Chrissy Wittmann never intended to have a career in the wine industry. All she knew was that she wanted a life outside of her home town of Burbank, California, with its endless miles of concrete and urban sprawl.

An avid participant in sports—softball, volleyball, basketball and some occasional skiing—Chrissy pursued a degree in Physical Education at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. In her freshman year, Chrissy rekindled her love of nature during biology field trips and changed her major to Ecology and Systematic Biology.

With her B.S. Ecology and Systematic Biology degree, Chrissy began work at an independent environmental chemistry lab analyzing soil and waste water samples. Her first peek into the wine industry came when she filled in for a vacationing co-worker in the lab’s wine division. “I didn’t completely understand what I was doing at first,” recalls Chrissy, “in part because, at the time, I was a beer and ‘7 & 7’ kind of gal.” But her interest was piqued, two years later, she became a Wine Chemist at Meridian. After two years with Meridian, she was promoted to Laboratory Enologist. Realizing she needed further education, Chrissy returned to Cal Poly, where she earned an M. S. in Agriculture with a concentration in Food Science. She wrote her thesis, a dissertation on seed color and extractable tannin in Syrah during ripening, while she worked as the Lab Manager and Production Winemaker at Courtside Cellars.

In 2005, Advance degree in hand, Chrissy became the Assistant Winemaker at Scheid Vineyards, where she hit the ground running.  “That first year was a huge harvest, at least for me, with 12,000 tons of grapes coming into a brand new facility in which new systems were being tested for the first time ever,” she recalls. Chrissy rose to all the challenges.

Chrissy was thrilled when the Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards Assistant Winemaker position was available essentially ‘in her backyard.’ “You couldn’t live in San Luis Obispo without knowing and loving Wild Horse,” she says. “And it could not have been more fortuitous, since my husband and I had just welcomed the birth of our first son six months earlier.”

Just one year later, in 2008, Chrissy’s dream of becoming a winemaker was realized when she was promoted to the position of Winemaker; and in 2013 she was promoted to Director of Winemaking at Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards. “I couldn’t be happier.” Chrissy continues. “When I was younger, I hated the idea of spending my life sitting behind a desk all day. I wanted to be where things were happening. I wanted to have an opportunity to be outside and I wanted to be challenged every day.  And I’ve got all that here.”

When not busy at the winery, Chrissy enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. Their family time includes trips to Zion or Yosemite National Parks, multiple Bruce Springsteen concerts and San Francisco Giants’ baseball games.

Mary Barranco,Vice President, National Training Director,Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.

Mary Barranco’s passion for education and commitment to the adult beverage industry led her in 2002 to accept the current position as Vice President, National Training Director at Southern Wine and Spirits of America. Prior to joining Southern Wine & Spirits, Mary held various sales and leadership positions for leading wine and spirit companies. In her current role, Mary leads a team of professionals and industry experts who design and implement learning and development activities for the 14,000 employees at Southern. She also champions trade education focused on wine, spirit mixology and service.

Mary co-authored with Bridget Albert, Market Fresh Mixology; a cocktail book highlighting recipes using the season’s freshest ingredients.

Nikki Mason Bazzo, Account Executive, American Wine and Spirits 

Nikki Mason Bazzo is a California native who began her career with Southern Wine and Spirits in 2005 as an entry-level merchandiser.  She was soon promoted to a Sales Consultant role which then transitioned into trade-development, ambassador and portfolio management roles.  Today, Nikki is currently an Account Executive for the American Wine and Spirits division and is involved in numerous company wide initiatives such as “Women in Wine” and the “Emerging Leadership Program”.  She is always enthusiastic to undertake new projects and responsibilities that will further contribute to her personal and professional development while continuing to support company wide growth.

Tia Boyle is the Los Angeles Regional Buyer for Costco Wholesale.

She has buying responsibility for Beer, Wine and Spirits for 51 Southern California locations and 7 Hawaii locations.

Employed with Costco for the past 27 years, she has spent the last ten years as Buyer for the liquor category responsible for over $500M in sales per year.

Tina spent 6 years in operations early in her career at the Hawthorne & Laguna Niguel Costco locations learning the culture and business from the ground up. From 1988 to 1993 she held various positions throughout Costco, experiencing everything from pushing carts & membership to supervising front end sales. In 1994 she joined the buying group as an Inventory Control Specialist for liquor and was promoted to Assistant Buyer for Candy & Tobacco in 1999. By 2001 she was the Sundries Assistant Buyer and was then promoted to Candy & Tobacco Buyer in 2002.  In 2004 she took over as Foods and Dry Grocery Buyer before moving back to the liquor category as Buyer in 2005.

Tina holds an Advanced Certification through the Wine & Spirits Education Trust. She has furthered her wine education by visiting many wine growing regions around the world studying and tasting wines to bring to Costco Members.

Since 2008 she has been a Network of Executive Women committee member for Southern California and has been a supporter of the Christermon Foundation since 2005.  Her volunteer duties also include supporting The Children’s Miracle Network, Special Olympics, City of Hope and Compassion International.

Tina and her husband Mike reside in Orange County, California with their two daughters Justine age 14 and Cameron age 7.

Colleen Brennan is a wine industry professional recognized for her innovative sales and marketing achievements which span over 20 years in the beverage and restaurant industries. She is currently vice president of national accounts for Rodney Strong Wine Estates where she is responsible for business development, marketing, strategic planning, budgeting and sales for all on premise national account chains. Prior to joining Rodney Strong in 2012, she was director of global accounts and the on-premise marketing specialist at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates where she supervised sales to more than 30 restaurant chains. In this role, she increased sales by 65% over a six-year period and was recognized as the 2007 Salesperson of the Year for Antinori Italian wine brand.

Brennan has also held executive level positions with leading restaurant companies including O’Charley’s and Cypress Companies. She served as director of beverage marketing at O’Charley’s, in charge of managing and growing beverage programs and profits for the restaurant chain’s 200 locations. Brennan’s consultative and creative approach to sales and marketing includes developing an innovative wine and spirits training tool for servers at O’Charley’s that dramatically increased product knowledge and beverage sales. She also created successful incentive contests that boosted sales and team member morale. One promotion resulted in over 200,000 incremental beverages sold during the first 10 weeks alone, representing a 200% increase in sales of one featured drink which became O’Charley’s top-selling beverage.

Brennan’s creative strategies earned her a Cheers Beverage Excellence Award for best beverage promotion during this time. As director of restaurant marketing at Cypress Companies, owner of several chain concepts including Denny’s, Houlihan’s and An Tobar Irish Pub, she oversaw all marketing activities for 60 restaurants and pubs across five states. Brennan began her restaurant industry career at Pizzeria Uno Chicago Bar and Grill where she served as a field marketing manager for all corporate-owned locations in Florida.

Brennan currently serves on the Board of Directors for The California Restaurant Association’s Education Foundation and is on the advisory board of Children of Restaurant Employees (C.O.R.E), a nonprofit organization that supports children of restaurant employees who have been afflicted with life-threatening conditions or affected by a significant life-altering circumstance. She has also served on several industry boards including the American Beverage Institute (Committee Chairperson), Cheer’s Magazine and the Millennium Group. Brennan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science from Yale University. 

Deborah Brenner, Founder & President, 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 which 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 in her own industry - are 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, but but eventually saw that producing wine wasn't the most effective way to support and advance women's careers in the wine industry. Shuttering the brand, she returned to the drawing board.

After one year of thought, research, and long conversations, Brenner organized a first-of-its-kind event: the inaugural Women of the Vine Global Symposium. The conference, first held in March of 2015, existed to support, educate, and connect women working in the alcohol beverage industry; registration sold out quickly to 500 women from five countries. Given 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). She is also a member of Senator Gillibrand's NY Agriculture Working Group. She resides in Rockland County, New York.

Karena Breslin,  Vice President, Digital Marketing, Constellation Brands, Inc.

As Vice President of Digital Marketing at Constellation Brands Inc., the world’s leading premium wine company, Karena manages digital strategy and execution for the company’s portfolio of 70 wine and spirits brands including: Robert Mondavi, Clos du Bois, Kim Crawford, and SVEDKA amongst others. Since joining Constellation in 2010, Karena built an industry leading Digital Marketing department from the ground up. Her organization is responsible for all social media and website initiatives as well as digital advertising and content marketing. She also leads marketing technology, including web and mobile applications as well as Constellation Brands’ enterprise community.

Karena’s career in digital marketing and technology spans more than 16 years. She is a digital innovation and marketing leader with strategic and operational experience driving business growth for industry leading brands.

Laure Colombo, Winemaker, Vins Jean-Luc Colombo (Rhone Valley, France)

Only 30 years old and already a rising star of the Rhone Valley! Where does the fire and passion within her come from? When you meet Laure’s parents you understand that it is a typical trait of the Colombo family. Cornas is where she grew up. The vineyard was her playground. There she learned to love nature. She breathed in scents and aromas of all kinds, the very stuff that will bring any adult back to their childhood in a second.

She first studied a master’s degree in business in Lille. Following graduation she worked for a few months in the USA (at Disney World for the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, at George Magazine and Wine & Spirit Magazine among others and as an aide-sommelier for Alain Ducasse at the Essex House). Her next step was to develop skills in marketing and communication with the prestigious Champagne houses of Dom Pérignon and Moët & Chandon and then with an Indian winery, Grover Vineyard, in New Delhi.

She then returned to France, got a degree in viticulture in Bordeaux working part time at Château Haut Brion for one year, then followed up with a master’s degree in oenology in Montpellier and a few vintages on the Southern hemisphere. She became a winemaker and joined the family domain in 2010, now working as a viticulturist, oenologist, and brand ambassador all around the world. She’s also developing her own estate on Saint Péray’s heights.

About Vins Jean-Luc Colombo

Hailed as the winemaking wizard of the Rhône, founder Jean-Luc Colombo has achieved a high-profile international reputation for making innovative wines that are original, memorable and bursting with personality. Despite a resolute aversion to change in the Cornas region, Colombo has brazenly introduced innovative methods in his vineyards and throughout the production process based on a respect for nature and his fundamental belief that good wine is the culmination of three key elements: terroir, human endeavor and modern winemaking techniques. The result? A more accessible style of Rhône Valley wines, reflecting an exuberance of fruit and depth of expression and showcasing the full potential of the Syrah grape when grown in the unique terroir of Cornas. Through his intense dedication, Colombo has brought the wines of Cornas into the international limelight. The company now embraces wines representing major appellations of the Rhône Valley as well as the Languedoc and Roussillon regions of southern France. Colombo’s daughter, Laure, joined her father and mother as winemaker in 2010. The wines of Jean-Luc Colombo are imported to the US by Palm Bay International. 

Jean-Luc Colombo: http://www.vinscolombo.fr/uk/

Palm Bay International: www.palmbay.com

Anita Cook-Motard has made a career in the wine industry with the Glazers Distribution organization working in many different areas of the company. Anita began her career with Glazers in 1982 as a sales rep and was promoted through the ranks of sales, marketing, and management. In 1997 Anita was part of the formation of the Domaines & Estates group within the Glazers organization – a specialized sales division dedicated to small and mid-size wine companies. Anita currently works with the D&E Fine Wine Group as Director of Strategic On-Premise Accounts.

Anita is active in many food and wine organizations such as Les Dames d’ Escoffier, the American Institute of Wine & Food, and the former Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival. Anita loves to cook and enjoys a glass of fine wine now and then.

Alison Crowe is an award-winning winemaker, author and blogger based in Napa.  She is the Director of Winemaking for Plata Wine Partners as well as the Winemaker for Garnet Vineyards and Picket Fence Vineyards brands, among others.  Alison’s clients include acclaimed “Top 100” brands, nationally-distributed wineries, national retailers, celebrity chefs and hot start-up brands.   Her wines consistently earn high scores in national wine publications.

Alison holds degrees in Viticulture & Enology and Spanish as well as an MBA from UC Davis.  She is on the boards of the Carneros Wine Alliance, The Unified Grape & Wine Symposium, and The Wine Industry Financial Symposium and is a frequent wine judge for international competitions.  She has penned the popular “Wine Wizard” column for Winemaker Magazine since 1998, writes for Wine Business Monthly and Wines & Vines Magazine and published The Winemaker’s Answer Book in 2007.  Her blog, GirlandtheGrape.com won “Best New Wine Blog” at the 2014 Wine Blog Awards. 

Kristen Decker is the President of Global Wine Company.  She joined the company in 2011 and has served as President and Director since that time.  Kristen is a driving force behind the growth of Global Wine Company within the wine club segment.  During her tenure, the company has expanded from three branded wine clubs (Williams-Sonoma Wine, The New York Times Wine Club and The Food & Wine Wine Club) to six (adding Mina Wine Club, The Washington Post Wine Club and More Uncorked) and launched its own Global Wine Cellars branded club.  Kristen believes the Global Wine Company wine clubs provide a superior wine club experience to their members, each uniquely designed to reflect the brands they represent and the customers they serve.  Previously, Kristen was the Controller of Peter Paul Wines, where she worked with the winemakers and within the distribution network in expanding the brand’s US presence, as well as overseeing all financial functions.  

Kristen came to the wine industry from the mortgage finance sector, where she is a founding member and the Chief Financial Officer of Headlands Asset Management.  Kristen manages all financial planning and analysis, reporting, tax and treasury functions for the company as well as legal, licensing and human resources.

Kristen has more than 10 years in the wine industry, and over 25 years’ experience in finance, corporate strategic planning and oversight.  Kristen began her career in public accounting at KPMG Peat Marwick.  She received her MF from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, and her BA in Business Management from Sonoma State University

Jennifer DePaola, Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Diversity Officer, Young's Market Company

Jennifer has over 20 years of Human Resources, Leadership Development, Talent Management, and Organizational Development experience. She has worked for a variety of organizations and industries including The Walt Disney Company, Anchor Blue Retailer, Ruby's Diner, BJ's Restaurant, Option One Mortgage, Allergan, and Advantage Sales & Marketing. She currently resides at Young's Market Company as the Vice President of Human Resources & Chief Diversity Officer.  In her current role, Jennifer has responsibility for Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, HR Operations, Diversity & Inclusion and HR Business Partners.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication, with an emphasis in interpersonal and organizational communications, from California State University, Fullerton. She also holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and a Management Certificate in Human Resources from Chapman University.  She is an active member of the Orange County Chapter of the National Human Resource Association. Jennifer is passionate about leadership development and has coached numerous managers and leaders to higher productivity and organizational responsibility.

Melissa Devore is the Vice President of Wine Buying for Total Wine & More, the nation’s largest independent fine wine retailer.  Melissa joined the Total Wine & More team in 2006 after obtaining her MBA in Marketing and International Business at The George Washington University.  Prior to joining Total Wine & More, she worked for Verizon Communications and Accenture focused on strategic leadership, consulting, project management, process improvement, and client relationship management. During her MBA education, Melissa pursued her interest in the wine industry, studying with a winery in Chile and working with a wine importer in the U.S.  Melissa’s role at Total Wine & More includes overseeing both the domestic and import wine buying team.  These teams are responsible for delivering a world-class wine assortment to customers, driving sales of the wine portfolio, and managing key supplier relationships. Melissa also leads the company’s Women’s Leadership Initiative.  Melissa obtained her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rice University and is WSET Intermediate Level Certified. 

Barbara (Barb) Egenhofer is a Human Resources and Organizational Development leader with depth and breadth experience in bringing a strategic business and integrated talent management approach to her work.

She is currently Senior Vice President, Human Resources for the Wine and Spirits Division of Constellation Brands, a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine and spirits with operations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Italy. Constellation is the number three beer company in the U.S. with high-end, iconic imported brands including Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Negro Modelo and Pacifico.  Constellation is also the world’s leader in premium wine company with more than 7,600 employees, 100 brands in their portfolio, sales in over 100 countries, and operations in over 40 facilities.  Constellation’s brand portfolio includes Robert Mondavi, Clos Du Bois, Kim Crawford, Rex Goliath, Franciscan Estates, Mark West, Ruffino, Simi, Estancia, and Jackson-Triggs.  Te company’s premium spirits brands include, Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey, Casa Noble Tequila and SVEDKA Vodka.

As head of human resources for the Wine and Spirits Division, Barb and her team are dedicated to building the best organization by strategically delivering programs designed to attract, develop, retain and engage the diverse talent at Constellation Brands.   The team is aligned directly with the Company’s strategic imperatives, ensuring a competitive advantage in the market and solidifying exceptional talent dedicated to elevating life with every glass raised.

Prior to joining Constellation Brands, Barb’s experience includes Human Resource leadership positions in manufacturing, consulting, and healthcare, and has opened and managed her own business.  Barb truly believes in giving back to the community, and is an active member of the Bivona Child Advocacy Council HR Committee, the Nazareth HR Advisory Committee, the RIT Business Ethics & Corporate Responsibility Board and the Board of Advisors for the Moxie Exchange.  She is also a member of the Society of Human Resource Management

Barb is married with two children; and in addition to spending time with her family, she enjoys waterskiing, snow skiing, tennis, running, biking, horseback riding, hiking, climbing and wine!

Bachelor of Science - Nazareth College of Rochester, NY

MBA - J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management - Northwestern University, Chicago, IL  

Rachael Ellas is Northwest Region Vice President at Ste Michelle Wine Estates where she has directed a management team for 28 years. During her tenure with Ste Michelle Wine Estates she has worked in Oregon as a State Manager and Division Manager. She was promoted to Vice President for the Region in 1988 relocating to headquarters in Woodinville. Prior to working at Ste Michelle, she held management positions in wine distribution. She worked in both off premise and on premise in this role before she was promoted to Manager of all off premise trade channels. Her career started after college graduation with Altria, the current parent company to Ste Michelle Wine Estates, where she worked for 6 years in sales capacities to include trade channel and chains. She and her family, husband David and son Jordan, reside in Washington State.

Gina Gallo: From Family Apprentice to Artisanal Winemaker

The Gallo Signature Series is a collection of wines handcrafted by Gina Gallo, the acclaimed third-generation winemaker from one of America’s most historic winemaking families. In many ways, these wines are the culmination of Gina’s journey as a winemaker, from her days spent walking in the vineyards with her grandfather Julio, to her time in the cellar, honing her craft as an artisanal winemaker.

A Winemaker’s Journey

Gina’s journey as a winemaker began when she was just 10 years old, tending the gardens with her father and grandfather and picking fruits and vegetables that her mother and grandmother would turn into family meals.  One of eight brothers and sisters, Gina has fond memories of working alongside her family. She spent her high school summers working at the Gallo family’s winery, and she joined the Gallo sales team after earning her bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame de Namur University.

It’s no surprise that Gina found her true calling as a winemaker, following in her grandfather’s footsteps. She studied winemaking at the University of California at Davis and later became an apprentice winemaker at the Gallo family’s experimental micro-winery in Modesto, CA. Under the tutelage of Julio Gallo and Marcello Monticelli, a 30-year veteran of the Gallo team, Gina flourished as a winemaker. Three years later, she completed her first full harvest in Sonoma County, working side by side with her brother, Matt.  He grew the grapes and she made the wine, in a partnership that has thrived for more than two decades.

Nurturing a Personal Passion

Today, as the winemaker behind the Gallo Signature Series, Gina is intimately engaged with these special wines from the Gallo family’s premier estate vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Monterey counties. She carves out the specific blocks on her family’s most sought-after vineyards to hand craft limited batches of wine. Gina’s personal passion is behind each bottle of Gallo Signature Series wine, which is why her signature is printed on every label.

“This endeavor has allowed me to follow a deep passion that was instilled in me by my grandfather Julio so many years ago: to craft wine with care, from start to finish,” explains Gina. “The Gallo Signature Series allows me to work with the best grapes from a handful of vineyard blocks on our incredible estate properties. I am able to stay close to the wines in the cellar, so that I can create something truly special. This is why I became a winemaker in the first place.”

Originally from New York, following graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Danielle immediately pursued a career in the film industry, something she always wanted to do. Working for 6 years at Miramax Films doing international PR, and eventually running that department, she was fortunate to be able to explore another passion of hers....to travel and see the world.Often times, when traveling with talent, Danielle got a taste of the finest food & wine around the world.

With frequent trips to Los Angeles for work, she quickly fell in love with the city and decided to move there. Her California adventure began as a personal publicist representing some of the top talent in the entertainment industry however she decided to make a change to pursue her other passion of food & wine/spirits.

She went from a VP at Miramax to starting at the bottom of the ranks to begin a new career in the wine & spirits industry, working for Bacardi USA. She worked for Bacardi USA for close to 10 years before joining Moet Hennessy USA just over a year ago to expand her portfolio of not only selling spirits but wine and champagne, as well.

Reflecting on her life, she realized truly how lucky she was - not just having pursued one career she loves but two - and she wanted to empower other women to pursue their dreams, as well.

She volunteers at the Downtown Women's Shelter monthly and then started a group called W.I.N.E. (Women. Inspire. Nurture. Empower) to help try and empower women. When Women of the Vine came along, it was a dream to be a part of something that could help foster women in this industry she holds so dear and is passionate about.

Dan Heller is the Executive Vice President of Sales for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, which is the third largest premium wine company in the U.S.   Its portfolio includes wineries located in Washington, Oregon and California, and Ste. Michelle also imports wines from prestige estates located in Italy, France, Spain, New Zealand and Chile.  
 
Mr. Heller began his career with Ste. Michelle in 1985.  During his tenure, Dan has held several sales leadership roles prior to being named to his current role in, September 2017.  Dan’s areas of expertise include managing business across all trade channels, building teams and organization structures and managing national distributor networks. 

A native of Indiana, Dan earned his bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications from Indiana University.
 

Kelly Gamble joined Ste Michelle Wine Estates in 2012 as the Vice President, Human Resources.  Kelly has more than 15 years of experience in compensation, benefits and key HR disciplines and has held roles at various Fortune 500 companies, including Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and Marsh & McLennan.  Before assuming her executive role at Ste Michelle, Kelly's most recent role was Director of Client Compensation and Benefit Services at Altria Group Inc. She has a law degree from Fordham University and a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Cleveland State University.

Sue Gannon is the Vice President of Human Resources for The Americas region and Global Marketing at Beam Suntory. Sue is a global Human Resources executive, with extensive experience in a variety of industries. Sue joined Beam in March 2012 to lead the global culture and talent agenda across Beam, and in her role as Vice President Talent, Culture and Organizational Development, she focused on a wide variety of Human Resources disciplines, including leadership development, requirement and assessment; employee engagement; performance management; talent acquisition and change management. In May 2014, Sue moved into the HR VP role, partnering with the Executives for North and South America Commercial and Global Marketing providing performance consultation to business leaders on strategic direction, critical priorities, long term direction setting, and organization implications. Sue also leads for the North America HR function, who are all focused on passionately pursuing the goal of attracting, developing and retaining the best and brightest talent to deliver strategic vision for Beam Suntory, now and in the future.

Prior to joining Beam, Sue spent eight years at the Campbell Soup Company, serving in a number of key strategic roles. Her last role was as Director, Global Talent Management, based out of Campbell’s headquarters in New Jersey, where Sue was responsible for implementing a global talent management technology solution for 6,000 employees, as well as a global change management framework. Prior to this role, Sue was based in Campbell’s Asia-Pacific region, serving as regional HR Director, Asia / Finance / IT, where she led the HR / change management initiatives for the Campbell Joint Venture in China. From 2008-2010, she served as HR Director, Strategy & Talent Management, developing Campbell Arnott’s talent acquisition strategy and repositioning the company as an employer of choice. Earlier in her career at Campbell, Sue served as an HR Business Partner in support of Sales and Marketing, as well as a Change Manager (2004 – 2006). Prior to Campbell, Sue led change management and learning teams at a number of businesses based in Australia and New Zealand.

Sue is a graduate of the University of New South Wales in Sydney and has received certificates in Learning and Development and Human Resources Management from Sydney TAFE College. Sue brings a unique combination of skills and experiences to her work including those in HR strategy, talent, people, training, organizational development and change management.

Sue was born in Sydney, Australia and has lived and worked across the globe, including in London, England; Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia; and a number of Asian countries including Indonesia, Malaysia and China. Sue and her husband, Ciaran, relocated to the United States with their two children – Matilda, 6, and Charlie, 4 – in 2011. Sue’s greatest passions are her family and travel, which is fueled by a deep love of experiencing different cultures, environments, and places that challenge the senses and stretch the imagination.

Cathy Huyghe writes for Forbes.com about the business and politics of the wine industry. She is the author of Hungry for Wine: Seeing the World through the Lens of a Wine Glass, which has received positive reviews from publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal to NPR to the Village Voice.

Cathy's writing has appeared in print and online for both general-interest and wine industry publications including the Harvard Business Review network, The Atlantic, Decanter, DailyBeast, The Boston Globe, the Washington Post, Wine Enthusiast, GlobalPost, Grist.org, and Daily Candy. She has also been featured on the BBC, WNYC, WGBH, and Nevada Public Radio.

Cathy is the founder of 365daysofwine.com and Red White Boston, a digital media company for the wine industry. Red White Boston produced daily content, monthly tasting events, and a location-based iPhone app of video wine recommendations from their network of 30 local partner stores. While in Boston, she also managed the wine cellar at WGBH public broadcasting station and managed wine events for donors and the public.

Cathy’s restaurant experience started when she knocked on the kitchen door at Chez Panisse in Berkeley. She also has worked for Jean-Pierre Vigato in Paris (at Natachef bistro and at his two-star restaurant, Apicius) and for Thomas Keller at Bouchon in Las Vegas. She studied at La Varenne École de Cuisine in Burgundy, France; she completed the Wine Studies program at Boston University; and she received Advanced Certification from WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust). 

Cathy received a master’s degree from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard in 2004 and a second master’s degree in Journalism in 2010, also from Harvard. She is also a trained mediator, and worked for two years at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School on a project in the Middle East.

Find her online at cathyhuyghe.com.

Violet Grgich, Proprietor, Vice President, Operations,, Grgich Hills Estate

Violet’s passion for wine began at an early age, as she literally grew up accompanying her father, Vintners Hall of Fame inductee Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, in the vineyards and cellar. She spent her summers at the winery, doing everything from bottling line work to laboratory analysis and working in the tasting room.

Attending the University of California, Davis, Violet earned a BA in music while taking classes in biology, chemistry, and enology.  After graduation, she returned home to Grgich Hills to continue her education in the wine business, learning about daily operations of the winery from her father, Miljenko “Mike” Grgich. She received her Master of Music in harpsichord at Indiana University, and then joined the winery fulltime in 1988. She’s now responsible for daily management of the winery, as well as sales and marketing. She says that she has the ideal job: “I believe that wine is part of a healthy, happy and long life. Wine brings people together and makes them happy, which makes my job extraordinarily fulfilling.”

Involved with every aspect of the wine business, Violet enjoys wearing many different hats, often at the same time.  She explains, “My dad insisted that in order to lead the winery I needed to work at every single position, starting at the bottom.” Violet continues to enjoy learning something new each day and following her grandfather’s and father’s philosophy of “Every day do something just a little better.”

Violet is pleased that the next generation of Grgich’s has joined the winery: Noel Grgich Shipman, her son born in 2005, accompanies her on sales trips, and enjoys every minute of it.

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.

Alison Jerden is Senior Director of Human Resources for Domestic Sales and Affiliated Distributors at E. & J. Gallo Winery.  She and her team are responsible for providing strategic HR support throughout the sales organization, including talent development, total rewards, employee relations, organization design and performance management.

Alison joined Gallo in March of 2014. Prior to assuming this role, she spent nearly a decade at The Coca-Cola Company in various capacities of increasing responsibility. Most recently, she was Director of Global Talent Management, where she was globally responsible for succession planning, key talent pipeline planning and development, assessment, coaching, competency development, high potential programs and assessment. In this role, Alison also supported Coca-Cola’s General Management function, leading assessment, development and pipeline planning for Coke’s franchise leaders in over 200 markets.

Prior to joining The Coca-Cola Company, Alison was a Consultant for Towers Perrin, focusing on talent management, change management/organizational development, and employee research. There, she worked with such clients as: Cox Enterprises, The Home Depot, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Whole Foods Market and Pfizer.

Alison earned a Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and is an affiliate of the American Psychological Association. She regularly presents at the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology’s annual conference. 

Alison and her husband, Eddie, live in Pleasanton, California with their two young children. Besides being passionate about employees’ growth and development, in her free time she enjoys travelling, hiking and reading.

As the Senior Vice President for Veuve Clicquot, Krug and Ruinart U.S., Vanessa Kay directs and manages all business, brand marketing and events in the United States for the 3 champagne brands . Prior to stepping into this role in the fall of 2010, Vanessa was the Business Development Director for the Maison Veuve Clicquot based in France and was responsible for the United States and Asia Pacific regions. In her current position, Vanessa oversees each aspect of the brand including marketing, sales, distribution, events, public relations and digital efforts.

After earning a B.A. degree in French Literature magna cum laude from Cornell University, Vanessa moved to France where she completed an MBA at INSEAD in Fontainebleau and subsequently lived in Paris for 20 years. Prior to joining Moet Hennessy, Vanessa worked for Citibank in Marketing and Strategic Development for 5 years in both NY and Paris and subsequently in management consulting in Paris for over ten years across multiple sectors including banking, pharma, biotech and heavy industry.

Kristina Kelley is the 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.

Karen was a dedicated member of the Union Square Cafe team from its inception.  Karen became Wine Director, responsible for developing and maintaining Union Square Cafe’s award-winning list.

The James Beard Foundation honored Union Square Cafe as the Perrier Outstanding Restaurant in 1997. An important ingredient of the restaurant’s success was its wine program and Karen’s advocacy of wine education for the staff.  In 1998, Union Square Cafe was one of five restaurants in the United States nominated by the James Beard Foundation for Best Wine Service.  In 1999, Union Square Cafe won the Hudson Valley Foie Gras Outstanding Wine Service Award from the James Beard Foundation.  In 2001, 2002 & 2003 Wine Spectator awarded Union Square Cafe’s wine list its “Best Award of Excellence”.   

Karen has taught wine classes at NYU, the French Culinary Institute, and the American Sommelier Association among others.  She has participated in tasting panels for The New York Times, Business Traveler, Wine and Spirits, The Dallas Morning News as well as the Aspen Food and Wine Classic.  She is an Advanced Sommelier certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers.  She was one of the featured sommeliers at the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival.

Karen became the beverage director at Gramercy Tavern; after a year or so she transferred over to be the Beverage Director for the opening of The Modern at MoMA.  After 20 years working with Danny Meyer and what became the Union Square Hospitality Group, Karen decided to try working with wine from the distribution side.   Today she is the Director of On Premise Development for Winebow in Manhattan.

Unique to most, Tammy LaNasa has held leadership roles in all three facets of the wine industry supply chain. She began her career in New Orleans with Republic National Distributing Company. While there, she received "Salesperson of the Year" 8 times during her 15 year tenure. During her time with Republic, she served as a Key Account Manager, Hotel & Catering Specialist, and a National Account Manager.

In 2008, she left Republic for the rare opportunity to serve as a National Beverage Director for the prestigious Del Frisco's Restaurant Group which would become one of the highlights of her career. During this time, she was responsible for managing 100 MM in beverage and maintaining relationships with 86 beverage suppliers. Tammy will tell you that this experience was "like a second college education" in terms of growth within her field. She held this position for four years.

Longing to be back on the sales side where she started, Tammy joined Fetzer Vineyards in 2012 as their On-Premise National Accounts Director . In addition to Fetzer, she represents Bonterra, Jekel, Sanctuary, Vina Maipo, and Palo Alto wine brands. Tammy is responsible for maintaining and growing all National Account sales within the US.

A Texas native, Tammy attended the University of Texas at Austin for Journalism. She currently resides in the Hill Country just north of San Antonio.

Susan Kostrzewa is executive editor of Wine Enthusiast Magazine. She oversees the editorial direction of the print magazine, as well as all digital initiatives for the media company, and is a formal taster on the magazine wine tasting panel. 

Kostrzewa is the author of numerous food, wine and travel books such as Opus Vino, a comprehensive volume of worldwide wines and wine regions, Greatest Escapes, a series of books on literary travel, and Pairings, a guide on matching the eclectic wines and foods of the world. Before relocating from Sonoma to Manhattan in 2005, Kostrzewa was senior editor of Wine Country Living, as well as a contributing writer and/or editor for Savor Wine Country, Marin Magazine, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and several travel magazines.

Some of Kostrzewa’s more recent interview subjects include: Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Tyler Florence, Francis Ford Coppola, Samantha Mathis, Joe Montana, Eric Trump, and Andy Rourke.

Sandra LeDrew – Wine & Spirits Industry Executive

Sandra LeDrew literally grew up in the wine business and has been suspected of actually having Pinot Noir pulsing through her veins.   A seasoned veteran in the wine industry, she has over 20 years of experience and a verifiable reputation for driving outstanding results and a world-class culture of teamwork and collaboration.  

Sandra joined Treasury Wine Estates in March 2013 as managing Director for the Americas region, was quickly promoted to Chief Commercial Officer.  She was then appointed President of the Americas region overseeing more than 1,200 employees in the US & Canada, ten wineries and 47 vineyards covering 11,600 acres in California.  Prior to leaving Treasury, Sandra spearheaded the acquisition of Diageo Chateau & Estates wine business and increased Treasury’s production to just over 19 million cases.

Before joining Treasury, Sandra held multiple senior posts for Diageo. After several years in management positions she was named President of Diageo Chateau & Estates premium wine group in early 2009.  In September 2011, she was selected as President of Diageo’s newly launched Catalyst business unit. The group was tasked with a brand portfolio that included single malts, Tanqueray gin, Sterling vodka, Pimms, Moon Mountain vodka, Myers’s Rum, Rumple Minz and Goldschlager. The focus was on national activation in both on- and off-premise accounts, development of merchandising, promotions pricing and local marketing tactics. 

Kari Leitch is Vice President of Communications and Corporate Affairs for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, which is the third largest premium wine company in the U.S. Ste. Michelle owns and markets wines produced in Washington, Oregon and California, and the company also is the exclusive North American importer of wineries from Italy, Spain, France, New Zealand and Chile.

Ms. Leitch began her career at Ste. Michelle in 1996. In her present role, Ms. Leitch manages corporate communications, government affairs and branded public relations programs for all wineries in the Ste. Michelle portfolio.

Ms. Leitch serves on the board for the Washington Wine Institute and is a member of the California Wine Institute’s State Relations Subcommittee and Les Dames d’Escoffier.

A native of Illinois, Ms. Kari earned her BA in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

As the daughter of wine industry pioneer Jerry Lohr, Cynthia Lohr spent some of her youth in the vineyards and at the wineries, absorbing aspects of the wine industry firsthand. As an adult, she chose her own path, establishing a reputation for excellence in strategic marketing and public relations, working with a who’s who of leading Internet and technology companies. In 2002, Cynthia joined the family business as director of communications for J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, and in 2009 she was named marketing vice president.

In this capacity, Cynthia works with a dedicated marketing team, overseeing J. Lohr’s advertising, public relations, editorial, promotional, Internet marketing, branding and communications initiatives, and is involved in direct-to-consumer strategy and partner sponsor relationships. Cynthia’s unique background has enabled her to enhance J. Lohr’s visibility while expanding overall brand recognition in both traditional and new media and throughout the marketplace. As one of three Lohr children to work actively in the business, Cynthia’s perspective on sustainability starts in the vineyards and includes growing J. Lohr to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Prior to joining J. Lohr, Cynthia was a vice president at AlexanderOgilvy Public Relations Worldwide, where her division served an array of clients including Covad Communications, TurboLinux, HomePNA, iPIX, Preview Systems, and Vicinium Systems. Cynthia also was director of communications for Alexa Internet, acquired by Amazon.com in 1999. In addition, while at technology public relations firm Niehaus Ryan Group, Cynthia led Yahoo!’s pre-IPO strategic messaging efforts, helping to build the company’s consumer brand throughout the mid-90s. She also directed strategic communications initiatives and executed numerous product launches for VeriSign, InsWeb and Organic Online. Before joining Niehaus Ryan Group, Cynthia was the director of business development at PRx, a strategic marketing communications firm serving Silicon Valley technology clients.

Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in French with a minor in psychology from UC Davis. Her diverse background also reflects her passion for family and community, leadership, the arts and education. She lives in San Francisco with her family and serves on the board of directors for Slide Ranch, is a founding member and board director of the Paso Robles CAB (Cabernet and Bordeaux) Collective (the PRCC), serves on the Unified Symposium Program Committee, and is an advisory board member for Women of the Vine. Cynthia is also an experienced ethnic vocalist, who has performed in 20 languages and released CDs with local groups Kitka,Wazobia, Savina, Jou Jou, and Flying Without Instruments. Her vocal credits with Kitka include the film Jacob’s Ladder.

VICTORIA MACRAE-SAMUELS, MAKER’S MARK® BOURBON VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS

With more than 25 years of experience in the spirits industry, Victoria MacRae-Samuels holds the unique distinction of being the first woman to hold the title of vice president of operations of a bourbon distillery.

Responsible for overseeing every aspect of the Maker’s Mark Distillery, from supervising the entire bourbon production process to the upkeep of the National Historic Landmark, her expertise and the staff of 90 employees she supervises keeps things running smoothly according to the guidelines set forth by Maker’s Founder Bill Samuels, Sr., Chairman Emeritus Bill Samuels, Jr., and Chief Operating Officer Rob Samuels.

Victoria was introduced to the world of bourbon in 1989 when by chance she met legendary bourbon distiller Booker Noe, and he offered her a position as a research and development chemist with Jim Beam. She eagerly accepted and learned the science of making bourbon, preparing her for the role she would assume at Maker’s Mark some 20 years later. Coincidently, Booker Noe’s grandfather was Jim Beam, who was also Bill Samuels, Jr.’s godfather. 

While in the R&D department at Beam, she developed analytical testing that is now commonly used in the spirits industry. In 1992 she left the lab to take the position of relief supervisor for Beam’s Clermont and Boston distilleries; later transitioning away from Clermont to focus solely on the Boston distillery.

MacRae-Samuels went back to the Clermont distillery in 1997 to take the role of product processing manager, where she managed the creation and processing of all products in Beam’s portfolio – more than 30 spirits at the time. She then went on to become quality control manager for both Clermont and Boston Beam distilleries from 2005 to 2007.

In 2008, MacRae-Samuels came to Maker’s as director of operations and had an integral role in the first bottling of Maker’s 46, the distillery’s first ever new bourbon. Appointed vice president of operations in 2010, she is responsible for the production of Maker’s Mark and Maker’s 46, from the selection of the grains, fermentation and distillation to barrel warehousing, bottling and shipping, quality control and taste testing.  

Ms. MacRae-Samuels holds a B.S. in Chemistry & Biology from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA and a M.B.A. from Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY. She also completed several years of graduate studies and taught chemistry at the University of Washington in her hometown of Seattle, WA. In July 2013, MacRae-Samuels was diagnosed with breast cancer and has since been active in raising breast cancer awareness through various speaking engagements, and in her ongoing work with organizations working towards prevention and cure. When not making bourbon, she enjoys early morning runs and spending time with her family.

CRISTINA MARIANI-MAY

"We are selling not just wine, but a way of life. It’s about something slower, calmer, more in touch with family.”        -- Cristina Mariani-May

Cristina Mariani-May is the family proprietor of the internationally renowned Castello Banfi vineyard estate in Montalcino, Tuscany, and co-CEO of Banfi Vintners, a leading U.S. importer of fine wines. The youngest daughter of Banfi Chairman Emeritus, John F. Mariani, Jr., Ms. Mariani-May, together with her cousin James Mariani, represents the third generation of family leadership in the company founded by their grandfather, John Mariani, Sr. in 1919. 

Soon after completing her studies at  Georgetown University and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business, Mariani-May joined Banfi in 1993.

Among the first of many forward-thinking initiatives introduced by Mariani-May was the creation of progressive new tracking and monitoring systems at Castello Banfi, designed to elevate performance and establish new goals in the fields of customer satisfaction, environmental responsibility and social responsibility. In 2006 those procedures paid off when Castello Banfi became the only winery in the world to achieve ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and SA 8000 certification acknowledging leadership in these areas. This accomplishment underlines the strategic long-term vision, coupled with an ability to execute, that characterize her management of Castello Banfi.

