Women

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Leadership Series Examines How Female Leaders Are Finding Success & Leading their Business Now and into the Future
The series takes you inside the minds of some of the most respected visionaries, thought leaders and entrepreneurs in the alcohol beverage industry.

July 1, 2020 (New York, NY) – Women of the Vine & Spirits, the world’s leading membership organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the alcohol beverage industry, announced, today, the launch of a new online leadership series, called “C-Suite Insights” featuring global business leaders in the wine, beer and spirits industry. The first installment is taking place next week, July 9, featuring Stephanie Gallo, Chief Marketing Officer of E. & J. Gallo Winery.

A complement to the Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS) C-Suite (the first-of-its-kind list of female leaders in the alcohol beverage industry, worldwide), the new virtual series takes you inside the minds of some of the most respected visionaries, thought leaders and entrepreneurs in the alcohol beverage industry. These live, one-on-one interviews, with interactive audience Q&A, will provide WOTVS members with insights on how to lead through uncertain times and take action for a better future, while diving deep into valuable lessons learned along the way.

“The headline of a recent article (“What Do Countries with the Best Coronavirus Responses Have in Common? Women Leaders”) struck me and this new leadership series was created,” said Deborah Brenner, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Women of the Vine & Spirits. “Through this series, we aim to inspire others and shine a light on the qualities that make women great leaders, not only through times of crisis, but in their everyday lives.”

Upcoming “C-Suite Insights” interviews, highlighting those in the WOTVS C-Suite database, include a powerful lineup of well-known women in the industry, including:

Leading with Flexibility, Empathy and Compassion with Stephanie Gallo, Chief Marketing Officer, E. & J. Gallo Winery. Interviewed by Kristina Kelley, Senior Director of Corporate Communications, E. & J. Gallo Winery (July 9)
Register  Here

Lessons in Leadership & Life with Maggie Henriquez, President & Chief Executive Officer, Krug Maison de Champagne. Interviewed by Beatrice Cointreau, Owner & Chief Executive Officer, byBC Wines (July 29)

Register Here

Reshaping History and Paving a New Future with Fawn Weaver, Chief Executive Officer, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. Interviewed by Kate Jerkens, Senior Vice President, Global Sales, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey (August 12)

Register Here

100 Years of La Scolca: Staying Positive & Looking Forward in Challenging and Uncertain Times with Chiara Soldati, President & Chief Executive Officer, La Scolca. Interviewed by Bruce Anthony Hunter, Managing Director, Shaw-Ross Intl. Importers (August 25)

Register Here

Building Effective Teams through Inclusive Leadership with Kelly Soendker, Executive Vice President, Sales, Deutsch Family Wines & Spirits. Interviewed by Cindy Leonard, Senior Vice President, Supplier Management, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (September 15)

Register Here

Bringing to Life a Values-Driven Culture with Cynthia Lohr, Co-Owner & Chief Brand Officer, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. Interviewed by Kathleen DiBenedetto, Senior Director, Premium & Luxury Marketing, Beam Suntory (October 8)

Register Here

Leading with Confidence at the Helm of a Rapidly Changing Industry with Michelle Korsmo, President & Chief Executive Officer, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America. Interviewed by Cheryl Durzy, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, LibDib (November 10)
Register Here

Leading through Uncertain Times with Mallika Monteiro, Executive Vice President, Chief Growth & Strategy Officer, Constellation Brands. Interviewed by Julie Kinch, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, JK Leadership Advisors (December 8)

Register Here

Women of the Vine & Spirits Corporate Members include Founding Member, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; Diamond Members: Bronco Wine Company; Brown-Forman; E. & J. Gallo Winery; Moët Hennessy USA; and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; Platinum Members: Beam Suntory; Breakthru Beverage Group; J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; Pernod Ricard; Republic National Distributing Company; Shaw Ross; and William Grant & Sons. For a full list of Corporate Members including those at the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Associate level, visit the Corporate Members tab at womenofthevine.com.

About Women of the Vine & Spirits
Women of the Vine & Spirits is the world’s leading membership organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the alcohol beverage industry. Women of the Vine & Spirits is an organization for members to connect through our global and diverse network and collaborate across all industry sectors. Providing members with resources and opportunities to thrive is the cornerstone of our organization and success. We offer steadfast support for women at every position in the field with membership benefits that include education, training, mentorship, entrepreneurship and networking as well as tools, services and resources for personal and business development. Together, we are a committed community taking action and making a positive impact on the alcohol beverage industry, worldwide. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com.

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CONTACT:
Kyndal Korsgaden
Kyndal@womenofthevine.com
805-779-0301

Women of the Vine & Spirits Launches New Benefits to
Create Pathways for Supplier Diversity and Market Share for Women-Owned Businesses

April 1, 2019 (New York, NY) – Women of the Vine & Spirits, the world’s leading organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the alcohol beverage industry, announced today the launch of new Corporate Membership benefits that support women-owned businesses and supplier diversity programs.

Women of the Vine & Spirits is committed to raising awareness for why, where and how to buy women-owned products and services to further women’s economic growth and gender equality on a global scale. The Certified Women Owned Logo and Database is a game-changer for buyers, wholesalers, and consumers to easily identify certified women-owned brands in the alcohol beverage industry.

