketer’s guide (Issued in April in French & Fall in the US 2015) and C’est si bon Paris…by night (May 2014).

She is also the owner of  ADMIRABLE family vineyards in MALIBU and distribution & now focuses on developing wines internationally as CEO & MD, since her acquisition in 2013.

Terence Goods

Dynamic Diversity & Inclusion Leader
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits

Terence Goods is the National Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits where is based in Dallas, Texas. In his current role, he responsible for the creation and implementation of the company’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy across 44 States and 22,000 employees. In 2017, he launched 10 women’s leadership programs across 10 markets within SGWS network.

He is a highly accomplished Human Resources Leader with over 20 years of experience with a passion for Talent Acquisition, Training, and Diversity and Inclusion programs.

During his tenure in Corporate America, Terence has held leadership roles within Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and JC Penny’s. He has served in several professional, civic, and community, organizations including the Dallas Convention and Visitor’s Bureau - Diversity Advisory Board, Board of Directors of Dallas CASA, St Phillips Episcopal School - Board of Directors, The Plano Chamber of Commerce - Inclusion and Culture Advisory Council, and currently serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Southern Methodist University’s (SMU) – Executive Extension Program  .

Terence is a graduate of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication. 

Karen Hunt

President
DAOU Vineyards & Winery

As President of DAOU, Karen has the task of leading the national and international distribution of the brand. Representing not just the winery and the story of DAOU, Hunt also serves as an ambassador of the Paso Robles AVA, bringing deserved attention to California's Central Coast, home to some of the state's most unique terroir.

With 25 years of experience in sales and marketing, Hunt has established herself as a hardworking, resilient veteran in the industry. Before answering her calling at DAOU, Karen worked as VP of Sales for the Francis Ford Coppola and Rubicon Estate, VP of Sales at Charles Krug Winery and consumer sales and marketing at Ben & Jerry's and M&M Mars.

Karen’s interest in the industry began twenty years ago when she was first introduced to fine wine. A graduate of the College of Charleston and originally rooted on the East Coast, she discovered she was unable to access many small production, family-owned wineries.  It was through this realization that she set a goal: to become an integral player in the wine industry so smaller, finely crafted wines would have nationwide representation of their brands.

From that goal on, Karen has made a significant mark on the industry and continues her influence day-to-day in the field and building a remarkable sales team at DAOU.

Kristina Kelley 

Sr. Director of Public Relations
E. & J. Gallo Winery

Kristina Kelley is the Sr. Director of Public Relations for E. & J. Gallo Winery and oversees public relations strategy and media relations in the U.S. for the Gallo portfolio, comprising more than 80 unique brands sold in over 90 countries. Kristina joined Gallo in the mid-1990s, where she played an integral role in the creation of Gallo’s Fine Wine portfolio, developing a variety of domestic and import super-premium and luxury brands.

After attending Virginia Commonwealth University, Kristina looked to her passion for food and wine as she started her career, beginning in food and beverage management before transitioning to the wine industry. During her career, Kristina has held roles in a variety of functions, giving her a broad perspective on the wine industry that informs her strategic approach to a diverse portfolio. Roles have included wine distribution, sales, brand management and marketing, as well as public relations. Kristina is a Certified Specialist of Wine, a member of the Society of Wine Educators and an active member in the Public Relations Society of America.

Kristina’s culinary education began in childhood, when she and her family traveled extensively oversees. This early exposure to various flavors and cultures was the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of food and wine, and to the surrounding cultural elements that make them so engaging.

Today, Kristina splits time between Northern California and her family vineyard in the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her husband, dog, horses and goats.

Ana Marie Mormando

General Manager
MGM Grand

Ana Marie Mormando is currently the General Manager of The Mansion, SKYLOFTS, Stay Well rooms and Luxury Suites at MGM Grand. Her responsibilities include overseeing the exclusive property The Mansion, which operates 30 ultra-luxurious Villas, indoor and outdoor pools, a private dining room, two private spas and an extensive public space, with climate controlled atrium. She is also responsible for maintaining levels of exceptional service at the Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond SKYLOFTS, the Stay Well rooms by Delos, and all Luxury Suites, Concierge and VIP Services at MGM Grand.