A “pursuit of excellence” serves as a personal mantra for Mariani-May. It extends to every aspect of her work, in particular her family’s wines and nowhere more so than with the Brunellos for which Castello Banfi is renowned. Alone among producers of Brunello di Montalcino wines, Castello Banfi has conducted ground-breaking research aimed at defining and isolating the finest clones of the Sangiovese Grosso grape. Initiated in the early 1980s, the project moved into high gear after Mariani-May joined the company. From an original catalog of over 600 types, 15  have since been determined to possess the greater part of the grape’s inherent characteristics. Today Banfi has definitive results for six clones and research continues on the remaining nine. And like any good neighbor, Banfi has shared those results, as well as registering them in 1996 with the European Community. Of Italy’s 45 nationally approved clones for Sangiovese, six are from Castello Banfi.

Enterprise and readiness to experiment also factor into Mariani-May’s leadership, as illustrated by the recent innovation of new hybrid fermentation tanks at Castello Banfi. Most winemakers are faced with a choice: ferment in wood for added richness and roundness, or use stainless steel for maximum freshness. Unwilling to sit back and accept the status quo, Mariani-May has been the guiding hand behind the development of new hybrid fermenters, comprising a unique combination of a steel base and head and a wood middle section. Seven years of trial and experiment preceded the launch of the new, patented 4,600 gallon tanks (1/3 steel, 2/3 wood), which combine the best of both materials, balancing the flavor and aeration supplied by oak with the temperature control, ease of use and hygiene offered by stainless steel. Inaugurated in September 2007, 24 composite fermenters at Castello Banfi are currently used in the production of the estate’s Brunellos, Tuscan cuvées and single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.

Marketing and promotion have always been strengths of the approachable and personable Mariani-May. In the course of her work Mariani-May travels extensively, visiting many of the 85 countries where Castello Banfi wines are sold. An engaging, charismatic speaker, she is a natural international ambassador for her family’s brand.

Mariani-May’s goals also include transforming Montalcino into a destination for wine lovers and turning Castello Banfi into an international name in wine tourism. A project close to her heart is the supervision and development of Castello Banfi – Il Borgo, a 14-room luxury hotel nestled alongside the estate’s medieval castle walls. The hotel, which opened its doors to the public in 2007, represents the jewel in the crown of the Castello Banfi estate and a beacon of Tuscany hospitality.

Mariani-May’s immediate family includes her husband, Marshall May, and their three young children.

A hands-on mother, she divides her time between Montalcino and Long Island, NY, home to Banfi Vintners. An avid runner and swimmer, she freely admits that much of her best thinking comes during her early morning workouts. The virtues of self-discipline, determination and endurance demanded of a long-distance runner might equally well apply to a sustained and successful leadership role in business.

Roberta Morrell is the highly visible and energetic Senior Consultant at Morrell, the venerable wine business started by her parent’s in 1947. Today, the Morrell Wine Group is comprised of the retail store, Morrell & Company, located at 1 Rockefeller Plaza in the heart of New York City; The Morrell Wine Bar & Café, adjacent to the wine store at 1 Rockefeller Plaza and Vintage Warehouse, a 60,000 sq ft temperature and humidity controlled warehouse, over half of which is dedicated to the storage of fine wines belonging to individuals and top restaurants. 

Roberta, who grew up in the business, is a member of numerous wine and food fraternities and considers herself “a foodie”, eats out at least three times each week, is a serious amateur chef, and includes among her friends several of the city’s most prominent chefs and restaurateurs. She was for many years a practicing interior designer and is responsible for the decor of the Morrell enterprises. Before re-entering the business she grew up in, she lived with her family for seven years in southern Spain.

Roberta is a supporter of the arts and of local charities and has steered Morrell into wine partnerships for charitable events with such luminaries as Carnegie Hall, St Luke’s Orchestra of New York, the Lincoln Center Film Society, Citymeals-on-Wheels, the Robin Hood Foundation and the Peter Michael Foundation for Cancer Research.

Roberta is often referred to as “The First Lady of Wine” and wine guru Robert Parker  has called her “the Philippine Rothschild of America.”

She is currently working on a memoir that spans her 50 years as a woman in wine.

Meridith May, the co-founder of THE TASTING PANEL Magazine, is responsible for the publication’s branding and content and has successfully increased the magazine’s circulation and readership in the past seven years to reach over 90,000 hospitality industry professionals every month. It has become the fastest growing, most widely distributed publication for the beverage industry. Meridith co-owns THE TASTING PANEL with Anthony Dias Blue.

Meridith purchased The Sommelier Journal in December 2013 and has re-launched it in June 2014 as The SOMM Journal, increasing the circulation from 20,000 to 60,000 with a growing base of certified sommeliers, educators, chefs and other high profile hospitality professionals.

Her background in radio (KIIS-FM, KLSX and KABC in Los Angeles) and newspaper (Santa Barbara News Press restaurant columnist) – combined with her knowledge of food, wine and spirits, gives her an edge in understanding the changing trends of the industry.

Donna Morris is the owner of Winderlea Vineyard & Winery in Dundee, Oregon.  Donna established Winderlea in 2006 with her husband, Bill Sweat, with whom she shares management and day to day operational responsibilities.  Donna’s primary business focus is sales and marketing for their boutique winery specializing in the limited production of Pinot noir and Chardonnay from their estate and farmed vineyards. In addition to her responsibilities at Winderlea, Donna is a current board member and past President of Oregon Pinot Camp and the Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association.  She is also the past Chair of the iSalud! Pinot noir Auction which provides the funds for healthcare services to Oregon’s vineyard workers and their families.

Prior to starting Winderlea, Donna was an Executive Vice President at Fidelity Investments in Boston, responsible for Product Management and Marketing for the company’s Institutional Brokerage division.  During her 24 year career, Donna held positions of branch manager in St. Louis and Washington, D.C. and later became responsible for all branches in the Eastern Region.  In 1997 she was named Executive Vice President of Fidelity Brokerage Services, Japan LLC.  The first woman to be admitted to the Japan Securities Dealer Association – her role encompassed the development and management of Fidelity’s direct retail business as well as marketing, product development, and communications for the whole of Fidelity’s operation in Japan.

Jaclyn Nelson is currently the National Wine and Spirits Buyer for Target Corporation bringing more than 9 years of Retail experience to her role.  Within that time, she has worked in several Grocery Departments including Dairy, Produce and Liquor. In addition, she has spent 2 years managing Target’s Supply Chain support team.

Jaclyn receivd her undergraduate degree in Mathematics with a minor in Psychology from the College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, Minnesota.  Currently, she volunteers as a member of the Alumnae Board for her alma mater with a goal to develop strong women leaders and brighten the future of the students who come behind her.

Beyond work and volunteering, Jaclyn is a mother of 2 energetic children. She spends most of her free time with her husband, family and friends - primarily doing an activity outdoors. A proud Minnesotan, she enjoys camping, boating, playing card games or cribbage and sitting next to a bonfire any chance she gets.  Of course, all of these activities are made better with a good glass of wine! 

Maeve Pesquera, A Bold Blend of Innovation, Spirit and Passion

As Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar’s National Director of Wine, Maeve Pesquera oversees Fleming’s award-winning wine program, highlighted by the Fleming’s 100®, a collection of 100 wines by the glass, all also available by the taste, flight or bottle.

Nationally acclaimed as the steakhouse destination for lovers of fine wine, Fleming’s wine list is recognized annually by Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence. In 2013, Maeve was instrumental in the development and launch of the Fleming’s WiNEPAD™, a proprietary, award-winning web application, designed to elevate Guests’ experience with the Fleming’s 100®. Built to help demystify wine, the Fleming’s WiNEPAD™ is an easy-to-use, intuitive and interactive software. It provides label-specific tasting notes, the story behind the wine, and innovative ways to learn about wine all while making ordering fun and approachable.

In her role, Maeve collaborates with colleagues in operations, marketing, culinary and training leadership, as well as restaurant Partners and Wine Managers throughout the country to develop the wine and spirits program and to create meaningful training and education for the Fleming’s management team and Associates.

Maeve’s passion for wine has taken her to seek out an iconic winery and winemaker each year to create the Forty-Six Diamonds, a custom blend that is exclusive to Fleming’s. This small production, highly sought after wine is released annually in the fall at all Fleming’s locations and sells out almost immediately. Maeve works side-by-side with the winemaker and keeps the Guests in mind while creating a wine that is harmonious, balanced and pairs perfectly with the Fleming’s cuisine.

Throughout the curation of the Fleming’s 100 and the cocktail program, Maeve seeks out new, up and coming, small, boutique and family-owned wineries and distilleries and also develops hand-crafted, seasonal cocktail offerings. Maeve strives to make wine and spirits approachable for everyone and allow each Guest to have a unique experience and discover new wine, or their new favorite cocktail.

Maeve joined Fleming’s as the Opening Operating Partner for the first Fleming’s in Houston, which opened in 2002. She was recognized as Fleming’s Partner of the Year three times and is known for her tireless efforts on behalf of her community and various charitable endeavors.

Pesquera attended the Conrad Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management at the University of Houston, where she remains a guest lecturer and mentor to students and graduates seeking careers in the hospitality industry.

Prior to joining Fleming’s, Maeve served as General Manager of Anthony’s Restaurant for nine years, working with the legendary Houston restaurateur, Tony Vallone.

Pesquera and her husband Luis, a talented restaurant executive in his own right, and their five children live in Laguna Beach.

An award-winning author, speaker, consultant, and television host, Leslie Sbrocco is known for her entertaining approach to wine and food, as well as inspiring others to live a life of passion.  Voted as one of the Top 100 most influential people in the American wine business, Sbrocco’s engaging personality, humor, and ability to connect with the audience – whether on screen or on stage – are her trademarks.

Sbrocco’s first book, Wine for Women: A Guide to Buying, Pairing and Sharing Wine (William Morrow), has been excerpted by two national magazines, Redbook and Family Circle, and won the coveted Georges Duboeuf Best Wine Book of the Year award. Her second book, The Simple & Savvy Wine Guide (William Morrow), was released to wide acclaim, and she is currently at work on two new books entitled 100 Days…100 Drinks, Dishes & Destinations and Drinking for a Living: How One Woman Created Her Dream Job and So Can YOU.

As host of the PBS restaurant review series Check Please! Sbrocco has won a coveted James Beard award, three Taste Awards, and three Emmy awards in the span of 10 seasons on air. Sbrocco was a featured judge on the PBS national series, The Winemakers, and created wine content for the hit TBS show, Cougartown. She appears frequently on national television outlets including CNN, The Hallmark Channel’s Better TV, QVC, and is a regular guest on NBC’s Today Show.

Her work has been published in outlets such as People Style Watch magazine, Epicurious.com, O the Oprah magazine, Coastal Living, Woman’s Day, Health, Good Housekeeping and Glamour among others. Prior to completing Wine for Women, Leslie was a columnist for The New York Times online and General Manager of WineToday.com, a site of The New York Times Company. She is also the founder of the multi-media company, Thirsty Girl LLC.  Through her social media, print, online outlets and television appearances, Leslie reaches millions of consumers.

Sbrocco is one of the country’s most sought-after wine speakers and an emerging talent speaking to groups on how to turn their passions into their careers. She has showcased her energetic style at hundreds of events including O magazine's Hi Gorgeous tour with Oprah Winfrey, and the Women of the Vine, and Women in Insurance Leadership Symposiums. Her portfolio of corporate clients lists Liberty Mutual Insurance, The Wall Street Journal, Mercer, Cisco Systems, RedPrairie, and AON to name a few. Within the culinary industry, Sbrocco has appeared on stage with a roster of celebrity chefs including Marcus Samuelsson, Carla Hall, and Jacques Pépin. She has been keynote speaker at high-profile events including Food and Wine Magazine’s Aspen Classic, the Boston Wine Expo, Pinot Noir New Zealand, Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, the Boardwalk Wine Promenade, Tulalip Resort’s Taste of Tulalip, and SF Chefs.

Leslie has built programs for and consulted with companies such as Target, Harry & David, and Kimpton Hotels. Her educational and event clients include The Atlantic City Alliance, Wines from Spain, Trentino Wines, G7 Wines of Portugal, Crystal Cruises, and Holland America Cruise Lines. Sbrocco is member of the philanthropic society Les Dames d’Escoffier and a respected judge at global wine competitions including the Concours Mondial, The Argentina Wine Awards, Sunset Magazine’s International Wine Competition, Critics Challenge, and the San Francisco International Wine & Spirits Competition.

 www.LeslieSbrocco.com

Rachel Seder joined Southern Wine & Spirits on 2001.  Over the past 14 years, she has held several Human Resources position, and is now in the role of Senior Director, Talent Acquisition/Diversity & Inclusion.  Among many of her responsibilities, she has contributed to the growth of the company through the implementation of talent acquisition strategies at the corporate and divisional leads and the overall training and mentoring of human resource personnel across the enterprise.  Rachel has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Delaware and received a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certificate from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).  Rachel is the proud mom of her daughter Jordan, 13 and son Evan, 10.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children and manages to fit in a hot yoga class every now and then.

Rita Seguin, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Diageo North America

With two decades of experience in the drinks industry, Rita Seguin is a Senior Vice President, Human Resources, at Diageo North America. In this leadership position, she guides the organizational design and people strategy for the commercial business.  Before being appointed to her current role in 2012, Rita served as Vice President of Human Resources for Canada since joining the organization in 2006.   

Prior to joining Diageo Ms. Seguin was Vice President of Human Resources for Pernod Ricard North America, responsible for five manufacturing sites.  Following the Pernod Ricard acquisition of Allied Domecq, Ms. Seguin was instrumental in leading the successful integration of the two organizations. Prior to the integration, Ms. Seguin was Vice President of the HR Delivery Centre for Allied Domecq North America, where she led the consolidation of back office HR services for five business units in North America. 

Ms. Seguin is a graduate of the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada.

Founder, Sokol Blosser Winery, Dundee, Oregon

Susan Sokol Blosser, wine industry pioneer, community leader, environmental advocate, and author, is a contemporary Oregon icon. When women were rarely decision makers in business or agriculture, Susan distinguished herself in both. Over three decades, she managed every aspect of Sokol Blosser’s vineyard and winery operation. As president, she saw Sokol Blosser grow to become one of the largest and most innovative Oregon wineries, with national and international distribution.

Susan was a forerunner in instituting environmentally friendly business practices at the Sokol Blosser Winery and practicing the triple bottom line concept of people, planet, profit. With its certified organic vineyard, the first LEED certified winery building in the US, and business practices based on the Natural Step model of sustainability, the winery made social responsibility and its environmental ethic priorities, while still pursuing its vision of producing fabulous wine. Sokol Blosser Winery has been honored by Oregon Business Magazine as one of Oregon’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” and by the Portland Business Journal as one of the “Most Admired Companies in Oregon.”

After turning over the winery in 2008 to her two of her children, Alex and Alison, who serve as Co-Presidents, Susan stepped back, retaining the title of Founder. She started the Yamhill Enrichment Society (YES) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to build community through innovative and collaborative projects which promote childhood literacy, further music enrichment, encourage women leaders, nurture community history, and work towards a robust local food economy.

Susan holds a B.A. from Stanford University, an M.A.T. from Reed College, and an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from the University of Portland, citing her entrepreneurship within the context of environmental and social responsibility. She holds Lifetime Achievement awards from wine industry organizations and was the first non-California woman inducted into the Women for WineSense Hall of Fame.

She and her husband, Russ Rosner, Sokol Blosser’s Winemaker Emeritus, live at the vineyard with three cats, eight chickens and a Tibetan Terrier puppy.

Guy is one of only 215 Master Sommelier (MS) in the world. He is also a Certified Wine Educator (CWE), Certified Spirits Specialist (CSS) and previous President of the Society of Wine Educators. Guy has also served on the Board of Directors of the Court of Master Sommelier, and has been recognized as a Houston Icon for his contribution to the Wine and Food Industry of Texas. He is a graduate of the University of Houston Hilton School.

He is the Corporate Account Specialist and Director of Beverage Education for The Glazer’s Family of Companies, covering 14 states.

Guy has been the guest featured “wine expert” on the PBS cooking series Cucina Amore with Damian Mandola and Johnny Carrabba, founders of Carrabba’s Restaurants. He has also appeared on a number of radio and television talk shows covering wine and food. He was a featured speaker at the Smithsonian Institute Folk Life Festival in Washington D.C. lecturing on the Texas wine industry.

Guy is a member of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association and owner of Stout Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country AVA, producing Syrah and Tempranillo grapes.

He is an active wine judge for a variety of national competitions; including the TexSomm International Wine Awards, California State Fair, Jefferson Cup, Missouri Grape Growers, Indiana State Wine Competition, and the Houston Rodeo Wine Competition.

Guy is also a member of the Houston Food and Beverage Managers Association and founder of the Houston Caesar Salad Competition for Charity.

He is an active spokesman for the adult beverage industry

Dr. Elizabeth “Liz” Thach, MW is a Professor of Management and Wine Business at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California. Her areas of expertise include Wine Business Strategy, Human Resource Management, and Leadership Development. She started teaching as a full-time professor at SSU in the Fall of 2000. In addition to teaching, she currently conducts research and does consulting with multiple wineries and other local businesses.

In May of 2011 she was awarded the title of Master of Wine from the Institute of Masters of Wine in London, making her the first female MW on the West Coast and the 7th woman in the US to achieve this honor.

Liz holds a doctorate in Human Resource Development from Texas A&M University (1994); an M.A. in Organizational Communication and Management from Texas Tech University (1987), and a B.A. in English from College of Notre Dame in Belmont, CA (1983). An award winning writer, she has published more than 100 articles; 6 wine books and 8 book chapters. She is an active member in community organizations, and has held positions with the Board of Directors for Women for Wine Sense, Petaluma Gap WineGrowers Alliance, PASCO and many others. She is on the Editorial boards for International Journal of Wine Business Research and Wine Economics & Policy. In addition, Liz serves as a professional wine judge at many prestigious wine judging competitions.

In terms of honors, Liz was awarded a Fulbright Specialist Scholarship to teach wine business in Argentina, is the recipient of the Korbel Professorship for research, received the Andre Crispin Commanderie de Bordeaux Scholarship to travel to France, and was the winner of the Reh Kendermann Bursary that involved a trip to German wine regions. She has also received two teaching awards, and several writing honors including Best Wine Marketing Book in the World from Gourmand World. The National Women for Winesense organization recognized her with a Rising Star Award for at least 12 years of excellent service and contribution in the wine industry, and she received Resolution No. 422 from the California Legislature for being the first woman in California to become a Master of Wine.

Clarice Turner, Senior Vice President, Americas Business, Starbucks

As senior vice president of food, Clarice Turner leads the Americas Food business and the Starbucks Evenings program which she helped pioneer. In recent years, she led a key part of the U.S. Starbucks store portfolio as senior vice president, general manager of the U.S. License Business and as senior vice president in the U.S. company business. She pioneered the “Starbucks Evenings” (wine, beer & small plates) concepts.

Prior to Starbucks, Clarice was president, chief operations officer and board director of Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza, the fifth largest pizza chain in the country. Clarice joined Papa Murphy’s in 2007, following a highly-respected 16-year career with PepsiCo and Yum! Brands, where she progressed rapidly through a variety of executive management positions, including domestic and international general management in corporate, licensed, and franchise ownership models. She was instrumental at incubating new businesses, driving rapid growth, and leading downsizing efforts. Her previous experience, while earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees, included international sales and marketing and a stint as a financial controller.

Clarice continues a tenure of service on multiple boards, private, advisory and nonprofit. She currently serves on the Culinary Institute of America Board of Fellows, as an executive board director for the National Restaurant Association, vice chair of the Food & Healthy Living committee and past chair of the Sustainability committee, and the Advisory Board for the Washington State University School of Business. Clarice earned a Master of Business Administration concentrating in international business, a bachelor’s in geology from San Francisco State University, and attended Fudan University in Shanghai, China where she studied Mandarin Chinese and published several papers on her research and work.

Margo Van Staaveren has celebrated more than 30 harvests at Chateau St. Jean. During her tenure with the winery, Margo has played a pivotal role in every facet of the winemaking process. As winemaker, she makes the final decisions involving blend and style to produce consistently high quality wines in the super premium and luxury category.

That’s no small task considering Chateau St. Jean produces an extensive portfolio of Sonoma County wines as well as vineyard designated wines, limited-production Reserve wines, and the flagship Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon. Margo has been instrumental in the production of the Cinq Cépages since the premier 1990 vintage release.

Margo is a firm believer that great wines are grown—a conviction she shares with the Chateau founders who led the way for Chateau St. Jean to become a pioneer of vineyard-designated wines in the early 1970s. To achieve Chateau St. Jean vineyard designation the grapes must consistently exhibit exceptional varietal character each year.

The art of blending is the cornerstone of Margo’s winemaking philosophy. To her, one of the greatest accomplishments is to create a wine style or signature blend that carries from vintage to vintage while still capturing the uniqueness of that particular growing year. The Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County wines are appellation blends of a particular varietal. These wines give Margo the opportunity to blend together the distinct characteristics from each sub-appellation in an effort to make the best wine possible from that vintage. “I find that blended wines from the diverse Sonoma County region are even more explosive in their intensely forward fruit flavors,” Margo explains.

One of the things she enjoys most about her job is putting together the final blend for the Reserve wines. “Since no two vintages are alike, it gives us the opportunity to carefully search for the vineyard lots that offer the biggest fruit expression and the ability to age in order to create a wine that truly captures the best of the vintage,” says Margo. The Reserve wines represent the most concentrated, distinctive and balanced wines made at Chateau St. Jean.

Margo Van Staaveren graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Fermentation Science. Shortly after graduation, she joined Chateau St. Jean as a Laboratory Technician in 1980. By 1989, she had worked her way to being named Assistant Winemaker and later named Associate Winemaker. Margo was named Winemaker and General Manager for Chateau St. Jean in August of 2003, continuing a rich legacy of winemaking as the fourth winemaker in the winery’s history. In 2008 she was named “Winemaker of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast magazine.

A Boston native, Beth moved to New York City in 1982 to pursue a career as a fabric designer and milliner. Beth found herself working in restaurants and developed a passion for all things beverage. A traveler by nature, Beth has absorbed culture and garnered inspiration from around the globe, travelling in Europe, Asia and Oceana.

Returning to the US she took her first sommelier position in 1994 at an East Village hotspot, Global 33.

Over the next two decades, she worked in restaurants such as Ansonia, Estiatoro Milos, Judson Grill, Nick & Toni’s and Porterhouse NYC.

In 2007 Beth founded her own company, MvB Consulting, to focus on education, training and brand development. Her clients have included Sir Terence Conran, US Open Tennis, Restaurant Associates, The Greek Wine Council, VOS Selections and a host of private clients. She has also worked with retail clients such as Zachy’s Wine & Spirits and Bowery & Vine.

Beth has contributed to publications such as; The New York Times, The Wine Spectator, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, More and Santé.

Currently, Beth is working with the Wine Council of Bordeaux, Northern Wines of Greece, and several small Spanish producers.

In the industry since 1990 – University of Colorado Boulder, Hawaii Pacific University, Graduated Alpha Sigma Lambda. Specialty in Public Relations, Marketing and Events. HSN contributor, owner of Closet Festish featured on Oprah’s O-List, InStyle Magazine, Traditional Home and Domino.

Hobbies include: Avocado Farming, Owns Bulldog Farms, a sustainable avocado farm with an English Bulldog Rescue, Owns lifestyle retro chic clothing line, Farm Glam.

Josh Wand is the Founder & Motivator in Chief of Force Brands: BevForce | FoodForce | FieldForce, a boutique recruiting and staffing agency that specializes in hiring strategies and organizational design for food, beverage and CPG companies. Wand developed Force Brands to provide the food and beverage industry with a full-service hiring and job search platform that connects good people to great jobs.  Force Brands is a comprehensive recruiting and staffing resource, providing services including: executive recruiting, interim placement, board of director assembly, field & event staffing and targeted industry job boards at www.BevForce.com and at www.FoodForce.com. Force Brands is headquartered in New York, NY with an additional office in Los Angeles, California.

Wand received a BS in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas known for its distinguished hospitality program.

He currently resides in New York City with his wife and two sons.

Carolyn Wente, Fourth Generation Winegrower and Chief Executive Officer

“My great-grandfather, C.H. Wente, was smart enough to see the potential in Livermore Valley when he purchased 47 acres back in 1883. That decision helped to establish my family winery as the oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery in America. I’m proud to be leading the family business and driving that legacy forward.”  

As Fourth Generation Winegrower and Chief Executive Officer, Carolyn Wente maintains the family’s longstanding commitment to producing 100% estate grown, sustainably farmed wines in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay & Arroyo Seco, Monterey. The winery’s 3,000 acres of Estate vineyards are located in these two appellations, both known for offering a unique microclimate that is particularly suited to producing award winning varietals.

Since taking over as CEO, Carolyn has been instrumental in the development of the Wente family's lifestyle business, which has brought Wente Vineyards worldwide renown and attracted visitors from around the globe. She also was a major influencer who encouraged her nephew, winemaker Karl D. Wente, to create a line of handcrafted, more limited production wines that would compete with the very best in the world.

Today Carolyn works with fourth and fifth generation family members and company executives to continue the growth of Wente Family Estates. She was chosen as one of the honorees for the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World in 2002, in an event sponsored by J.P. Morgan Private Banking, Baccarat and Hermès, among other leading luxury brands. She is currently the president of the California Wine Institute– the third member of her family to lead the organization that her grandfather helped establish eighty years ago. 

Carolyn was born and raised in the Livermore Valley, California. She earned a degree in history at Stanford University. She also studied in Europe and was a student intern on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Carolyn makes her home in the scenic Livermore Valley with her husband, Buck Layton, and their son, Buck IV.

Terry Wheatley oversees all commerce channels for Vintage Wine Estates, a family-owned wine company whose portfolio includes Clos Pegase, Swanson, Girard, Cosentino, Viansa of Sonoma, B.R. Cohn, Sonoma Coast Vineyards, Middle Sister, Purple Cowboy, Girl & Dragon, Tall, Dark Stranger and many others. Terry manages wholesale, direct-to-consumer, exclusive labels, wine telesales and clubs, social media and winery tasting rooms. Over her career, Terry has mastered a complex, challenging industry through creativity, ingenuity, relationship-building and a deep understanding of what the consumer wants and needs. 

After many years in the corporate wine industry in sales and marketing with E&J Gallo and Trinchero Family Estates, Terry founded her own company, Canopy Management, in 2008.  The wine brand creation, sales and marketing company challenged the industry mindset and shattered the traditional mold. Wine Sisterhood, the social network created by Terry and her team to bring women and wine together through social media boasts over a half million fans. It is considered a case study on the creative use of digital media to market and grow wine brands and build a community of passionate wine consumers.

Canopy Management was acquired by Vintage Wine Estates in 2014. Terry continues to bring her insight and entrepreneurial approach to Vintage Wine Estates. She is a committed mentor of women in the wine industry and beyond and, as a breast cancer survivor, committed to raising awareness and money for early detection, research and to help families facing the disease. The campaign she founded, Tough Enough To Wear Pink, has raised over 22 million dollars through the grassroots efforts of the western and rodeo communities across the U.S. and Canada.

Her motto: “If you can dream it, you can do it”. (Walt Disney)

Tim has been in the wine, beer and spirits industry for quite a long time, in all tiers; retail, wholesale, supplier, importer.

Tim’s began in San Francisco importing wine beer and specialty spirits from Europe, Australia, Japan and even North Africa. A lengthy stint at Southern Wine and Spirits followed, working in the Northern California and Central and South Florida branches.

After spending three years managing stores for Beverages and More in the San Francisco region, Tim developed an interest in the organic beverage market. This led to work with a specialty distributor or organic wine and beer in California.

Tim is currently a Wine and Beer Specialist with Whole Foods Market in Northern California.

Deborah Brenner and Tim have worked together on a variety of projects and are now shares Deborah’s dream and commitment to make the Women of the Vine Global Symposium the must attend event in the wine and spirit world.

At California Pizza Kitchen, Ashley leads the development of the national marketing strategy which includes menu and creative development for the brand, beverage innovation, national promotions, loyalty programs, digital marketing, and philanthropic initiatives.

She has been instrumental in rolling out CPK’s Next Chapter initiative, a brand transformation underway in CPK’s 190 restaurants nationwide. “I am also proud to be a part of a CPK programs like the Eighth Move, an initiative designed to mentor women leaders in the workplace.”

Ceraolo is a strategic marketing professional who has worked with multiple national and international restaurant brands to develop and execute marketing campaigns, optimize brand loyalty and drive sales growth. A resident of Huntington Beach, and mother of two, Ashley is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and is also a level one Sommelier.

Last May, Ashley was honored with the 2015 Most Powerful and Influential Woman of California. Ceraolo was recognized for her leadership by the National Diversity Council, an organization which fosters an understanding of diversity and inclusion as a strategy for business success and community well-being through various initiatives.

Stephanie Gallo: A Legacy in Wine and Marketing

Stephanie A. Gallo is a Vice President of Marketing for E. & J. Gallo Winery of Modesto, California. The winery, co-founded by Stephanie’s grandfather Ernest and great uncle Julio 80 years ago, is now the largest family-owned winery in the world, exporting wine and spirits to 90 countries.

With a deep-rooted passion for wine and a strong commitment to family, Stephanie is leading worldwide marketing efforts for several prominent brands in the Popular Business Unit, including Barefoot and Gallo Family Vineyards. Under Stephanie’s leadership, Barefoot has grown from 500,000 cases to the largest bottled wine brand in the world. She also plays an integral role in the development of innovative new products, which has led to highly successful brand launches like Naked Grape, Vin Vault and Dark Horse.

In addition to her critical role in the growth of Barefoot, Stephanie’s key contributions to the business have included repositioning the Gallo Family Vineyards brand globally and pioneering the winery’s online advertising, social media programs and event marketing initiatives.

Many of the brands she manages are consistently recognized for outstanding success, including the Beverage Information Group’s Fast Track Growth Brand Award, Market Watch Magazine’s Hot Brand Award, Event Marketer Magazine’s Ex Award for Best Retail/In Store Event Program and the Cause Marketing Forum’s Halo Award. In honor of this success, Stephanie was named one of the Top Women in Grocery by Progressive Grocer Magazine in 2011.

In 1994, Stephanie earned her bachelor’s degree in government and international studies from the University of Notre Dame. She then obtained an MBA from Northwestern University’s prestigious J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management. She served Notre Dame as a Young Graduate Trustee from 1996 to 1999 and as a member of the Advisory Council for the university’s Mendoza College of Business from 1999 to 2002. Today, she remains active with Kellogg as a regional campaign co-chair, student mentor and guest speaker.

Stephanie is involved in her community as a regular speaker on women in business, family business and the importance of community giving. Additionally, she is a leader in the company in supporting progressive work-life balance programs. For her work in the wine industry and in her community, Stephanie was named the 2007 Young Entrepreneur of the Year by California State University at Stanislaus. She lives in her hometown of Modesto with her husband Chris and their two children, Amelia and Harrison.

Lynda Spillane    MA (res), MBA, BA (psych), Grad Dip Mgmt, Grad Dip Voice

www.lyndaspillane.com

Lynda Spillane is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of Public Performance having combined psychology, theater and classical subjects to produce a unique approach to the teaching of public speaking.

Career highlights include working with Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher, Keating, President Obama, and King Abdullah II of Jordan. She is currently working on the EKO Atlantic Project in Africa. This project will establish Lagos as the financial center of Africa thus contributing to Africa’s current impressive economic growth.

She has taught over 8,000 MBA students worldwide as a guest Professor at many Universities including Daniels College of Business, MIT, Harvard and the London Business School.

She conducts transformational workshops and coaching worldwide for CEOs, Presidents and Professional Women.

Her award winning Public Speaking Mastery program in Washington DC has been taught in New York, London, Pakistan, Dubai, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Portugal, Rome and Milan.

An internationally acclaimed speechwriter, her speech given by King Abdullah II of Jordan to a Joint Session of Congress is used in all Schools throughout Jordan.

She is a passionate animal activist. Current projects are fighting to have the NY Central Park Carriage Horses retired from an abusive existence, and speaking on behalf of the 70,000 Beagles currently abused and tortured in laboratories around America. Please visit www.searchingforsnoopy.com for more details – Password snoopy

Marilisa Allegrini: The Voice of Amarone

“The beauty that surrounds us still surprises me,” says Marilisa Allegrini, global representative and CEO of Allegrini Estates, on the Allegrini family’s acclaimed estates in Tuscany and the Veneto. Together with her brother Franco Allegrini, head winemaker for Allegrini Estates, Marilisa carries on the legacy of their father Giovanni, a visionary viticulturist in Valpolicella credited with revolutionizing Amarone and appassimento winemaking. Steeped in centuries of winegrowing expertise, the family is recognized for crafting the benchmark Amarone, pioneering a focus on single-vineyard sites, and consistently marrying tradition with innovation.

Sharing the Legacy of Italian Wine with the World Marilisa was brought up in the vineyard by Giovanni, and was heavily influenced by his dedication to Italian winegrowing of the highest caliber. After studies at the University of Verona, Marilisa became Director of Sales and Marketing for Allegrini and began traveling throughout Italy and the world to share the story of her family’s heritage and wines. Her passion and ambassadorship helped cement the reputation of Amarone as one of the world’s finest wines and Allegrini as its top producer. Today, Marilisa is president of Amarone Families (Famiglie dell’Amarone d’Arte), and has been recognized as one of the top ambassadors for Valpolicella worldwide.

Breaking new ground in Bolgheri.

Bolgheri in Tuscany represented to Marilisa and the Allegrini family not only a beautiful new domain but also a promise to continue their exploration of what’s possible in Italian wine. So in 2002, Marilisa, Franco and their late brother Walter embarked on a new winegrowing journey in the region’s renowned coastal terroir, focused once again on the premise of developing extraordinary vineyard sites. The family’s Poggio al Tesoro estate and its wines have already received acclaim, thanks to the dedication, relentless pursuit of quality and respect for the land the family upholds in all of its endeavors.

“Tradition is not immobility,” Marilisa says of the family’s Tuscan exploration. “When accompanied by true respect for a territory, there is always something to discover, to interpret, to see in a new light.”

Celebrating Italian culture and hospitality.

Marilisa and the Allegrini family channel their passion for hospitality at Verona’s Villa della Torre, their 16^th century renaissance palace, which was once home to visiting artists and bears a rich cultural past. Today, this world-class destination welcomes guests with the family’s phenomenal wines as well as dining experiences from a Michelin-starred chef. Every detail is thoughtfully anticipated, and the result is a distinctly Italian sense of welcome, grace and vivacity. “It is thrilling to us that the Villa della Torre’s façade, grand rooms, archways and gardens today recall their former 16th century grandeur—and thus reflect our commitment to honoring Italian culture,” says Marilisa.

Whether she is sharing the story of Allegrini’s enduring success in the Veneto or introducing wines from the family’s latest chapter in Tuscany, Marilisa draws on her singular knowledge to inspire and inform.

Eric Asimov is the chief wine critic of The New York Times and the author of “How to Love Wine: A Memoir and Manifesto,’’ published by William Morrow, and “Wine With Food: Pairing Notes and Recipes From The New York Times,’’ written with recipes by Florence Fabricant and published by Rizzoli.

His weekly column appears in the Food section of The Times. Naturally, he is on Twitter, too, @EricAsimov. A collection of his columns is included in “The New York Times Book of Wine,’’ published in 2012 by Sterling Epicure. Before he started writing full-time about wine in 2004, Asimov wrote primarily about restaurants and food. He created the $25 and Under restaurant reviews in 1992 and wrote them through 2004. He is a co-author of five editions of The New York Times Guide to Restaurants, and published four editions of “$25 and Under: A Guide to the Best Inexpensive Restaurants in New York.’’ In 2013 he was inducted into the James Beard Foundation’s Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America. Asimov is a graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., and did graduate work in American Civilization at the University of Texas at Austin. He is married to Deborah Hofmann, has two children, Jack and Peter, and lives in Manhattan.

Gillian Ballance MS, DWS has spent the last 20 years working in the best fine dining restaurants in the United States.

Ms Ballance began her career at The Rainbow Room, one of the most beloved restaurants in New York City, and worked under Andrea Immer Robinson.  While there, Ballance’s thirst for knowledge and passion for wine became evident, so when Andrea became the Beverage Director at the Windows of the World Restaurant, she took Gillian with her.

Exposed to a cellar with over 100,000 bottles was the best education a passionate wine enthusiast could have and Ballance’s career soared. Her career includes opening up Cello in NYC, Wine and Beverage Director at Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara, Plumpjack Group’s Wine Director, Wine Consultant and Sommelier for Bottega Restaurant in Napa Valley, Wine Director at the luxurious Cavallo Point. Currently Ballance is the  National Education Manager for Treasury Wine Estates.

Ballance has been featured in numerous publications like Wine Spectator, Food and Wine Magazine and an abundance of Trade publications. She has also judged at several wine competitions and conducts wine seminars and lectures across the United States.

In 2012 Ballance passed the esteemed Master Sommelier Diploma Exam through the Court of Master Sommeliers, representing one of 21 women  in the world. She received her Higher Certificate of Distinction as well as her Diploma in Wines & Spirits from the British Wine and Spirits Education Trust. Ms. Ballance has a BFA from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and grew up in Tulsa.

Jan Barnes is the Vice President, Group Brand Director for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE), the leading wine producer in Washington state and owner of wineries in California and Oregon as well as the exclusive US importer of Antinori wines, Torres wines, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte and Villa Maria Estate.

Jan has over 25 years of experience in consumer & brand marketing, promotions and PR.  Prior to joining Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in 1997, Jan worked with Millstone (gourmet coffee) and Proctor and Gamble. 

She is responsible for the brand marketing and strategic development for a 3 million case portfolio, including Chateau Ste. Michelle, Domaine Ste. Michelle and Eroica.  Chateau Ste. Michelle is currently the #2 premium brand sold in the U.S. (Nielsen) and was recently awarded its 22^th Winery of the Year honor from Wine & Spirits, more than any other American winery.    In addition to successfully managing and growing a broad portfolio, Jan was the marketing lead for Eroica, a joint venture between Chateau Ste. Michelle and Germany’s famed Dr. Loosen Estate. “I have a great passion for delivering exceptional winery experiences to consumers, be it through a glass of wine, the packaging or a promotion, or an exceptional visit to the historic grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle,” Jan says. 

Jan is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Washington University. 

Systems Engineer with a Harvard Degree in Advanced Management.

Mrs. Henriquez is a professional with 38 years of experience, out of which 26 have been spent as President and/or CEO of multinational or global companies in Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina and now, France.

Mrs. Henriquez, better known as Maggie, is renowned for developing and implementing strategies to manage companies in difficult contexts and circumstances. For
26 years she contributed to different companies by developing and executing the right strategies to successfully lead the way as president and/ or C.E.O. of companies which produced and distributed wines and spirits in Venezuela, food in Mexico, sparkling and still wines in Argentina and now in the House of Krug, in Reims, France. The House of Krug is at the very top of the Champagne industry – it is the only house that has created only Prestige Champagnes since it was founded in 1843.

Maggie was also president of the Association of Manufacturers in Venezuela, Mexico and actively participated in the transformation of the Argentinean wine industry. In Argentina, she got deeply connected with winegrowing and winemaking during her eight years at the head of Moët Hennessy properties there.

During her experience leading different companies she was also a member of the international executive committees of Seagram, Nabisco, Moët Hennessy Latin America, Caribbean, Canada and Middle East, Moët Hennessy Estates & Wines, and now belongs to the Moët Hennessy International executive committee.

During her stay in Mexico, she was Professor of New Product Development for International Markets and Strategic Alliances at the Universidad Panamericana for post-graduate and/or Master degrees. Maggie has conducted seminars on various topics, which range from Wine, Champagne, Luxury Brand Building, Strategy and Marketing, Facing Crisis, Leadership, and Women’s Development.

Among other recognitions, she was appointed “Keeper of the Quaich” by the Scotch Whisky association in 1993; in Argentina in 2008 was

appointed among the best five executives of the year during the last 10 years by Fundaciôn Konex; and recently was appointed as the 2013 woman of the year by Drinks International – one of the most important trade media in the UK.

