Annette Alvarez-Peters

Asst. GMM, Beverage Alcohol,AIWS, CWE, Costco Wholesale

BIO

Jan Barnes

Vice President Group Brand Director, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

BIO

Nikki Mason Bazzo, Account Executive, American Wine and Spirits

Nikki Mason Bazzo

Account Executive, American Wine and Spirits

BIO

Colleen Brennan, VP of National Accounts On Premise, Rodney Strong

Colleen Brennan

VP of National Accounts On Premise, Rodney Strong

BIO

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.

Jane Edwards Creed, President and Chief Executive Officer, Wine Shop at Home

Jane Edwards Creed

President and Chief Executive Officer, WineShop At Home

BIO

Anita Cook-Motard, Advisory Board Member of Women of the Vine

Anita Cook-Motard

Director of Strategic On Premise Accounts, D&E Fine Wine Group, Glazer’s Domaine & Estates

BIO

Kristen R. Decker, President, Global Wine Company, Inc

Kristen R. Decker

President, Global Wine Company, Inc

BIO

Mel Dick, President of the Wine Division and Senior Vice President, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.

Mel Dick

President of the Wine Division and Senior Vice President, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.

BIO

Barb Egenhofer, Senior Vice President Human Resources, Wine & Spirits Division, Constellation Brands

Barb Egenhofer

Senior Vice President Human Resources, Wine & Spirits Division, Constellation Brands

BIO

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. The 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!

Rachael Ellas, Northwest Region Vice President, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

Rachael Ellas

Northwest Region Vice President, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

BIO

Danielle Frank, Manager, National Accounts On Premise, Moët Hennessy USA,

Danielle Frank

Manager, National Accounts On Premise, Moët Hennessy USA,

BIO

Stephanie Gallo, Vice President of Marketing, E&J Gallo Winery

Stephanie Gallo

Vice President of Marketing, E&J Gallo Winery

BIO

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.

Stephanie is leading worldwide marketing efforts for several prominent brands, including Barefoot and Gallo Family Vineyards. Under Stephanie’s leadership, Barefoot has grown to be the largest bottled wine brand in the world. She also plays an integral role in the development of innovative new products, including Vin Vault and Dark Horse. Stephanie also led the repositioning of the Gallo Family Vineyards brand globally and pioneered the winery’s online advertising, social media 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.

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.

Vanessa Kay, Senior Vice President - Veuve Clicquot, Krug and Ruinart USA at Moët Hennessy USA

Vanessa Kay

Senior Vice President - Veuve Clicquot, Krug and Ruinart USA at Moët Hennessy USA

BIO

Kristina Kelley, Director of Public Relations, E. & J. Gallo Winery

Kristina Kelley

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

BIO

Tammy LaNasa, Director of National Accounts, Fetzer Vineyards

Tammy LaNasa

Director of National Accounts, Fetzer Vineyards

BIO

Dr. Kathryn LaTour, Associate Professor, Wine Services Marketing, Cornell University

Dr. Kathryn LaTour

Associate Professor, Wine Services Marketing, Cornell University

BIO

Kari Leitch, Senior Vice President, Communications and Corporate Affairs, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

Kari Leitch

Senior Vice President, Communications and Corporate Affairs, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

BIO

Cynthia Lohr, advisory board member of Women of the Vine

Cynthia Lohr

Vice President Marketing, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

BIO

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.

Meridith May, Publisher/Editorial Director, The Tasting Panel Magazine & The SOMM Journal

Meridith May

Publisher/Editorial Director, The Tasting Panel Magazine & The SOMM Journal

BIO

Sommer K. Walker, CSS, National Accounts Manager, Bacardi

Sommer K. Walker

CSS, National Accounts Manager, Bacardi

BIO

Jayne Portnoy

Consultant

BIO

Mary Retallack, Viticulturist & Managing Director, Retallack Viticulture, South Australia

Mary Retallack

Viticulturist & Managing Director, Retallack Viticulture, South Australia

BIO

Mary Retallack is a third generation viticulturist and grew up on a ‘fruit block’ in the Riverland, South Australia.

Initially training as a park ranger, Mary soon fell back into the wine industry and has worked in a range of professional roles over the last two decades including, a Viticulture Lecturer (TAFESA and Canada), Project Leader for the Cooperative Research Centre for Viticulture, Adelaide, a winery hand in the Sonoma Valley, California, Vineyard Manager at Mountadam Vineyard, Eden Valley, South Australia and as a Senior Consultant/Viticulturist for Scholefield Robinson Horticultural Services.

Mary is currently Viticulturist and Managing Director of Retallack Viticulture, which offers a broad range of viticultural consulting services throughout Australia.

Tertiary qualifications include Conservation and Park Management, Natural Resource Management, Education, Arbitration and Viticulture. Mary is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Diploma course, a Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (Course 15), a past participant of the Wine Industry’s Future Leaders Program, a past Director of Wine Communicators’ of Australia and a past Non-Executive Director of the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation.

Mary is currently a member of the South Australian Wine Industry Council, Adelaide University - Wine Alumni Steering Committee, The Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower and Winemaker Journal editorial panel, a founding member of Wine Grape Growers’ Australia - Decision Support Network and an advisory group member for the National Rural Women’s Coalition – ‘Networking the Networks’ project.

She is also a PhD student at the University of Adelaide studying ‘the use of native insectary plants to boost beneficial arthropod populations throughout the year, providing greater biological pest control in vineyards’ http://www.adelaidehillswine.com.au/about/environment/phd-biodiversity-project/

Mary has been recognised for her role in supporting women in the wine industry and was awarded the RIRDC ‘Rural Woman of the Year’ for South Australia and went on to become the national winner in 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beiStRkezI4.

Most recently, Mary was recognised by Emerald Grain on their list of 100 Women in Australian Agribusiness 2014 and she is the second viticulturist to be awarded a Len Evans Tutorial scholarship.

Rebecca Jensen Running, Vice President National Accounts, Infinium Spirits

Rebecca Jensen Running

Vice President National Accounts, Infinium Spirits

BIO

Ben Salisbury, advisory board member of women of the vine

Ben Salisbury

Salisbury Creative Group, Inc, Former VP of National Accounts On Premise, Constellation Brands

BIO

David Schuemann

Owner, Creative Director, CF Napa Brand Design, Strategic Solutions for the Wine, Spirits and Beer Industries

BIO

Steve Slater, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Wine Division, Southern Wine & Spirits of America

Steve Slater

Executive Vice President, General Manager, Wine Division, Southern Wine & Spirits of America

BIO

Dr. Liz Thach, MW, Professor of Management and Wine Business, Sonoma State University

Dr. Liz Thach

MW, Professor of Management and Wine Business, Sonoma State University

BIO

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.

Tim Widnes, Wine Buyer, Whole Foods Market

Tim Widnes

Wine Buyer, Whole Foods Market

BIO

United States Advisory Board

`United States Advisory Board`