Ana Marie was until 2015, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Bellagio Hotel and Resort. In this capacity, she was responsible for overseeing all of hotel operations including Front Office and Front Services Departments, VIP Services, Housekeeping, Public Areas, Pool, Spa and Salon, Ticket Office and Showroom, PABX and Business Center while maintaining Bellagio’s AAA Five-Diamond service standards. Additionally, her duties also included revenue management of hotel occupancy, rates and room inventory of this iconic resort.

Her past experience includes being the Vice President of Food and Beverage also at the Bellagio for five years.   In this position, she oversaw every aspect of the Food and Beverage department of this prestigious hotel, including the daily operations of nineteen restaurants, twenty eight bars, six   lounges, catering and banquets with 175,000 square feet of convention space and in-room dining for approximately 3,900 rooms. She oversaw 2800+ employees in both FOH and BOH. During Ana Marie’s tenure at Bellagio, Michelin awarded Picasso Restaurant two stars and restaurants Michael Mina and LeCirque one star each.  Picasso and LeCirque are both recipients of AAA’s Five Diamond rating.

Prior to Bellagio, Ana Marie held leadership positions in some of New York City’s most successful food service companies. She served as the Managing Director of Union Square Hospitality Group’s dining facilities at the Museum of Modern Art including The Modern, Cafe 2 and Terrace 5. In addition, she was Executive Director of the company’s Hudson Yards Catering.  In these roles, she was responsible for supervising the projects from concept to construction stages, managing and meeting all pre-opening budgets, launching the restaurants, implementing all systems, overseeing operations, and hiring, training and managing the staff.

Under Ana Marie’s leadership, The Modern was named “Best New Restaurant” by Esquire Magazine, received a Michelin *, was named “Top New Comer ” by Zagat, was awarded “Best New Restaurant” by Time Out Magazine, earned three stars by The New York Times and received the coveted “Best New Restaurant” award by The James Beard Foundation.

Prior to joining USHG, Ana Marie was the Director of Operations for Jean Georges Management Group-the original company headed by world renowned chef Jean Georges Vongerichten. For 12 years she was responsible for spearheading the design, development and operations of eight top-rated restaurants, including the four-star Jean Georges at Trump International Hotel and Tower.   She also played a key role in the company’s expansion in national and international plans, which included the addition of many restaurants across the U.S., Europe and Asia. 

In her earlier professional career, Ana Marie served as the Food and Beverage Director at Lincoln Center, where she was in charge of all of the food facilities including special events.  She began her hospitality experience at Restaurant Associates where she rose from floor manager to an instrumental member of the opening team of the multi-million dollar renovation of Rockefeller Center.

Ana Marie is active in the Las Vegas community. She is Vice President and Board member of the Epicurean Charitable Foundation, and organization that raises funds and provides full ride scholarships to underprivileged high school students.

She is the recipient of the 2012 Women2Watch Award and in 2013 was inducted in the Leadership Hall of Fame of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Las Vegas.

Ana Marie is fluent in Spanish, Italian and French.

Suzi Potts

Director, Talent Acquisition, West Region
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Suzi has 15 years’ experience in the wine and spirits industry all of which has been grounded in the attraction, development, and promotion of talent.  In 2002, Suzi joined Southern Wine & Spirits in a recruiting capacity and has navigated a career trajectory to include talent acquisition, learning & development and talent management.  Today, Suzi is a member of the West Region leadership team focused on Talent Acquisition and Diversity and Inclusion strategies to support the newly merged Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits organization.

Suzi is recognized as a consummate student, a developer of human capital and one who is passionate about skill advancement.  She holds an undergraduate degree in Speech Communication from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and a Master’s Degree from Santa Clara University in Counseling, Psychology, and Education.  Suzi’s educational pursuits remain underway as she is a Phd candidate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.  When she is not attracting talent or hitting the books, you will find Suzi on a yoga mat and spending time with her husband and dogs in Pleasanton, CA.  