She is a system engineer with an advanced program in Harvard. She has two children
living in Mexico, 35 and 31, she is also a grandmother of a girl and a boy. Maggie loves sports, biking, water skiing, tennis, horseriding, aerobics and spinning. She is fluent in three languages: English, French and Spanish and understands Italian and Portuguese. Maggie is computer skilled, loves wines, gastronomy, traveling, arts, reading, music, opera and a good spa. 

Cynthia Lohr, Co-Owner, Trade and Brand Advocate, J. Lohr Vineyards

As the daughter of wine industry pioneer Jerry Lohr, Cynthia Lohr spent some of her youth in the vineyards and at the wineries, absorbing aspects of the wine industry firsthand. As an adult, she chose her own path, establishing a reputation for excellence in strategic marketing and public relations, working with a who’s who of leading Internet and technology companies. In 2002, Cynthia joined the family business as director of communications for J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, and in 2009 she was named marketing vice president.

In this capacity, Cynthia works with a dedicated marketing team, overseeing J. Lohr’s advertising, public relations, editorial, promotional, Internet marketing, branding and communications initiatives, and is involved in direct-to-consumer strategy and partner sponsor relationships. Cynthia’s unique background has enabled her to enhance J. Lohr’s visibility while expanding overall brand recognition in both traditional and new media and throughout the marketplace. As one of three Lohr children to work actively in the business, Cynthia’s perspective on sustainability starts in the vineyards and includes growing J. Lohr to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Prior to joining J. Lohr, Cynthia was a vice president at AlexanderOgilvy Public Relations Worldwide, where her division served an array of clients including Covad Communications, TurboLinux, HomePNA, iPIX, Preview Systems, and Vicinium Systems. Cynthia also was director of communications for Alexa Internet, acquired by Amazon.com in 1999. In addition, while at technology public relations firm Niehaus Ryan Group, Cynthia led Yahoo!’s pre-IPO strategic messaging efforts, helping to build the company’s consumer brand throughout the mid-90s. She also directed strategic communications initiatives and executed numerous product launches for VeriSign, InsWeb and Organic Online. Before joining Niehaus Ryan Group, Cynthia was the director of business development at PRx, a strategic marketing communications firm serving Silicon Valley technology clients.

Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in French with a minor in psychology from UC Davis. Her diverse background also reflects her passion for family and community, leadership, the arts and education. She lives in San Francisco with her family and serves on the board of directors for Slide Ranch, is a founding member and board director of the Paso Robles CAB (Cabernet and Bordeaux) Collective (the PRCC), serves on the Unified Symposium Program Committee, and is an advisory board member for Women of the Vine. Cynthia is also an experienced ethnic vocalist, who has performed in 20 languages and released CDs with local groups Kitka,Wazobia, Savina, Jou Jou, and Flying Without Instruments. Her vocal credits with Kitka include the film Jacob’s Ladder.

Tim has been in the wine, beer and spirits industry for quite a long time, in all tiers; retail, wholesale, supplier, importer.

Tim’s began in San Francisco importing wine beer and specialty spirits from Europe, Australia, Japan and even North Africa. A lengthy stint at Southern Wine and Spirits followed, working in the Northern California and Central and South Florida branches.

After spending three years managing stores for Beverages and More in the San Francisco region, Tim developed an interest in the organic beverage market. This led to work with a specialty distributor or organic wine and beer in California.

Tim is currently a Wine & Beer Buyer with Whole Foods Market in Northern California.

Deborah Brenner and Tim have worked together on a variety of projects and are now shares Deborah’s dream and commitment to make the Women of the Vine Global Symposium the must attend event in the wine and spirit world.

Nikki Mason Bazzo is a California native who began her career with Southern Wine and Spirits in 2005 as an entry-level merchandiser. She was soon promoted to a Sales Consultant role which then transitioned into trade development, ambassador and portfolio management roles. Today, Nikki is currently an Account Executive for the American Wine and Spirits division and is involved in numerous companywide initiatives such as “Women in Wine” and the “Emerging Leadership Program”. She is always enthusiastic to undertake new projects and responsibilities that will further contribute to her personal and professional development while continuing to support companywide growth.

As a Social Entrepreneur, Deborah Brenner expounds beyond the entrepreneurial focus of growing a business and measures performance on the positive impact the business makes on society. She has manifested her vision with Women of the Vine & Spirits, and inspired people to support a movement in the alcohol beverage industry. She has presented a challenge that calls forth the best in people and brings them together around a shared sense of purpose, working with the power of intentionality and alignment with a higher purpose. 

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, Deborah 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, Deborah 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, Deborah 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 she had hoped, which led her to shut down the Women of the Vine wine brand and return to the drawing board.

One year later, Deborah organized the inaugural Women of the Vine Global & Spirits Global Symposium, held in March of 2015, which quickly sold out to 500 women from five countries. Due to the overwhelming response, Deborah and the Women of the Vine & Spirits Advisory Board went to work developing a consortium that supports professionals in the alcohol beverage industry year-round. Thus, emerged Women of the Vine & Spirits, a membership-based organization, anchored by the annual Global 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.

Deborah belongs to the Culinary Institute of America’s Society of Fellows and 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),  the Rockland Business Women's Network Woman of the Year Award (2014), the Rockland Business Women's Network Woman of the Year Award (2014), American Cancer Society Dr. Louis Berger Award (2017), Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award Person of the Year Nominee (2017), Las Vegas Inc. “Woman to Watch” (2018), and Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award “Social Visionary of the Year” Recipient (2018).

Kelly Poulsen, Vice President of Federal Government Affairs - Distilled Spirits Council of the United States 

Kelly Poulsen is Vice President of Federal Government Affairs for the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, where she advocates on behalf of the distilled spirits sector with members of Congress and Federal government agencies.  

Before joining the staff at the Council, Poulsen was Vice President of Government Affairs at the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and worked for Congressman Denny Rehberg (MT-At Large) as his adviser on financial services, tax, small business and economic development issues. She also staffed the Congressman in his role as a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  

Prior to that, Poulsen served on the federal government affairs team at the National Association of Home Builders and began her career on Capitol Hill with Congressman Mark Green (WI-08).  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Kansas.

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.

Rachel Ashley is Vice President of Wine Production with Treasury Wine Estates. This role leads the Americas Grape Resources, Winemaking and Winery Operations teams and is accountable for grape to glass delivery of quality wines across a 50 Brand portfolio.  Rachel holds a PhD in Viticulture from the University of Adelaide and embarked on her wine industry career in the Barossa Valley. Rachel relocated to California 9 years ago, during which time has gained extensive exposure and knowledge of the Californian Wine Industry from vineyard through to wine and built capability in team leadership, driving a high-performance culture.

Other interests include cycling, sailing, hiking and camping with her partner and his 2 energetic boys.

Jackie Wilcox is the Director of Business Development for Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC).  In this role she leads the Spirits Division in the South Texas Region and provides statewide strategic direction to both the RNDC spirits sales teams and supplier partners.  Jackie has responsibility for the development, performance, and execution of the spirits business within the region. 

Jackie started her career with RNDC in 2008 in the Off Premise Wine Division as a Sales Representative.  Her passion, customer service focus, and competitive nature were quickly recognized and she was promoted to the role of District Manager.  She was responsible for leading Retail Wine Sales in the grocery and independent channel and held various progressive leadership roles.  To further develop her industry knowledge, Jackie transferred to the Spirits Division in 2011.  She was promoted to her current role in 2015 where she applies a hands-on, team oriented leadership style.

Throughout her tenure at RNDC, Jackie has been responsible for the training and development of numerous sales teams, as well as building and maintaining strong relationships with customers and supplier partners.  Jackie excels in creating a culture of customer excellence and in driving her teams to achieve and execute results. 

Jackie is a graduate of Texas State University and holds a WSET Level II Certification.  She is member of the RNDC South Texas Recruitment and Mentorship Program and the RNDC National Women’s Leadership Forum.  She enjoys coaching AAU Girls Youth Basketball and is a volunteer with the Texas Special Olympics. 

Jackie lives in Austin, Texas and enjoys traveling, live music, sporting events, and spending time with family, friends, and her three dogs.  Jackie lives by the motto, “work hard, play harder.”

Chris Indelicato

President and CEO – Delicato Family Vineyards

As President and CEO of the family-owned business with over 90 years of California winemaking and grape growing heritage, Chris Indelicato oversees the winery’s strategic direction, company culture and commitment to sustainability.

Born and raised in Manteca, California where his grandfather, Gaspare Indelicato planted the family’s first vineyards in 1924, Chris has been ingrained in the industry since childhood. Chris spent his teenage years alongside his father, uncles and brother harvesting, crushing, bottling and pouring wine behind the counter of the family’s tasting room.

Chris went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles where he quickly launched his career as a Certified Public Accountant. His tenure in the financial field provided invaluable experience and a renewed interest in returning to the family business. In 1994, Chris rejoined Delicato Family Vineyards initially working with his brother Jay on the viticulture and winery operations side, then moving on to become National Accounts Manager, and Chief Financial Officer. After ten years of experience, relationship building and a passion for continuing his family legacy, Chris assumed the role of President and CEO in 2004.

Now in its fourth generation, family-run Delicato Family Vineyards has grown to rank among the top ten wineries in the United States in volume with the largest growth in the wine industry. Named Wine Enthusiast magazine’s 2011 “American Man of the Year” for his outstanding achievement in innovation, distinctive brand positioning and big picture thinking, Chris has led the launch and long term, national and international success of brands like Gnarly Head, Noble Vines and Bota Box. With prestige brands like Black Stallion Estate Winery in Napa Valley and Z. Alexander Brown, the #1 new brand of 2016 crafted in partnership with Grammy award-winning artist Zac Brown, the Delicato Family Vineyards portfolio continues to over-deliver.

Chris serves as President of the Winegrowers of Napa County, and Second Vice-Chair of The Wine Institute, the public policy advocacy association representing nearly 1,000 California wineries. Most importantly, he is the proud father of two children, son Borja and daughter Caterina. Chris and wife, Maché make their home in Napa.

Amy Hoopes is the President of Wente Family Estates. Hoopes’ role includes oversight of sales, marketing, hospitality and retail operations for the family-owned wine portfolio.  This includes Wente Vineyards (the oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery in America), Murrieta’s Well, Entwine, Hayes Ranch, and Double Decker brands, as well as the lifestyle operations: The Course, The Restaurant and The Concerts at Wente Vineyards.

Ms. Hoopes is heading a long-term brand-driven strategy with the ultimate goal of positioning Wente Family Estates as one of the most respected family-owned wineries in the world. Ms. Hoopes joined Wente Family Estates in 2007 as Vice President of Marketing. She worked on the alignment of brand strategy and portfolio mapping, together while managing Wente 4th and 5th generation family members. Today, she focuses on brand strategy and guest experience, working with a team of marketing, sales and hospitality leaders at Wente.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1997 with a degree in Anthropology, Ms. Hoopes joined E. & J. Gallo’s Management Achievement Program and her last position after 10 years of diverse responsibilities was a Director of Marketing at E. & J. Gallo Winery. In this capacity, she oversaw marketing of the Value Wine Portfolio, as well as new product development and innovation for wines and spirits.

Ms. Hoopes was among Direct Marketing News distinguished list of “40 Under 40” marketers in 2014, and was inducted into the Marketing Hall of Femme in 2015.  She is a member of the Communications Committee for Wine Institute, an executive board member and current President for Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association, a Member of Monterey County Vintners and Winegrowers Association, and the Past President of Les Dames d’Escoffier.

Ms. Hoopes lives in Pleasanton with her husband and two daughters.

Sara Floyd has had a varied and colorful career in the wine business, launching her wine career working as an assistant to Larry Stone, the "dean" of American sommeliers, at Rubicon restaurant in San Francisco.  Ms. Floyd then became Wine Director for the Vertigo Restaurant, where she developed an award-winning wine list and worked with some of the top chefs of the city. In 1998, Ms. Floyd concluded her active restaurant work as the Wine Director for Wolfgang Puck's Postrio, the most popular and elegant restaurant of its era in San Francisco.

After just two years at this post, Martine Saunier of Martine’s Wines selected Ms. Floyd to run her National Sales. It was at Martine’s Wines where it became obvious where her future was in the marketing and sales of wines.

Looking to make her own mark in the wine world, in 2001, Ms. Floyd launched Swirl Wine Brokers in San Francisco with Lawrence Boone.  Swirl is a state-wide broker that carefully selects and represents wines from California, Washington, Oregon, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Austria.  It has also been innovative in seeking out wines from Hungry, Switzerland, Greece, and Macedonia.   

Ms. Floyd has also been the National Sales Director for Jorge Ordonez wines. She assisted Mr. Ordonez in the sampling and blending of many of the wines that were produced for Jorge Ordonez &Co.  She has traveled extensively throughout the wine regions of Spain.  

Her success as a business woman should be sufficient enough to establish her credibility. But in addition to all she has done, Sara Floyd is a Master Sommelier, the tenth woman in the world to have earned the title.

In 2007 Ms. Floyd and the Pisoni Family launched Luli Wines, specializing in high quality, value wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands.  Luli produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and rose, with an annual production of fifteen thousand cases.

In 2010 at the young age of forty, Ms. Floyd and her husband Jim became parents to fraternal twin boys which along with co-running two companies keeps Ms. Floyd on her tiptoes. 

Kyndal Korsgaden (née Kennedy) - Director of Operations

As Director of Operations at Women of the Vine & Spirits, Kyndal is responsible for not only the day-to-day operations of the organization, but works alongside Founder & CEO, Deborah Brenner, guiding strategy and direction, ensuring profitably, and innovation.

Kyndal began her career first with a focus on marketing, working as a Marketing Specialist at an advertising agency in her hometown of Visalia, CA, where she also served as the Assistant Editor of a regional style, art, and culture magazine published by the agency. She then followed her heart to wine country where she worked a number of years for a public relations and marketing firm in San Luis Obispo. There, she represented a variety of clients in the lifestyle and hospitality industry ranging from restaurants and wineries to resorts and large-scale consumer and trade events. 

In her years as a marketing and PR professional, Kyndal led teams to produce notable large-scale events for media, trade and consumers alike while also managing various responsibilities including website management and content development, guiding brand messaging, budget management, administration of board agendas, social media marketing, media outreach and more. Her eye for design, creative copywriting skills, and finesse, paired with a positive outlook allows her to manage projects with assurance of satisfaction and success. 

Kyndal is a graduate of the University of California Santa Barbara, where she earned a B.A. in Communication and a Minor in Art History. 

She lives in Washington with her husband, daughter, and dogs.

Nicole Bierig Jordan, is the Vice President, Commercial Strategy and Analytics at Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits (SGWS).  Nicole has 10 years of experience at SGWS in various analytically-driven positions, most recently serving in a dual role leading strategy for the Western Region as well as the Commercial Analytics for the company nationally.    

Nicole earned her MBA from the Wharton School of Business, majoring in Strategic Management and her Bachelors from the University of California Berkeley, where she graduated with Phi Beta Kappa and High Honors in International Business.

In addition to progressive corporate leadership roles at Southern, Nicole Jordan was chosen as member of the initial class of fourteen for Southern’s Emerging Leaders Program — a selective executive development program for top talent from across the company. 

Nicole lives in San Francisco, CA with her husband Clay.  She volunteers locally with Junior League of San Francisco, where she sat on the board of International Rescue Committee (IRC) helping refugees located in the Bay Area.  In her free time, she enjoys cycling, hiking with her dog Tucker, and traveling around the world. 

Director of Strategic Sourcing - Beverage.

Gwen Chappell Director of Strategic Sourcing for MGM Resorts International

Gwen is responsible for leading and directing all strategic sourcing activities for assigned categories relating to beverage, responsible for negotiations and implementation of all sourcing contracts under the Beverage Program for 14 MGM Resorts International Properties.  Manage Spend of $100 Million in annual spend subsidiaries.  Strategic planning of processes to ensure compliance across the enterprise.

Gwen joins us from Bellagio, where she had served as Director of Beverage since February 2008. In that role, she oversaw the Property’s beverage program for all restaurants and Banquets, as well as the maintenance of six service bars and three main lounges, and direction of more than 500 beverage employees.

Gwen began her Food & Beverage career with MGM Resorts in 1998 as a Cocktail Server at The Mirage, and was quickly promoted to Department Supervisor.  Gwen continued to rise through the ranks ultimately becoming Director of Beverage at Mirage.

Rachel Roberts was appointed Vice President Global Marketing Operations for Beam Suntory Inc., the world’s third-largest premium spirits company, in January 2017.

Roberts has more than 20 years of brand building, sales, marketing, and innovation experience in the beverage, spirits, and wine industries. Prior to serving as Vice President Global Marketing Operations, Roberts held several leadership roles at Beam Suntory, including Senior Director of Innovation, Senior Brand Director, Vice President of Activation, Vice President GSM Control States and Vice President Commercial Marketing & Insights.

Roberts joined Beam Suntory in March 2006, and relocated to Chicago in 2007, following eight years with Pernod Ricard, formerly Allied Domecq, where she most recently served as Global Innovation Director, managing an extensive team of innovation leads across multiple markets internationally.

Prior to Allied Domecq, Roberts progressed through a number of sales and marketing roles at Pepsi, including ABM for Diet Pepsi and London Field Sales Manager.

Roberts earned a degree in business from Manchester University in England.

Roberts, who hopes she and her husband have instilled their shared love of sports and strong sense of team spirit in their two children, lives in Chicago’s Northshore neighborhood.

Stephanie J. Macleod

Master Blender

In Dewar’s illustrious 170-year history, Stephanie is only the seventh person to hold the proud title of Dewar’s Master Blender—and, she is the first woman. Stephanie is distinctly qualified for her critical role at Dewar’s, with excellent credentials primarily in the sensory analyses of whisky and blending.

Stephanie began her career in whisky as a Sensory Analyst at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, working on a project which attempted to unlock the maturation secrets of Scotch whisky. She also studied rum, olive oil, wine and cheese, and has published a number of scientific papers on the results of her research.

In 1998, Stephanie moved to Dewar’s and within a short time was placed in charge of the Spirit Quality Laboratories at the Company’s head office in Glasgow. In 2003, Stephanie became Blender Designate, and began her official three year training with the then Master Blender, Tom Aitken.

Since 2006, when she assumed the role of Master Blender she has continued the Dewar’s blending legacy by maintaining the award winning taste of Dewar’s and other brands in the Scotch whisky portfolio.  The portfolio has been expanded to include amongst others the award winning blends Dewar’s 15 and Dewar’s Legacy and Dewar’s Ne Plus Ultra 30 year old, a range of single cask expressions of Aberfeldy, and more recently the long awaited release of the ‘Last Great Malts’.

Catherine McDaniel is Vice President, Federal Affairs for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA). She joined WSWA in 2007 and manages WSWA-PAC, the association political arm along with serving as a registered lobbyist and advocate on Capitol Hill.  Additionally, Catherine was instrumental in establishing the association’s new Women’s’ Leadership Council (WLC), a national networking and professional development resource for industry women.

Catherine travels the country educating WSWA members on the benefits of WSWA, WSWA-PAC and the WLC program.  She has elevated the WSWA-PAC to a Top 15 trade association PAC that raises $2 million per election cycle and leads specialty tasting events such as WSWA’s annual “Toast to Congress.”  She is a true advocate on behalf of the association on Capitol Hill and is has devoted her time to encouraging wholesale executives to incorporate women in leadership roles and branding women leaders with the WLC Advisory Board.

Prior to joining WSWA, Catherine worked for the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) as Director, Legislative and Political Affairs, overseeing its PAC, fundraisers, compliance and legislative conferences.

She began her career at Lamar Advertising’s corporate headquarters in Baton Rouge, La., in the national sales/marketing department. As a young professional in Washington, she spent her off hours as a retail wine sales specialist where she completed Society of Wine Educators training.

Catherine received her Bachelor’s Degree Mass Communication, with minors in marketing and political science from Louisiana State University.  She currently resides in Alexandria, VA with her husband, Malloy and three children, Maxwell, Murphy and Vidrine.

Sara Fasolino, Senior Manager, Beverage for Brinker International has the task of overseeing the  beverage programs for Chili's and Maggiano's. A Certified Cicerone®, Certified Sommelier, Certified Specialist of Wine and Advanced Mixologists wine, beer and spirits are Fasolino’s passion and in her role at Brinker, she has truly found her home.

Originally from Buffalo, NY, Fasolino moved to Chicago on a whim and landed a dream job at Morton’s The Steakhouse as the Corporate Beverage Manager before moving on to Brinker International. “I am thankful and humbled every day I come to work and do my job,” says Fasolino. “I am extremely fortunate and grateful.”

Fasolino started working in the restaurant industry while waiting tables throughout college and that’s when she knew she was destined to be part of the restaurant and hospitality industry. She now resides in Dallas with her family.

K.D. Organ joined Chateau Ste. Michelle as an enologist in 2008, was promoted to Assistant Winemaker in 2011, and added Anew Wines to her responsibilities in 2015. Based at Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Canoe Ridge Estate red winery near Paterson, Washington, K.D. assists in managing the day-to-day production of wines.  Her major area of focus is the Reserve Program, which includes single vineyard wines, varietal reserves, the Artist Series Meritage blend, and Tenet wines. 

“I love the pure intensity, natural acidity, and the ample tannins in Washington’s fruit,” K.D. says. “When tasting and blending wines, I try to look for a balance point, where all the components in the wine work together to create a harmonious impact.”

K.D. attended Washington State University and majored in Agricultural Science with emphasis in Viticulture and Enology. She graduated in 2004, and joined Snoqualmie, Chateau Ste. Michelle’s sister winery, as an enology intern that year. She then moved to Covey Run as a lab technician for three years before joining Chateau Ste. Michelle.  2013 afforded an opportunity to work a vintage in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, at Te Awa, a small winery owned by Villa Maria, which gave K.D. the experience of working with wines made from the unique terroir of the Gimblett Gravels District. 

“Winemaking is my passion because it embodies the creativity of art, the mystique of history, and the methodology of science,” K.D. says. “I love working in Washington wine country because we’re still young as a growing region, and there’s still so much to learn.”

Caley Shoemaker
Head Distiller at Hangar 1 Vodka

Caley Shoemaker is one of a handful of female distillers to lead operations for a major American spirits brand. As Head Distiller of Hangar 1 Vodka, Caley draws on inspiration from the California’s abundant seasonal ingredients to make the fresh tasting vodkas that give Hangar 1 its signature crisp and clean taste.

A Denver native, Caley got her start in craft spirits distilling at Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey. As she worked her way up under Master Distiller Rob Dietrich’s guidance, Caley immersed herself in every aspect of the production process, from the sourcing of grains to distillation and bottling. She is a self-proclaimed “spirits nerd” who is fascinated by how the chemistry of distilling affects the quality, texture and flavor of the final product.

In 2014, Caley left the world of whiskey and joined Hangar 1 Vodka where she brings her expertise of capturing flavors from all ingredients to create a clean, well crafted spirit with a signature style.

In 2016, Caley most recently oversaw the full buildout of the distillery’s Visitor’s Center and Tasting Room, which offers visitors around the Bay Area and afar an indepth vodka tasting experience. Also available at the distillery is Distiller’s Exclusive, a limited edition line of specialty flavored vodkas that Caley develops on a regular basis using farm-fresh fruit, vegetables and botanicals of the Bay Area.

Adam Strum is the Founder and Chairman of Wine Enthusiast Companies and Editor and Publisher of Wine Enthusiast Magazine and heads up the largest group of wine commerce and media companies in the world. With more than 800,000 readers The Wine Enthusiast Magazine and its website Winemag.com provides authoritative reviews and ratings of tens of thousands of wines every year on the 100 point scale from their offices in New York, Rome, Bordeaux and San Francisco. The Wine Enthusiast Catalog/Web business (wineenthusiast.com) is the leading inventor and seller of wine accessories and wine storage. Finally Wine Enthusiast hosts each year the prestigious "Wine Star Awards," to be held in Miami for the first time in 2017, which honor excellence in the Wine Industry.

Strum, a second generation 38-year veteran of the wine business, is a pioneer whose diverse wine related business has had a major impact on increasing wine consumption and wine culture in America. Since 1979 Wine Enthusiast Companies has mailed and distributed more than 300 million wine related publications in the United States and around the world introducing millions of people to the pleasures of the fruit of the vine.

Anna Smaga-Trzaskalska - BIO

Wine Entrepreneur and Consultant

With an experience in the wine industry in Poland of over 15 years, Anna Smaga – Trzaskalska had decided to strengthen her position as an expert joining PhD studies at Kozminski University in Warsaw, Poland and conducting a research about women in wine. Few years ago she decided to switch her career a little bit from business to the academic teaching. That is why, in 2016 Anna Smaga-Trzaskalska created post graduate studies in Luxury Brand Management dedicated mostly to luxury wines and fine dining areas, at the same University. She actively promotes lifestyle entrepreneurship born from passion to work as she is a great example of a women who succeeds in the business born from passion to wine.

Anna is also a member of AAWE (American Association of Wine Economics) and actively takes part in academic conferences organized by the Organization.

Anna’s career began in the wine business by opening her own wine shop & bar in Warsaw City Center. Few years later she set up with her friend a wine consulting company, named Taste Italy, that was introducing Italian wine brands to the Polish market. She successfully managed the launch of known Italian brands such as Foss Marai, Il Molino di Grace, Fondo Antico, and many more. Anna is keen on organizing wine events as being highly professional and well-organized is her attitude.

In 2012, with her company’s business partner and with two best Polish wine writers: Wojciech Bońkowski & Marek Bienczyk, she created the first wine portal in Poland. Today, Winicjatywa.pl is the most dynamic and the biggest wine portal in her mother country. The aim of the portal is to educate the Polish society about wine and to integrate the group of wine professionals in Poland.

As the climate has been changing and the Polish economy has been developing, new opportunities for Polish wineries arise. Anna strengthens her position as a Polish wine business consultant. Her main goal is to make the Polish wine business famous abroad and to promote Polish women winemakers on international scale.

Anna Smaga - Trzaskalska is also a Co-Founder of StartUpWomanPoland – an organization for women of XXI century. She leads trainings within programs: StartUpYourFutureâ and StartUpYourCareerâ about lifestyle entrepreneurship and work-life balance. Anna has its own blog StartUpWoman by Ann on startupwoman.org and YouTube channel StartIUpWoman where she shares her values and ideas about lifestyle entrepreneurship.

Anna has also the first degree of sommelier course at AIS (Associazione Italiana Sommelier). She speaks fluent Italian, English and German, and her new challenge is to learn Portuguese. Her hobby was, is and will be WINE, but also fashion and design. 

Jane Thomson is Australia’s own Fabulous Lady of Wine.  She is the Founder and Managing Director of The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society, Australia’s first and wildly successful wine community for women. In 2015 Jane also founded the Australian Women in Wine Awards (AWIWA) of which she is Chair.

In both 2016 & 2013 Jane was named ‘Digital Wine Communicator of the Year’ by Wine Communicators of Australia – and is the only person to have won this award twice. She was named as one of Wine Business Magazine’s ‘Top 50 Stars of Wine’ in both 2013 & 2015. Jane is also the Drinks Editor for Taste.com.au Magazine, and regularly moonlights as the National Drinks Editor for News Ltd. newspapers across Australia.

As the Senior Vice President for Veuve Clicquot, Krug and Ruinart USA., Vanessa Kay directs and manages all business, brand marketing and events in the United States for the 3 champagne brands . Prior to stepping into this role in the fall of 2010, Vanessa was the Business Development Director for the Maison Veuve Clicquot based in France and was responsible for the United States and Asia Pacific regions. In her current position, Vanessa oversees each aspect of the brand including marketing, sales, distribution, events, public relations and digital efforts.

After earning a B.A. degree in French Literature magna cum laude from Cornell University, Vanessa moved to France where she completed an MBA at INSEAD in Fontainebleau and subsequently lived in Paris for 20 years. Prior to joining Moet Hennessy, Vanessa worked for Citibank in Marketing and Strategic Development for 5 years in both NY and Paris and subsequently in management consulting in Paris for over ten years across multiple sectors including banking, pharma, biotech and heavy industry.

Heather Alper is Vice President of Supplier Management & Business Development at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.  She has over nineteen years of experience in the wine & spirits industry and has held a variety of finance, marketing & sales management roles.  Prior to joining SGWS, Heather spent two years at William Grant & Sons and eleven years at Moet Hennessy USA. 

She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, where she played Division  One soccer for two years.  In 2001, Heather earned her M.B.A. from The Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University.

Heather is on the advisory board of the WSWA Women’s Leadership Council and was selected to join Deloitte’s Women to Watch program.  She received the President’s Award for Excellence in Mentorship while at Moet Hennessy in 2007 and the William Grant & Sons Award for Excellence in Leadership in 2011.  

Heather lives in Dallas, TX with her extremely supportive husband John and their two children – Ava (10) and Shane (8).  Heather enjoys playing sports with her children, volunteering at their elementary school, shopping and decorating, as well as beach vacations, family time, belly laughs and drinking wine with her girlfriends.

Wendy Nyberg  - Vice President Marketing, Trinchero Family Estates

Before she was even old enough to enjoy wine, Wendy Nyberg began her career in the industry, turning a college job into a lifelong pursuit. In 1987, she joined Freixenet USA as a part-time assistant, but after successfully launching its new winery, Gloria Ferrer, was quickly promoted to the Marketing and National Sales groups. This fast-paced introduction exposed her to every aspect of the business, and during more than a decade with the company, she served as Brand Manager and led sales of key national accounts. 

After consulting for private labels for several years, she ventured to Racke USA, where she was Vice President of Marketing for multiple brands, including Buena Vista, Donum Estate, Haywood, and Robert Stemmler Wines. She also established the Carneros Marketing Alliance to bring awareness to the burgeoning wine region.

While she enjoyed working regionally, Wendy missed the challenge of marketing larger national brands and connecting with retailers and consumers. In 2003, she joined Trinchero Family Estates as Senior Director of Marketing for the nation’s top retail brand, Sutter Home. Today, as Vice President of Marketing at Trinchero, she oversees brand positioning, advertising, strategic promotions, and packaging for several of the company’s top labels, including the best-selling brand, Sutter Home.

A competitive strategist, marketing expert, and creative brand builder, Wendy believes: “Passion is the difference between being good at what you do and being great at what you do.” A resident of Sonoma, she enjoys boating, music and relaxing with a great glass of wine.

Philana Bouvier is the Senior Vice President, New Business Development at Young’s Market Company, the premier distributor of wines, spirits, and select beverages in the western United States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. She leads the New Business Development team to partner with current and potential supplier clients, capitalizing on market and category opportunities. Bouvier’s role influences a diverse scope across the entire company, focused on strategic business development, brand activation, innovation, and new supplier relations. 

In 2011, Bouvier became the first non-family related, female statewide General Manager of a major alcohol distributor in the United States. As Executive Vice President, General Manager of the Young’s Market Hawaii business unit, she oversaw all operations including warehouse and delivery, purchasing, inventory management and demand planning, pricing and marketing, public relations and promotions, finance, administration, human resources, new business development, and sales execution.

Before joining Young’s Market Company in 2010, Bouvier began her career in the restaurant & wine industry in Hawaii during an 18-year span in the beverage sales and distribution wholesale business. Bouvier moved to Oahu on her own at age 17, after graduating from Newport Harbor High School at 15 years old. A dedicated and passionate survivor having to raise herself, she has successfully accomplished a series of entrepreneurial pursuits and milestones. She is the Co-founder and former CEO of Waiwera Artesian Water USA. Prior to that, she started her own company, B&Co., a boutique brokerage firm that provided distributor sales support and unique services focused on exceptional customer experiences for supplier clients. In 2015, Bouvier was a finalist for the Pacific Business News “For-Profit Business Woman of the Year” and the American Savings Bank “Business Leader of the Year” in Hawaii.

Bouvier is the current Vice-Chair of the Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA). WLC is comprised of leaders in the wholesale tier of the U.S. beverage alcohol industry. Its primary mission is to help foster relationships between members, as well as industry leaders within the three-tier system, and to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and knowledge with peers. She also currently serves as an Officer for the Council of Leadership Development, WSWA.

She is an active Corporate Board Member for the Boys & Girls Club and the Hawaii Culinary Education Foundation. Bouvier’s passion is to work with youth to assist in advocating and inspiring their career paths. Her interests include travel, fine arts, cooking & music. She lives in San Francisco, California. 

Hillary began her career as a first grade teacher and field hockey coach. Following her long time desire to learn her family’s business, she left teaching after 10 years and started working for Wirtz Beverage.  She began as a Director of Training for 2 years and then transitioned into sales where she was a District Manager for Off Premise, E. & J. Gallo Division.  Hillary then transitioned into On Premise overseeing new accounts in Chicago.  Her current role is On Premise Business Manager, overseeing the on premise business in IL for key customers and community partnerships.

Kristen Barnhisel

Winemaker, White Wine

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

At J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, acclaimed winemaker Kristen Barnhisel brings two decades of viticulture and winemaking experience spanning three continents to her role as winemaker for all white wines. Known for her gifted palate and technical skill, Kristen uses her expertise with a range of white wine varieties, styles and winemaking methods to guide J. Lohr’s white wine portfolio.

Kristen was raised in Santa Rosa by a microbiologist mother, who worked for Simi Winery, and a father who was a home winemaker. Though she grew up immersed in the wine industry, even working harvests as a summer job, it wasn’t until she traveled to Italy while earning her B.A. in Italian literature that she was inspired to become a winemaker. Encouraged by legendary California winemaker, and family friend, Zelma Long, Kristen became one of the first women, and the first American, to work harvest for Ruffino in Italy—an experience that deepened her desire to become a winemaker. Kristen went on to earn a master’s degree in enology from UC Davis, while also working a number of coveted internships, including Warwick Wine Estate in South Africa, Opus One, and Long Vineyard, where she gained invaluable knowledge working alongside her mentor, Zelma Long.

After graduation, eager to build on her growing knowledge of different wine regions, Kristen moved to Washington State, where she spent two years as the enologist at Columbia Crest. Returning to California, Kristen held positions as the assistant winemaker at Jordan Vineyard & Winery and later Belvedere Winery, before joining Handley Cellars in Anderson Valley, where she was co-winemaker with founder Milla Handley for eight years. Prior to joining J. Lohr in 2015, Barnhisel was the quality control manager at Inglenook, where she was charged with ensuring wine quality of the Rubicon, Inglenook's flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Blancaneaux, the winery's top white wine.

Today, utilizing her extensive experience with cool-climate white wine varieties, Kristen works alongside President/COO and longtime Director of Winemaking Jeff Meier to guide J. Lohr’s white wine program. “We are a winery that values leadership, experience and a willingness to experiment,” says Jeff. “From her work in multiple countries and appellations to her role as a director at the American Society for Enology and Viticulture, Kristen has shown a remarkable commitment to research and experimentation. She’s also a phenomenal winemaker.”

“I love the challenge of making serious white wines that reflect their vineyard roots,” says Kristen. “It is incredibly  rewarding to take an inherently transparent grape and to find that perfect place where fruit flavors, aromatics, alcohol, acidity, texture and palate length all come into perfect balance.”

Molly Murphy MacGregor is an educator, historian, and Executive Director of the National Women’s History Project.  She originated the plan for the first Women’s History Week in Sonoma County.  The goal of the observance was to have communities and schools recognize the important contributions that women of all cultural backgrounds have made to society and history.   By 1979, through a mass lobbying effort the idea had spread throughout the country to get Congress and governors nationwide to declare National Women’s History Week, which was recognized by President Carter in 1980. 

That year, 1980 MacGregor co-founded the National Women’s History Project (NWHP), an educational nonprofit institution to continue to spearheaded the movement for National Women’s History Week (which in 1987 became National Women’s History Month).  The National Women’s History Project selects each year’s theme and Honorees and provides the promotional and educational materials need to have successful celebrations.

As Executive Director and Co-founder of the National Women’s History Project for the past 36 years, MacGregor has worked with leaders of national women’s organizations to encourage them to celebrate their own organizations’ history as well as to build coalitions to develop programs and events that celebrate the vast array of women’s lives.  

Last year, the National Women’s History Project has established the Women’s History Alliance to help promote the anniversary of women in the United States winning the right to vote.  2020 will mark the hundredth anniversary of this historic achievement.  The goal is to have August 26, 2020,  Women’s Equality Day, the centennial of the victory of women being written into the Constitution declared as a federal holiday.

Under MacGregor’s leadership, the NWHP has been recognized by the National Education Association with its prestigious Mary Hatwood Futrell Award for outstanding contributions to women’s and girls’ education, the National Association for Multicultural Education, and the Center for Women Policy Studies for scholarship, service and advocacy on behalf of the “feminist enlightenment.”

MacGregor has also been honored by the American Education Research Association with its Women Educator’s Curriculum Award, the Giraffe Foundation for “sticking her neck out,” the Sonoma County NAACP as Woman of the Year, the California Commission on the Status of Women as one of California’s 12 Outstanding Women of 1987, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey for contributions in shaping women’s political and social landscape, California Business and Professional Women as an Outstanding California Leader and Sonoma State University as a Distinguished Alumna.

In 1999, MacGregor was chosen as one of three appointments from the White House to the Women’s Progress Commemoration Commission, which was responsible for advising the Secretary of Interior on ensuring the historic preservation of sites that have been instrumental in American women’s history, creating a living legacy for generations to come.

Elizabeth McCall

Master Taster & Senior Quality Control Specialist, Brown-Forman

Woodford Reserve Master Taster Elizabeth McCall, CSS (Certified Specialist of Spirits) is the second generation of her family to work in the bourbon industry.  She followed in her mother’s footsteps starting as a sensory expert and working in the quality department.  McCall has a master’s degree from the University of Louisville and has been a member of Brown-Forman’s R&D Department since 2009.  She works directly with Master Distiller Chris Morris and R&D on innovation and the develop0ment of new products within Woodford Reserve.  McCall helped develop tasting notes for Distillery Services expressions, Sweet Mash Redux and Double Double Oaked.  Additionally, she worked to define the sensory standard to which every batch of Woodford Reserve must comply.

When she’s not using her expertise in the lab, McCall travels around the country as a brand ambassador educating consumer and trade audiences on the Woodford Reserve family of brands.  In her role as Master Taster, she interacts one-on-one with consumers through personal barrel selections and education on sensory methodology and the Woodford Reserve flavor profile.  McCall works alongside the Woodford Reserve Distillery production team to ensure the quality of Woodford Reserve.

Maggie Lapcewich serves as Integration Executive Vice President for Breakthru Beverage Group.  The company was formed through the merger of Wirtz Beverage and Charmer Sunbelt in January 2016.  Maggie is responsible for aligning the practical implementation of the merger with the company’s goals and strategic vision.

She brings extensive industry and functional oversight experience to the company.  With a tenure of more than 24 years, Maggie most recently led Commercial Strategy and Business Development for Wirtz Beverage Group.  There she focused on commercial effectiveness across the sales and trade development teams, and leveraged best practices to enhance market execution.

Maggie has also served in numerous leadership roles for Diageo including President of Diageo Canada until 2014, and was the President of both Global Tequila and U.S. National Accounts for Diageo North America. Additionally she was the General Manager of the Illinois and Indiana region for Diageo, as well as the Central Control States of Michigan, Ohio, Iowa and West Virginia. Her career began with E&J Gallo Winery.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Iowa and she attended the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

Mary Barrazotto

Senior Vice President

General Counsel – North America and Latin America

Brown-Forman

Mary Barrazotto is Senior Vice President, General Counsel – North America and Latin America for Brown-Forman.  She represents Brown-Forman in all regulatory issues involved with the production and marketing of its brands globally as well as the sale of its products in North America, Latin America and IMEA (India, Middle East and Africa).  In addition, she manages all litigation for the company and provides legal support to the Human Resources Department.

Barrazotto began her legal career as an associate with the law firm of Wyatt Tarrant & Combs.  In 1990, she joined Brown-Forman as senior attorney.  In 1992, Barrazotto was appointed corporate officer, three years later to assistant vice president, and to vice president in 1998.  She was appointed Senior Vice President in 2012 and to her current position as General Counsel in 2014.