Dionne Proper

Director of Training and Talent Management
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Dionne has over 20 years of experience in customer service, training, and leading dynamic teams.  She is well known in the industry as an outside the box, strategic planner with a focus on team building and positive energy.  In her current role as Director of Training and Talent Management for SGWS-NV, Dionne is responsible for Organizational Development and Employee Training. 

Originally from Washington, DC, Dionne has called Las Vegas home for the past 17 years.  In that time, she held diverse roles at bebe, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino & Downtown Grand prior to joining Southern Glazer’s.  She is a sports enthusiast and proud wife & mother to two daughters.

Rebecca Running

Vice President National Accounts
Infinium Spirits

Rebecca Jensen Running brings over 20 years of experience in the beverage alcohol industry to her role as VP National Accounts for Infinium Spirits. She has sales over site of national accounts on premise in the US. Prior to her move to Infinium Rebecca was the Vice President of National Accounts for Young’s Market over seeing National and Regional Accounts in Southern California.

Rebecca joined the Young’s Market Company after spending 5 years as the Director of Casinos for Moet Hennessy managing corporate Gaming and Indian Gaming. Rebecca spend 6 years with Constellation Brands as the National Account Manager West. Rebecca served as the Chairman for Young’s Market Woman’s Group, 120 members and growing.

Kristi Smith

Director of High Image Accounts
 Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Nevada

Kristi Smith has twenty years of experience in the alcoholic beverage industry. Smith is currently Director of High Image Accounts at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits in Las Vegas where she leads a team of four industry veterans, and works closely with senior management in major casino hotels. Smith is also the founder of the popular women’s networking group, Women Gone Wine and Spirits and co-chair of CHEERS, the newly established diversity and inclusion initiative at SGWS.

Chiara Soldati

Owner& Export Director
La Scolca

Chiara Soldati is a fifth generation winemaker at her family’s estate, La Scolca, located in Gavi, in southern Piedmont. Founded in 1919, La Scolca is a pioneer estate that established an exciting, new quality level for dry, Italian white wines when the family launched their trademarked “Gavi dei Gavi” in 1966.

Chiara first worked for the winery when she was only 13, representing
La Scolca at the prestigious VinExpo in Bordeaux. Since then her
passion for helping her father, Giorgio Solda , produce Italy’s premier
white wines, has positioned her as a respected “woman in wine”. In
fact, Chiara recently received the great honor of being awarded Businesswoman of the Year (Prize Dea Terra) by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and the Italian Ministry of Industry.

After graduating from the University of Genoa with a law degree with an emphasis in economics, Chiara officially joined the family business in 1995. She immediately immersed herself in winemaking and her first projects included the development of new wines, like La Scolca’s rosé, RosaChiara. Chiara now runs all Sales and Marketing aspects of La Scolca and is actively involved in promoting the region and its wines internationally. 

Ian Staller

Executive Vice President
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits

Ian has more than 25 years of sales, marketing and operations experience within the wine, spirits and hospitality industries.

Ian joined Southern Wine and Spirits in 2001 in the Miami office as the Corporate Internal Auditor.  Two years later, he joined the Southern Wine & Spirits Nevada team as the State Controller & Director of Operations. Through his exemplary leadership style, management skills and business acumen, Ian rose within the Nevada division to Senior Vice President, CFO and held a top sales position as Senior Vice President / General Manager - Spirits.

Today, as Executive Vice President of Southern Glazer’s – Nevada, Ian leads the division, ensuring the Nevada Team provides first class customer service to customers and supplier partners alike.  “We aren’t the best because we are the biggest, we are the biggest because we are the best”, is a quote from Harvey Chaplin and something Ian instills in the entire Nevada team.  This creates an entrepreneurial spirit that permeates the sales, warehouse, customer service, accounting and operations teams.  Never settling, never being satisfied isn’t the exception to the rule, it’s part of the job description of all Southern Glazer’s - Nevada employees.

Ian is passionately involved in mentoring young students in the community and served on the board of Epicurean Charitable Foundation and Las Vegas Business Academy, which are dedicated to providing mentorship and scholarship opportunities to culinary, food/beverage and hospitality collegiate students.

Stacey Taylor

Senior Vice President & Chief Procurement Officer
MGM Resorts International

Stacey Taylor joined MGM Resorts International in October 2015 as SVP & Chief Procurement Officer.  She provides leadership and strategic vision to Global Procurement and is implementing a Companywide procurement program inclusive of sourcing, purchasing, program management and supplier management to optimize financial savings impact and improve associated processes to drive efficiency.

Stacey has nearly 30 years of experience in procurement, purchasing and sourcing. She has served in leadership positions with ConAgra Foods from 2006-2015, most recently as Vice President of Integration, where she handled the design and implementation of a procurement integration plan following the company’s acquisition of Ralcorp. Prior to that, Stacey served as ConAgra’s Vice President of Ingredients and Vice President of Indirect & Capital Services. Stacey’s previous experience also includes nearly a decade of work with Tyco International, including as Director of Global Sourcing and Director of Global Travel.

Stacey received her Master of Business Administration Degree from Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass., and her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Dowling College in Oakdale, NY.

She previously served as the Director of YWCA Omaha, President of The Nebraska High School Lacrosse Association, and member of the Great Plains Minority Supplier Diversity Council, and the New England Minority Supplier Diversity Council.

Rachael K. Tharp, CSS

National Account Manager
Bacardi, U.S.A., Inc.

Rachael Tharp has eight years of experience in the beverage industry, representing the BACARDI USA portfolio.  In her current position as National Account Manager, Rachael is responsible for managing Bacardi USA’s business for national casino and nightlife groups including MGM Resort’s International, Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Resorts, Hakkasan Group, and Golden Nugget. 

After graduating from Temple University in 2009, Rachael began her career on the agency side as the Bacardi Team Brand Specialist in Rhode Island with Team Enterprises.  In 2011, she moved to Las Vegas as the BUSA Special Event Manager. In 2013, Rachael transitioned from Team Enterprises to Bacardi USA, managing on/off premise in Tennessee, and later returned to Las Vegas as on-premise manager specializing in nightlife and casinos.

As an active member of Bacardi’s Women In Leadership group since it’s launch in 2014, Rachael served as the Community Outreach- Health & Well-Being Committee Leader for the first year, and now sits on the steering committee for the Mentorship Program.

Rachael’s greatest accomplishment was creating the New England Bacardi Rum Runners, a group of 40 colleagues and customers who trained, fundraised and raced as a team, for a 5k and half-marathon, raising 8,000 for a local charity.  This reflects her true passions in life; fitness, adventure, and anything that challenges her, and those around her, to push beyond their limits. 

Sommer K. Walker, CSS

Bacardi National Accounts
Bacardi, U.S.A., Inc.

National Account Executive with over 20 years of industry experience leading National and Regional account activities. Recognized for her ability to develop innovative solutions, design creative campaigns and cultivate powerful relationships.

Sommer started in the Alcohol Industry in 1990 right out of college from University of Colorado, Boulder. She began with a new start up called Boulder Beer just when the microbrewery trend was taking hold across the United States. She enjoyed traveling the country as a young executive, managing 13 states as their Region Director. 10 Years later she would join the Miller Brewing Company with a job offer taking her back to her home in Honolulu, Hawaii. Sommer loved the 10 years she spent working for Miller as their Territory Director running all the business in the islands.

In 2005, Sommer started working for the Bacardi Family, running both Hawaii and Alaska for multiple distributors, managing all aspects of sales, marketing and forecasting. In 2013, she left Hawaii to advance her personal development by taking a lead position on the Bacardi National Account team. This move took her from the islands to her new home on her Avocado Farm in San Diego. Sommer’s farm which is also a sanctuary for rescued and abandoned English Bulldogs is called Bulldog Farms. She is a proud contributor to her community sitting on the Board of Directors of the Fallbrook Art Center as well as the Advisory Board for Women of the Vine & Spirits. Sommer is a passionate entrepreneur having created products that lead her to have a show on the Home Shopping Network and onto Oprah’s O list. Owner of Redhead Original Industry Blog.