Barrazotto serves as Brown-Forman’s representative to the Code Review Board, where she is chair, and to the Laws and Regulations Committee of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).  In addition, she serves on the Wine Institute’s Public Policy Committee.  Along with her professional responsibilities, she actively participates in community-based, volunteer organizations.  She is a former Chairperson of Metro United Way, a former Chairperson of Maryhurst and was President of the Louisville Bar Association.  She currently serves as an officer on the board of Gilda’s Club Louisville as well as the Teach Kentucky Board.

Barrazotto earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctorate (cum laude) from the University of Louisville.  

Lisa Mattson

Director of Marketing & Communications
Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Lisa Mattson possesses nearly twenty years of experience in writing, event planning, public relations, marketing and digital media strategy in the wine industry. She is considered a thought leader in video storytelling, social media and digital brand strategy for luxury wines.

As Director of Marketing & Communications at Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Mattson is responsible for developing and executing brand strategy, social media strategy, the photography and videography program, email marketing and website, as well as managing traditional press relations. As an early adopter of social media and video storytelling, Mattson developed the “The Journey of Jordan” blog, which was named Best Winery Blog (2013, 2012) and Best Photo/Video Blog (2014, 2013) by the Wine Blog Awards. She has been featured in Apple Inc.’s iPad at Work series, Sonoma Discoveries, Sonoma, and Tasting Panel and quoted in Wall Street Journal, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Business Monthly and Wines & Vines. She won Best Music Video at the 2016 International Wine Film Festival, Best Wine Themed Video at the 2015 Born Digital Wine Awards and 2015 Winery Chief Marketing Officer of the Year in the North Bay Business Journal Wine Industry Awards.

From 2005 to 2009, she served as director of communications at Napa Valley-based importer and marketer Wilson Daniels Ltd., handling traditional public relations and special events. Prior to joining Wilson Daniels, Mattson served as event marketing manager at E&J Gallo Winery. She worked as news editor at Wine News magazine in South Florida and in various public relations and communications’ positions at South Florida wine distributors before moving to Northern California in 2001. She graduated magna cum laude from Florida International University in 1997.

The story of her raucous journey from lust to love and beer to wine is captured in The Exes in My Glass: How I Refined My Taste in Men & Alcohol, a memoir of the ex-boyfriends and drinks that honed her palate and guided her destiny. She hosts wine tasting book chats throughout the year, offering advice on career path, relationships and how to live your best life.

Jeffery Tobias Halter - Gender Strategist, Author

Jeffery Tobias Halter is the President of YWomen, a strategic consulting company focused on engaging men in women’s leadership issues. YWomen focuses on driving actionable business plans and strategies to help organizations create Integrated Women’s Leadership Strategies. Jeffery is the former Director of Diversity Strategy for The Coca-Cola Company.

Jeffery is author of two books, WHY WOMEN, The Leadership Imperative to Advancing Women and Engaging Men and Selling to Men, Selling to Women. He is a contributing writer to the Huffington Post, the New York Daily News, Working Mother magazine and a two-time TEDx speaker. His work has been profiled in Forbes and US News and World Reports. Additionally he is a regular contributor to Fox Business Radio and Good Morning Charlotte.  

His clients include two Catalyst Award winning companies, The Coca-Cola Company and Kimberly Clark, as well as dozens of other Fortune 500 companies. He has led best practice work with companies such as McDonald’s, Deloitte, Novartis, GE, Walmart and Costco. 

Rachel Espersen oversees Creative Programming and Partnerships for INTERSECT BY LEXUS | NYC, a unique, permanent space in select global cities where people experience Lexus without getting behind the wheel of one of their cars. It is a place where creative minds meet and share ideas, where inspired people intersect with sublime expressions of design, technology, cuisine and living. Following successful launches in Tokyo and Dubai, INTERSECT BY LEXUS | NYC is set to open Summer 2017.

In her role, Rachel also serves on the Advisory Board for the CFDA Lexus Fashion Initiative, whose mission is to inspire thought leadership, facilitate the implementation of innovative practices and elevate the level and percentage of sustainability within the businesses of the selected designer finalists. Rachel also manages the U.S. rollout of the Lexus Design Awards, a global design competition, and works on New York Fashion Week, where Lexus serves as the official automotive sponsor.

Rachel joined Lexus with over 10 years’ experience in luxury, entertainment, media and wine & spirits, most recently managing public relations and events for Maisons Marques & Domaines, the premier importer and marketer of family-owned, world-renowned wine producers including Champagne Louis Roederer, Domaines Ott, Pio Cesare, Dominus Estate and others.

Her ability to develop innovative solutions, design creative events and cultivate powerful relationships is an asset to organizations striving to reach the new vanguard consumer who has redefined what luxury means to them. 

Jeff Fromm is Partner at Ad Agency Barkley.  He is also a contributor at Forbes.

Jeff is a frequent speaker/expert resource on marketing, trends & innovation. Jeff is the co-author of “Marketing to Millennials” and “Millennials with Kids” and has previously published numerous research reports on millennials, the financial impact of millennial influence on Baby Boomers and Gen X as well as a pending deep-dive report on Gen Z.

Jeff has over 25 years of marketing consulting experience across a variety of brands, including Anheuser-Busch InBev. He is a shareholder and Board Member at Three Dog Bakery, Service Management Group, Tickets For Less and Change Labs, an Israeli financial tech disruptor. Jeff graduated from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a major in marketing and attended The London School of Economics.

Jennifer Jo Wiseman - Vice President of Consumer Products and Insight Development

Jennifer Jo oversees all research and new product insights for our organization and is one of our most senior members of the company.

Jennifer Jo Wiseman has spent over 25 years innovating in consumer product companies (e.g., E. & J. Gallo Winery, The Gillette Company, Proctor and Gamble, Pepsi-Cola, and consulting firms). Her experience spans innovation, market/consumer/shopper insights, brand development, product guidance and development, quality control, consumer relations, ad claims, and technology development.

Currently her team dedicated to consumer and product insights and development guides business decisions with consumer, shopper, and market insights, as well as creating new product and brand innovation, managing the technology pipeline, and directing to consumer communications.

Susana Balbo – Founder & Owner - Susana Balbo Wines

A woman of strong convictions, in 2015 Susana decided to utilize all of her experience and knowledge as a business woman for the good of the community by accepting Pro's proposal to become part of their team as a candidate for congresswoman. In the elections of October 2015, she became a National Congresswoman for the political party 'Cambiemos' (“Let's Change”), representing the province of Mendoza.

Within Congress, she is currently PyMesCommission Vice President, PyMes (Small and Medium Sized Companies) being an important project implemented by Mauricio Macri's new government to create new jobs. As an entrepreneur and founder of a PyMe, Susana's perspective is a key asset. Her input also into the Regional Economy Commission and the Foreign Affairs and Worship Commission is invaluable. Her vision of the world from the business perspective, thanks to her experience as a business woman in different regional economies, allows Susana to propose legislation reforms that boost a more current, fair and inclusive economy model, and create more jobs.

With a career in the wine industry of over 30 years, Susana Balbo is certainly the most well-known Argentinian female winemaker in the country and abroad, especially in countries where Argentinian wines are exported.

 Three times she was elected by her wine industry colleagues to be president of 'Wines of Argentina' for2006-2008, 2008-2010 and 2014-2016. It was during this time that Argentinian wine exports made history, growing to double figures and gaining recognition for the country on the world's wine map. By performing this role she became an influential leader in this new wine-producing Argentina after decades of commercially relying only on the internal wine market.

A pioneer in Argentinian wine exportations, Susana has travelled the world representing the country with Malbec as Argentina's flagship.

As early as 1997, her success as a business woman was highlighted by Argentina's Business Women Association, when they recognized her as 'Entrepreneur of the Year.'

In 2003, Susana was nominated as Endeavor Entrepreneur, and in 2006 she was labeled a High Impact Entrepreneur by Endeavor Global. Always being aware of the difficulties that women face in the business world, she was also a founding member of Argentina's International Women Forum and, since 2009, she's been a member of Vital Voices, a non-governmental organization that identifies, trains and empowers emerging female leaders.

In 2008, BEM Bordeaux Management School appointed her as mentor for their wine MBA program.

In 2011, she was nominated for the award 'Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur.'

DR. MAKAZIWE (MAKI) MANDELA – was born in Johannesburg, South Africa on the 1st of March 1954. She grew up in Soweto, Johannesburg and is the eldest daughter of Evelyn Mase and Nelson Mandela. After matriculating from High School in Swaziland, she went on to study for her BA degree in Social Work at Fort Hare University in the Eastern Cape, and then her Honours Degree in Sociology at the University of Natal in Durban.

In 1984, she received a Fulbright Foreign Scholarship and a Fulbright Distinguished Fellowship Award to study at the University of Massachusetts in the US for a Masters in Sociology and a Doctorate in Anthropology.

She has had a full and chequered career that has involved working in several other countries, and holds directorships in Nestlé SA among others. She has presented numerous papers over the years, including the role of women in a changing South Africa. She has been intricately involved in developing a substantial investment portfolio within Nozala, a women’s investment group, and using these funds in the economic upliftment and empowerment of women in South Africa.

She has worked for a number of academic institutions in South Africa and abroad. She spent a number of years working for the Development Bank of Southern Africa as Executive Manager Corporate Services. Prior to that, she worked for Spoornet as General Manager Human Resources.

Dr. Makaziwe Mandela previously sat on the Boards of Rand Water Services, Myriad Medical, Envirosev and the Nelson Mandela Foundation. She is also a consultant in training development and life skills at Self Empowerment International. Dr. Mandela is currently the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of House of Mandela, a business that she started with her daughter Tukwini Mandela in 2010. 

With an MBA in Organizational Leadership, over 16 years in Organizational Development and experience as a public speaker, certified career coach and mentor, Kim brings a hands-on approach to help organizations become more effective through engaged, high-performing employees.

Whether it's a leadership workshop, a panel discussion, a mentoring session or a career development exercise, Kim’s workshops and consulting engagements help employees reach their fullest potential. She is a Gallup certified Strengths Performance Coach and a master facilitator in numerous programs such as Crucial Conversations, Helping Others Succeed and Career Coaching for Managers. In addition, she also successfully piloted a structured Mentoring Program at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates that will roll out organization wide in July.

Kim has worked with employees in almost every business sector, from financial services, telecommunications, retail, and healthcare.  She is currently at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.  

For fun, Kim enjoys teaching group fitness classes and spending time with her husband and pugs.

Dianne’s entrepreneurial flair has involved her in a diverse range of successful business ventures. In 2000 she entered the wine industry after purchasing a vineyard in the premium wine growing region of Margaret River in Western Australia. Dianne created and constructed one of Australia’s most iconic wine tourism destinations and produced 9 wines under her own label. The wines were presented in unique and elegant screen-printed bottles that set them apart from all others. Both the wine and the packaging received numerous national and international awards. Dianne truly established herself as one of the best in the industry.

Dianne was inducted as an Honouree to the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World (LWEW) in Vancouver in 2005. This not-for-profit organisation represents the world's most powerful and successful female entrepreneurs.

In November 2008, Dianne was invited to join the prestigious Harvard University's John F Kennedy School "Women's Leadership Board". The Board's 150 strong community of distinguished women leaders from twenty countries around the world promote the advancement of women and girls on a global scale, both individually and collectively.

In November 2015, Dianne was announced as the winner of the “Champion of Change” category in the inaugural Australian Women in Wine Awards. These wine awards were the first in Australia to recognise and reward the tremendous women who work and succeed in a very male dominated industry. Always standing up and fighting for what she believes in to make change within the wine industry, Dianne has proven herself as an advocate for gender equality and diversity within the workplace.

With a determination to make a difference in the world, Dianne is passionate about the empowerment and education of young girls and women, as well as a strong advocate for gay rights. She is a benefactor of many charities, gives numerous scholarships each year to both young and mature age students, and supports local organisations, events, art societies, emergency services, schools and sporting groups. Dianne says “I know for a fact the more you give in life, the more you get back. So to all of you out there, JUST KEEP GIVING!”

Joy Sterling represents the second generation at Iron Horse. She is the Chief Executive Officer of the winery and a member of the California State Food & Agriculture Board, appointed by Governor Jerry Brown.

There is a strong French influence in Joy's life. She grew up in Paris, attended a French school and speaks fluent French. Living in Europe and traveling extensively, Joy received an extraordinary education in the appreciation of food and wine.

Joy returned to the United States to attend Yale University where she studied history and economics. She went into journalism and at 29 was Deputy Bureau Chief for ABC Network News in Los Angeles.

In 1985, Joy left ABC's hierarchy to join her family's business and made news headlines for the winery with her first achievement at Iron Horse: In November, 1985, the White House selected Iron Horse Sparkling Wine for the President's toast to peace at the first summit meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev in Geneva.

Joy quietly took up the reins as CEO at the start of 2006 after 20 years presenting the wines across the country, from La Mer at the Halekulani in Honolulu to the Four Seasons in New York. She spearheads an annual fundraising event, celebrating Earth Day at Iron Horse. And she launched a partnership with National Geographic to create a special, limited edition, vintage Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine called Ocean Reserve. Iron Horse gives $4 a bottle to help establish marine protected areas and support sustainable fishing practices around the globe.

She has climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, run white water rapids on the Bio – Bio River in Chile and the upper reaches of the Yank Sing River in China, trekked in Tibet and Bhutan, and traveled to Timbuktu.

Joy sits on the Board of Trustees of the Leakey Foundation and is a member of National Geographic's Grosvenor Council and the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission Advisory Board. She is the author of A Cultivated Life, published by Random House.

Marlene Gordon is the Vice President, General Counsel – North America for Bacardi North America Corporation.  In this role Ms. Gordon serves as a strategic business partner and the senior key point of contact for the legal and compliance activities for the companies within the Bacardi North American business unit.  Ms. Gordon also serves as a member of the Global Legal Leadership Team and the Americas Leadership Team.  Ms. Gordon also serves as the Global chair for Bacardi’s Global Women-In-Leadership Program.

Prior to joining Bacardi, Ms. Gordon spent 14 years at Burger King Corporation with increasing U.S. and global roles of responsibility dealing with marketing, intellectual property, operations, supply and distribution, and information technology, ultimately rising to the role of Vice President, Assistant General Counsel.  During her tenure at Burger King, she also served as Chief Legal Crisis Officer, chaired the company’s Women’s Leadership Forum and received Burger King Corporation’s Crowning Achievement Award for outstanding work and accomplishments in support of the company’s Go Forward Plan.  Ms. Gordon previously worked for Republic Industries, Inc. and Blockbuster Entertainment Group, and was in private practice with a leading Florida law firm earlier in her career.    Ms. Gordon obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago and her Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern University School of Law.  Ms. Gordon was named one of 2013’s Most Powerful & Influential Women by the Florida Diversity Action Council.

John Klein is EVP/GM Pacific Northwest, Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits. He is responsible for the wine and spirit distribution companies in Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Idaho; which employs more than 1,200 associates within the region.

Prior to joining Southern he spent 15 years with Young’s Market Company in various executive management positions last serving as the President & COO. He spent a considerable time in the Pacific Northwest responsible for integrating joint ventures and acquiring wholesaler and brokerage operations expanding the company from three to ten states.

-President of the Association of Wine & Spirits Distributor of Washington

-Board Director for the Washington Restaurant & Hospitality Association.

He was actively involved with PONCHO having served as Co-Chair in 2008. PONCHO is an endowment that provides financial assistance to the arts.

Education: BA, SUNY at Stonybrook 

Sarah Long is the Chief Marketing Officer for Rémy Cointreau Americas which includes North, South and Central Americas and is a member of the Executive Management Team.  In this role, she is responsible for further elevating the luxury image of the brands while increasing awareness and desirability.  She provides executive leadership, over the Marketing Department, Trade Marketing, E-Commerce, and Business Insights across the Rémy Cointreau Americas portfolio on such brands as Rémy Martin, Cointreau, Mount Gay Rum, Bruichladdich Whiskey, Westland American Single Malt & The Botanist Gin among others.

Sarah joined Rémy Cointreau in June 2014 as Vice President of Marketing for Cointreau and Spirits, where she successfully led the marketing strategies and growth for the brands.

Prior to joining Rémy Cointreau, Sarah was Vice President & Managing Director for Syncapse, a Digital and Social Media Consulting and Technology Firm. Preceding this, she spent five years at Diageo North America, in New York, as a Director in both the Marketing and Innovation Departments. Previous roles include Marketing Director for Molson, and Brand Management at Procter & Gamble on Cover Girl and Swiffer.

Sarah is Canadian and moved to New York 13 years ago where she now lives with her husband and two children.  She is an avid runner, skier, and a passionate traveler.

Julie joined the Beam Family in 2004 as a Distillery Supervisor at the Booker Noe Campus.  Two years later, Julie transferred to the Clermont Distillery.  After serving 14 years as Distillery Supervisor, Julie promoted to Distillery Manager at the Clermont Campus.  Julie manages the Distillery Team to ensure quality standards are met while also meeting production targets. 

As Distillery Manager, her work with the Distillery Team has increased production by 2 million gallons.  Julie has also played an integral role with the Site Steering Committees for Plant Safety and for Diversity and Inclusion.  Julie is thrilled to have the opportunity to distill one of the most iconic spirits in the world.  She looks forward to mentoring other women who want to join the vibrant world of North American Whiskey distillation. 

Charlie Merinoff is a principal founder of Breakthru Beverage Group (BBG), the innovative beverage wholesaler formed by Charmer Sunbelt Group (CSG) and Wirtz Beverage Group on January 1, 2016.  He currently serves as Co-Chairman of BBG’s Board of Managers. The operations of the company and its affiliates spans 16 markets throughout North America, and the company represents a portfolio of premier wine, spirits and beer brands totaling more than $6 billion in annual sales.

Previously Charlie was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Charmer Sunbelt Group (CSG), one of the nation’s leading distributors of fine wines and spirits. Following his graduation from the University of Wisconsin in 1980, Charlie joined the family’s business, holding various positions in operations, purchasing and sales. In 1991, Charlie was named President of Charmer Industries, the family’s Metro New York business. In 1994, the family acquired Sunbelt Beverage Corporation, then operating distributorships in several Eastern states. The Sunbelt Beverage Corporation continued to expand through acquisitions and partnerships, and in 1997 the wholesale companies in which the family had an interest became known as The Charmer Sunbelt Group. In 2011, he was named Chairman of the Board of The Charmer Sunbelt Group.

Charlie devotes a significant amount of time and resources to charitable organizations.  He is presently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Additionally, Charlie spent twelve years on the Board of Trustees of the Culinary Institute of America and is currently Trustee Emeritus.   He is also the Co-chairman of The Strolling of the Heifers organization.

Charles has previously been on the Board of Trustees of Northwell Health - formerly North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and Make-A Wish Foundation Metro New York.  Charlie spearheaded the annual “Wine and Wishes” tasting and auction, which raised nearly $8.0 million over 13 years for Make-A-Wish.  He was an active member of the Board of the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation for twenty years.

Charlie has been honored over the years by The TJ Martell Foundation, Boys Town of Italy, the Boy Scouts of America, the UJA-Federation of New York, the American Cancer Society and he received the George Washington Spirit Award at Mt. Vernon.  He is a long-time board member and past Chairman of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America.

Throughout a career spanning more than 25 years, Rhonda Motil has established herself as a highly respected and dynamic wine industry marketing executive.  As vice president, marketing for J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Rhonda directs J. Lohr’s globally admired in-house marketing program, while managing the winery’s key communications, design and digital media partners. At the same time, leveraging her extensive background in the technology sector, Rhonda has played a pivotal role in establishing J. Lohr at the forefront of wine industry internet marketing and new media strategy—helping to create visionary programs that have earned J. Lohr accolades for its effective approach to consumer engagement. 

Raised in Pennsylvania, Rhonda earned bachelor degrees in management and marketing from Gannon University, before receiving a master’s in business administration from the University of Dayton. Rhonda began her career in the Outstanding Scholars Program for the Department of Defense’s Logistics Agency, before going on to work as a product marketing and market analysis manager for Sterling Commerce. In 1998, she moved to California to become vice president, product marketing for Advanced Data Exchange, and later vice president, corporate marketing for iPIN, where she managed digital payment product launch activities in the U.S., France, England and Hong Kong.

During her years in Silicon Valley, Rhonda developed a passion for wine and spent weekends exploring wineries and tasting rooms. In 2002, this appreciation of wine inspired Rhonda to accept Jerry Lohr’s offer for the position as the executive director of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association (MCVGA), where she spent more than a decade managing all aspects of operations, and increased membership programs by over 85%. In this role, Rhonda also oversaw the association’s regional branding efforts, hosting national media and trade tours, and acting as an advocate and spokesperson for the Monterey grape industry.

In January of 2013, Rhonda joined the J. Lohr team as senior marketing director. Rhonda established herself as an integral part of the J. Lohr leadership team, making significant contributions to the winery’s marketing program. In 2016, Rhonda was named Cynthia Lohr’s handpicked successor as VP of marketing for J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. In this position, she works closely with President/COO Jeff Meier and the entire Lohr family to establish and execute the long-term marketing vision for J. Lohr.

Most recently, Rhonda has led marketing efforts in the rollout of two new wine tiers for J. Lohr.  These have included the highly-regarded J. Lohr Signature and J. Lohr Pure Paso™ tiers.  Additional initiatives have included working with the team to oversee the rebranding and repackaging of the J. Lohr Estates and J. Lohr Vineyard Series wines, developing key on-premise and off-premise campaign strategies, managing the winery’s social media and influencer programs, and working to facilitate upwards of 175 J. Lohr events annually around the country. Rhonda has also helped to transform the way J. Lohr engages with its customers, with digitally optimized consumer and trade tools, and a social media and influencer program that has cemented J. Lohr’s status in the top echelon of consumer engagement rates in the industry. 

Rhonda also advocates on behalf of several industry associations serving as a board member for the Arroyo Seco Winegrowers Associations, and as a member of the Wine Institute marketing communications committee, Women of the Vine & Spirits, and the Chief Marketing Officer Council.

Olga is a transformational business leader, innovator, and brand builder who has been focused on leading premium iconic brands in beverage and beauty spaces. She is currently a Chief Innovation, R&D and RTD Officer at Beam Suntory, charged with leading holistic Innovation strategy, pipeline design, development, and delivery across the company's portfolio of brands and spearheading "blue sky" new ventures and growth platforms.

Before joining Beam Suntory, Olga has led Innovation and New Business Brand Building and Category Development at PepsiCo, revamping its global portfolio strategy and turning Hydration category from value play to the fastest-growing, most strategically important, exciting and margin accretive beverage portfolio in the company. This included, among others, creation from scratch of LIFEWTR brand, spearheading of SodaStream acquisition, and co-development of bubly – all major growth drivers for the company.

Prior to Pepsico, Olga has had an extensive CPG track record of delivering legacy results across commercial and brand building aspects at Danone, Heineken, Estée Lauder, and Procter & Gamble. Focused on transformative impact, Olga is passionate about developing new capabilities and growing top talent.

Born in Siberia, Russia, Olga has worked in the US, Europe, Asia, Africa, across developed and developing markets, in a number of different roles: global, regional, local. She is a recognized evangelist of cutting edge brand building, corporate entrepreneurship, design thinking, and cultural relevance with an acute focus on the top and bottom-line results. Olga is a graduate of Global Executive MBA with a specialization in Luxury and Fashion Goods General Management from SDA Bocconi and a recipient of multiple awards, including AdAge 40 Under 40 and Brand Innovators 40 Under 40. 

Zelma Long is one of America’s best-known winemakers with an enviable international reputation, which includes the prestigious James Beard Award for Wine Professional of the Year and the Merit Award from the American Society of Enology and Viticulture. One of the first women to study enology and viticulture at U.C. Davis, she began her winemaking career at Robert Mondavi Winery, rapidly working up to the chief winemaker position. Shortly after, she was recruited by Simi Winery as head winemaker and CEO. In addition to her current role as winemaking partner at Vilafonté in South Africa, Long consults for various winemaking projects in France, Washington, Mendocino, and Israel (recently completed), and is on track to earn her Ph.D. Performance and Native American Studies, this year.

Kathleen is a veteran of Beam Suntory.  Hired in 1991, Kathleen worked for Booker Noe, leading the launch of Booker’s, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Baker’s.  Her work with the Beam family was instrumental in positioning the Small Batch Bourbon Collection to the upscale consumer, ultimately establishing today’s bourbon renaissance. 

Kathleen worked for 10 years as the Group Product Director for Super Premium Brands eventually transitioning to Sales and Marketing Integration and then Brand Education.  She was responsible for the creation of product knowledge courses for the company and globally leading the creation of over 200 courses on our brands.  She is fortunate to have the opportunity to visit and learn about each of our brands in the portfolio and credits those who work at the distilleries as the driver of her passion for success for Beam Suntory in the marketplace. 

In 2014, Kathleen lead the On-Premise EDGE teams and our Luxury efforts, focused on elevating our sales teams and our premium brands in the critical must win on-premise channel. 

Most recently, Kathleen has moved into Premium & On-Premise Marketing, focusing efforts on driving prestige for our brands through new marketing partnerships and practices, and deploying equity driving brand programs in the on-premise. 

Kathleen is honored to be a member of the “Bourbon Hall of Fame” (2015) and the exclusive Scotch Whisky society “Keepers of the Quaich“ (2008)

In 2018, in honor of her service to the Bourbon industry and the Beam family, a batch of Booker’s Bourbon was named in her honor – “Kathleen’s Batch.”    

Kathleen is the mom of Dominic and Christian.  Dom is now in the spirits business selling Bacardi brands and Christian is in college playing hockey. 

Terence Goods is the Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits based in Dallas, Texas. He has been with the organization since 2012. In his current role, he responsible for the creation, development, and implementation of the company’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy across 44 States and 22,000 employees. In 2017, he launched the CHEERS To Diversity network which encompasses and celebrates a variety of Business Resource Groups for Women, Multicultural, LGBTQ, Veteran, Multi-Generational, and Disabled employees at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. 

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 based organizations including the Visit Dallas Convention and Visitor’s Bureau - Diversity Advisory Board Members, Vice President of Community Outreach - Dallas CASA Board of Directors, 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. 

Catherine Stanton Schiff has spent the past two plus decades in sales and marketing management in the alcohol beverage industry working on dozens of powerful spirit and wine brands. Catherine is in her tenth year with Edrington, currently as the Director, National Accounts On Premise, representing a portfolio that includes The Macallan and Glenrothes, Brugal Rum, Tequila Partida and Wyoming Whiskey among others. Prior to Edrington, Catherine held Regional Sales Management positions at Bacardi USA, Allied Domecq Spirits & Wine, Beam Wine Estates and Pete’s Brewing Company.

Catherine has lectured about her career and the alcohol beverage industry at Boston College, from where she holds a Communications degree, as well as at Emerson College and has appeared on Boston television and radio. She has won “Patrick Henry Creative Promotions” National Promotion of the Year; Bacardi’s Regional On-Premise Manager of the Year and was named one of the “Powerful People Who Make Nightlife Happen” by Stuff Magazine.

Catherine was the creator and host of “Cocktails for Everyone!” a weekly radio program about the movers and shakers in the alcohol beverage industry that was heard nationally on the Voice America Radio Network.

Jessica Kirby C.S.S., C.S.W. has over fifteen years of experience in the wine and spirits industry as both a supplier and distributor. She spent the first decade of her career at E&J Gallo Winery where she worked in a variety of both sales and marketing roles. Currently, Jessica is with Young’s Market Company, a California-based distributor operating in 10 states. At Young’s, Jessica became the first female to lead a national account on premise distributor team, as Senior Vice President of National and Strategic Accounts On Premise. She oversaw a team of thirteen, calling on the likes of Landry’s, Marriott, Darden, and many more valued partners. She is thrilled to work in a larger market as Young’s joins forces with RNDC, expanding their service to encompass thirty-three markets.

Jessica is extremely excited to speak at Women of the Vine & Spirits. She is an avid proponent of women in the industry, being a highly visible female leader, as well as serving as the chair of the Woman’s Partner Network Group at Young’s.

One of Jessica’s career highlights is her international work with E&J Gallo to launch Barefoot Wines in the UK, Germany, Poland, and Ireland. Her hobbies include travel, golf, running, as well as always being on the search for the best new cocktail and restaurant. The three loves of her life are travel, champagne, and her husband Luke, who she lives with in San Francisco.

Jessica graduated with a double major in Agricultural Business & Viticulture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Jessica was one of the first students to graduate with the viticulture major. 

With over 38 years of CPG and adult beverage experience, Steven Billey, has work in every facet of sales management, managing teams, and organizations.  Steve, started his career as a sales manager for Unilever in the Texas market, his responsibilities included Albertsons and Safeway. Steve was named salesman of the year twice nationally while at Unilever. He started his adult beverage career with Heublien as a district manager. During his 12 year career with Heublien/Diageo he managed over 15 markets as a regional manager and control state manager. While at Constellation, Steve assisted in starting Constellations category management department and eventually went back into a sales management role in eight southeast states. Steve has also held a global role with wine packaging company, Vinvention, in an executive leadership role.

His present position with Bronco Wine Co., as General Sales Manager, has him managing all aspects of the sales function nationally.

Steve holds a BS degree from the University of Oklahoma in Management. He is married to his wife of over 33 years, Leslie McFarling Billey. They have two daughters Kelly and Megan. He is also a Navy veteran, who served a 5 year tour primarily in Japan.

Ingrid believes that most things are possible with perseverance and a little magic, and she’s proud to say "YES!" more often than “no.” Don't we all need more yes in our lives?  That attitude stems from her free-spirit San Franciscan roots and the street cred of being a New Yorker for half her life, which has exposed her to many people with big dreams who work hard to make them come true.  As a PMP and Inclusion & Diversity professional, her focus is to help create and maintain a level playing field for all to get a fair chance at attaining their professional goals.  She has a unique take on creating effective plans for the launch, implementation and evolution of a strong D&I practice for leadership and employee-led committees. Ingrid is proud to work in the spirits industry for William Grant & Sons, a fifth-generation, Scottish born, family-run spirits company whose portfolio is made of beautifully crafted, well-known brands, which includes The Balvenie and Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotches, and Hendrick’s Gin. She has a strong entrepreneurial background and has also worked in retained executive search, corporate real estate, and luxury consumer goods.  Ingrid is a writer and philanthropist and in her free time, she enjoys playing chess, dancing, and traveling. Her favorite drink at the end of the day is Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whisky, neat.  

Mr. Bruhin has nearly 30 years as an information technology professional and leader. 

Currently he is Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President for Breakthru Beverage Group, serving on Breakthru’s Executive Leadership Team.  Joe is responsible for overseeing the implementation and execution of a wholistic IT Strategic Plan, driving Breakthru’s increased focus on digital transformation and developing a world class IT organization.

Prior to this, he was the Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President of Constellation Brands Inc, responsible for all aspects of people, process, technology and business leadership for Information Technology across the Globe. He directed all aspects of the organization’s information technology activities supporting the organization's overall strategic goals

He is an innovative, top performing Senior Technology Executive with progressive experience identifying and implementing innovative technology to drive growth. His superb academic preparation (MBA), combined with his inherent ability to lead has fostered a reputation as the “go-to” leader for IT strategies, solutions and implementations. Aligning organizations to the right IT strategic imperatives, creating engaged IT teams and empowering both IT and non-IT employees to succeed is a specialty.

He has a passion for new, innovative digital technology solutions.  Coupled with his uniquely strong ability to partner with top leaders across global organizations to develop and implement innovative business technology solutions, he has earned the reputation of a truly transformation IT leader who will dependably deliver value to any area of a global business.
 

Mr. Bruhin has served as Vice President of Information Systems at Diageo, where he developed technology vision, strategy, and business process and systems solutions for the North American business.  He served as VP of Global HR Systems where he was responsible for developing and implementing Diageo’s custom Global People Performance Management System, aligning several large global organizations onto a single unified People Performance Management system.

Mr. Bruhin also served the CIO for Diageo’s Australian business in Sydney, Australia, where he created and implemented an IT strategy to transition from legacy applications to state of the art technologies, bringing the technology footprint into alignment with global solutions and creating a high performing IT team.

He serves as Treasurer on the Society for Information Management (SIM) National Board of Directors.  SIM is the largest international network of senior IT leaders, consisting of nearly 5,000 members across approximately 40 chapters in the US and Canada. He is a graduate of the SIM Regional Learning Forum (RLF), and a long-standing member of the SIM Advanced Practices Council (APC) which is a CIO think-tank that focuses on research related to emerging and new to world technologies and IT practices. 

Mr. Bruhin is a transformational business leader with a track record of creating business value by leading breakthrough performance in IT.  He is recognized as a motivational leader and mentor who creates an environment for success, creates high performing teams and inspires technology leadership. 

He earned his undergraduate as well as his Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Connecticut. 

Mark Huse is Vice President of Casino Operations for Harrah’s New Orleans Casino & Hotel, located steps from the historic French Quarter. He and his team oversee 1,500 slot machines, 130 table games, and a 20-table poker room, all located across a 115,000 square-foot, land-based casino floor.

He began his gaming career in an entry level role in his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana, more than two decades ago. His professional journey eventually led him to Iowa and Maine, where he steadily attained positions of increased responsibility.

Mark’s wide range of leadership expertise covers not only table games and slots, but also food & beverage, customer service, security, valet parking, and player development. A genuine servant leader, he prioritizes putting his team members’ needs first, while keeping a close watch on the bottom line.

He currently plays a very active role in Caesars Entertainment’s Gender Equity initiative, and leads the NOLA Male Allies group.

Mark is a graduate of Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He earned an MBA from LSU in Shreveport in 2016.

A proud veteran, Mark served with both the U.S. Army and Louisiana National Guard.

J. France Posener enjoys life in the Hamptons, on the East End of Long Island, NY. She is a very busy working wife, mom, recreational chef, spring & summer gardener, incessant reader, enthusiastic photographer and passionate kayaker.  Some time ago, when her one and only child was born, she became a first-time published author of “My Baby” an organizational book for new mothers.

A pioneer for women in the industry; France has worked in the wine industry since 1983, fueled by her passion for wine and gardening; she was fascinated by a brand new industry “growing” on Long Island; she started her career as Sales Director at a small upstart winery, only the second on LI;  The Bridgehampton Winery. A few years later, she moved on to a Cali based wine marketing company, The North American Wine Company; honing her travel, marketing and sales skills on the East Coast selling three boutique wineries.

Lots of luck and lasting determination landed her in 1988 at the most distinguished of Napa properties where she has remained for 30 years; Opus One Winery, as the Eastern States Divisional Manager, the first salesperson.  Responsible for half the country and the eastern part of Canada at first; the sales team now has six managers, and while the geographic responsibility has shrunk, time on the road remains extremely demanding.

Founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, legendary proprietor of Mouton Rothschild of Bordeaux and Robert Mondavi, renowned Napa Valley vintner; Opus One combines the great winemaking traditions and innovations of both families and has created an exceptional wine in the heart of Napa Valley, CA. Opus One is a blend of the traditional Bordeaux red varietals, which will be sold in nearly 90 countries.

When France is not traveling to present Opus One to accounts, managing her wholesale network, or guest speaking at some the East Coast’s finest restaurants as a wine educator about the remarkable history and unique pleasures of Opus One, you can find her very happily ensconced juggling corks in her home, probably in the kitchen, preparing another feast for family or friends.

A graduate of Alfred University, with a BFA (she calls a Big Fat Ass) and a degree in Marketing. France regularly enjoys classes in cooking and oversees two very active and long-time clubs; an industry only wine club and an all-female kayak club.  Whenever the time and budget allow, she travels the world with her family in search of the next great savory feast, beautiful Chateau or memorable sunset.

Elizabeth A. DeConti is a member of GrayRobinson’s Litigation Department, focusing her practice in the firm’s Alcohol Beverage Practice. Based in the Tampa office, Elizabeth’s experience includes compliance review of the rules and regulations governing the marketing, sale, and consumption of distilled spirits, wine, beer, and other licensed beverages for licensed beverage manufacturers and suppliers; distributorship and industry relations contracts; and industry litigation including trade regulation, beer franchise and trademark litigation. Before joining GrayRobinson, Elizabeth was a partner in the Tampa office of Holland & Knight and clerked for the Honorable Antoinette L. Dupont, Chief Judge of the Connecticut Appellate Court. Elizabeth is a member of The Florida Bar and The Connecticut Bar, and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeal for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida. Additionally, she is a member of the American Bar Association and serves on the Executive Steering Committee of the ABA’s Committee on Alcohol Beverage Practice.  Elizabeth earned her B.A. cum laude and With Distinction in Renaissance Studies from Yale University. She received her J.D. cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law where she was a Harvey T. Reid Scholar. She is fluent in Italian and French.

Yael was born in San Francisco, CA and grew up surrounded by the rich contrast of the urban lifestyle with the beauty of wine country. Excited to explore more of the country, she went to the east coast where she earned a Business Degree in Finance from the University of Pennsylvania. With ambitions to follow her passion, Yael entered the wine industry immediately after graduation. She began her career as a retail sales representative for Premier Beverage in Miami, FL and worked her way up through management. She later transitioned to the On-Premise channel with E. & J. Gallo Winery, managing large markets within Florida & California. After 10 years with E. & J. Gallo Winery, Yael took on a new role with Wine Warehouse as Director of Sales Training & Recruiting , where she is leading the recruiting, training & development efforts across all channels and categories throughout California. She's enthusiastic about sharing her experience with others while helping them to develop their expertise. In her 17 years of wine industry experience, Yael has had the opportunity to visit wine growing regions throughout the world and has received her Certified Specialist of Wine & Spirits Certifications, as well as her Certified Sommelier Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Yael is also a dedicated mother of two young boys and enjoys every moment of watching them grow.

Yamini leads Nielsen’s global environmental responsibility program, bringing climate justice to business operations, office-based volunteering and pro bono investments. In her role, she identifies, brings awareness to, and advocates for sustainable practices that manage and reduce Nielsen’s environmental footprint. This includes measuring Nielsen’s impact as a business, as well as initiating collaborations with clients, and regularly assessing the supply chain.   

Yamini partners with Nielsen business leaders to define and implement strategic solutions that mitigate risks associated with climate change; and works to identify continuous operational efficiencies to reduce global emissions. In addition, she supports Nielsen’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts, which focus on external reporting, stakeholder inquiries and client assessments. As a Director, Yamini also leads local green teams who spearhead Nielsen’s global grassroots volunteering initiatives.

Yamini is also the co-founder and Board President of a local non-profit that provides resources and creates dialog and action around climate justice, gender inclusiveness, women and youth empowerment and mental health.

Yamini joined Nielsen in 2006 starting in Telecom, and moved up to earn her Black Belt in Business Process Improvement, supporting ongoing cost containment and revenue growth by building an organizational culture of continuous improvement and innovation, using disciplined approaches of Six Sigma and Lean principles. She started the Nielsen Green program in 2013.

MaryAnn Pisani was one of MHW's earliest employees when they launched their national import and distribution service program in 1995.  Entering on the ground floor in an emerging startup gave her hands-on experience in all facets of the beverage alcohol import business, from compliance to logistics, finance, and global supply chain.  In her 23 years in the industry she has helped hundreds of suppliers and thousands of products of all shapes and sizes to successfully navigate the complexity of the U.S. market.  It is her range and depth of experience that makes her one of our industry's most knowledgeable women.  She has served on committees for the National Association of Beverage Importers and Distilled Spirits Council. Today she is Chief Revenue Officer, overseeing the departments of Business Development and Client Relations.  Prior to this role she was Chief Operating Officer, responsible for a team of 40 specialized logistics and customer service associates.  MaryAnn travels extensively on behalf of MHW, meeting with suppliers, partners, and trade organizations around the globe.  She is the proud mom of 4 and the ecstatic grandma of 3.  

If you’ve ordered a Bacardi cocktail at one of your favorite neighborhood bars, nightclubs, local or chain restaurants and hotels across the U.S. Heidi probably had her hand in getting our brands there. As Vice President and Managing Director of On-Premise, Heidi oversees the entire On Premise for Bacardi USA. She manages an award-winning national account team who oversees the nation’s largest restaurant, hotel, casino and concession chains. In addition to this,  she manages the national strategy for On Premise independent venues. There, she keeps a vigilant watch over what she refers to as the On Premise Empire, approximately 80 account managers covering 40 cities who bring the Bacardi brands to life for consumers.

As a female executive on the Bacardi USA sales team, she prides herself on setting the example for other women looking to succeed in the male-dominated sprits industry. This passion earned her a role as the Chair for the Bacardi Women in Leadership initiative in North America which creates programs and opportunities to unleash the potential of current and future leaders.

Heidi first joined Bacardi in 2013 with already impressive hospitality and beverage credentials. She previously worked at Pernod Ricard and at MGM Resorts International (Bellagio and Aria Resorts) where she managed massive beverage programs. Under her leadership, she cultivated hundreds of bartenders and cocktail servers as well as groomed many of the food and beverage executives that are prevalent in Las Vegas today. During this time, Heidi was voted by her peers as the Santé Spirits Professional of the Year.

Heidi lives in Miami and is married with identical twin boys. She is a self proclaimed foodie and home chef.

Margie Mauldin, Executive Forum’s owner and president, is an energetic and creative leader. In the past 30 years, Margie has earned the trust of the Denver business community as an entrepreneur and successful business owner.  She effectively manages Executive Forum’s global client list that include a variety of compelling projects  such as strategic planning and coaching for Comcast, Colas, Barrett Industries, National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

iLoveFeedback® certification and training for IHS Markit, Department of the Army, Department of Housing and Urban Development, the National Parks Service.

Presentations include the  2015 NeighborWorks Institute, 2016 ATD International Conference and Expo, 2017 International Brain Summit, the 2017 and 2018 Rocky Mountain Project Management Symposium, 2018 National Organization of Trusted Advisors, the 2019 Strategic Government Resources Servant Leadership Conference.  Other presentations include the 2019 Western Region IPMA-HR Annual Conference, the 2019 IPMA-HR International Conference and the 2019 CO and MN SHRM State Conferences. 

Margie’s best-selling book, Feedback Revolution: Building Relationships & Boosting Results, now in its second printing, focuses on organizational culture, performance review systems, employee engagement, communication and accountability.

When she is not at Executive Forum, she can be found out in the community biking, hiking, playing tennis, or singing with her jazz band and Voices Rock.

Education
B.A., University of South Alabama – Mobile, AL
M.A., University Texas  San Antonio – San Antonio, TX

Civic Boards

Volunteers of America, Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation, The Other Side Academy  

Fun Facts:

Favorite Movie Quote: “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”  Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back

Favorite Ice Cream:  Vanilla – perhaps a little boring, but what a foundation for chocolate sauce, nuts, fresh fruit and sprinkles!

Favorite Band / Musician:  The Allman Bros. & Ella Fitzgerald

Mary Isenhour was nominated to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board by Governor Tom Wolf on Feb. 15, 2019, and was confirmed by the state Senate on June 19, 2019. Mary is the first female Board member in the history of the PLCB. 

A Kansas native, Mary has more than 30 years of experience working with officials at every level and branch of government. 

As Secretary of Legislative Affairs and Chief of Staff to Governor Tom Wolf, Mary played a key role in the passage of Act 39 of 2016, the most comprehensive modernization of the beverage alcohol landscape in Pennsylvania since Prohibition. She was also responsible for advancing other important policy items for Governor Wolf such as increased education funding, the legalization of medical marijuana and finding efficiencies in state agencies to achieve savings of more than $1 billion.

Mary’s career in public service began in the late 1980s with the Kansas House of Representatives, serving as Communications Director and then Chief of Staff to the House Majority Leader. In 1995, she was named the national political director at the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee in Washington, D.C., and in 1999 she relocated to Harrisburg as the executive director of the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee. She served as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, a senior advisor to Governor Ed Rendell and in 2013 she joined Tom Wolf's campaign for governor as a senior advisor.

Mary is a partner with the Rooney Novak Isenhour Group, a Harrisburg business development and strategic consulting firm. 

Mary and her husband, Bill Patton, live in suburban Harrisburg with their cat, Hank, and their Plott Hound, Shafer. She enjoys cooking for friends and family, traveling to experience new culinary offerings and cheering on her beloved University of Kansas Jayhawks.

Cristina Desmond serves as Vice President, National Accounts Retail for Breakthru Beverage Group. In this role she oversees a team of national account directors and managers to develop and execute growth strategies with supplier partners and customers. Breakthru’s newly-expanded national accounts team is adding incremental value to partners by driving deeper channel and customer focus, enhancing trade marketing, execution, pricing management and e-tailing while leveraging increased data and robust analytical capabilities.

Cristina has been with Breakthru (via Charmer Sunbelt) since 2002 and most recently served as Vice President, Marketing, Sales & Promotions for Breakthru Beverage Pennsylvania. During her time at Charmer Sunbelt, Cristina held various roles of increasing responsibility in Sales, Sales management, Chain Management and Marketing & Analytics.

Cristina is a graduate of Temple University.

About Breakthru Beverage Group

Breakthru Beverage Group is one of the leading alcohol wholesalers in the United States and the largest broker in Canada representing a full total alcohol beverage portfolio of spirits, wine and beer. Across its North American footprint, Breakthru employs more than 7,000 associates who align a nimble and insightful approach to sales, marketing and operations. Family ownership is active in the business and committed to being stewards of heritage and champions of innovation. For more information, visit www.BreakthruBev.com.

Getting to know Jackie Zykan, Old Forester Master Taster, is a little like understanding what makes a really good cocktail – it’s all about the ingredients and the right balance. As Master Taster, she speaks bourbon fluently. But understanding the language of liquor is more than just having a sharp palate. Jackie also has a background in Biology, Chemistry, and of course, mixology from her years as a bartender and beverage director. This rare combination gives Jackie a unique perspective into the brand and the makings of a delicious bourbon.

But as any former bartender knows, a good drink is also about presentation. Which is why Jackie conducts master level trainings across the globe, leads Old Forester’s single barrel private selection program and innovative licensed expansions of the brand, and oversees the brand drink strategy across all platforms. 

And like a good drink, Jackie also has a tremendous follow-through, which is why throughout the years, she has also been published globally for industry insights, cocktail strategies and brand education. She serves as the face of the brand, traveling the world to share the story of Old Forester’s production and history.

And lest we forget the part about perfect balance, Jackie is also a devoted mom.

Dan Heller is the Executive Vice President of Sales for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, which is the third largest premium wine company in the U.S.   Its portfolio includes wineries located in Washington, Oregon and California, and Ste. Michelle also imports wines from prestige estates located in Italy, France, Spain, New Zealand and Chile.  
 
Mr. Heller began his career with Ste. Michelle in 1985.  During his tenure, Dan has held several sales leadership roles prior to being named to his current role in, September 2017.  Dan’s areas of expertise include managing business across all trade channels, building teams and organization structures and managing national distributor networks. 

A native of Indiana, Dan earned his bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications from Indiana University.

In her newly appointed role as Executive Vice President Brands and Chief Marketing Officer for Moët Hennessy USA, Vanessa Kay is responsible for driving business strategies and execution for all brands within the Moet Hennessy USA portfolio of Champagnes, Wines and Spirits in addition to overseeing the continued development of the company’s Marketing organization. Most recently, Vanessa held the position of Senior Vice President of Veuve Clicquot, Krug and Ruinart where she oversaw all aspects of each brand including marketing, sales, distribution, events, public relations and digital efforts. Vanessa joined Moët Hennessy in 2006 as the Business Development Director for Maison Veuve Clicquot based in France and was responsible for the United States and Asia Pacific regions. Prior to joining Moët Hennessy, Vanessa worked for Citibank in Marketing and Strategic Development for 5 years in both NY and Paris and subsequently in management consulting in Paris for over ten years across multiple sectors including banking, pharma, biotech and heavy industry. After earning a B.A. degree in French Literature magna cum laude from Cornell University, Vanessa moved to France where she completed an MBA at INSEAD in Fontainebleau and subsequently lived in Paris for 20 years. Vanessa currently resides in New York City.

Karen Hoskin is well known as a vanguard of the rebirth of American Rum. When she started her craft distillery Montanya Distillers and rum bar in the Rocky Mountains in 2008, few people knew there was a strong American rum tradition or a mountain rum tradition. Craft cocktails were not yet a major US trend and rum was considered the wild west of spirits. Karen has helped shift that perception, steering the distillery to accomplish double-digit growth every year for more than a decade. In 2019, her company secured a minority investment from Constellation Brands' Female Founders Fund, which Karen is leveraging to build the distribution footprint worldwide. She is a respected spirits industry leader and frequent speaker on premium rum, distilling science and business, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, mixology, and bar business. She is the founder of the Women's Distillery Guild, which came under the umbrella of WOTVS in 2018, and she frequently mentors women starting craft distilling companies.

An entrepreneur with a career rooted in the luxury consumer goods industry, Bertha González Nieves has been identified by Forbes as “One of the 50 most powerful women in Mexico”. She has also been named “One of Mexico’s top young businesswomen” by Revista Expansión, Mexico’s leading business magazine. For the last 20 years, her career has been centered on the spirits industry, specifically tequila. During that time, she has been certified as the first female Maestra Tequilera by the Academia Mexicana de Catadores de Tequila, the organization recognized by The Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). A distinction held only by men in the industry, until now. Los Angeles Times calls González Nieves “The First Lady of Tequila,” Food & Wine and Fortune magazines named her one of “The Most Innovative Women in Food & Drink,” and the Financial Times noted Bertha as “a tough entrepreneur and co-founder of one of the chicest brands in a business rooted firmly in Mexican machismo.”

In 2009, Casa Dragones debuted Tequila Casa Dragones Joven, a rare blend of 100% Blue Agave silver and extra aged tequila, handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, especially for sipping and pairing with food. In 2014, Casa Dragones expanded its collection with Tequila Casa Dragones Blanco, 100% Blue Agave silver tequila crafted to deliver the pure essence of agave, and perfect for enjoying in cocktails or on the rocks. Prior to co-founding Casa Dragones, González Nieves spent the last 10 years as a top executive for Jose Cuervo International, the largest tequila company in the world and one of the top ten global spirits. 

While at the brand, she held senior marketing, commercial, and product development positions, including Commercial Director for North America, Global Director of New Business and Innovation and Global Brand Director. Prior to her positions at Jose Cuervo, González Nieves served as a consultant at Booz Allen & Hamilton, where she designed and implemented marketing strategies for leading global packaged goods companies.

González Nieves graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Business Administration from Universidad Anahuac in Mexico City and holds a Master of Science degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from the Medill School of Journalism & J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Among her honors, she received the ‘Arthur E. Tatham Award’ for exceptional performance and outstanding promise in the field of marketing communications.  

She currently sits on the board of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Latin American Art Initiative, as well as on the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) Executive Council. Prior, she was a mentor at Endeavor Mexico, a global nonprofit that transforms emerging countries by supporting high-impact entrepreneurs, and in 2018 was awarded the “Pride in Mexico”, for her work in creating a globally-recognized, Mexican luxury brand.  Prior, she served as a Board member of Editorial Mapas in Mexico City and Legal Momentum in New York City, as well as on the marketing committee of El Museo del Barrio in New York City.

For more information about Casa Dragones Co-Founder and CEO Bertha González Nieves, please visit here. For more information on Casa Dragones, please visit this link.

Kristina Kelley grew up exploring the world, living in new cultures and sampling diverse cuisines. Through her 30-plus-year career in the food and beverage industry, she has combined her global outlook and unquenchable curiosity with a wealth of experience that includes sales, marketing, and public relations.Kristina was born in Puerto Rico and spent most of her adolescence traveling to new places with her family. Throughout her experiences, she found that a significant portion of any culture is expressed through food and drink – a discovery that ultimately amplified her desire to learn more about the industry.

After Kristina completed her education at Virginia Commonwealth University, she initially worked in hospitality but soon entered the wine industry. Since then, she has held various roles in distributor and winery sales, as well as brand management throughout the United States. She joined E. & J. Gallo Winery in 1995 where she played an integral role in the creation of the winery’s fine wine portfolio and in developing numerous domestic and import brands.

Today, as the Senior Director of Corporate Public Relations and Wine and Spirits Media Relations for the E. & J. Gallo Winery, Kristina oversees multiple facets of Public Relations, Editorial Content, Events and Media. She is responsible for building integrated communications and strategic plans related to the company’s initiatives and long-term vision. Her team provides communication leadership and expert guidance to business leaders on a variety of high-profile issues and topics. She also leads the PR strategy for the winery’s comprehensive portfolio of wines with a specific focus on Wine and Spirits Media from consumer-accessible brands such as Barefoot and Dark Horse to premium brands like J Vineyards & Winery, Louis M. Martini and Orin Swift. Additionally, her team supports the winery’s portfolio of renowned imports including Jermann, Renato Ratti and Allegrini and numerous others from Italy, Spain, France, New Zealand and Argentina.

Kristina is a Certified Specialist of Wine, an Advisory Board Member for Women of the Vine and Spirits, and an active member of the Public Relations Society of America. She lives in Modesto, California with her husband, Mike, and their Weimaraner, Finn. Over the years, Kristina’s enthusiasm for new experiences has never faltered – visiting more than 50 countries and sampled scores of cuisines, with more to come.

Sarah Bettman is Director, Diversity & Inclusion at Constellation Brands. She has two decades of experience designing and implementing organizational and leadership development solutions in a variety of industries. She is passionate about and known for her work in the areas of leadership development, advancing women leaders, and inclusive leadership with clients from around the world.

Sarah has dedicated much of her time to championing Constellations Diversity and Inclusion efforts including the launch of the Women’s Leadership Development Program, expansion of the Women’s Leadership Network, and introduction of Unconscious Bias and Creating Inclusive Culture Programs, to name just a few.

Prior to joining Constellation Brands, Sarah served as a Principal Consultant with Linkage, Inc. where she created customized solutions by collaborating with multiple stakeholders on large scale projects to ensure that her clients ultimately achieve their strategic objectives. Sarah effectively blends facilitation, team development, and executive coaching to create engagements that have impact and get results.

Sarah also has experience as an executive coach and consultant, serving a variety of clients in the healthcare and emergency medical fields. Her experience as a firefighter and paramedic taught her first- hand about the power of effective leadership and high-performing teams—and shaped her passion for leadership development and management. She has worked extensively in a variety of industries including healthcare, energy, technology and finance.

Sarah holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Colorado and an MBA in Strategic Leadership from Dominican University of California. She is certified in individual coaching through the Coaches Training Institute, in Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching from CRR Global, and in the MBTI.

Constellation Brands, a Fortune 500® company, is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, Italy and Canada. Constellation is the No.3 beer company in the U.S. with high-end, iconic imported brands such as Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra and Pacifico. The company’s beer portfolio also includes Ballast Point, one of the most awarded craft brewers in the U.S., and Funky Buddha Brewery. In addition, Constellation is the world leader in premium wine, selling great brands that people love, including Robert Mondavi, Clos du Bois, Kim Crawford, Meiomi, Mark West, Black Box, Ruffino and The Prisoner. The company’s premium spirits brands include SVEDKA Vodka, Casa Noble Tequila and High West Whiskey.

Jan Jones Blackhurst is a long-time political and business leader who has left an indelible imprint on the lives of millions of people. In 1991, Jan broke the glass ceiling as Las Vegas’ first female mayor. Under Jan’s leadership the city experienced tremendous growth, making her one of the Las Vegas’ most popular mayors to date. She then joined Caesars Entertainment, where she grew the industry’s first Responsible Gaming practices to include an ambassador model for the gaming industry and the first industry code of commitment. Jan is also known and respected for her efforts to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, advancing environmental stewardship, advocating for important social issues and giving millions of dollars to individuals, families, and communities in need.

Under Jan’s Leadership at Caesars Entertainment Corporation:

• Caesars was the first casino in the industry to roll out a code of commitment under their corporate integrity standards

• Energy, water use and greenhouse gas emissions have dropped significantly over the last eight years across the Caesars Enterprise

• Employee diversity has increased, with 41 percent of management positions held by women and 57 percent of employees from diverse backgrounds

• Employee engagement has been its highest, driven by a volunteer program where employees have donated over 400,000 hours a year to both company and community causes

Through Jan’s guidance, Caesars Entertainment has earned a 100 percent perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index for ten consecutive years. Jan has channeled her passion for charitable causes through her role as Chair of the Caesars Foundation, which strengthens communities through philanthropic activities and corporate gifts totaling $66 million since 2013. Jan participates extensively in university speaking engagements and lecture series throughout the country and has also helped establish the International Gaming Institution Center of Excellence at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas.

Before joining Caesars in 1999, Jan served two terms as Mayor of Las Vegas. She was the city’s first female chief executive and one of its most popular mayors, having been re-elected in 1995 by a 72 percent margin. While in office, Jan presided over an unprecedented period of economic, social and cultural expansion. She spearheaded a massive and redevelopment effort in the city’s once-neglected downtown neighborhood and was among the first mayors in the country to advocate for LGBT rights and issues as early as 1991.

Jan serves on the Board of Directors for the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Global Fairness Initiative. Additionally, she serves on several boards as chairwoman including the Nevada Resort Association, Las Vegas Stadium Authority, and is also a member of the Women's Leadership Board at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She has received many recognitions and accolades including the Americanism Award from the Anti- Defamation League (ADL), the Woman of Diversity Award for "100 Years of Influence - Women Shaping the First 100 Years of Las Vegas", Outstanding Service in a Land-based Industry from Totally Gaming, PR News CSR Professional of the Year and was named by the Las Vegas Business Press as one of its “Women Who Mean Business.” Jan has been honored by the American Diabetes Association and the "I Have a Dream" Foundation, and named Humanitarian of the Year in 1998 by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In 2014, she was one of the first women to be inducted into the American Gaming Association (AGA) Gaming Hall of Fame. More recently, she has earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Chamber of Commerce, the Dom Pérignon Award of Excellence from UNLVino, the Diversity Hero Award from PR Week and was honored by ACLU for Community Equality.

Jan Jones Blackhurst holds a bachelor's degree in English from Stanford University and attended the University of Southern California's School of Food Marketing Management.

Kari Leitch is the Senior Vice President of Communications and Corporate Affairs for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.

Ms. Leitch began her career at Ste. Michelle in 1996.  During her tenure, she has been responsible for corporate and branded communications initiatives, state and federal government affairs policy, and the hospitality centers, direct-to-consumer programs and eCommerce businesses for the wineries located in Washington and Oregon.  She also managed the renovation of Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Visitor Center in Woodinville.

Ms. Leitch serves on the Senior Executive Committee for Women of the Vine & Spirits.  She also is a Commissioner for the Washington State Wine Commission, a board member for the Auction of Washington Wines, and a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier Seattle.  She also serves on the Principal Advisor Committee for Challenge Seattle.

A native of Illinois, Ms. Kari earned her BA in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Lorraine Luke is currently Corporate Vice President, Human Resources for Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) and leads the entire HR team for the Company. RNDC is the second largest distributor of premium wine and spirits in the United States with operations in 23 states and employs more than 10,000 Associates nationwide. Lorraine joined RNDC in 2005 and assumed the responsibility for developing the human capital strategy for both the organization and the HR function. Since then, she has been responsible for the executive leadership of the company’s human capital practices with a strong focus on talent development, corporate social responsibility, and cultural excellence. In addition, Lorraine is a member of the Executive Leadership Team at RNDC as well as the executive sponsor of the RNDC Women’s Leadership Forum, Millennial Advisory Council, iGen Leadership Circle, and a key facilitator of the RNDC Senior Executive Leadership Forum. Under her direction, RNDC has established industry-leading people practices producing a strong bench of leaders at every level in the organization and a culture that was recognized as a Best Place to Work by Fortune magazine.

Lorraine is a successful and accomplished Human Resources Executive with over 22 years of progressive HR leadership and executive experience with privately-held to publicly-traded Fortune 200 companies. Her areas of expertise include being a subject matter expert in coaching, change leadership, strategic human capital practices, talent management, employment practices, and organizational culture. She is a proven expert in developing and executing strategic human capital initiatives for large workforces in multi-location sites. Lorraine has successfully lead remote teams of Human Resources professionals along with teams providing corporate Shared Services. Prior to RNDC, Lorraine was with YUM Brands for 20 years in a variety of progressive roles in Operations, Finance, and Human Resources. While at Pizza Hut, she was consistently recognized for building teams, developing talent, and attaining positive and sustainable business results through aligned client relationships and results-oriented strategic planning and execution. Early in her career, she was the Controller for Garland Enterprises in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Lorraine has attained several professional HR certifications from accredited institutions. She is a member of the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF), Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), Internal Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Women of the Vine Symposium, and Association for Talent Development (TD). Lorraine has attained her certifications as a DDI Global Facilitator and a 360 assessment coach from the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL).  She holds a business degree from Western International University and a degree in Religion from the American Military University. In addition to her executive role at RNDC, she is a member of the auxiliary police force for the City of Keller, Texas and the past Vice President for the Board of Directors for the Keller Citizens Police Academy.

Alison brings her passion for learning, creating and coaching to Pernod Ricard as Vice President, Total Talent, Diversity and Enterprise Development.  With over 20 years of experience operating within global financial services, she has built technical and soft skills curricula, high potential development programs, talent planning processes and culture initiatives that have helped support the strategic goals of the business.  Alison’s focus at Pernod Ricard is the articulation of a consistent vision and set of tools that attracts, develops and retains critical talent for the organization.  She has a BS in Applied Mathematics from Lehigh University and “in progress” with her MEd from Fordham University in Counseling and Personnel Services.

Brenae Royal grew up in the town of Atwater, in California’s Central Valley. “I come from a family of teachers and doctors, so when I started raising pigs, my family thought, where did she fall off?” Brenae says, laughing. When asked about her first farming memories, she recalls picking weeds and planting flowers with her grandmother. “My grandmother has a ginormous garden.” As the Vineyard Manager for the 575-acre Monte Rosso Vineyard on the eastern hills of Sonoma Valley, one the most acclaimed winegrowing sites in California, Brenae might have her grandmother beat.

Brenae put her passion to action at a young age, joining 4-H at 12 and becoming an officer in the Future Farmers of America when she was 17. The program took her all over California and immersed her in a world she knew she wanted to be a part of for the rest of her life. Brenae studied Crops and Horticulture Science at California State University, Chico and during her senior year, after developing a palate for bold red wines, decided to pursue a career in viticulture.

She joined E. & J. Gallo Winery in 2013 as an Operations and Viticulture Intern and quickly established a relationship with an important mentor, winemaker Deborah Juergenson. “Deb started out as one of the first few women winemakers in a very male-dominated field. It’s been amazing to have her as a mentor, both professionally and personally,” Brenae says. “Viticulture is still very male-dominated, so to drive more inclusion and diversity is very much an uphill battle.” It’s a battle that Brenae has done anything but back down from. Since joining Gallo, Brenae has farmed Monte Rosso Vineyard with increasing levels of responsibility. In addition to her internship, Brenae also served as Viticulture Technician for 11 months before being named Vineyard Manager in 2015.

Monte Rosso is home to some of the oldest producing grapevines in California and has garnered a near-mythic reputation among winemakers. “When I started, it was intimidating. Here I am as this 24-year-old coming to manage Monte Rosso, a world-renowned vineyard and one of the oldest in the state. It’s difficult and complex. Our vines range from four months old to over 130 years old, so it’s a lot to take on, but I love it,” she says. “We’ve brought a lot of technology and innovation to the vineyard, so much so that we can be farming up to three different wine styles within the same single block.”

Mount Peak Winery, like Brenae, is singularly focused on expressing Monte Rosso’s uniqueness. “When our winemaker Mark Williams visits, it’s not uncommon to hop in my truck and then hike into his favorite blocks. It’s a hands-on approach to winemaking, and he’s very honored to work with the fruit.” When asked how Monte Rosso’s distinct terroir shows up in the bottle, Brenae quickly answers. “Acidity,” she declares, “and minerality and spice.” Part of the vineyard’s mystique is that its signature qualities seem impervious to producer and variety. “You can taste Monte Rosso wines blind and recognize them immediately,” she adds. Brenae is doing everything in her power to keep it that way. “My goal is always to preserve what is special about Monte Rosso,” she says. “Hopefully it will be producing for another 132 years.”

Marbet Lewis is a founding partner and managing partner at Spiritus Law.  She has focused her practice on the laws governing regulated products and the alcohol industry in the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcohol beverage products since 2004. She represents clients in the travel, hospitality and entertainment industries with all aspects of alcohol and business licensing.  Her experience also includes enforcement action defense and administrative litigation, zoning and land use approval processes, and state and local government regulatory compliance.

Marbet works with domestic and foreign alcohol and tobacco suppliers, importers, wholesalers, real estate developers, and a broad range of alcohol retailers, including large box retailers, national restaurant chains, national pharmacies, nightclubs, private clubs, national retail chains, bars, national hotel chains and national hotel management companies, restaurateurs, sports arenas, including MLB and NBA sport franchises, national movie theater companies, entertainment complexes and establishments, and other members of the hospitality and alcohol industry.  Aside from her legal work, Marbet is an active member of Women of the Vine & Spirits and works closely with local schools and community centers on various youth outreach initiatives. 

Margareth Henriquez is a seasoned professional with over 41 years of experience, 30 of which she has spent as President and/or CEO of multinational or global companies in Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina and now France.

In these top management roles, Henriquez has become renowned for developing and implementing the right strategies to manage companies in difficult contexts and circumstances, leading their way to success. Over these 30 years, she has contributed to the growth of different companies producing and distributing wine and spirits in Venezuela, food in Mexico, as well as sparkling and still wines in Argentina.

Since 2009 she has been President and CEO of the House of Krug in Reims, France. Krug is the first and still unique Champagne House to create only Prestige Champagnes every year since it was founded in 1843.
In January 2018, she was also appointed President of the Moët Hennessey Estates & Wines division. In this role, she is responsible for the development of seven wine Estates around the world – Cloudy Bay (New Zealand), Cape Mentelle (Australia), Terrazas de los Andes (Argentina), Cheval des Andes (Argentina), Bodega Numanthia (Spain), Newton Vineyard (Napa Valley, USA) and Ao Yun (China) – all pioneers in their countries of origin.

Margareth Henriquez, better known as Maggie, was also president of the Association of Manufacturers in Venezuela and Mexico. She actively participated in the transformation of the wine Industry of Argentina, where she became deeply connected with viticulture and winemaking over the eight years she spent at the head of Moët Hennessy’s properties in the country.

During her career, Maggie was also a member of the international executive committees of Seagram, Nabisco, Moët Hennessy (Latin America, Caribbean, Canada and Middle East), Moët Hennessy Estates & Wines and now belongs to the Moët Hennessy International Executive and Operational Committee.

While living in Mexico, Maggie was a Professor of New Product Development for International Markets and Strategic Alliances at the Universidad Panamericana, for the post-graduate and Master’s programs. She has also conducted seminars on topics ranging from Wine, Champagne, Luxury Brand Building, Strategy and Marketing Facing Crisis, Leadership and Women’s Development. Among other recognitions, she was honored with the title of “Keeper of the Quaich” by the Scotch Whisky Association in 1993. In 2008, for the tenth consecutive year, she was named among the top five executives of the year by the Argentinian Fundaciôn Konex, which promotes talent and culture in all its expressions. In 2013 she was recognized as Woman of the Year by Drinks International, the UK’s most important trade publication. In 2018, Maggie ranked 37th among the 200 most influential people in the wine industry by the Revue du Vin de France and was designated one of the sector’s 10 most influential women, a category that was not ranked. In 2019 she has been selected by Bettane et Desseauve as the Woman of the Year 2020.

She is a Systems Engineer with an advanced degree in Management from Harvard Business School. She has two children – aged 39 and 35 – living in Mexico and is also grandmother to

two girls and a boy. Maggie is currently writing an essay to complete her PhD in Business. In her spare time, she enjoys sports such as biking, water skiing, tennis, aerobics and spinning. She is fluent in three languages: English, French and Spanish and understands Italian and Portuguese. Maggie is skilled with computers and loves wine, gastronomy, traveling, the arts, reading, music, theater, opera and a good spa.

Julie Kinch is a business leader with extensive experience in the alcohol beverage industry. She is the former SVP, CLO (Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer) for Heineken USA.  She was their first female SVP and management team member and was part of the strategic and operational management of the company which has grown to over $1.5B in revenue. Julie has represented companies in various industry trade organizations and has helped shape category narratives within the legal and alcohol beverage space. 

During her 20 years with Heineken, Julie was an advocate for diversity and founded the Heineken Women’s Leadership Forum to drive the inclusion and advancement of women in the workplace. Kinch’s passion has had a lasting impact: as of 2019, 50% of Heineken USA’s employees are women and 48% of its senior leaders are women. 

Her work won recognition from business and industry groups, including Westchester County’s “Women in Business” award in 2014 and “Equal Access to Justice” honoree in 2019. She is a regular speaker at industry, university and women’s conferences and has written for Fortune.

As the Founder and CEO of JK Leadership Advisors, Julie continues her commitment to diversity and women’s leadership by advising companies looking to operationalize inclusion and diversity, to evolve their company cultures through empowering and engaging employees and to accelerate growth.

Prior to joining Heineken, Julie was Vice President, General Counsel for Remy Amerique, Inc. and before that, was with the law firm, White & Case. Julie is a former member of the Board of Directors for LIFT, a charity that provides access to justice for children and families in New York City, and she was on the initial Advisory Council for the Women’s Leadership Institute at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Georgetown University and a JD from Boston College Law School. She currently lives in Larchmont, New York with her husband and family.

Passionate about personal development, Laurie has been coaching individuals and groups for over 15 years, specializing in relationship and marriage coaching.

She spreads her message of empowerment through live international events, one- on-one coaching, virtual coaching courses, and on radio and in TV appearances such as MTV’s True Life Special: I’m Getting a Second Chance, A&E’s The Marriage Test, the Dr. Phil Show and TODAY show. Laurie also hosts monthly dating and relationship webinars on Match and JDate providing dating, sex, and relationship advice to an average of 350 listeners per month.

Laurie considers herself “an angel recruiter” because she is busy looking for other people who share her mission to instill more joy and peace in the world. Care to join her?

Laurie feels blessed to spend her days doing work that makes her proud and she is inspired by Handel clients for having the gumption and guts to look at themselves honestly. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and three kids.

Barbara Huson (previously known as Barbara Stanny), is the leading authority on women, wealth and power. As a bestselling author, financial therapist, teacher & wealth coach, Barbara has helped millions take charge of their finances and their lives.

Barbara's background in business, her years as a journalist, her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology, her extensive research, and her personal experience with money give her a unique perspective and makes her the foremost expert on empowering women to live up to their financial and personal potential.

Barbara Huson has been featured on Good Morning America, The View, Extra, The O'Reilly Report, and many times on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, Fox News, PBS and NPR, as well as the New York Times, and USA Today.

Barbara is the author of 6 books:

• Prince Charming Isn’t Coming: How Women Get Smart About Money

• Secrets of Six-Figure Women: Surprising Strategies to up Your Earnings and

  Change Your Life

• Overcoming Underearning: A Five-Step Plan to a Richer Life

• Finding a Financial Advisor You Can Trust: A Guide for Investors and Those Who

  Want To Be

• Breaking Through: Getting Past the Stuck Points in Your Life

• Sacred Success: A Course in Financial Miracles

  You can learn more about Barbara and her work at www.Barbara-Huson.com

As a journalist, author and public speaker, Lee Woodruff has spent her career in the media and marketing world. A contributor for “CBS This Morning,” she has also reported for “Good Morning America” and hosted various radio shows. 

Woodruff garnered critical acclaim for her best-selling book "In an Instant," the compelling and humorous chronicle of her family’s journey to recovery following her husband Bob’s roadside bomb injury in Iraq while reporting on the war. Her best-selling book “Perfectly Imperfect,” was followed by her first novel.

As co-founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, she has helped to raise more than $68 million to help military veterans and their families successfully reintegrate into their communities and receive critical long-term care.

Woodruff has penned numerous magazine articles on a variety of business and feature subjects and she runs a successful media training consulting business in New York. 

Fawn Weaver is the founder of Grant Sidney, Inc., an investment firm that has silently participated in real estate and privately-owned tech and lifestyle brands for the past 24 years. Weaver is often active in her investments, serving in leadership capacities behind the scenes, as well as publicly when it serves the company well to do so. She’s the co-founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, serving as CEO and chief historian. She is a TED speaker, as well as a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author who has appeared on popular radio, morning and talk television shows around the world, including CBS This Morning and NPR. She’s been featured over a hundred times in publications from the Los Angeles Times to the USA Today to Chicago Tribune and New York Times. 

Weaver has served on the executive boards of Slavery No More, MEND Poverty, and is the founder of the Nearest Green Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to shining a spotlight on the first known African-American master distiller, Nathan “Nearest” Green. This story, lost in time, was uncovered by Weaver and a team she brought together consisting of 20 archaeologist, genealogist, historians, archivist and conservators. She is currently overseeing 12 projects all related to honoring Green, with her favorite among them being the Nearest Green Legacy scholarship which provides full tuition and books for all Green descendants in college. Currently, there are ten Legacy scholarship recipients attending universities across the U.S.─from Texas A&M to the University of Missouri to Auburn University─with that number expected to increase exponentially in the years ahead. The Legacy Scholarship extends to not only each recipient’s undergraduate but also their graduate degrees. The first scholarship recipient graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee in May 2018 and is headed to the University of Louisiana to pursue her graduate studies in the fall. The Nearest Green Foundation is funded by proceeds from sales of Uncle Nearest Whiskey.

In a world where we are often divided, Tet has mastered the art of bringing people and communities together to build engagement and ownership. She empowers groups to solve problems through collaboration and open dialogue. With MW Media, she has created a platform to amplify ideas, stories, and thought-leadership related to the challenges and opportunities to breaking barriers for underrepresented groups in the workplace – women of color, immigrants, and mothers – so they are able to thrive at work, at home and beyond. Recently speaking at SXSW 2019, Tet opened up the conversation around breaking through the maternal wall in America as it relates to the experiences of women of color and immigrants.

Tet's professional experience spans over a decade as an executive advisor and organizational change leader to some of the biggest and influential companies in advertising, hi-tech, utilities, consumer goods, energy, and retail industries. Passionate about the advancement of women and coupled with her professional experience in transformational change / org psychology in shifting culture, mindset, and behavior, Tet is now applying this work to help amplify solutions in breaking barriers and creating paradigm shifts towards more innovative support systems for these underrepresented groups, addressing the significant gaps they face in the workplace.

Tet has been honored as one of today's "40 under 40" influencers for her work with MomWarriorTM and has been featured in Redbook Magazine, Motherly, East Bay Times, and Diablo Magazine.

Kristi Rible Scobie is Founder and CEO of The Huuman GroupTM, a culture consultancy focused on moving organizations towards true gender balance. She is committed to breaking down the web of systemic challenges that can hinder a woman’s growth and progress at work and helps companies to realize the full value that gender balance can bring to both individuals and to corporations themselves.

Having spent most of her career working for both public and startup ventures in emerging and developed markets, throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and the US, she is an expert at understanding cultural norms and behaviors and transforming organizations into ones that embrace the “human” in all of us.

In addition to over twenty years of management experience in industries which include wireless telecommunications, wine, and the non-profit sector, she holds hers MBA in International Management from Thunderbird and her BA in African Studies and Classical Archaeology from Franklin & Marshall College. She is an anthropologist at heart and believes that everyone should experience time amongst a culture other than one’s own. Only then is perspective undeniable and empathy achievable.

In the summer of 2005, six women made national news when they appeared on a Times Square billboard, dressed only in their underwear. While other nearby billboards features actresses and supermodels, this one, promoting Dove brand products, promoted real women with real curves and the nation went wild. Dove’s mission was “to make more women feel beautiful every day by widening the stereotypical theme of beauty and by inspiring women to take great care of themselves.”

Suddenly, Stacy was thrust into the national spotlight. As one of the real women featured in Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty, Stacy quickly emerged as a spokeswoman for healthy body image. She appeared on the Today Show, CNN, Ellen, Dr. Phil, Tyra, and Oprah (twice).

In her 10-year span as a change-creating speaker, Stacy has expanded her work where she passionately shares her system to improve your self-talk to be an extraordinary leader and employee. Stacy has committed her life and career to helping people master their internal dialogue for success. She works full-time as a speaker, consultant, and coach to empower people everywhere.

Renata Franzia Price is the National Account Manager emphasizing Business Strategies for Bronco Wine Company National Sales Division.  Co-founded by Renata’s father, Fred T. Franzia and uncles, Joseph Franzia and John Franzia in 1973; Bronco Wine Company is a third generation, family-owned winery committed to growing, producing and selling the finest quality wines of the highest value to our customers. Our diverse family of brands is sold in over 90 countries worldwide. Renata is responsible for driving business strategies and execution of all brands within Bronco Wine National portfolio.

Renata earned her bachelor’s degree from Santa Clara University, Leavey School of Business in Economics and International Business in 1990.  Hired as a brand manager, she moved into chain sales for Classic Wines of California. As Renata raised her children, she automated the point of sales, developed a system for wine competitions entry and is developing a marketing department. Renata is WSET II certified and enjoys being a regular wine judge for the last 10 years.

Renata lives in San Ramon, California with her husband Rob who is a Sales Director at a Silicon Valley based company. They have four children that keep them busy. Renata’s oldest, Sarina, graduated from Texas Christian University and is now employed at Oracle in California. Her son, Logan, is a senior at Oregon State University. Her daughter, Juliette, is a junior at TCU. Her youngest, Hudson, is a freshman at Santa Clara University.

Renata over the years has volunteered as elected PTA president for Coyote Creek Elementary and PTSA president for Gale Ranch Middle School. She was president two terms at Dougherty Valley High School Athletic Boosters.  Renata received the following awards: Continuing Service PTA Award in 2010, PTA State Golden Oak Award in 2013, Parks Reserve Forces CSM for Excellence Award in 2017, DVHS Honorable Service Award in 2018. Renata looks forward to growing her family’s brands in today’s market and continuing her community volunteerism into the next stage of her life with the Santa Clara University Jesuit School of Theology and the Women of the Vine and Spirits.

Karen Hattrup is currently the Vice President of Customer Development and Business Intelligence for Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits.  Karen was hired by Deutsch eight years ago to introduce reporting and insights capabilities to Deutsch.  Today, she leads a team of insight experts across category development, shopper marketing, syndicated data, modeling and analytics as well as business intelligence which serves as the driver of insights globally to create improved capabilities in how we serve our customers and manage the execution of our programs and key initiatives.  Karen is a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team and the work provided by her department is woven throughout the entire decision-making process at Deutsch from corporate, brand and commercial strategy, to fact based selling stories to street level execution initiatives.  

For 20 years, Karen has served as a thought leader to multiple beverage alcohol suppliers, distributors and customers providing creative commercial and consumer insight-based solutions to a wide variety of problems.  Karen received her analytic training from Information Resources, Inc where she spent the first 7 years of her career in several expanded leadership roles primarily supporting Anheuser Busch, Kellogg’s and Diageo.  In that time, she worked in subject matter expert positions which afforded her the opportunity to develop an expertise across multiple facets of data usage from syndicated scan data, to household panel, to advanced analytics and modeling.  She was hired by her customer, Diageo, in 2007 and spent 4 years leading internal analytics for both National Accounts and Control States at Diageo prior to her tenure at Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits.

Kevin Dolan is a Senior Partner in McKinsey & Company’s Chicago Office and a leader in McKinsey’s Transformation Practice.  Kevin works closely with CEOs and their respective senior leadership teams to create winning strategies and drive integrated performance improvement across all aspects of their business.  Additionally, Kevin is a leader in McKinsey’s Diversity & Inclusion Practice and leads many of McKinsey’s Firm, Office and Practice-level inclusion efforts across recruiting, evaluation, skill-building, sponsorship, and advancement. 

His engagement experience includes:

• Helped global hospitality leader assess current inclusion performance, barriers the current state provided for the company to reach strategic goals, and guided the change management interventions needed to achieve gender equity and a path for inclusion across groups of all identities
• Completed complex $6-billion multi-business carveout for diversified healthcare services company.  Built future organization, culture, and performance management systems for the future company to ensure balance of skills, talent, and diversity.
• Led series of transformation efforts within service operations across healthcare companies, including collections, contract administration, analytics, and supporting technology
• Led global transformation of decentralized retail operator, creating shared services, global functions, and accelerating the digital transformation of the company’s front line
• Led Finance transformation for complex global healthcare company, building talent and capabilities in the organization while expanding efficiency
• Led an end-to-end organizational transformation effort at a global hospitality company, integrating organizational redesign and strategic reinvestment to support 5-year plan and create a talent-focused culture

Prior to joining McKinsey, Kevin was a project manager with The Procter & Gamble Company, and a chemical engineer with the Dow Corning Corporation.  He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a bachelor of science in chemical engineering, with distinction, from Purdue University.  

Lesley is the Director of Commercial Analytics for Pernod Ricard USA with over eight years of experience in the beverage alcohol industry. She has been with the company since 2014 where she has lead the organization on improving performance monitoring, raising analytical capabilities and leveraging data for fact-based decision making.

Lesley has also led the evolution of Pernod Ricard USA’s consumer-centered thinking—how insights and data can improve the consumer experience.

Prior to the beverage alcohol industry, Lesley held various leadership roles in business development and corporate finance within the automotive and chemical industries.

Lesley holds an MBA from the Johnson School at Cornell, a MS in Finance from Indiana University and a BS in management from Purdue University.  Lesley lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and daughters and is an avid supporter of the arts in NYC.

In 2013 , Heather founded Crooked Water Spirits, an award winning national spirits line that produces unique craft spirits, including bourbons, gins, vodkas, brandy and ready-to-pour Old Fashioneds. These “Spirits of the North” can be found in 6 states and over 500 liquor stores, restaurants and airlines, gathering over 45 awards nationally. Focused on innovation, quality and the experience, CWS looks to scale with integrity and high value, while remaining 100% woman owned and self-funded. CWS grew over 300% in 2018 with strategic partnerships and has been WBENC certified since 2014.

Heather purchased On Demand Group (ODG), a technology consulting company and family business, in 2008 with her brother, Sean Manley. They have since led the organization through significant growth and expanded ODG’s business clientele to reach global markets by offering offshore solutions in Southeast Asia. Under her leadership, this global business has generated over $80 million in revenue since 2008. She attributes their growth to their outstanding team and sticking to their mission of partnering with clients who align with their morals and ethics and appreciate transparency, honestly and partnership. WBENC certified since 2008, ODG provides IT resources for contract, contract to hire and direct hire needs.

Heather owns Heather’s Dirty Goodness, a boutique spice company with products sold in Kowalski stores focused on low salt and high flavor. WBENC certified since 2013.  

Heather volunteers her time and energies to advance the economic development interests and opportunities for women business owners in Minnesota. From 2011-2014, Heather was the Board President for National Association of Women Business Owners MN (NAWBO) where she helped establish the MN Women Business Owners Hall of Fame.

Rebecca Messina serves as Global Chief Marketing Officer of Uber, a role she assumed on October 8, 2018.  As Uber’s first-ever CMO, Messina is focused on building a world class marketing organization and helping the company define a strong brand in the hearts and minds of the consumers, drivers and communities it serves.

Prior to joining Uber, Messina was the Global Chief Marketing Officer of Beam Suntory.  Messina assumed that role in 2016 and was responsible for the company’s global brand strategy development and communications, product innovation, research and development and consumer insights for Beam Suntory’s world-class portfolio of brands – including Jim Beam, the world’s number one bourbon, Maker’s Mark, Sauza Tequila, Courvoisier Cognac, Yamazaki Whisky, among others. 

Prior to joining Beam Suntory, Messina built a 22 years career at The Coca-Cola Company. In roles of increasing responsibility and leadership, Messina joined Coca-Cola in 1994 and spent five years in Atlanta with numerous global media and marketing roles before expanding her career in Chile, Australia, France; and ultimately, back in Atlanta, where she held numerous roles of increasing responsibility, most notably the position of Vice President, Global Marketing Capability & Integration. During her time in that role, she led the strategic development of the global marketing agenda to continue growth in a highly competitive and changing landscape.  In 2014, Messina assumed her role as SVP, Marketing & Innovation, Ventures & Emerging Brands (VEB), the internal incubator at TCCC where she was responsible for leading the marketing strategy, innovation and capabilities for Coca-Cola’s VEB portfolio of premium, high growth brands.

A native of Batavia, NY, Messina holds a bachelor’s degree from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) and speaks English, Spanish, French and Italian. She is currently on the Global Board of the Mobile Marketing Association(MMA), and the Ad Council and has also served on the National Board of Directors of the American Marketing Association (AMA), the Georgia State Marketing Roundtable and the Atlanta Executive Board of the AMA. Messina is married, has two children, and currently lives in Chicago, Illinois.  The family is moving to San Francisco in November 2018.

Arnice Lamb has a knack for making people she’s never met before feel like they’ve known her forever.  “If you ask anyone who knows me, they will agree that my first priority is always to make people feel comfortable and at ease” says Arnice.

Putting people at ease is a quality that comes in handy for Arnice in her role at The Walt Disney Company.  As Manager, Supplier Diversity she is responsible for leading, directing, and executing Disney’s Supplier Diversity initiative for Disney’s Theme Parks and Resort division of The Walt Disney Company, as well as managing Disney 2nd Tier Program.  Since February of 1991 “It is my duty to identify qualified suppliers, assist in conflict resolution of supplier problems and orchestrate the communication efforts of both internal stakeholders as well as minority/women/veteran business communities for The Walt Disney Company”, says Arnice.   Prior to joining Disney, Mrs. Lamb held a number of managerial positions with organizations such as Shiley, Inc., a division of Pfizer Inc.; Medtronic Cardiopulmonary, a division of Medtronic, Inc.' and Bard Cardiopulmonary, a division of C.R. Bard, Inc.  For several years, Mrs. Lamb has been instrumental in the development, implementation and compliance of Minority/ Women/Veteran Owned Business Enterprise programs.  

The drive to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in her industry is just one of the many factors to which Arnice credits her success.  Her management team is another, which she describes as both an enabler and necessity to any department success.  “No successful intiatives can be accomplished without the total support of your management team,” says Arnice.

Support Disney’s Theme Parks & Resorts Food and Beverage Operations, Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) and Facility Asset Management (FAM) Design and Construction segment, provide Supplier Diversity administration of complex Goods & Services required to design and construct themed attractions and resorts for Disney’s Theme Parks and Resorts worldwide, including but not limited to: New Construction and the rehabilitation and/or expansion of existing rides, shows, restaurants,  facilitates and cruise ships.  Key area of focus for the segments were:

• Continue to identify innovative food & beverage firms that can provide unique one of a kind culinary experience
• Continue to mature the implementation of Building Informational Modelling (BIM) Enabled/Integrated Project Delivery (IDP)/Lean Construction practices domestically within relevant Facility Design & Construction Agreements
• Continue to develop strategies to introduce BIM Enabled/IPD/Lean models outside the US, as well as in the area of Ride and Show
• Proactive engagement to increase Supplier Diversity participation within WDI/FAM major design & construction spend areas, as well as Food & Beverage
• Continued to be the liaison between internal key stakeholders and WDI/FAM/F&B supplier community through Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) programs.
• Focus on overall efficiencies, Total Quality Innovation (TQI) above singular project savings
• Continue to protect the Brand, reputation and core values (e.g. Safety, ILS, Environment, Sustainability, etc.)

Mrs. Lamb is a native of the state of Ohio. She attended Whiting College in Cleveland, where she received a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration. Later Mrs. Lamb completed extension courses in Purchasing & Material Management at Fullerton College in Fullerton, CA, and Contract Administration at University of California, Irvine.

An active participant in numerous organizations, Mrs. Lamb serves as Chairwomen for the corporate advisory committees of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California, Member of  Women Business Enterprise Council – West, Corporate Advisory to the National Association of Minority Contractors, and the National Minority Supplier Development Council, among others.

Sharon O’Hara is a Human Resources professional at BevMo! who partners with executives and field leaders to develop teams in effective sales management and leadership advancement. After spending more than 20 years in beverage retail, Sharon knows what truly drives a successful off premise beverage business - and it’s not all about the product. It is ensuring the passion and knowledge within the team to guarantee both customer and employee loyalty.

Sharon was the first regional wine buyer for Cost Plus World Market, where she opened wine markets in Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Idaho and Colorado. She leveraged her extensive wine experience and transitioned into store operations where she impacted sales through product knowledge, process and development for field teams. Sharon held district and regional field positions within the BevMo organization, prior to moving into Human Resources where she utilizes her industry and product knowledge along with her team development skills for greater impact on the entire organization.

Sharon holds a Bachelor of Science in Bio Sciences from San Jose State University.

Jessica has worked in the alcohol beverage industry for fifteen years with the last twelve at the Martignetti Companies.  She got her start with a small independent beer supplier which quickly identified her love and passion for the industry. Jessica then began her career on the wholesale side with Martignetti Companies and has held numerous roles including On Premise Sales Manager, Portfolio Manager, Director Sales Operations & Marketing and currently Assistant Vice President of Sales Operations.  Jessica works with both sales and operations to increase efficiencies throughout the company leading various projects; Sales Manager Certification, Portfolio Manager Certification, Train-the-Trainer, Mentoring Initiative, Community Outreach, Uncorked Newsletter, Bentley University Women Center for Women and Business Partnership, various technological roll outs and/or upgrades.  She is also a founding and current member of the Martignetti Companies Women’s Beverage Alcohol Symposium, the 2019-2020 Vice Chair of the WSWA Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) and is a dedicated volunteer within her community.

Jessica lives in Foxboro, Massachusetts and enjoys exercising, traveling, the outdoors and spending time with her family.

Philana Bouvier is the Senior Vice President of New Business Development at Young’s Market Company, the premier distributor of wines, spirits, and select beverages in the western United States. She leads the New Business Development team to partner with current and potential supplier clients, capitalizing on market and category opportunities. Bouvier is dedicated to building relationships across industries to attract new business. Her executive role is also responsible for developing and attaining the company’s strategic vision, influencing diverse sectors; broadly focused on strategic and tactical business development, brand activation, innovation, current and new supplier relations.

In 2011, Bouvier became the first non-family, female statewide General Manager of a major alcohol distributor in the United States. As Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Young’s Market Hawaii business unit, she oversaw all operations including warehouse and delivery, purchasing, inventory management, public relations and promotions, finance, administration, human resources, new business development and sales execution.

Before joining Young’s Market Company in 2010, Bouvier began her career in the restaurant and wine industry in Hawaii accomplishing a series of entrepreneurial milestones. She is the Co-Founder and former CEO of Waiwera Artesian Water USA. Prior to that, she started her own company, B&Co., a boutique brokerage firm that provided distributor sales support and unique services focused on exceptional customer experiences for supplier clients. In 2015, Bouvier was a finalist for the Pacific Business News For-Profit Business Woman of the Year and the American Savings Bank Business Leader of the Year in Hawaii.

Bouvier’s career has spanned almost 20 years in the beverage sales and distribution wholesale business, and she is widely recognized as a leader in her field. She is the new 2019-2020 Chair of the Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), and one of the founding members of the Advisory Board. WLC is comprised of leaders in the wholesale tier of the U.S. beverage alcohol industry dedicated to fostering relationships between members and industry leaders and providing a platform for the exchange of best practices with peers. She also serves as a WSWA Officer for the Council of Leadership Development.

Her philanthropic pursuits also include serving as a Corporate Board Member for the Boys & Girls Club as well as the Bone Marrow Foundation based in New York.

Bouvier is passionate about working with youth to assist in advocating and inspiring their career paths, having been on an accelerated academic path herself that allowed her to graduate high school at age 15. Her university studies took her to St. Peter’s College, Oxford University. Bouvier’s interests include international travel, fine arts, chamber music and sharing her culinary skills with friends and family. She lives in San Francisco, California.

Hillary is a fourth generation owner of Breakthru Beverage and the first female in her family to work for the company.  While her career began in teaching, where she taught first grade for 10 years, she always knew her future lie within the beverage business. It was this desire to join the family company and begin her career with then Wirtz Beverage (now Breakthru Beverage).  She began as a Director of Training for 2 years and then transitioned into sales where she was a district manager for off premise, E & J Gallo division.  Hillary then transitioned into on premise overseeing new accounts in Chicago.  Her current role is on premise business manager, overseeing the on premise business in IL for key customers and community partnerships.  Hillary has most recently added to her responsibilities as Director of Diversity & Inclusion.

Barbara started her career at SGWS 27 years ago as an Administrative Assistant and quickly worked her way into a variety of positions.  She spent a couple of years as an Analyst on the Information Technology team where she learned how to build data models.  This experience provided a springboard into her next role  on the Data Warehouse team.  Her ability to understand the different inventory management systems coupled with her ability to put herself in the shoes of the users, made her a natural at technical training and she was asked to build and manage the first SGWS  Technical Training Center.  After 5 years in technical training, Barbara joined a newly created Supply Chain Management division where she started out in Supplier Relationship Management and Warehouse Operations and eventually oversaw the first re-distribution center in our industry, the Southern Supply Center.   Barbara is now a respected leader on the Commercial Transformation Team where she is developing business process improvements and leading organizational changes to improve operational efficiencies.    

Barbara lives in Miami, FL and enjoys the outdoors, traveling, deep-sea fishing and spending time with her family.

As a Director of National Accounts at Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), Kristin enjoys leading the sales team responsible for the Company’s largest National Account.  Walmart Inc. has annual revenues of $500B and each week they serve more than 140M people in the U.S. in over 5K stores. In Kristin’s six years at RNDC she has expanded the number of people on the Walmart and Sam’s Club sales team, impacted millions of cases and hundreds of millions of dollars in depletions, and interacted with hundreds of Suppliers.

Kristin has the Wine & Spirits Education Trust Level III Advanced Certification. She is a Certified Professional Strategic Advisor through the Category Management Knowledge Group. Kristin is a graduate of RNDC’s Women’s Leadership Forum – a two-year talent development program, anchored in leadership competency models promoting both corporate and individual success.

Kristin is a highly-respected and positive leader, with experience in multiple facets of retailing. She has been a Buyer, a Supplier, and a Distributor, and she has a proven ability to deliver against challenging objectives, essential in the retail industry. In her current role Kristin works closely with supplier partners, State sales teams, and corporate buying offices to develop mutually beneficial plans and initiatives.

Before joining RNDC, Kristin was a Director of National Accounts at Constellation Brands Inc., where she led sales initiatives for Sam’s Club, designing themed programs to feature Constellation’s wines and ensuring that Sam’s Club had Constellation’s best-possible product assortment to serve their Members. Kristin began her professional career at Sam’s Club where she eventually led the [then] 26-person merchant team for SamsClub.com after serving as a Buyer in multiple categories. Kristin loves developing items and programs with which consumers have an emotional connection. 

Kristin has had some awesome experiences; ask her about selling a $1.6M Cessna Citation Mustang Jet, or jumping off a yacht into the Baltic Sea, or her Sunrise Horseback Experience in the Uco Valley, or how it feels to stand in a cranberry bog or meet with the best book publishers in the Country.

Kristin lives in Bentonville, Arkansas with her husband Jeff and their two teenage sons, Lleyton and Colin. Cheering Lleyton and Colin on while they play soccer is one of her favorite things to do.

Recently retired after 31 years at Ste Michelle Wine Estates, the 4th largest Premium Wine Company, Rachael began her career in the beverage industry in as a Sales Manager with a Premium Wine Distributor in the state of Oregon.  She joined Ste Michelle as a State Manager and was promoted to Northwest Region Vice President three years later.

Her tenure as Northwest Sales Region Vice President began with a team of five people covering five states.  As Region Vice President her management role expanded to 30 sales and management people across seven states considered the home market, with responsibility for 25% of sales revenue for the company.  Her team earned Sales Region of the Year titles in 12 of the last 28 years.  Rachael and her team also built Ste. Michelle Northwest business to a 25% share of the premium wine category. 

In 2013, at the recommendation of Ted Baseler, CEO of Ste Michelle Wine Estates, Rachael spearheaded and founded the Women of Wine Leadership program, traveling throughout the country to discuss its important role within the organization and to rally support. Thanks to her efforts, today Women of Wine is active throughout the company at all levels and participation grows for women and men with every event and initiative. Among her many contributions to the organization, Rachael also played an important role in the pilot of the mentoring program, which launched company wide.  “In addition to being a part of growing Ste Michelle Wine Estates to the premium wine company that it has become, being part of Women of Wine has been a very rewarding part of this career” says Rachael.  She continues in an active role as the first Alumnus Advisory Board member.

In her new endeavor, she will continue to mentor and coach women in the wine business, focusing on the business side of the industry as well as consulting wine companies to build leadership programs for women.

Carol Kelley is the Southern California Manager for the On-Premise Customer team at Beam Suntory, the world’s third largest premium spirits company- owned by Suntory Holdings Limited.  Together with her team of 8, she builds business with consumers, bartenders and industry experts, employing sales analytics and marketing program development to help on-premise accounts achieve unprecedented levels of success.  The team, consisting of Luxury Specialists, Multicultural Specialists and Key Account Managers, provide consultation to key bars, restaurants, hotels, venues and stadiums.  Their success is focused on maintaining sharp brand messaging and uninterrupted agility to accommodate the ever-dynamic spirits industry.  

Carol joined beverage alcohol sales in 2005 and, prior to Beam Suntory, she was District Manager at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits in the Chain Division supporting National Accounts.

Carol is a graduate from the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and holds a Certified Specialist of Spirits designation from the Certified Wine Educators.  The Manhattan Beach resident can be found chasing music, cinema and all things media; she was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma spending her summers in Bangkok, Thailand creating an avid traveler curious of adventure and international cocktail culture.

As the Vice President of National Accounts, On-Premise for J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Rita Di Lello leads a Best-of-Class National Accounts On-Premise Team servicing more than 300 top-notch accounts throughout the United States. With 20 years of focused wine industry sales experience, Rita has established a reputation as a detail-oriented On-Premise specialist providing creative solutions and programs for her clients and known for building collaborative, successful relationships with customers and industry leaders.

Rita was born and raised in Utah, and attended Weber State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Sales. While working as the corporate retail buyer for Mirage Resorts in Nevada, Rita also attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where she earned an MBA with a focus in Sales and Marketing. While studying for her MBA, Rita joined the UNLV Wine Club and quickly fell in love with wine. Following her newfound passion, Rita travelled to numerous wine regions and received her introductory level certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers.

In 2000, Rita joined the team at J. Lohr as West Coast National Accounts, On-Premise Manager and Nevada State Manager; she quickly built a robust list of prestigious casino and luxury restaurant accounts. Eager to gain a broader perspective of the industry, Rita went on to work for Banfi Vintners in 2003, where she ultimately became National Accounts Manager—West. Rita has also held positions as the Southern California and Nevada Regional Manager for 585 Wine Partners, and as the Western US National Accounts, On-Premise and Retail Chains Manager for Foley Family Wines.

In 2016, Rita rejoined the team at J. Lohr as VP National Accounts, On-Premise. In this role, Rita develops and nurtures relationships with key national and regional accounts, attains sales, distribution & profitability goals, coordinates national pricing, and educates key accounts on the unique stories of J. Lohr wines. In addition to her certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers, Rita was a member of the first graduating class to earn Certified Wine Professional accreditation from the Culinary Institute of America. She is also involved in the Society of Wine Educators, earning a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) title from that organization in 2017.

Away from work, Rita enjoys road cycling, hiking, skiing and snowboarding. She is also actively involved as an ambassador for Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE) – a charitable organization dedicated to providing support for the children and families of food and beverage employees who are navigating life-altering circumstances or conditions.

Brad Holst is driven by his belief that “everyone has a need to be heard.”

He is the primary architect of Mandel Communication's powerful message-planning tools. He has designed winning communication training and coaching solutions for Mandel’s global clients,   from start-ups to top names in the Fortune 50.  His wine industry clients include Constellation Brands, Delicato Family Vineyards, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Opus One and Peju Province Winery.

Brad is a contributor to the Harvard Business Review Channel, the Harvard ManageMentors video series, and Training Industry Magazine. Prior to joining Mandel, He held leadership roles at The Walt Disney Company and The Clorox Company.

Brad makes his home in the San Francisco Bay area, with his family and a pair of Labrador Retrievers. Both his wife and daughter work in the wine industry.

Debby Wang is a 10 year veteran of the alcohol beverage industry, with past roles that include Diageo Strategy and Analytics and Bulldog Gin Vice President of Business Development (leading a $5M out of $6M capital raise).  She is currently the Breakthru Beverage Group’s Commercial Director of Analytics & Insights. 

The Analytics & Insights team provides support to internal Breakthru stakeholders - including the Executive, Strategy, Supplier Engagement, National Accounts and Integrated Marketing/Digital teams.  The team also partners with external agencies (e.g. Nielsen, IWSR, Technomic, Wine Market Council, etc.) to leverage vast amounts of data combined with wholesale data for granular recommendations that help optimize sales execution. 

Debby started her career at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the Investment Banking Division after graduating from Yale University, and worked at The World Bank in between attaining an MSc from the London School of Economics and MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  She loves drinking Nebbiolos and Gruners, and has a dad who converted her entire childhood bedroom into wall to wall wine refrigerators to house his Bordeaux’s.   

As Vice President of Nielsen’s Beverage Alcohol Practice, Danelle provides industry thought leadership and best practice solutions to beer, wine, and spirits clients, industry groups, and the media. She is committed to leveraging Nielsen’s breadth of resources to provide an integrated and holistic understanding of consumer behavior and retail trends across beer, wine, and spirits. Danelle has 20 years of marketing experience, and has been with Nielsen for 14 years, working across various clients in the food, beverage, and consumer goods industries.  Prior to joining the Beverage Alcohol Practice, Danelle led Nielsen’s business at MillerCoors in Chicago. Danelle received her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, and her BA in International Studies and Economics from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. Danelle currently resides in Alexandria, VA.

Robin and her Sister Andréa created the McBride Sisters Wine Collection to unite their parallel lives and passions. Now they are the largest African-American-owned wine company in the United States.

Their story is proof of the bond that can form over a bottle of wine; a story of two sisters and their passion for wine. 

Living across the world from one another, Robin and Andréa were unaware of the other for nearly half their lives. Despite the 7,000 miles that separated them, the sisters would eventually find their way to each other in 1999. Upon  meeting, Robin and Andréa quickly discovered they shared the same passion for wine and had remarkably similar upbringings growing up amongst the vineyards.

Though continents apart, Robin and Andréa were raised in the wine regions of Monterey, California and Marlborough, New Zealand; independently developing an appreciation for the craft of fine winemaking. The sisters now produce wine in both countries and are distributed nationally to retailers such as Kroger, Safeway and Target. 

Maeve Pesquera, a renowned wine and hospitality industry veteran, is the Senior Vice President of DAOU Vineyards & Winery in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles. 

Maeve is a frequent speaker and lecturer on industry panels and holds certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers, Wine & Spirit Education Trust, and Society of Wine Educators. She has also served on the Board of Directors of both the Society of Wine Educators and the Paso Robles CAB Collective.

Maeve grew up in a small town in Texas. She was first introduced to wine at the age of eight, when her family began taking bi-annual trips to Provençe in southern France. Maeve attended the Conrad Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management at the University of Houston. Prior to joining DAOU in 2016, Maeve served as the National Director of Wine, Culinary Strategy and Innovation for Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, where she was a founding member of the company’s first mentorship program. At Fleming’s, she also led initiatives created around brand growth strategy, including developing a differentiated wine and spirits program, ensuring profitability, increasing sales, and establishing an award-winning identity. 

Maeve’s transition to the wine industry was unexpected yet fateful. With Fleming’s, she had traveled to many of the world’s great wine regions, yet it was an educational trip to Paso Robles that shook her to her core. What was happening there was so exciting, and inspired her and re-energized her passion for wine. The wheels really began turning after a chance encounter with brothers Georges and Daniel Daou at their winery on DAOU Mountain. They stayed in touch for two years, and Maeve finally answered the siren call to become DAOU’s Senior Vice President. Maeve's role at DAOU is to heighten and expand upon the founders’ vision, and to bring it to life for all guests in a powerful way. Maeve says her mission is to ensure that every interaction with DAOU—whether it is here on DAOU Mountain, at an event, at home, or even online—exhibits the same panoramic intensity of purpose and passion that the wine does. 

Maeve lives in Paso Robles with her husband Luis, a veteran chef, and their five sons. They reside on their family homestead, Milagro Ranch, where they grow wine grapes, olives and vegetables while raising chickens, rabbits, sheep and horses. 

Sarah Bettman is Director, Diversity & Inclusion at Constellation Brands. She has two decades of experience designing and implementing organizational and leadership development solutions in a variety of industries. She is passionate about and known for her work in the areas of leadership development, advancing women leaders, and inclusive leadership with clients from around the world.

Sarah has dedicated much of her time to championing Constellations Diversity and Inclusion efforts including the launch of the Women’s Leadership Development Program, expansion of the Women’s Leadership Network, and introduction of Unconscious Bias and Creating Inclusive Culture Programs, to name just a few.

Prior to joining Constellation Brands, Sarah served as a Principal Consultant with Linkage, Inc. where she created customized solutions by collaborating with multiple stakeholders on large scale projects to ensure that her clients ultimately achieve their strategic objectives. Sarah effectively blends facilitation, team development, and executive coaching to create engagements that have impact and get results.

Sarah also has experience as an executive coach and consultant, serving a variety of clients in the healthcare and emergency medical fields. Her experience as a firefighter and paramedic taught her first- hand about the power of effective leadership and high-performing teams—and shaped her passion for leadership development and management. She has worked extensively in a variety of industries including healthcare, energy, technology and finance.

Sarah holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Colorado and an MBA in Strategic Leadership from Dominican University of California. She is certified in individual coaching through the Coaches Training Institute, in Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching from CRR Global, and in the MBTI.

Constellation Brands, a Fortune 500® company, is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, Italy and Canada. Constellation is the No.3 beer company in the U.S. with high-end, iconic imported brands such as Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra and Pacifico. The company’s beer portfolio also includes Ballast Point, one of the most awarded craft brewers in the U.S., and Funky Buddha Brewery. In addition, Constellation is the world leader in premium wine, selling great brands that people love, including Robert Mondavi, Clos du Bois, Kim Crawford, Meiomi, Mark West, Black Box, Ruffino and The Prisoner. The company’s premium spirits brands include SVEDKA Vodka, Casa Noble Tequila and High West Whiskey.

Amy Bourne is the Senior Manager of Sustainability & Supplier Diversity at Marriott International where she develops and manages global initiatives for nearly 7,000 hotels. Amy previously managed sustainability programs for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and General Services Administration (GSA). Her focus areas include responsible sourcing, supplier outreach and education and engaging with diversity champions throughout the company to identify opportunities with diverse suppliers. Amy is a member of the WEConnect International in Canada Advisory Council and liaison to the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Amy lives in Washington, D.C. and spends her spare time volunteering for environmental and social causes, exploring local restaurants, and traveling to beaches around the world.

Danny Brager is the Senior Vice President of Nielsen’s Beverage Alcohol Practice Area in the United States, supporting relationships with Nielsen’s many Beer, Wine, and Spirits clients, as well as with key industry groups and the media.  In this role, Danny and his team supports the differentiated needs of Nielsen's Beverage Alcohol clients, and provides business information, analysis and insights, focusing on the U.S. retail environment and consumer/shopper.  Danny has over fifteen years of experience specific to the Beverage Alcohol industry, and for the past 30 plus years has held a variety of marketing and sales positions with Nielsen in both Canada and the United States.   He is also a member of the Wine Market Council Research Committee and is on its Board of Directors.   Danny is a frequent speaker at many client and industry events on the subject of Beverage Alcohol retail and consumer trends. 

Proudly Canadian, Danny lived and worked in Canada for many years prior to relocating to Orange County in the mid-1990's, where he now lives.

Kelly Hendriksen is the Senior Manager of Brand Development at Ruth’s Chris Steak House.   In her role, she leads the beverage and menu development programs for corporately owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House locations.

Over the past thirteen years, Kelly’s hospitality fueled career has given her extensive in-restaurant experience, oversight of National Private Event and Catering Sales programs and most recently the Ruth’s Chris corporate Wine List and Cocktail Menus for 75 locations.

Kelly holds a Master’s Degree in Opera Performance from Arizona State University and an undergraduate degree from Rice University and in her spare time enjoys travel and sampling foods and wines from across the globe. 

Nova Cadamatre was the first female winemaker in the US to achieve the title of Master of Wine and one of only a few American winemakers to do so.  Currently she is the Senior Director of Winemaking in Napa for Constellation Brands based at the iconic Robert Mondavi Winery.  In 2014, Cadamatre was named to Wine Enthusiast’s Top 40 under 40 list and has numerous 90 scoring wines to her credit.

Originally from Greer, South Carolina, Cadamatre began her career in wine after moving to New York to pursue horticulture. As one of the first graduates of Cornell’s Viticulture and Enology program in 2006, Nova relocated to California to assume a number of winemaking roles with many iconic wineries including Beringer, Chateau St. Jean, Chateau Souverain, and at Robert Mondavi Winery.  There she was the red winemaker focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon from the iconic To Kalon Vineyard.  Nova is a WSET Alumni, blogger, wine writer, Ningxia Winemaker Challenge contestant, and is active on social media. Follow her on her blog at www.novacadamatre.com, on Twitter @NovaCadamatre, on Instagram @nova_cadamatre, and discover her personal wine brand at www.trestle31.com . 

Kenyatta Lewis is responsible for supplier diversity, sustainable procurement and Global Procurements’ training & development programs for MGM Resorts. For more than 17 years, she has successfully designed, implemented and expanded MGM Resorts’ world-class supplier diversity program which has spent over $4 billion with certified diverse owned businesses since 2000.  As a resident expert in Supplier Diversity, Kenyatta is recognized nationally for her knowledge, dedication and innovative approach to coaching and connecting diverse suppliers through the procurement process. In 2017, her duties expanded to implement the Company’s environmentally preferable purchasing initiative.

Prior to MGM Resorts, Kenyatta’s careers included procurement within government contractors Sandia National Labs, Johnson Controls Inc., and Bechtel.  Along with 8 years of services in the United States Army Reserves.

In addition to her professional responsibilities, she leads various ministries within the church where her husband Pastors. Kenyatta is a native Las Vegan and proud mother of 2 sons and 1 granddaughter.

Peggy Noe Stevens in both career and personal life has devoted herself to 30 years of hospitality, entertaining and developing brand destinations. As a trained and certified protocol, image and public speaking expert, she uses a customized approach to establish the authentic image architecture of both people and place. Because of her signature style, expertise and creativity, she is retained by companies to seek out the strategic essence of image and brand identity. Her approach conveys powerfully targeted brand messaging through environments while building confidence, self-awareness and professional presence in employees.

She began her career in hospitality and marketing with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, engaging in all aspects of guest services, professional event planning and the highest standards of culinary arts and entertaining. Peggy then moved to Brown-Forman Corporation to lead a newly developed travel and event planning department. As global event planner, she managed over 100 events annually, negotiated multi-million dollar travel contracts and enhanced all aspects of travel, customer service, entertaining protocol and hospitality for executives.

While at Brown-Forman, she was also given the opportunity to move into the new frontier of experiential marketing, where she assimilated and directed an impressive portfolio of wine and spirit brand destinations and worked with such iconic brands as Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Southern Comfort, Fetzer and Sonoma Cutrer Vineyards. In this role, Peggy’s keen strategic direction and sense for establishing rich cultures positioned each destination to become a top attraction in its respective location. Directing all channels of destination management, she comprehensively fine-tuned experiential touch points with the consumer from retail and aesthetics to culinary and tourism programs, creating one-of-a-kind memorable experiences. She simply mastered the art of engaging people emotionally through the senses.

Peggy’s career has allowed her to travel globally to observe the strengths and weaknesses of many brand cultures and she is an expert in consumer-driven behavior as it relates to the brand and its environment. 

In many ways, Peggy has been a trail blazer for women, and yet has lived up to her heritage. She became the world’s first female Master Bourbon Taster in the industry and can trace her lineage back to some of the great bourbon making families in Kentucky. In 2011, she created the Bourbon Women Association, the first female consumer group in the industry to celebrate and support Kentucky’s signature product with a platform for women.  She also was one of the originators for the conception and strategic development of the iconic Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which has become a global sensation for the spirits industry. Because of her accomplishments, she was given the prestigious “Networking Award” by the Kentucky Distiller’s Association in 2016 for making a difference in the industry for women. 

She has been called the “Oprah of entertaining,” and a “life style maven.” She has represented Kentucky for such notables as Julia Child, Bobby Flay and the Prince of Spain.

Her executive leadership skills also immersed her talent in designing women’s research and strategy studies for corporations, and she has spoken to countless professional organizations on women’s issues in the workplace and strategizing careers. She has set an inspiring new standard by which corporations can attract and retain female executives.

Peggy has authored two books, Professional Presence: A Four-Part Guide to Building Your Personal Brand and the first chef-collaborative Bourbon and culinary book, The Culinary Cocktail Tour.  She is a contributing food and spirits writer for American Whiskey Magazine and serves as a spirit’s judge for the American Distilling Institute.

Author, global speaker, media spokesperson and prominent experiential brand strategist, Peggy brings a gracious, fresh and relevant approach to establishing image. She engages audiences with her dynamic wit and energetic message.

Taylor has been with Brown-Forman since 2013 and leads Brown-Forman’s alcohol responsibility efforts to create a responsible drinking culture. This includes evidence-based strategies to prevent drunk driving, prevent underage access and consumption, support addiction recovery, support bystander intervention, make moderation aspirational, and respect the choice not to drink.

Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Science degree in corporate social responsibility from the University of Nottingham in England. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Volunteers of America Mid-States and the Louisville Metro Parks Advisory Commission. She was named one of Louisville’s 40 Under 40 in 2017 and the 2016 Outstanding Young Professional of the Year through the Young Professionals Association of Louisville. She also carried the Olympic Torch in the 2012 London Olympics!

She has also led the SPIRIT Employee Resource Group that strives to create a culture where employees and guests feel welcome, regardless of their choice whether or not to drink.

Heather Cox is a tireless advocate for diversity. She is a business executive, seminar director, public speaker and marketer whose business venture is helping to make the business world more closely resemble the real world.

Heather co-founded Certify My Company after her own frustrating exposure to the WBE certification process opened her eyes to the challenges facing small, diverse businesses. While networking with other businesswomen, she and her co-founder discovered a need for expert guidance in this area, and the company was born. 

As president of CMC, Heather works with both diverse businesses and corporations. She assists diverse businesses with all aspects of certification, helps to increase their visibility in supplier markets, and connects certified businesses with the corporations eager to do business with them. Heather educates corporations about diversity practices and collaborates with managers of supplier diversity programs to help them reach their diversity goals, including a coveted seat at the Billion Dollar Roundtable. 

Heather enjoys being a corporate matchmaker, facilitating relationships and the sharing of knowledge through networking events and seminars. She is an accomplished sales and operations executive with over a decade of experience, primarily with small to medium sized businesses; a natural teacher and thought leader and a motivating presence on any stage.  

Heather’s passion for supporting diversity in business extends beyond her roles at CMC. She currently serves on the national and regional forums for Women’s Business Enterprise Council – West (WBEC-W), and has held past posts with the Women Presidents’ Educational Organization (WPEO-NY), WBE-National Council, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and the Advisory Board for Super Bowl XLVIII.

Away from her many professional pursuits, Heather enjoys not relaxing with her husband and five small children. This former acro-gymnast, tightrope walker and juggler knows just how to balance her hectic life – with yoga, DIY projects and baking. A seasoned traveler and student of the world, Heather earned her BA in Spanish Language from the University of Texas at Austin, and still remembers most (some?) of it.

David is a 10 year veteran of the drinks business. Following a foundation in hospitality where he earned his Certified Sommelier credential, he spent 6 years in sales management within the U.S. Distributor market, working with brands such as Diageo, Bacardi, Moet-Hennessy, William Grant & Sons and Constellation. He has been both a student and an educator for WSET, having established a WSET Approved Programme Provider for a former employer, where he was also the lead educator. Dave has written for several trade publications, including the United States Bartender’s Guild National Blog, and posts often to his own industry blog, drinkingthings.com. He is currently completing his WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits alongside a MBA at Yale University.

Barkley Stuart is Executive Vice President and Board Director of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the largest North American wine and spirits distribution company and preeminent data insights company for alcoholic beverages. Barkley has worked in the wine and spirits industry for nearly 20 years. 

At Southern Glazer’s, Barkley manages government affairs by providing representation at state and federal levels for both the company and the wholesale alcohol trade. Prior to the 2016 combination of Southern Wine & Spirits and Glazer’s, Barkley worked at Glazer’s in roles ranging from E&J Gallo salesman to Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to working in the wine and spirits industry, Barkley was director, trainer and editor for Communication for Change, a pioneering not-for-profit, that for over 30 years, has used video tools and training to help those living in poor and marginalized communities influence their own destinies.

In addition to ongoing board positions at Southern Glazer’s, Glazer’s, and C4C, Barkley currently serves in leadership roles as a director for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, Drizly, Inc., Collette Vacations, North Country School and the Devereux Foundation. Barkley received a BA in Computer Science from Brown University and an Executive MBA from Harvard Business School. 

Greg Akins is the President and Chief Operating Officer for Wine Warehouse, a prominent, multi-generational, family owned and operated, importer and wholesale distributor of fine wine, beer and spirits in California.  Greg began his career at Wine Warehouse in 1989 as a Broad Market Sales Representative in San Diego, CA and has since taken on progressively greater leadership roles throughout the organization.  In 2012, Greg was promoted to his current position, where he is now responsible for providing executive leadership and management for all divisions in the company.  Greg received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

Adam Strum is the Founder and Chairman of Wine Enthusiast Companies and Editor and Publisher of Wine Enthusiast Magazine and heads up the largest group of wine commerce and media companies in the world. With more than 800,000 readers The Wine Enthusiast Magazine and its website Winemag.com provides authoritative reviews and ratings of tens of thousands of wines every year on the 100 point scale from their offices in New York, Rome, Bordeaux and San Francisco. The Wine Enthusiast Catalog/Web business (wineenthusiast.com) is the leading inventor and seller of wine accessories and wine storage. Finally Wine Enthusiast hosts each year the prestigious "Wine Star Awards," to be held in Miami for the first time in 2017, which honor excellence in the Wine Industry.

Strum, a second generation 38-year veteran of the wine business, is a pioneer whose diverse wine related business has had a major impact on increasing wine consumption and wine culture in America. Since 1979 Wine Enthusiast Companies has mailed and distributed more than 300 million wine related publications in the United States and around the world introducing millions of people to the pleasures of the fruit of the vine.

Susan Kostrzewa is Executive Editor of Wine Enthusiast Magazine and a formal taster on the magazine wine tasting panel. In addition to managing the editorial direction of the print magazine, Kostrzewa oversees all digital initiatives for the media company. She is the author of numerous food, wine and travel books such as Opus Vino, a comprehensive volume of worldwide wines and wine regions, Greatest Escapes, a series of books on literary travel, and Pairings, a guide on matching the eclectic wines and foods of the world, as well as a worldwide speaker on wine and food topics. Before relocating from Sonoma to Manhattan in 2005, Kostrzewa was senior editor of Wine Country Living, as well as a contributing writer and/or editor for Savor Wine Country, Marin Magazine, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and several travel magazines. 

Karen Betts became Chief Executive of the SWA in May 2017, after a 16 year career in the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), latterly as British Ambassador to Morocco.

She held a variety of posts in London and overseas with the FCO. These included Counsellor to the British Embassy in Washington, and roles at the UK's Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels and the British Embassy in Baghdad.  She has also served in the Cabinet Office and on the Joint Intelligence Committee. 

Prior to joining the FCO, she worked as a lawyer for Clifford Chance in London and Hong Kong.  She studied law at the College of Law in Guildford and history at St. Andrews University.

Karen is married with two children.  Her husband, who also works, is a fully signed up supporter of #heforshe

Jan Jones Blackhurst is a long-time political and business leader who has left an indelible imprint on the lives of millions of people. In 1991, Jan broke the glass ceiling as Las Vegas’ first female mayor. Under Jan’s leadership the city experienced tremendous growth, making her one of the Las Vegas’ most popular mayors to date. She then joined Caesars Entertainment, where she grew the industry’s first Responsible Gaming practices to include an ambassador model for the gaming industry and the first industry code of commitment. Jan is also known and respected for her efforts to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, advancing environmental stewardship, advocating for important social issues and giving millions of dollars to individuals, families, and communities in need.

Under Jan’s Leadership at Caesars Entertainment Corporation:

• Caesars was the first casino in the industry to roll out a code of commitment under their corporate integrity standards

• Energy, water use and greenhouse gas emissions have dropped significantly over the last eight years across the Caesars Enterprise

• Employee diversity has increased, with 41 percent of management positions held by women and 57 percent of employees from diverse backgrounds

• Employee engagement has been its highest, driven by a volunteer program where employees have donated over 400,000 hours a year to both company and community causes

Through Jan’s guidance, Caesars Entertainment has earned a 100 percent perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index for ten consecutive years. Jan has channeled her passion for charitable causes through her role as Chair of the Caesars Foundation, which strengthens communities through philanthropic activities and corporate gifts totaling $66 million since 2013. Jan participates extensively in university speaking engagements and lecture series throughout the country and has also helped establish the International Gaming Institution Center of Excellence at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas.

Before joining Caesars in 1999, Jan served two terms as Mayor of Las Vegas. She was the city’s first female chief executive and one of its most popular mayors, having been re-elected in 1995 by a 72 percent margin. While in office, Jan presided over an unprecedented period of economic, social and cultural expansion. She spearheaded a massive and redevelopment effort in the city’s once-neglected downtown neighborhood and was among the first mayors in the country to advocate for LGBT rights and issues as early as 1991.

Jan serves on the Board of Directors for the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Global Fairness Initiative. Additionally, she serves on several boards as chairwoman including the Nevada Resort Association, Las Vegas Stadium Authority, and is also a member of the Women's Leadership Board at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She has received many recognitions and accolades including the Americanism Award from the Anti- Defamation League (ADL), the Woman of Diversity Award for "100 Years of Influence - Women Shaping the First 100 Years of Las Vegas", Outstanding Service in a Land-based Industry from Totally Gaming, PR News CSR Professional of the Year and was named by the Las Vegas Business Press as one of its “Women Who Mean Business.” Jan has been honored by the American Diabetes Association and the "I Have a Dream" Foundation, and named Humanitarian of the Year in 1998 by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In 2014, she was one of the first women to be inducted into the American Gaming Association (AGA) Gaming Hall of Fame. More recently, she has earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Chamber of Commerce, the Dom Pérignon Award of Excellence from UNLVino, the Diversity Hero Award from PR Week and was honored by ACLU for Community Equality.

Jan Jones Blackhurst holds a bachelor's degree in English from Stanford University and attended the University of Southern California's School of Food Marketing Management.

Kathleen is a veteran of Beam Suntory. Hired in 1991, Kathleen worked for Booker Noe, leading the launch of Booker’s, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Baker’s. Her work with the Beam family was instrumental in positioning the Small Batch Bourbon Collection to the upscale consumer, ultimately establishing today’s bourbon renaissance.

Kathleen worked for 10 years as the Group Product Director for Super Premium Brands eventually transitioning to Sales and Marketing Integration and then Brand Education. She was responsible for the creation of product knowledge courses for the company and globally leading the creation of over 200 courses on our brands. She is fortunate to have the opportunity to visit and learn about each of our brands in the portfolio and credits those who work at the distilleries as the driver of her passion for success for Beam Suntory in the marketplace.

Most recently, Kathleen has moved into Brand and Marketing Excellence and is excited to be leading the Luxury and On Premise Customer Facing Teams facilitating their efforts to build our business and brands with consumers and the trade.

Kathleen is thrilled with the launch of the Booker’s “Kathleen’s Batch”, named in her honor, based on her years of work with the Beam family.

Kathleen is honored to be a member of the “Bourbon Hall of Fame” and the exclusive Scotch Whisky society “Keepers of the Quaich. “

Joe Essa, 2018 Vice Chair of the National Restaurant Association, is President and CEO of Wolfgang Puck Worldwide where he leads the company’s initiatives to grow its casual restaurant and consumer products businesses. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Operations at TOSCORP, a Manhattan-based fine dining Italian restaurant group. Essa also founded restaurants in North Carolina and Connecticut.

Essa graduated from Boston College with a bachelor of science in accounting and finance. He is a Certified Public Accountant and is accredited by the National Restaurant Association.

As the Vice President of US Sales for E. & J. Gallo Winery, Steve Sprinkle oversees sales for all channels of trade in the United States (including eRetail), Shopper Marketing, Category Development, Sales Planning and Finance. Gallo currently has over 60 brands from eight different countries, ranging from value-priced through the luxury tier.

Steve joined Gallo in April 1989 as a Field Sales Representative and held numerous positions of increasing responsibility through the years. In April 2001, he was named Vice President of Retail Chains, and in January of 2006, Steve was promoted to his current position as Vice President, US Sales.

Steve earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Managerial Economics from the University of California at Davis.

He is an active board member of Junior Achievement of Northern California and a member of the Sales Committee for the Grocery Manufacturers of America. Steve resides in Danville, CA with his wife Leslie, their son Joe and daughter Hannah.

Stephanie Gallo is the Chief Marketing Officer for the E. & J. Gallo Winery. Co-founded by Stephanie’s grandfather Ernest and great uncle Julio 84 years ago, Gallo is now the largest family-owned winery in the world, exporting wine and spirits to 110 countries. In her role, Stephanie oversees Consumer and Product Insights, Digital Marketing, Experience Marketing, Media and Public Relations, as well as the global management of all Gallo brands, creative development and agency management, marketing effectiveness and sponsorships.

Stephanie earned her bachelor’s degree in government and international studies from the University of Notre Dame and obtained her MBA from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management. She serves Notre Dame as a Board of Trustee, student mentor and guest speaker. Stephanie is also a Trustee of the Gallo Center for the Arts and the Capital Campaign Chairperson for the Center for Human Services, a local nonprofit that assists youth and families in Stanislaus County.

Stephanie is involved in her community as a regular speaker on women in business, family business and the importance of community giving. She lives in her hometown of Modesto with her husband Chris Tyler and their two children, Amelia and Harrison. As a family, they enjoy traveling, skiing and spending time outdoors.

Rhonda Kallman has over 35 years experience in the alcohol beverage industry and is considered one of America’s beverage industry thought leaders. Kallman was instrumental in paving the way for craft beer acceptance by making it available throughout the US while educating consumers on American craft beer superiority. In addition, as the pioneering women in the beer industry, she was able to lead the way for other women to earn the respect and credibility they deserve.

In 1984, she cofounded The Boston Beer Company (NYSE:SAM), now the most successful and influential craft beer company in the US. Ms. Kallman served as EVP, overseeing sales & marketing as well as the company’s human capital. Rhonda built the most admired sales organization in the industry. She was a member of BBC’s management committee, executive committee and board of directors. In addition, She innovated many of the company’s most successful styles and brands.

As a testament to her impact, she was honored by The Institute for Brewing Studies with its Recognition Award for being the “Pioneering Woman in the Beer Industry”.

In 1995 The Boston Beer Company’s IPO, led by Goldman Sachs, went public with a two-tranche offering that included first consumers of Samuel Adams and then the public and investment communities. It was highly regarded as one of the most exciting IPOs in the consumer products industry.

In 2001, she founded New Century Brewing Co., to produce and market innovative American craft beer styles. After losing a well-publicized battle with the FDA over adding trace amounts of caffeine to beer, New Century Brewing closed in 2011.

In 2012, Ms. Kallman founded Boston Harbor Distillery, creating proprietary craft spirits that integrate rich history, distinctive experiences and beverage culture into each bottle it produces. Housed in a pre-Civil War era building overlooking Boston Harbor, this urban distillery serves as both a production facility and an event space, tasting room and mercantile. BHD’s award winning innovative Spirit of Boston, distilled from Sam Adams beer varieties; grain-to-glass Putnam New England Whiskey; Lawley’s Small Batch Rum and craft disruptors, Maple Cream & Coffee Liqueur are being extremely well, all with repeat sales and customers.

A few of her distinctive awards and recognitions include being featured as “INC. Magazine’s “25 Entrepreneurs We Love (and what makes them great) along with other luminaries like Jeff Bezos, Steve Jobs, Larry Page/Sergey Brin. She’s been recognized as the Top 10 innovators in the beer industry by Draft Magazine and is the recipient of the 2011 Maverick Award. Ms. Kallman had the esteemed distinction of representing the City of Boston during 2001 Winter Olympic Games relay, she was the featured subject in a movie called “Beer Wars” and was included in books titled “Inspirational Women of Boston” and “Quench Your Own Thirst”.

Ms. Kallman is recent past-chairman of the board of The Jett Foundation, a charitable organization helping to raise awareness and funds on behalf of those afflicted with  Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, in addition to supporting numerous charitable organizations.

Ms.Kallman is married to Matt Shanley for over twenty years. Both are entrepreneurs and lifelong residents of the Boston area. Together they have three children: Callie, Alex and Courtney.

Jennifer Brownis an award-winning entrepreneur, dynamic speaker and diversity and inclusion expert. She is the founder, president and CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting (JBC), a strategic leadership and diversity consulting firm that coaches business leaders worldwide on critical issues of talent and workplace strategy. Brown is a passionate advocate for social equality who delves into the “business case for diversity” as she helps businesses foster healthier, more productive workplace cultures.

With over a decade of experience consulting to Fortune 500 companies including Toyota, Starbucks, and Capital One, Brown is a highly sought-after expert source on changing demographics, specific communities of identity including women, people of color, LGBTindividuals, generations like Millennials, and the role of male leaders in change efforts.

Brown has appeared in leading media outlets such as The New York Times, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal, and on Fox News. In the past several years, she has been named Social Entrepreneur of the year by the NYC National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), a finalist for the Wells Fargo Business Owner of the Year Award, a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Winning Women Program, one of the Top 40 Outstanding Women by Stonewall Community Foundation, and NYC Controller Bill Thompson’s LGBTBusiness Owner of the Year.

Brown’s book Inclusion: Diversity, the New Workplace & the Will to Change (Publish Your Purpose Press, 2017) inspires leadership to embrace the opportunity that diversity represents and empower advocates at all levels to find their voice and be a driving force in creating more enlightened organizations that resonate in a fast-changing world.

One of the most recognizable professional athletes in the world, Danica Patrick joined the mainstream ranks by going against the current, immersing herself and succeeding in the male-dominated world of professional motorsports.

As she broke barriers and set records on the track, Patrick made a name for herself off the track as well. She was named to TIME’s “100 Most Influential People” list, has graced the cover of ESPN: The Magazine, Sports Illustrated and TV Guide and was featured in pictorials in the 2008 and 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She has also appeared in a record-setting 14 Super Bowl commercials, 13 of which were for GoDaddy.

As a child, Danica Patrick tried a little bit of everything, from cheerleading to choir, T-ball, volleyball, basketball, track, tumbling and band. While she had a variety of interests, one thing stood out above the rest: her passion for racing. Patrick developed an interest in the sport after her parents bought her a go-kart when she was 10 years old. What began as a fun way for her family to spend more time together quickly blossomed into a career that would carry Patrick far from her childhood home in Roscoe, Illinois.

After winning numerous regional and national go-kart titles, Patrick left the comfort of family and friends in the Midwest when she was just 16 years old to compete in the cutthroat world of European road racing.

After racing at various levels in different racecars, Patrick burst onto the national scene in May 2005 when she stunned the world by leading 19 laps and finishing fourth in her first Indianapolis 500. With that performance, she became the first woman to lead laps and score a top-five finish in the historic race. Three years later, in April 2008, Patrick made history once again as she became the first woman to win a major-league open-wheel race in a North American series with her victory in the IndyCar Series Indy Japan 300 at the Twin Ring Motegi oval in Japan.

In February 2013, as Patrick transitioned to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, she made headlines around the world with her record-setting performance in the 55th Daytona 500 race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. She became the first woman to win a NASCAR Cup Series pole when she set the fastest time in qualifying for the Daytona 500 and then finished in eighth place, the highest finishing position ever for a woman in the “Great American Race.”

As Patrick’s NASCAR Cup Series career progressed, she continued to rewrite the history books. She broke the record for most top-10 finishes of any female in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2015 and holds the new mark with a total of seven top-10s to her credit. In May 2016, Danica became a three-time winner of the Monster Energy Fan Vote for the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race. She is the lone repeat winner of the vote in the event’s history.

In November 2017, Patrick announced that she would end her racing career with the “Danica Double” by competing in two marquee events that were cornerstones of her career: the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500. As she closes out this part of her professional life, Patrick’s focus shifts to her next chapter as an entrepreneur and business owner.

Patrick has already forged into new career territory. She launched a clothing line – Warrior by Danica Patrick – in 2017, authored the fitness book Pretty Intense and is the sole proprietor of a vineyard in California that produces Somnium Wine. With her time behind the wheel coming to an end, she will focus on turning her “side hustle” efforts into full-time endeavors.

Ana Ines Mendy is a Partner in McKinsey & Company’s Southern California office.

Ana’s work focuses on diversity & inclusion, change management, and crisis response across industries and geographies. She has served clients on diversity efforts in a variety of contexts from pre- and post-merger integrations, existential crises, and more broadly, in company-wide transformations that set a new standard for an industry. Ana also leads McKinsey’s West Coast LGBT network (GLAM), pursuing her passion for diversity & inclusion within McKinsey.

Prior to joining McKinsey, Ana worked for the Burmese Lawyers’ Council in the Thai-Burma border, helping to raise awareness amongst Burmese refugees in Thailand of their legal rights. Ana holds an MBA with high distinction (Baker Scholar) from the Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts in History, summa cum laude, from Harvard University.

I am a director and founder of the School of Sommeliers in Cracow Poland established in 2011 and certified Wine and Spirit Education Trust educator, lecturer at the Jagiellonian University in Cracow at Collegium Medicum as well as Collegium Civitas in
Warsaw. I also lecture at the Carpathian Wine Academy in Jaslo. I obtained sommelier diploma in Denver Colorado with the International Sommelier Guild and WSET Diploma from the London Wine and Spirit Education Trust. In 2016 I
became Weinakadmieker at Weinakademie Österreich in Rust. I am Nominated Educator WSET preparing candidates to the London’s WSET Level 1-3 as well as an Ambassador of the European Association of Sommeliers in Poland and hydrosommlier
and Ambassador of the Kinga Pienińska water. In 2009, 2010 and 2016, 2017, 2018 the wine list created by me won prestigious awards of the American magazine Wine Spectator. I sit as a juror at international wine competitions: Maininger, Vinoforum, ENOEXPO and Galicia Vitis. I also write articles for trade and lifestyle magazines: Czas Wina, where I have Women and Wine column, Lente Magazine, Magazine Wino, Kukbuk, Lounge as well as Interia and Women and Wine blog. I am also the coauthor of the books "Introduction to oenology" and "Widza o Winie część 2" . Last year, I was honored a Female Entrepreneur Award by Law, Business Quality Magazine. 
Jancis Robinson – wrote on her website jancisrobinson.com about Women and Wine association created by me ” While there (visiting Poland) I met the association of Polish women in wine, Kobiety I Wino, and have never come across a more active group of wine professionals”. I am a student of Institute Masters of Wine Stage 2.

Colleen Heidenreich, J.D., is the Co-Founder of NimbleJack Partners, LLC, a spirits & wine closure supply company established in 2018 dedicated to providing stellar service and products to all emerging & established distilleries and wineries in North America. 

Armed with a minor in Enology from UC Davis, a law degree from the University of San Francisco (with a specialty in trademark law), a background working as an enologist, and a strong penchant for helping others succeed & shine, she seeks to establish herself as a go-to ambassador for all things related to the distilled spirits industry. Always open to sharing knowledge and networking to help her customers, relationships come first to her and she works tirelessly to support her connections and help them to succeed.

After having lived & worked in Napa for over 30 years, Colleen has recently relocated to the greater Atlanta area and seeks to expand the presence of distilled spirits in one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas of the U.S.

Married to Heinz Heidenreich, a long-time wine & spirits industry veteran, they have two amazing young adult children who live life on their own terms, 5 dogs who keep things interesting, and a love of all things outdoors & food/wine/spirits related.

In her role as VP, Corporate Membership & Engagement, Elizabeth works with Women of the Vine & Spirits Founder & CEO, Deborah Brenner, on creating innovative content and programming aimed at driving change toward a more diverse, equitable and inclusive beverage alcohol industry. 

Elizabeth’s career has provided her with a comprehensive background in hospitality, giving her a front row seat to understand the need to both being innovative to stay relevant and to knowing your customer to stay on trend. She started with 10 years in catering and sales at The Claremont Resort & Spa, which included representing this property, along with the full portfolio, under Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Drawn away from the hotel side of the business by a corporate client, Elizabeth then took the reins of the Travel & Convention Department for Discovery Toys, with a scope of both domestic and internal contracting for their incentives, and large production conventions. From there Elizabeth moved to a consulting role, starting her own company, focused on assisting multiple clients, in different industries, with their global corporate and incentive bookings from site selection through to onsite logistics and budgeting/billing. It was in this role, where she was first introduced to Deborah and Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS).

Elizabeth felt an immediate connection to the diverse, equitable and inclusive (DE&I) and business development and innovative (BD&I) work Deborah was doing with Women of the Vine & Spirits, and since that first meeting has never looked back.

With great respect for the interconnective relationships between each sector of the hospitality industry, Elizabeth is focused on delivering resourceful results in a disciplined and respectful manner. In her spare time, she like to travel, hike and create memories with her family.

Melody Fuller is the Founder and President of The Oakland Wine Festival, The Oakland Wine and Food Society and The Exceptional Vine.

The Oakland Wine Festival is the country's only fully seated wine festival allowing guest to spend time with winemakers in an intimate setting.

The Judgment of Oakland TM is an important component of The Oakland Wine Festival. Over 100 wines are presented for the public, winemakers, media and trade to taste blind. Everyone votes on the wines they taste resulting in an annual academic report on appellation, vintage, varietal and additional analytical information.

The Exceptional Vine is a global initiative to introduce youth and adults of color into the multi-billion dollar wine industry. This initiative will work to create appropriate platforms for High School, Community College and University students to the table through information sessions, workshops, seminars and other strategic methods of community, career and academic involvement.

Melody Fuller is also a International Wine Judge, wine educator, editor, publisher and writer.

Melody holds a Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing from The University of Southern Maine, Stonecoast Program.

Melody also holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Science from Mills College.

Ana Mendy is an Associate Partner in McKinsey & Company’s Southern California office.

Ana’s work focuses on diversity & inclusion, change management, and crisis response across industries and geographies. She has served clients on diversity efforts in a variety of contexts from pre- and post-merger integrations, existential crises, and more broadly, in company-wide transformations that set a new standard for an industry. Ana also leads McKinsey’s West Coast LGBT network (GLAM), pursuing her passion for diversity & inclusion within McKinsey.

Prior to joining McKinsey, Ana worked for the Burmese Lawyers’ Council in the Thai-Burma border, helping to raise awareness amongst Burmese refugees in Thailand of their legal rights. Ana holds an MBA with high distinction (Baker Scholar) from the Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts in History, summa cum laude, from Harvard University.

Mel Dick serves as SVP and President, Wine Division of Southern Glazer’s. He joined Southern in 1969. He began his career in the wine business in 1958 at Gallo Wine Distributors, and eventually E. and J. Gallo Winery where he worked for 11 years. Dick joined Southern as General Sales Manager-Wine in 1969. By 1972, he became Vice President-Wine and in 1976 he was appointed President of the Wine Division for Southern. In 1984, he became an owner of the company. He acquired the additional title of Senior Vice President of Southern in 1991. In 2001, Dick received the Legion of Honor, France’s highest honor, for his outstanding contribution to the French wine and champagne, spirits and water industry and was elevated to Officier de la Legion D’Honneur in October 2010.

Lulie is co-founder and CEO of Wine Intelligence and regarded as a leading thinker in the world of wine business strategy. Prior to co-founding Wine Intelligence, she developed expertise in the wine industry, with hands-on roles in importing, marketing & retailing. Her passion for wine started during summer holidays as a child, when she was frequently taken to the vineyards of France.  She is an established marketing academic, focusing on wine consumer behaviour and continues to teach and supervise on Masters programmes around the world. Alongside her passions are food & wine, she focuses on exploring what makes consumers behave in the way they do. She specialises in qualitative research practices and trend research, constantly developing new ways to uncover the processes of the subconscious mind. 

Lulie is a frequent and valued speaker at many international wine industry and academic conferences around the world and the proud Mum of two teenage children. She holds a Masters in Marketing from Kingston Business School, and is a Certified Member of the Market Research Society.

Maggie Berry is Executive Director for Europe for WEConnect International, a global organisation championing supplier diversity in procurement and helping majority owned women businesses to connect into the corporate supply chain. She has lead responsibility for the organisation in Europe and her role involves developing corporate and public sector support as well as growing and supporting a network of c1,000 women owned businesses across Europe.

WEConnect International’s corporate members represent $1 trillion in annual purchasing power and are true pioneers in inclusive sourcing and global supplier development and in Europe include the likes of Accenture, EY, IBM, Intel, MSD and Proctor & Gamble. 

Previously, Maggie ran womenintechnology.co.uk – an online job board, recruitment and networking forum for women working in the technology profession in the UK. She now runs the Women in Technology Network in her spare time and remains actively involved with championing women in the technology profession. She is a Freeman at the Information Technologists' Company in the City of London.

Agnes Herczeg graduated as an economist, majoring in international relations. She has been involved with the world of wine since 2000. She has held a WSET Diploma, and WSET Certified Educator title since 2010, and a Fine and Rare Wine Specialist title since 2011. She was the recipient of the Woman of the Year Entrepreneurial Award in 2015. She is a student of the Institute of Masters of Wine.

Agnes is running her wine consultant company since 2007, and currently working as a wine consultant and advisor for Lidl Hungary, and several Hungarian and foreign wineries, while participating in private and corporate events as an expert. She is the head of the wine tourism advisor postgraduate program and WSET program of the Budapest Metropolitan University, and a member of the university’s advisory board.

I'm passionate about brand identity and ethos, and how that story is translated to consumers and clients through marketing activities. I specialize in partnerships, collaborations, strategic planning, and event production, particularly within international food, wine, luxury goods, real estate, and beauty industries. I have extensive previous experience in multi-market organizations.

As an undergraduate at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, I concentrated within the field of Specialty Operations, with a focus in wines. In between my work in hospitality, I spent my senior year as the Editor in Chief of the Cornellian, Cornell's yearbook. Previously, I ran a full service catering company in New York City, where I grew up, over the course of 5 years and have catered events for OxFam's Control Arms Coalition, Sneakers for Success, and Reebok. With my company Doughnate, I raised money to fund several service trips to Panama, Honduras, Japan, and Brazil. To round out my background and experiences, I've recently completed a Masters in Communications Management from the University of Southern California.

I speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese, in addition to learning Hebrew and French. As a certified sommelier, I often hold wine tastings and educational seminars. In my free time, I enjoy figure skating, baking, traveling, and going jogging with my Shiba Inu, Sherlock.

With 16 years experience in the hospitality industry, Lauren has worked across a variety of roles including strategy, business development, marketing and sales.   Lauren’s career has allowed her to build brands from infancy in both a start-up and a leading global supplier, but also an entrepreneur impacting education and job creation in developing markets.    

Lauren’s career journey began at a young age in the back of the house and quickly moved through the restaurant and into the wine and spirits industry.  During ten years at Campari America in both sales and strategic marketing, Lauren gained national perspective and experience developing innovative ideas to connect with consumers, build brand equity and drive sales for the portfolio.  Later she pursued her entrepreneurial spirit and secured projects and clients thought-out the Middle East and Africa that resulted in the creation of her business, mobile hospitality training for hotels, restaurants and brands in developing markets.  Lauren currently is the Director of Strategic Accounts for the 86 Company, developing Fords Gin in the retail and national account channels for the USA.

IAN HARRIS, Chief Executive of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)

Having gone to university with the intention of becoming a teacher, a life-changing year in Bordeaux soon opened Ian’s eyes to the world of wine, ultimately kick-starting what would become a lifelong career in the wine and spirit industry.

On graduating from London University with a degree in French, Ian joined Christopher & Co. and its parent company, Waverley Vintners, where he was their first Wine Development Manager, designing and running sales courses. Ten years later, in 1987, he joined Seagram – initially in the UK, then in 1993-1995 he spent two years as Global Marketing Manager for Martell, based in Cognac, France.

Ian returned to the UK in 1995 as Marketing Director and then Commercial Director for Seagram UK, also assuming General Management responsibility for the Nordic markets.

In 2002, Ian’s original passion for teaching brought him full circle when he joined the Wine & Spirit Education Trust as Chief Executive. Here Ian has overseen the transformation of WSET into the largest global organisation of its kind, with student numbers growing from 10,000 in 2002 to over 85,000 in 2017. WSET now offers nine qualifications in wine, spirits and sake across four levels of progressive study, in 19 languages through over 700 Approved Programme Providers in more than 70 countries.

In 2014 Ian was named Drinks Business ‘Man of the Year’, in 2015 WSET received the  Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade - the highest accolade for business in the UK and in 2016 Ian was awarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Drinks Retailing Awards. In 2018 Ian was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year’s Honours List.

Ian is married with 2 children and holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma. He also occasionally returns to his first love, teaching, particularly on the WSET’s Business and Commercial Knowledge (BACK) course held annually in the UK.

Jeremy is a highly skilled and engaging trainer with a thorough understanding of his subjects and an extensive, cross-sector portfolio of clients. A senior consultant with The People Development Team, he delivers engaging and interactive inclusion workshops globally and is recognized for the design and delivery of award-winning, innovative and impactful training interventions through a range of media.

By building knowledge of the current behavioural characteristics that promote or impede inclusive behaviours and working practices, he works in partnership with clients to create blended approaches that develop individual understanding with a focus on practicality and application.

His approach, where appropriate, is to create safe environments in which individuals can begin to become curious about and discuss Unconscious Bias as a natural and normal part of each of us. Jeremy works extremely effectively through both virtual media and face to face delivery; be that via interactive virtual events, webinars, video tiles or working directly with individuals and groups or facilitating energy packed and engaging workshops for over 200 delegates.

Emily Saladino is the Executive Editor of VinePair. She has written about the intersection of food, drinks, travel, and culture for Bloomberg, BBC, Bon Appetit, New York Magazine, and many others. A graduate of International Culinary Center (formerly French Culinary Institute), Emily has also been a line cook and recipe developer.

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.

CRISTINA MARIANI-MAY

"We are selling not just wine, but a way of life. It’s about something slower, calmer, more in touch with family.”        -- Cristina Mariani-May

Cristina Mariani-May is the family proprietor of the internationally renowned Castello Banfi vineyard estate in Montalcino, Tuscany, and co-CEO of Banfi Vintners, a leading U.S. importer of fine wines. The youngest daughter of Banfi Chairman Emeritus, John F. Mariani, Jr., Ms. Mariani-May, together with her cousin James Mariani, represents the third generation of family leadership in the company founded by their grandfather, John Mariani, Sr. in 1919. 

Soon after completing her studies at  Georgetown University and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business, Mariani-May joined Banfi in 1993.

Among the first of many forward-thinking initiatives introduced by Mariani-May was the creation of progressive new tracking and monitoring systems at Castello Banfi, designed to elevate performance and establish new goals in the fields of customer satisfaction, environmental responsibility and social responsibility. In 2006 those procedures paid off when Castello Banfi became the only winery in the world to achieve ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and SA 8000 certification acknowledging leadership in these areas. This accomplishment underlines the strategic long-term vision, coupled with an ability to execute, that characterize her management of Castello Banfi.

A “pursuit of excellence” serves as a personal mantra for Mariani-May. It extends to every aspect of her work, in particular her family’s wines and nowhere more so than with the Brunellos for which Castello Banfi is renowned. Alone among producers of Brunello di Montalcino wines, Castello Banfi has conducted ground-breaking research aimed at defining and isolating the finest clones of the Sangiovese Grosso grape. Initiated in the early 1980s, the project moved into high gear after Mariani-May joined the company. From an original catalog of over 600 types, 15  have since been determined to possess the greater part of the grape’s inherent characteristics. Today Banfi has definitive results for six clones and research continues on the remaining nine. And like any good neighbor, Banfi has shared those results, as well as registering them in 1996 with the European Community. Of Italy’s 45 nationally approved clones for Sangiovese, six are from Castello Banfi.

Enterprise and readiness to experiment also factor into Mariani-May’s leadership, as illustrated by the recent innovation of new hybrid fermentation tanks at Castello Banfi. Most winemakers are faced with a choice: ferment in wood for added richness and roundness, or use stainless steel for maximum freshness. Unwilling to sit back and accept the status quo, Mariani-May has been the guiding hand behind the development of new hybrid fermenters, comprising a unique combination of a steel base and head and a wood middle section. Seven years of trial and experiment preceded the launch of the new, patented 4,600 gallon tanks (1/3 steel, 2/3 wood), which combine the best of both materials, balancing the flavor and aeration supplied by oak with the temperature control, ease of use and hygiene offered by stainless steel. Inaugurated in September 2007, 24 composite fermenters at Castello Banfi are currently used in the production of the estate’s Brunellos, Tuscan cuvées and single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.

Marketing and promotion have always been strengths of the approachable and personable Mariani-May. In the course of her work Mariani-May travels extensively, visiting many of the 85 countries where Castello Banfi wines are sold. An engaging, charismatic speaker, she is a natural international ambassador for her family’s brand.

Mariani-May’s goals also include transforming Montalcino into a destination for wine lovers and turning Castello Banfi into an international name in wine tourism. A project close to her heart is the supervision and development of Castello Banfi – Il Borgo, a 14-room luxury hotel nestled alongside the estate’s medieval castle walls. The hotel, which opened its doors to the public in 2007, represents the jewel in the crown of the Castello Banfi estate and a beacon of Tuscany hospitality.

Mariani-May’s immediate family includes her husband, Marshall May, and their three young children.

A hands-on mother, she divides her time between Montalcino and Long Island, NY, home to Banfi Vintners. An avid runner and swimmer, she freely admits that much of her best thinking comes during her early morning workouts. The virtues of self-discipline, determination and endurance demanded of a long-distance runner might equally well apply to a sustained and successful leadership role in business.

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 Soldati, 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.

Amy Englehardt became interested in how the world works early on in her education and has built a fruitful career out of this curiosity. As the Vice President of International Strategy and Marketing for E. & J. Gallo Winery, Amy plays an integral role in shaping the strategy and direction of the company’s International business. She also oversees innovation and brand marketing outside the US – an area she is particularly fond of managing.

“I enjoy introducing our brands to new markets,” Amy said. “It is thrilling to bring them to life in a new way and watch them grow.”

Amy graduated from Wellesley College with a BA in International Relations before obtaining her MBA in marketing at Columbia Business School. Upon graduation, Amy worked for the Guinness Import Company as a Brand Manager in the US market. She moved to London in 1998 to handle European marketing and, after Diageo was formed, managed innovation and new market development for the Guinness brand. She left Diageo in 2005 and, after a brief break, she found a new work home with E. & J. Gallo Winery.

In her current role, Amy provides strategic marketing direction for E. & J. Gallo’s international wine and spirits business, supporting 90 countries. Amy and her team oversee new product launches and have brought brands like Barefoot, Dark Horse and La Marca Prosecco to new consumers around the world. Throughout her extensive career, she has never lost a drive for continuous learning and exploration.

“I love learning what makes consumers around the world tick,” Amy said, “and connecting that to our brands so that we inspire brand loyalty.”

In her free time, Amy enjoys hiking with her husband, John and two sons, Josh and Zach. They recently completed the final leg of the Three Peak Challenge, conquering the highest mountains in England, Wales, and Scotland. When she’s not on the trail, Amy enjoys cheering for her son’s baseball team and exploring new restaurants.

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), the Rockland Business Women's Network Woman of the Year Award (2014), American Cancer Society Dr. Louis Berger Award (2017), and Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award Person of the Year Nominee (2017).

Systems Engineer with a Harvard Degree in Advanced Management.

Mrs. Henriquez is a professional with 38 years of experience, out of which 26 have been spent as President and/or CEO of multinational or global companies in Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina and now, France.

Mrs. Henriquez, better known as Maggie, is renowned for developing and implementing strategies to manage companies in difficult contexts and circumstances. For
26 years she contributed to different companies by developing and executing the right strategies to successfully lead the way as president and/ or C.E.O. of companies which produced and distributed wines and spirits in Venezuela, food in Mexico, sparkling and still wines in Argentina and now in the House of Krug, in Reims, France. The House of Krug is at the very top of the Champagne industry – it is the only house that has created only Prestige Champagnes since it was founded in 1843.

Maggie was also president of the Association of Manufacturers in Venezuela, Mexico and actively participated in the transformation of the Argentinean wine industry. In Argentina, she got deeply connected with winegrowing and winemaking during her eight years at the head of Moët Hennessy properties there.

During her experience leading different companies she was also a member of the international executive committees of Seagram, Nabisco, Moët Hennessy Latin America, Caribbean, Canada and Middle East, Moët Hennessy Estates & Wines, and now belongs to the Moët Hennessy International executive committee.

During her stay in Mexico, she was Professor of New Product Development for International Markets and Strategic Alliances at the Universidad Panamericana for post-graduate and/or Master degrees. Maggie has conducted seminars on various topics, which range from Wine, Champagne, Luxury Brand Building, Strategy and Marketing, Facing Crisis, Leadership, and Women’s Development.

Among other recognitions, she was appointed “Keeper of the Quaich” by the Scotch Whisky association in 1993; in Argentina in 2008 was

appointed among the best five executives of the year during the last 10 years by Fundaciôn Konex; and recently was appointed as the 2013 woman of the year by Drinks International – one of the most important trade media in the UK.

She is a system engineer with an advanced program in Harvard. She has two children
living in Mexico, 35 and 31, she is also a grandmother of a girl and a boy. Maggie loves sports, biking, water skiing, tennis, horseriding, aerobics and spinning. She is fluent in three languages: English, French and Spanish and understands Italian and Portuguese. Maggie is computer skilled, loves wines, gastronomy, traveling, arts, reading, music, opera and a good spa. 

Described by Decanter magazine as 'the most respected wine critic and journalist in the world', Jancis writes daily for JancisRobinson.com (voted first-ever Wine Website of the Year in the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers Awards 2010), weekly for The Financial Times, and bi-monthly for a column that is syndicated around the world. Her most recent book is also her shortest, a practical guide to the essentials of wine, The 24-Hour Wine Expert. She is editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine, co-author with Hugh Johnson of  The World Atlas of Wine and co-author of Wine Grapes - A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours, each of these books recognised as a standard reference worldwide.

An award-winning TV presenter, she travels all over the world to conduct wine events and act as a wine judge. In 1984 she was the first person outside the wine trade to pass the rigorous Master of Wine exams and in 2003 she was awarded an OBE by Her Majesty the Queen, on whose cellar she now advises. In one week in April 2016 she was presented with France's Officier du Mérite Agricole, the German VDP's highest honour and, in the US, her fourth James Beard Award.

She loves and lives for wine in all its glorious diversity, generally favouring balance and subtlety over sheer mass.

Jan Jones Blackhurst is a long-time political and business leader who has left an indelible imprint on the lives of millions of people. In 1991, Jan broke the glass ceiling as Las Vegas’ first female mayor. Under Jan’s leadership the city experienced tremendous growth, making her one of the Las Vegas’ most popular mayors to date. She then joined Caesars Entertainment, where she grew the industry’s first Responsible Gaming practices to include an ambassador model for the gaming industry and the first industry code of commitment. Jan is also known and respected for her efforts to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, advancing environmental stewardship, advocating for important social issues and giving millions of dollars to individuals, families, and communities in need.

Under Jan’s Leadership at Caesars Entertainment Corporation:

• Caesars was the first casino in the industry to roll out a code of commitment under their corporate integrity standards

• Energy, water use and greenhouse gas emissions have dropped significantly over the last eight years across the Caesars Enterprise

• Employee diversity has increased, with 41 percent of management positions held by women and 57 percent of employees from diverse backgrounds

• Employee engagement has been its highest, driven by a volunteer program where employees have donated over 400,000 hours a year to both company and community causes

Through Jan’s guidance, Caesars Entertainment has earned a 100 percent perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index for ten consecutive years. Jan has channeled her passion for charitable causes through her role as Chair of the Caesars Foundation, which strengthens communities through philanthropic activities and corporate gifts totaling $66 million since 2013. Jan participates extensively in university speaking engagements and lecture series throughout the country and has also helped establish the International Gaming Institution Center of Excellence at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas.

Before joining Caesars in 1999, Jan served two terms as Mayor of Las Vegas. She was the city’s first female chief executive and one of its most popular mayors, having been re-elected in 1995 by a 72 percent margin. While in office, Jan presided over an unprecedented period of economic, social and cultural expansion. She spearheaded a massive and redevelopment effort in the city’s once-neglected downtown neighborhood and was among the first mayors in the country to advocate for LGBT rights and issues as early as 1991.

Jan serves on the Board of Directors for the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Global Fairness Initiative. Additionally, she serves on several boards as chairwoman including the Nevada Resort Association, Las Vegas Stadium Authority, and is also a member of the Women's Leadership Board at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She has received many recognitions and accolades including the Americanism Award from the Anti- Defamation League (ADL), the Woman of Diversity Award for "100 Years of Influence - Women Shaping the First 100 Years of Las Vegas", Outstanding Service in a Land-based Industry from Totally Gaming, PR News CSR Professional of the Year and was named by the Las Vegas Business Press as one of its “Women Who Mean Business.” Jan has been honored by the American Diabetes Association and the "I Have a Dream" Foundation, and named Humanitarian of the Year in 1998 by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In 2014, she was one of the first women to be inducted into the American Gaming Association (AGA) Gaming Hall of Fame. More recently, she has earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Chamber of Commerce, the Dom Pérignon Award of Excellence from UNLVino, the Diversity Hero Award from PR Week and was honored by ACLU for Community Equality.

Jan Jones Blackhurst holds a bachelor's degree in English from Stanford University and attended the University of Southern California's School of Food Marketing Management.

Karen Betts became Chief Executive of the SWA in May 2017, after a 16 year career in the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), latterly as British Ambassador to Morocco.

She held a variety of posts in London and overseas with the FCO. These included Counsellor to the British Embassy in Washington, and roles at the UK's Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels and the British Embassy in Baghdad.  She has also served in the Cabinet Office and on the Joint Intelligence Committee. 

Prior to joining the FCO, she worked as a lawyer for Clifford Chance in London and Hong Kong.  She studied law at the College of Law in Guildford and history at St. Andrews University.

Karen is married with two children.  Her husband, who also works, is a fully signed up supporter of #heforshe

In Dewar’s illustrious 170-year history, Stephanie is only the seventh person to hold the proud title of Dewar’s Master Blender—and, she is the first woman. Stephanie is distinctly qualified for her critical role at Dewar’s, with excellent credentials primarily in the sensory analyses of whisky and blending.

Stephanie began her career in whisky as a Sensory Analyst at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, working on a project which attempted to unlock the maturation secrets of Scotch whisky. She also studied rum, olive oil, wine and cheese, and has published a number of scientific papers on the results of her research.

In 1998, Stephanie moved to Dewar’s and within a short time was placed in charge of the Spirit Quality Laboratories at the Company’s head office in Glasgow. In 2003, Stephanie became Blender Designate, and began her official three year training with the then Master Blender, Tom Aitken.

Since 2006, when she assumed the role of Master Blender she has continued the Dewar’s blending legacy by maintaining the award winning taste of Dewar’s and other brands in the Scotch whisky portfolio.  The portfolio has been expanded to include amongst others the award winning blends Dewar’s 15 and Dewar’s Legacy and Dewar’s Ne Plus Ultra 30 year old, a range of single cask expressions of Aberfeldy, and more recently the long awaited release of the ‘Last Great Malts’.

Sue Knowles Marketing/Admin Director for Costco Wholesale UK is a founder member of the Costco UK start team in 1993.  Costco is the UK’s only cash and carry membership warehouse club a subsidiary of Costco Inc the world’s 2^nd largest retailer.  Prior to joining Costco Sue was the P.R. Director for another cash and carry group, Booker.

Today Sue has overall responsibility for Marketing and Administration for the U.K. and Iceland, which includes all aspects of Marketing, Publications, Human Resources, Risk Management and Community Relations.

Within Costco Sue is Journeys’ International Chair, for which includes the U.K., Australia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Spain, France and Iceland. Costco started Journeys in 2007 to create a place to address education, mentoring and connection for Costco’s female workforce. In addition Sue is the UK Chapter Chair for LEAD (Leading Executives Advancing Diversity) which is the largest chapter of this European network.

https://www.lead-eu.net/member-spotlight-sue-knowles/

Currently DAOU Vineyards Central Division/Retail National Mgr. since Aug. 2016. 

Started in Northern CA with Young's Market in 1997 in the Retail division, moved to District manager a year later. 

Went to Coca-Cola as a district manager until I got a call from Kenwood Vineyards in 2000 to work On and Off Premise in Northern CA, moved into a Retail Chain role for the West. After getting married I relocated to the Midwest in 2005 where they created a new role for me as Eastern US Retail Chain manager. My role evolved over the years managing Chain retail and all channels in the Central US until the sale in 2014 to Pernod Ricard. 

Immediately transitioned to a similar role with Castle Rock Vineyards where I managed for 2 years and moved to Huneeus as Central Regional for Chilean wines. With the sale of the division I chose to depart to DAOU Vineayards who has so greatly got me involved in Women of the Vine and Spirits. 

I am a mother of 3 sons, ages 18, 20 and 22. I was born and raised in Oxford, Ohio and recently moved to Cincinnati with my partner Shevonne and our two pups Emma and Daisha.

I have been in the Service Industry for over 10 years, just recently moving over to the spirits side with SGWS, where I have been a Key Account Manager for Cincinnati for 16 months.

I am the Director of Philanthropy and Community Outreach for the Cincinnati USBG. I try to find every opportunity to turn every day events and experiences into ways to give back to our community.

I sit on the Board of Cincinnati Pride and act as the Beverage chair for the Cincinnati pride Festival. 

My passions are wine and baking. I also love all things Bourbon.

Marilisa Allegrini: The Voice of Amarone

“The beauty that surrounds us still surprises me,” says Marilisa Allegrini, global representative and CEO of Allegrini Estates, on the Allegrini family’s acclaimed estates in Tuscany and the Veneto. Together with her brother Franco Allegrini, head winemaker for Allegrini Estates, Marilisa carries on the legacy of their father Giovanni, a visionary viticulturist in Valpolicella credited with revolutionizing Amarone and appassimento winemaking. Steeped in centuries of winegrowing expertise, the family is recognized for crafting the benchmark Amarone, pioneering a focus on single-vineyard sites, and consistently marrying tradition with innovation.

Sharing the Legacy of Italian Wine with the World Marilisa was brought up in the vineyard by Giovanni, and was heavily influenced by his dedication to Italian winegrowing of the highest caliber. After studies at the University of Verona, Marilisa became Director of Sales and Marketing for Allegrini and began traveling throughout Italy and the world to share the story of her family’s heritage and wines. Her passion and ambassadorship helped cement the reputation of Amarone as one of the world’s finest wines and Allegrini as its top producer. Today, Marilisa is president of Amarone Families (Famiglie dell’Amarone d’Arte), and has been recognized as one of the top ambassadors for Valpolicella worldwide.

Breaking new ground in Bolgheri.

Bolgheri in Tuscany represented to Marilisa and the Allegrini family not only a beautiful new domain but also a promise to continue their exploration of what’s possible in Italian wine. So in 2002, Marilisa, Franco and their late brother Walter embarked on a new winegrowing journey in the region’s renowned coastal terroir, focused once again on the premise of developing extraordinary vineyard sites. The family’s Poggio al Tesoro estate and its wines have already received acclaim, thanks to the dedication, relentless pursuit of quality and respect for the land the family upholds in all of its endeavors.

“Tradition is not immobility,” Marilisa says of the family’s Tuscan exploration. “When accompanied by true respect for a territory, there is always something to discover, to interpret, to see in a new light.”

Celebrating Italian culture and hospitality.

Marilisa and the Allegrini family channel their passion for hospitality at Verona’s Villa della Torre, their 16^th century renaissance palace, which was once home to visiting artists and bears a rich cultural past. Today, this world-class destination welcomes guests with the family’s phenomenal wines as well as dining experiences from a Michelin-starred chef. Every detail is thoughtfully anticipated, and the result is a distinctly Italian sense of welcome, grace and vivacity. “It is thrilling to us that the Villa della Torre’s façade, grand rooms, archways and gardens today recall their former 16th century grandeur—and thus reflect our commitment to honoring Italian culture,” says Marilisa.

Whether she is sharing the story of Allegrini’s enduring success in the Veneto or introducing wines from the family’s latest chapter in Tuscany, Marilisa draws on her singular knowledge to inspire and inform.

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.

Sunny Gandara, DWS, CWE is a vegan food, wine and lifestyle consultant with 20 years of experience in the food, wine and entertainment industry. She has worked across all facets of the wine and spirits business as a wine buyer, sales consultant for importers and distributors, business owner, wine educator and brand ambassador.
Sunny holds her WSET Diploma and is a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators. She is a certified Burgundy Wine Educator through the BIVB, and has additional certifications through the Wines of Spain, Napa Valley Vintners and Center of Wine Origins among others.
Sunny is a professionally trained chef and ran her own catering company, Fork and Glass, for several years before founding her own vegan food, wine and consulting business. She now works with clients virtually and in -person worldwide, helping her clients transition to a vegan diet, particularly helping them create flavorful meals that pleases both meat eaters and vegans alike. Sunny is the author of the popular Norwegian food blog, Arctic Grub, where she writes about the history and culture around food from Norway and Scandinavia

Cathy Huyghe is the co-founder and CEO of Enolytics LLC, which provides big data services to the wine industry. She is a journalist by training and writes for Forbes online about the business and politics of the wine industry, and for Inc.com about entrepreneurs. She is also the founder of Harvard Alumni in Wine and Food, a non-profit interest group within the Harvard Alumni Association.

Huyghe is the author of the award-winning book, Hungry for Wine: Seeing the World through the Lens of a Wine Glass, which has received positive reviews from publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal to NPR to the Village Voice.

In January 2017, Huyghe received the Diaz Communications Innovator of the Year award, and she was also a finalist in 2016 for the IWSC Wine Communicator of the Year award. She has received two graduate degrees from Harvard, in Design and Journalism, and a Master’s degree in Comparative Literature from the City University of New York.

Huyghe’s writing has appeared in print and online for both general-interest and wine industry publications including the Harvard Business Review network, The Atlantic, Decanter, DailyBeast, The Boston Globe, the Washington Post, Wine Enthusiast, GlobalPost, Grist.org, and Daily Candy. She has also been featured on the BBC, WNYC, WGBH, and Nevada Public Radio.

Huyghe has been practicing yoga for more than 20 years and completed her 200-hour Classical Yoga Teacher Training certification in 2013 at Kashi Urban Yoga Ashram. She has a keen interest in meditation.

Find her online at CathyHuyghe.com, Enolytics.com, and WritingForSeva.com.

Melissa joined the Pernod Ricard USA in 2012 and is the first woman to be named General Manager of a
Spirits Division. With over 20 years of experience in the wines and spirits industry, she has spent her
career driving growth and revenue for top companies including Brown Forman, E. & J. Gallo Winery, and
Rodney Strong. Melissa takes great pride in being a leader at Pernod Ricard and is most proud of her
people leadership and management skills that has led her to create an open, collaborative culture where
her team can thrive. She is passionate about championing and mentoring women both professionally
and personally.  At Pernod Ricard she a member of the Better Balance Initiative and in her home state of
Massachusetts she spent three years on the Board of Directors at Big Brother Big Sisters.

Tom Swift is the Vice President for Customer Marketing in North America. In this role, Tom leads the development of compelling on- and off-trade programs across the Bacardi portfolio, as well as leading Bacardi’s initiatives within multi-cultural marketing, e-commerce, and trade advocacy.

Prior to his role within Customer Marketing, Tom was VP - Brand Managing Director of BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and MARTINI & ROSSI for North America, responsible for brand strategy, activity planning and management of business performance, as well as Global Vice President for GREY GOOSE. Tom began his career at Bacardi within the global whisky team, leading the relaunch of DEWAR’S blended Scotch whisky and the launch of five single malts under Bacardi ownership, ‘The Last Great Malts.’

Prior to Bacardi, Tom spent eleven years at Unilever across a variety of brand management leadership roles in Personal Care, including roles in Hamburg and Buenos Aires.

Angelique Sina is a financier, philanthropist and women's economic empowerment advocate. In 2016, she was appointed by the Mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser, as Commissioner for the Latino Community. She was chosen as a “Changemaker” at the White House United State of Women Summit and was a nominee for Forbes "30 Under 30”. Since 2015 she has been leading networking events for women in minority groups in the Nation's capital. In 2017, she received the Brava Award from SmartCEO magazine for her fundraising efforts of raising 2.5 million dollars in five weeks for Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts. She was born and raised in Aguadilla and is a contributor at the HuffPost. Angelique's newest project: Wine for Women is an e-commerce platform that will provide women with delicious, award-winning, quality wines that are made by women for women.

Stephanie Davis is a wine educator, entrepreneur, and podcaster. Stephanie’s thirst for wine knowledge began in 2007 when she imagined transforming her life and becoming a wine professional. She left her 12 year career as a clinical pharmacist in 2015 to give all her attention to her wine interests, including her weekly Wine Two Five podcast. 

Stephanie is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, a Certified Wine Educator with the Society of Wine Educators, and a French Wine Scholar. She also sipped her way through the Wine and Spirits Education Trust program and is Level 3 Advanced Certified.

Now Stephanie connects people and builds relationships in the wine lifestyle and wine edu-tainment spaces. When she's not behind the microphone or attending wine events, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her husband in Fort Collins, Colorado, cooking, reading and traveling.

As Estate Director at Domaine Chandon California, Susan oversees all business channels and operations at America’s leading Méthode Traditionnelle winery. Genuinely inspired by the pioneering spirit and adventure of the winery’s founders, Susan embraces the same courage and commitment as she helps launch the next chapter of success at Chandon.

Drawing on twenty years of strategic marketing development and active stakeholder engagement, she utilizes her sharp customer focus to relentlessly improve products and experiences while achieving key profitability benchmarks.

Susan began her career in the fashion industry at Vogue Australia, followed
by various marketing positions for European and Australian brands. In 2003, she transitioned to the wine industry and joined Moët Hennessy as the Director of Marketing and Business Development for Domaine Chandon Australia, Cloudy Bay and Cape Mentelle. In 2010, Susan was appointed Estate Director at Domaine Chandon Australia where she managed all arms of the winery until making the move to Domaine Chandon California in 2016.

Susan’s interests include art, architecture, design, skiing, other various sports and traveling. While moving to Northern California was a comfortable transition for Susan, she looks forward to exploring the nuances and diversity in the United States

“No better job”, is what Susan says about running America’s leading Méthode Traditionnelle winery.  Drawing on more than twenty years of marketing and business development in the wine and fashion industry, she finds the building human and product centered organizations endlessly fascinating and challenging.

Kelly Hendriksen is the Senior Manager of Brand Development at Ruth’s Chris Steak House.   In her role, she leads the beverage and menu development programs for corporately owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House locations.

Over the past thirteen years, Kelly’s hospitality fueled career has given her extensive in-restaurant experience, oversight of National Private Event and Catering Sales programs and most recently the Ruth’s Chris corporate Wine List and Cocktail Menus for 75 locations.

Kelly holds a Master’s Degree in Opera Performance from Arizona State University and an undergraduate degree from Rice University and in her spare time enjoys travel and sampling foods and wines from across the globe.  

Trinchero Family Estates chief financial officer Kirsty Cringan is a Scot with a world of team-building knowledge and project management expertise. Prior to overseeing controllership and treasury at Trinchero Family Estates – the world’s second largest family-owned winery and the fourth largest overall – Kirsty began her globe-spanning wine and spirits career at Diageo Chateau and Estates. Kirsty joined Diageo as a commercial finance manager in the UK and was quickly tapped to lead the business’ expansion into Amsterdam. Recognizing her knack for designing organizations and optimizing teamwork, Diageo tasked Kirsty with an HR project spanning all of Western Europe. Kirsty’s next move took her to America, where she, her husband and sons transitioned into life in Naperville, Illinois – home of Smirnoff Vodka. There, Kirsty’s responsibilities evolved from HR and project leadership roles to compliance and controller positions. A move to Connecticut came with a promotion to vice president, business performance management, where she managed Diageo North America’s financial outlook, totaling $4.9B. Kirsty’s Diageo career came to a close after she spent a year in Napa negotiating Diageo’s sale to Treasury Wine Estates as Diageo’s vice president, finance and business planning. Treasury Wine Estates appointed Kirsty to the vice president, commercial finance role, where she oversaw the transition of 400 employees to their new parent company.

It was in Napa that Kirsty took her first interview in 18 years. Trinchero Family Estates recognized Kirsty’s legacy of transformation over the course of nine different roles in five locations across three different countries and recruited her for the chief financial officer position. Drawn to the wine and spirits company’s mission of delivering against its original family values while strengthening its assets of 50 brands and 1,000 employees, Kirsty accepted the position in November 2016. Kirsty has thrived in the company’s supportive family atmosphere where she can remain true to herself – a value she proudly conveys to her teams. After a lifetime of travel, Kirsty now happily resides in Browns Valley, California with her fellow-Scot husband, Fraser, and three sons, Mark, Ross and Liam.

Amanda Batchelet joined Total Wine & More in 2008 as the Senior Buyer for Non Alcoholic/Food/Accessories. Since then she moved in 2010 to take on responsibility as the Senior Buyer of Beer, at a time when craft beer was exploding and seasonal beers were a fast growing part of the assortment.  In 2012 she joined the Spirits team which accounts for over $750M in annual sales.  She is now the Director of Category Management, Spirits, overseeing the Spirits Business at Total Wine & More across 19 states and over 140 store locations (eligible to sell Spirits). 

An American family-business success story, Total Wine & More was founded in 1991 by brothers David and Robert Trone when they opened their first store, a 1,500 sq. ft. store in Claymont, Delaware.  In the ensuing 26 years Total Wine & More has grown to be the nation’s largest independent retailer of fine wine, beer and spirits.  Total Wine & More ended 2017 with 173 superstores in 21 states.  Known as America’s Wine Superstore™, Total Wine & More features outstanding selection (8,000 wines, 3,000 spirits and 2,500 beers in each store), best-in-class service, lowest prices in the market and an incredible in-store customer experience. 

Recognized as four-time National Retailer of the Year by major industry publications – Wine Enthusiast (2004 and 2014), Market Watch (2006) and Beverage Dynamics (2006) – Total Wine & More is the only company to be honored twice as retailer of the year by Wine Enthusiast.  The company’s large (between 20,000-30,000 sq. ft.), brightly-lit stores with wide aisles are designed to enhance customer experience by offering storewide Wi-Fi, wine/beer/spirits content on flat panel monitors at tasting stations, the Brewery District™ featuring local and craft beers and high tech Wine Education Centers (classrooms) in which Total Wine & More offers consumer classes and special tasting events such as the “Meet the Maker” series and “virtual tastings” with producers from around the world.

An outstanding community and philanthropic partner, Total Wine & More works closely with community and business leaders in each market it operates to support local causes and charitable efforts.  In 2017, donated over $7 million of in-kind and monetary contributions to more than 10,000 local non-profits in 21 states helping those local non-profits raise over $40 million in support of their programs.  When not being used by the store team for training and customer education classes, Total Wine & More offers its Wine Education Center as meeting space, free of charge, to local non-profits, community and business groups.

Amy Lund is the Vice President of Marketing Communication and Brand Activation for the Spirits BU at E. & J. Gallo Winery. Throughout her 17-year career with the Winery, Amy has worked in a wide variety of departments including Operations, Supply Chain, Corporate Strategy, Finance, and now Marketing. As the Winery’s first-ever female Plant Manager, Amy showcased her ability to lead a team and cultivate a thriving workplace community. She maintains the same philosophies today, as she leads Marketing Communications and Brand Activation for the Winery’s Spirits portfolio. In her current role, Amy oversees Media activation, On-Premise strategy, Mixology and Brand Ambassador capabilities.

Amy lives with her husband Jason and son Logan in Patterson, California. She continues her passion for working hard and building relationships centered around a strong sense of community.

After earning her Sommelier Certification in Washington D.C., Mary Masters entered the Wholesale Wine Industry with Southern Wines & Spirits of Miami as a salesperson. Satisfied with several years of success, her ambition to go into management led her to a distributor in Colorado, where she entered middle management. Prepared to relocated for upward mobility, she accepted a position as Division Manager with National Distributing Company of Orlando. From there she was promoted to Vice President On Premise of National Distributing Company of Atlanta. Her husband’s job transfer brought them to Massachusetts, where she was the Vice President of Classic Wine Imports – the first female VP of Sales for the Martignetti Companies. In May 2017, Mary accepted a position with The Winebow Group as VP and GM New England.

As a pioneer for women in the Industry, Mary worked tirelessly to break the glass ceiling and pave the way for others. She enthusiastically mentors others to help them succeed. Her multi state experience gives her a broader outlook, and a unique ability to adapt to change and new cultures.

When she’s not running her business, conducting seminars, or speaking at conferences and symposiums, Mary enjoys gardening, spending time with friends and traveling with her husband.

I am a Fine Wine professional for Classic Wine Imports, a division of Martignetti with a diverse work history in Publishing and Hospitality. I currently service both on and off premise accounts through sales, tastings, wine dinners and events.

I am involved with local fundraising and supporting the Art Westfall Foundation, which gives to local hospitality workers in times of need as well as other local charities. 

In my off time you can find me paddle boarding, reading, entertaining, camping on the beach....even a La La likes a good bonfire.

Tracy Redmond, Senior Manager of Beverage Innovation and Product Development for Applebee’s Services Inc., has worked for Applebee’s for over twenty years. Beginning as a Server and Bartender in Minnesota, Tracy knew early on that the restaurant and hospitality industry were her calling. While spending a large portion of her career in the field supporting operations and franchises, the bar was always a passionate focus. In 2014, Tracy joined the Applebee’s Beverage Team and is responsible for the overall innovation, development, and implementation of Applebee’s core beverage offerings. This includes being the acting expert regarding beverage operations, training, and product approval/procurement.   

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill Bar offers a lively casual dining experience combining simple, craveable American fare, classic drinks and local drafts. All Applebee's restaurants are owned and operated by entrepreneurs dedicated to serving their communities and offering quality food and drinks with genuine, neighborly service. Applebee's is one of the world's largest casual dining brands; as of June 30, 2017, there are nearly 2,000 Applebee's franchise restaurants in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and 14 other countries. Applebee's is franchised by subsidiaries of DineEquity, Inc. [NYSE: DIN], which is one of the world's largest full-service restaurant companies.

Marbet Lewis has focused her practice on the laws governing the alcohol industry and the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcohol beverage products since 2004. She represents clients in all aspects of alcohol and business licensing in Florida, alcohol licensee mergers and acquisitions, negotiation of asset purchase agreements and required alcohol use provisions, license transfers and licensing due diligence, trade practices, alcohol product advertising and review of marketing agreements, importation agreements, label approvals, and regulatory compliance guidance. Her experience also includes enforcement action defense and administrative litigation, zoning and land use due diligence and approval processes, and state and local government regulatory compliance, which includes drafting municipal code ordinances and amendments as well as assisting with redistricting and development of entertainment overlay districts.
Marbet also assists clients with additional business permitting including obtaining business tax receipts, building permitting, certificates of use and occupancy and other related operational permits, as well as representing various entertainment, hospitality, and alcohol industry clients during the zoning approval process, including representation before zoning boards for approval of variances, special exceptions, and use nonconformity issues as well as representation for zoning appeals cases. She has assisted with transfer of business and operational permits required as part of large asset acquisition transactions and merger of national retailers including hotels and entertainments venues such as movie-theaters.
She works with domestic and foreign suppliers, wholesalers, manufacturers and a broad range of retailers, including nightclubs, bars, movie theater operators, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, bars, nightclubs, and pharmacy chains.
Mrs. Lewis is also proficient in Spanish and has been a featured guest on Nuestro Mundo and A Fondo.
Notable Speaking Engagements:
• Three-tier system think piece: Let’s steer away from post-Prohibition fears and reconsider our regulatory schemes, Craft Brewing Business, Marbet Lewis - author, July 2017.
• With Whole Foods, Amazon Gets a Lot of Beer, and Headaches, Bloomberg Law, Antitrust & Trade Report, commentary by Marbet Lewis, July 2017.
• Quoted: Obama Administration Eases Shipping, Cargo Transit Restrictions, by Johannes Walker at Cuba Standard.com, commentary by Marbet Lewis, October 2017.
• Daily Business Review, Rising Stars Leadership Award, May 2017.
• Alcohol Industry Consolidation and Regulatory Concerns, Financier Worldwide, July 2016.
• NCSLA, Northern/Southern Regional Conference, “Control from a Different Angle,” 2014.
• “The DOs and DON’Ts Of Mixing Movies and Mixology,” National Association of Concessionaires ShowEast Conference, October 21-24, 2013 
• Movies and mixology: Alcohol at the cinema brings licensing challenges, Film Journal International, October 18, 2013
• Quoted: Avoiding Legal Hangovers, by Steve McLinden, July 2013 issue of Shopping Centers Today
• “Be in Control! Don’t Let Your Alcohol Retail Business Control You,” Atlantic City Nightclub & Bar Convention, October 2008 
• “Party On! How to Keep Your Party Profitable, Safe and Legal,” Nightclub & Bar Beverage Retailer, October 9-11, 2006

A Certified Sommelier and Certified Specialist of Wine, Katherine is Director of Beverage Programs for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. She began her career in the hospitality industry at the front counter and in the kitchen at a fast-casual restaurant in Wisconsin. After graduating from a performing arts high school and considering a career in film and television, Katherine attended UNLV, took one wine class as an elective, and was hooked forever.

At Kimpton, Katherine is responsible for the wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverage programs and partnerships for 65 hotels, restaurants, and bars, with a focus on category management, national promotions, guest loyalty programs, and digital marketing. As part of a dynamic beverage team, Katherine strives to elevate the drinking and dining experience at every unique property.

Prior to Kimpton, Katherine enjoyed a varied career spanning over several disciplines. She was initially a travel agent before moving into hosting groups in Las Vegas which developed her passion for travel. From there, she tried her hand in public relations at Caesars’ Palace, managed restaurants in Orlando and Los Angeles, and worked in sports and entertainment at The STAPLES Center, with the US Open and PGA organizations, and award shows such as the GRAMMYs and Emmys. Deciding to pursue her passion for beverage and travel, Katherine joined Marriott International, focusing on ten global brands. When not enjoying Sonoma County, much of her free time is spent travelling to wine regions around the world, drinking unique grape varieties, and sharing her passion for travel, global cuisines, and local customs.

Stacey Townsend is a proud wife and mother of 2 daughters, she has been in the wine and spirits industry for over 10 years. Currently she is the  Director, Sales Training and Education - Spirit at Constellation Brands.

She and her husband, Bryan Townsend, founded Trigger’s Toys, a non-profit organization that helps to alleviate the financial and emotional stress of hospitalized children and their families in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex.  In 5 years they have raised their millionth dollar with the help of donors and their fundraiser, the Ultimate Cocktail Experience.  UCE brings together bartenders, bar owners, brand suppliers and cocktail enthusiasts for a one night competition highlighting the extraordinary local talent and passion that DFW hospitality industry has to offer.   

Aimee has been in the alcohol industry for 4 years (total beverage industry for 8 years) and loves being able to connect with others through Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits products. 

Since joining Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits 3 years ago, Aimee has been privileged to attend several industry events including Tales of the Cocktail for the past 3 years, SpeedRack, multiple Bombay's Most Imaginative Bartender contests, and Women of the Wine & Spirits in 2017. She is a member of the local USBG chapter in Indianapolis. 

Aimee is also a member of the Vision Action Team at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits which aims
"to collaborate using hindsight and foresight to cultivate sustainable, innovative action that furthers the mission of SGWS by enriching the culture and experiences of all divisions, all employees and all customers." The team is handpicked from across all divisions that identifies opportunities within SGWS to further engage its employees and customers in order to grow the organization. For example, the group is currently heading up a mentor program in Indiana to not only engage new employees, but give current employees opportunities to learn about other divisions and areas of responsibility. 

Personally, Aimee is involved with animal rescue transports and enjoys the chance to help dogs and cats to their new home!

Mina Trujillo, is Founder and Managing Director of Chraft PR, a Public Relations, Marketing and Product Development Agency. She is also Founder and CEO of Dragos Cantina, a ready-to-drink, craft margarita concept in the tequila space. Prior to starting Chraft PR and Dragos Cantina, Mina was Founder and CEO of Maria B. Cosmetics, a color cosmetic company with presence in department stores in Los Angeles, New York and New Jersey. Before launching her ventures, Mina started her career at the global accounting firm Arthur Andersen and subsequently worked for several prestigious professional services firms.

Through her marketing agency, Mina has been instrumental in assisting clients expand their market facing programs and deliver a number of strategic business development and growth initiatives in various industries including Entrepreneurship, Retail, Manufacturing, SEC/Capital Markets, Hospitality, TV/Entertainment, Private Equity industries and has worked with world-renowed political and business leaders. Mina produces the nation’s largest Deal Conference where top deal makers come together to buy, sell and raise capital for companies of all sizes.

Mina graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mount St. Mary’s College in Brentwood, California. Mina servers on the Board of Governors for Hollygrove, The Clinton Foundation (Ambassador) and The Anastasia Brighter Horizons Foundation.

Mina is a patent holder for a packaging invention. 

Frances Gonzalez, a long-time vegan, and wine lover has a long history of creating and managing her own businesses. Frances discovered that there were vegan wine club options in Europe but none in the USA... and the idea for Vegan Wines was born. She has made it her goal to educate people and come up with a way vegans and nonvegans to get quality, guaranteed, animal-friendly wines.

Elizabeth Miller, CSW, CSS, is a multi-faceted wine professional who is currently bringing fresh ideas to wine sales.  She relocated to Napa Valley in 2017 to work directly with Burgess Cellars and focus on DTC business development. Previously, she held the dual positions of retail manager and wine school associate director in New York. Her work showcases a range of strengths, from small business development, wine instruction and curriculum creation, event production and management, social media promotion to operations management. A full complement of professional certifications round out Elizabeth's contribution to the national wine and spirits community.

Jenn Friedrichs is a Trade Development Manager who works alongside Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits Commercial Sales and Operations team whose main objective is to increase sales and grow brands.  After spending nearly a decade in the Wine and Spirit industry as Sales Manager, Key account Manager, and her current role as a Brand Manager, Jenn knows how to effectively encourage and motivate others, drive business and increase brand awareness. Jenn knows that to be successful in this industry it is important to connect with her team and the people she is trying to help (or vice versa) and communicate her understanding back to them.

Jenn has successfully coached and managed teams and won multiple awards for outstanding performance. Presently Jenn is actively mentoring a student at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia who is interested in a career in the alcohol beverage industry.  In addition to her career Jenn is the proud mother of her son, and an advocate for her community’s feral cats and the Trap, Neuter and Release program.  Jenn studied Communications at the University of New Mexico and is currently preparing the take the GMAT to pursue her MBA. Jenn enjoys spending time with her family, fitness, traveling to Europe and enjoying the wine and spirits of the world!   

One of the wine industry’s top executives and innovators, Jackson Family Wines Chairman & Proprietor Barbara R. Banke has spent the last two decades leading the company she co-founded with her late husband, wine icon Jess Jackson, while building and expanding some of the most beloved wineries in the nation.

The UCLA and Hastings Law School graduate is no stranger to juggling diverse workloads. A former land use and constitutional law attorney, Banke spent more than a decade arguing cases before the United States Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal, and raised three children with Jess (Katie, Julia and Christopher Jackson).

In addition to the flagship Kendall-Jackson and La Crema wineries, Banke and Jackson shaped nearly two dozen small, high-image wineries located across Sonoma, Napa, Monterey, Santa Barbara and Mendocino counties, including Arrowood, Byron, Cambria, Carmel Road, Edmeades, Freemark Abbey, La Jota, Matanzas Creek and Stonestreet. The Jackson family portfolio also includes the international properties of Chateau Lassègue in Bordeaux, Tenuta di Arceno and Arcanum in Tuscany, Calina in Chile and Yangarra Estates and the Hickinbotham Vineyard at Clarendon in Australia. In 2013, the Jackson family purchased property in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, including the acclaimed Zena Crown and Gran Moraine vineyards. In 2014, the family launched Capensis, from the Western Cape of South Africa.

Banke takes a hands-on role in the development and promotion of various Jackson Family wine estates, with a special focus on the company’s ultra-luxury wineries such as Lokoya, Cardinale, and Vérité, as well as new vineyard acquisitions, and a broad range of other business initiatives. In addition to the family’s wine holdings, Banke shares Jackson’s love of equestrian racing - their acclaimed stables, Stonestreet Farms in Kentucky, produced Horses of the Year Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, as well as Eclipse Award Winner My Miss Aurelia.

A well-known philanthropist, Banke and the Jackson Family are passionate advocates for education. She co-founded the Sonoma Paradiso Foundation and helped build the Sonoma Country Day School in Santa Rosa, and serves as a founding board member for Sonoma Academy, an independent college-prep high school recognized for academic rigor. She and Jackson also committed $3 million to found the Jess S. Jackson Sustainable Winery Building at UC-Davis (opened summer 2013), a national center of excellence designed to train the next generation of winemakers in sustainability best practices. In addition, Banke and her family contributed $500,000 to help launch the Family Justice Center Sonoma County, providing help for victims of domestic violence, and she is a global ambassador for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Raised in the premium wine region of McLaren Vale, South Australia, Rebecca Hopkins took her first role in the wine business with Wirra Wirra vineyards in McLaren Vale in 1992 while completing her Bachelor of Wine Marketing at Adelaide University. Upon graduation Rebecca joined national importer Negociants Australia as Marketing Assistant, and in 1996 was the inaugural Student Winner of the "Vin de Champagne Award" – given by the Champagne region's governing body. In 1999 Rebecca relocated to Coonawarra, joining boutique producer Rymill Winery as Marketing, Sales & Export Manager before joining Australia’s largest producer, BRL Hardy (now Accolade Wines) in 2001. 

She held the role of Public Relations Manager from 2001 managing all brand, environmental, operational and corporate publicity activities before the acquisition of the Company by Constellation Brands in 2005. Following this, Hopkins was promoted to Group Public Relations Manager to manage the Company’s global public relations, media operations, hospitality and events including leading the company’s communications and PR and events requirements across corporate, brand, and business media in Australia, and key strategy development with the US and UK markets.

In 2007, Rebecca was relocated to San Francisco with Constellation Brands to develop and lead the largest in-house brand communications and event marketing team in the US wine business, creating strategic PR programming for trade and consumer media, and consumer and trade marketing events. Overseeing the US wine portfolio, she led brand publicity programming and event marketing for the portfolio, leveraging strategic relationships across wine, culinary, luxury and lifestyle media.

In 2012 she returned to family winemaking, joining national importer Folio Fine Wine Partners – a full-service sales, marketing and communications agency owned by the Michael Mondavi Family as Vice President Communications & Partner. In 2017, she took her current role as Executive Vice President of Colangelo & Partners. A panelist at Vinitaly’s 2015 Business Series in Verona, Rebecca is a freelance contributor to Meininger’s Wine Business International, avid photographer, and lives in San Francisco, California.

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.

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), the Rockland Business Women's Network Woman of the Year Award (2014), American Cancer Society Dr. Louis Berger Award (2017), and Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award Person of the Year Nominee (2017).

Barkley Stuart is Executive Vice President and Board Director of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the largest North American wine and spirits distribution company and preeminent data insights company for alcoholic beverages. Barkley has worked in the wine and spirits industry for nearly 20 years. 

At Southern Glazer’s, Barkley manages government affairs by providing representation at state and federal levels for both the company and the wholesale alcohol trade. Prior to the 2016 combination of Southern Wine & Spirits and Glazer’s, Barkley worked at Glazer’s in roles ranging from E&J Gallo salesman to Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to working in the wine and spirits industry, Barkley was director, trainer and editor for Communication for Change, a pioneering not-for-profit, that for over 30 years, has used video tools and training to help those living in poor and marginalized communities influence their own destinies.

In addition to ongoing board positions at Southern Glazer’s, Glazer’s, and C4C, Barkley currently serves in leadership roles as a director for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, Drizly, Inc., Collette Vacations, North Country School and the Devereux Foundation. Barkley received a BA in Computer Science from Brown University and an Executive MBA from Harvard Business School. 

At California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), Ashley leads the development of the national marketing strategy which includes menu and creative development for the brand, beverage innovation, national promotions, loyalty programs, digital marketing, and philanthropic initiatives. 

Ceraolo has been instrumental in rolling out CPK’s Next Chapter initiative, a brand transformation underway in CPK’s restaurants nationwide, as well as elevating CPK’s national digital marketing strategy. Ceraolo is also a part of the CPK program R.A.D., an initiative designed to mentor women leaders in the workplace.

Ceraolo is a strategic marketing professional who has worked with multiple national and international restaurant brands to develop and execute marketing campaigns, optimize brand loyalty and drive sales growth. A resident of Huntington Beach, and mother of two, Ashley is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and is also a level one Sommelier.

In May 2015, Ceraolo was honored with a 2015 Most Powerful and Influential Woman of California award. Ceraolo was recognized for her leadership by the National Diversity Council, an organization which fosters an understanding of diversity and inclusion as a strategy for business success and community well-being through various initiatives.

In September 2016, Ceraolo was recognized by Wine Enthusiast magazine as a “40 under 40” tastemaker.

Mark Merrion leads Delicato’s national sales team, with the critical responsibility for driving national, international, and exclusive label sales activity for Delicato Family Vineyards and its powerful portfolio of wine brands. In his role, Mark is also responsible for managing the organization’s collaboration with distributors and trade, as well as partnering with V2 Wine Group’s sales team.

A career industry veteran, Mark has more than 25 years of industry experience on the supplier and distributor side including senior sales roles at Melbourne-based Treasury Wine Estates, Wilson Daniels, a fine wine importer and marketer in St. Helena, and Diageo Chateau & Estates in Napa.  Mark also held positions with Young’s Market Company, The Boston Beer Company, Heublein Wines, and the E & J Gallo Winery.

Mark is California native and resides in Marin County with his wife, while his three grown children are beginning their careers or continuing their studies in college.  He enjoys golf, skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and of course food and wine.

Delicato Family Vineyards is a family-owned company founded in 1924.  The Delicato portfolio includes a unique range of brands such as Bota Box, Gnarly Head, Noble Vines, Black Stallion Estate Winery, Z. Alexander Brown, Diora, Irony, and Earth Wise. 

Kristin is Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer of San Francisco Wine School and brings over 25 years of accounting, finance and operational experience in the wine industry, Silicon Valley startups, and public education.

San Francisco Wine School was founded in 2011 by Master Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator, David Glancy.  Kristin joined him in 2013 to write the business plan, raise capital, and expand the business.  

"David's vision of San Francisco Wine School was my trifecta - a start-up in the educational space and all about wine!  It was an honor to join him in that journey"

San Francisco Wine School was the first school dedicated to wine education and has grown to be the largest in existence today, offering 15 professional certification programs, over 75 workshops, customized corporate training, and a wide variety of trade and consumer events.

Kristin is also a busy mom of 3 teens and a true foodie. Forever in search of the perfect bite, she enjoys cooking, fine dining and experimenting with food and wine pairings.

Susanah Martin is the Recruiting and Training Manager for the Retail Sales Division at Wine Warehouse where she is responsible for finding, developing, and retaining top talent. On a mission to grow careers of Wine Warehouse’s sales representatives, she is focused on creating a supportive and engaging work environment. 

Outside of the office, Susanah enjoys running, cooking, and of course exploring new wines, spirits, and beers!

Desire’ Hunter joined the Brown-Forman Corporation in 2014, after 22 years of experience at the Coca-Cola Company. Brown-Forman is one of the largest American-owned spirits and wines companies and sells in more than 160 countries.  Desire’ has a wealth of experience managing and leading in areas of; bottler/distributor operations, marketing & sales, commercial planning, asset management and contract negotiation with large marketing assets.  She has led sales operations, business development, national and global sales, designing winning strategies and platforms that strengthen mutual business.

Currently, Desire’ and her family live in Seattle, WA. She is the Director of National Accounts West and is responsible for leading the sales functions for assigned national retailers. She was on the Board for Network Executive Women in the Pacific Northwest from 2012-2015 and is now a current member of Women of the Vine & Spirits.  Desire’ received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin in Business Administration and her Masters of International Business from The University of South Carolina.

Michelle Hodges is the State Manager for Tennessee & Kentucky at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE). With over 20 years of management in hospitality, training and sales, she has spent the last 15 years in progressive distributor and supplier roles. Before joining SMWE in 2013, Michelle spent seven years at Republic National Distributing and four years at Best Brands Distributing. Michelle is an experienced sales leader that is known for her skills in the areas of strategic planning, building collaborative teams, coaching and developing talent, and creating turnkey relationships.

Since working at SMWE, Michelle was awarded State Manager of the Year in 2016 and is a 2-time recipient of the President’s Club award representing the top 10 percent of the sales organization. She is also an active member of the SMWE Mentoring Committee which launched a company-wide mentoring program.

Michelle is passionate about empowering women to achieve both their professional and personal goals. She is a founding member of Les Dames d’Escoffier Nashville and is the Mentor Committee Chair for the Network of Executive Women’s Nashville Chapter. To make a more significant impact, Michelle recently launched a local group hosting monthly leadership workshops for women in business. She is also an active mentor to women outside of her company, including Big Brother Sister of Middle Tennessee where she has been matched with her “little” for over a year now. 

It was while pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in International Relations and Foreign Languages at Middle Tennessee State University that Michelle fell in love with food and wine. She was captivated by the rich history and cultural traditions that began around the dining table. This connection inspired Michelle to leave her plans of Law School behind and embark on her path in the food and wine industry.

Embracing a mindful and intentional approach to leadership, Michelle encourages work-life balance to create sustainable performance and success. In her free time, she practices yoga daily, is an avid traveler, voracious reader, dog lover and outdoor enthusiast with lots of time spent on trails with her Border Collie, Sophie, hiking or running.

Roberta Corrà graduated in law from the Università Statale di Bologna, subsequently practicing at the Menichetti law firm in Verona, specializing in labor law, officially qualifying to pursue the legal profession and attending a short Masters course of specialization in company organization at SDA Bocconi. She developed much of her professional career in two German multinational retailers where she worked for 15 years in the Human Resources and Organizational sectors.

Roberta joined GIV in July of 2012 as Human Resources Director and in July of 2014 was appointed Chief Operating Officer. She has occupied the post of General Manager since January 2015.

In the scope of GIV consolidation, she is a Board Member of Frederick Wildman & Sons based in New York and B&G Wines USA LLC also in New York and is Managing Director of Carniato Europe s.a. based in Paris, GIV Deutschland GmbH in Munich, GIV UK Ltd. in London and GIV CZ in Prague.

She is also Vice President of the Italia del Vino Consortium and is on the board of the Tutela Vini Valpolicella Consortium.

Gruppo Italiano Vini is the leading Italian Wine Business and one of the most important companies in the world for the production and marketing of fine wines. The company was established in 1986 and has its headquarters in the eighteenth-century Villa Belvedere on Lake Garda in the province of Verona. It has 15 directly-owned wineries spread over 11 Italian regions representing the history and culture of Italian wine. Its 1,363 hectares of vines extend from the far north of Italy to Sicily and cover all the classic Italian wine-growing areas.

The Group has expanded even further in the past few years. Having acquired the Pedemonte winery in the province of Verona and the Bolla brand, the Group purchased the Cantine Cavicchioli, the prestige Lambrusco brand. In 2017 Gruppo Italiano Vini completed the renovation of its Santi winery in Valpolicella, a significant investment marking the renewal of one of the most important and historical protagonists of the Verona wine scene.

The Group directly owns Frederick Wildman & Sons in New York, Carniato Europe Sa in Paris, GIV UK in London, GIV Deutschland in Munich, GIV CZ in Prague and Shanghai GIV in China.

The Group closed 2016 with revenues of €365 million, a year-on-year improvement for both 2015 and 2014.