In the U.S., 71 percent of wine retail purchases are made by women. A study conducted by Walmart, America’s largest retailer, found that 90 percent of female customers in the U.S. would go out of their way to purchase products from women. A recent study by Wine Intelligence and Women of the Vine & Spirits showed that women are more likely to purchase wines made by female winemakers when this fact is consciously point out to them in an explicit way.

“Women control over $20 trillion of annual consumer spending globally and trillions of dollars are spent worldwide annually on diverse suppliers, yet less than one percent goes to women-owned companies,” said Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits. “Certification is key to getting visible. It is our goal to create a movement of support in the three-tier system for women-owned businesses and be the go-to resource in the alcohol beverage industry.”

In time for the launch, Women of the Vine & Spirits is proud to announce that three of their Corporate Members, Opici Family Distributing, GAP Promo and BuzzBallz, LLC, are the first to be approved and take advantage of the new benefits. All three companies will join Women of the Vine & Spirits at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Convention & Exhibition, April 1 – 3, 2019, in Orlando, FL.

“BuzzBallz, LLC is thrilled to be part of Women of the Vine & Spirits,” said Tracy Frisbie, Vice President of Marketing of Buzzballz, LLC. “We will gain the attention of wholesalers and retailers for our unique brands and nimble capabilities. BuzzBallz has been a registered NWBOC organization since 2015, and WBENC since 2016.  Both organizations have been helpful in growing our business, but having a specific alcohol industry women-owned certification through Women of the Vine & Spirits will assist BuzzBallz to compete with larger suppliers.”

Corporate Members of Women of the Vine & Spirits who are at least 51 percent owned, managed, and controlled by a woman and become certified by WBENC or WEConnect International as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), have the ability to apply for the Women of the Vine & Spirits Certified Women Owned Logo and will be featured in the Certified Women Owned Database.

Who is eligible to use the Women of the Vine & Spirits Certified Women Owned Logo?

Women of the Vine & Spirits Corporate Members in good standing with current WBENC or WEConnect International certification; Corporate Members must apply, showing proof of certification, and receive permission, with signed licensing agreement in place (licensing fee waived for 2019 and 2020) to be approved to use the logo. To become a Corporate Member, contact Elizabeth Campbell Boyd at elizabeth@womenofthevine.com.

For more information, visit the Certified Women Owned page at womenofthevine.com and meet Women of the Vine & Spirits in their Lower Level Suite, Cordova 6, at the WSWA Convention, April 1 – 3, 2019.

Women of the Vine & Spirits Corporate Members include Founding Member, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Diamond Members: Bronco Wine Company; Brown-Forman; E. & J. Gallo Winery; Moët Hennessy USA; and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Platinum Members: Caesars Entertainment; J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; Pernod Ricard; Shaw Ross; and William Grant & Sons. For a full list of Corporate Members including those at the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Associate level, visit the Corporate Members tab at womenofthevine.com.

About Women of the Vine & Spirits
Women of the Vine & Spirits is the world’s leading organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the alcohol beverage industry. Women of the Vine & Spirits is an organization for members to connect through our global and diverse network and collaborate across all industry sectors. Providing members with resources and opportunities to thrive is the cornerstone of our organization and success. We offer steadfast support for women at every position in the field with membership benefits that include: education, training, mentorship, entrepreneurship and networking as well as tools, services and resources for personal and business development. Together, we are a committed community taking action and making a positive impact on the alcohol beverage industry, worldwide. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com.

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CONTACT:

Kyndal Korsgaden   

Kyndal@womenofthevine.com

805-779-0301

Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium Sold Out

Fifth anniversary conference brings together largest gathering of women in alcohol beverage, worldwide

January 23, 2019 (New York, NY) – Women of the Vine & Spirits, the world’s leading organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the alcohol beverage industry, opened and closed general registration yesterday, selling out its Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium for the fifth straight year. Between general registrations and Corporate Member registrations, the event met its max capacity of 750 attendees. The Global Symposium takes place March 11-13, during Women’s History Month, at the Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa, California.

Due to demand and outgrowing the capacity of its current space, expansion planning for 2020 is already under- way to allow more members, and opportunities for non-members, to join in on the Global Symposium offerings and become part of the growing Women of the Vine & Spirits community.

Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, the Global Symposium promises to feature an incredible lineup of notable speakers and panelists. The event also offers attendees multiple networking opportunities with the industry’s top professionals and influencers, including executive management, human resource professionals, directors of sales and marketing, on- and off-premise buyers, distributors, educators, winemakers, distillers, sommeliers, mixologists, importers/exporters, owners, public relations, media, viticulturists, hospitality, operations, and more.

“It is incredible to see the overwhelming demand and need from women in the industry for this type of forum and we are proud to offer our members an opportunity to learn from leaders in the industry, network with influential professionals, and be empowered alongside a community of like-minded women and men each year in Napa,” said Women of the Vine & Spirits Founder & CEO, Deborah Brenner.

Headlining the Global Symposium is Danica Patrick, one of the most recognizable professional athletes in the world. Patrick joined the mainstream ranks by going against the current, immersing herself and succeeding in the male-dominated world of professional motorsports. Additional Keynote Speakers include Jennifer Brown, Founder, President & CEO, Jennifer Brown Consulting; Ana Ines Mendy, Partner, McKinsey & Company, Inc; and Mary Kelly, Ph.D., CSP, CDR, US Navy (ret), Leadership Speaker/Author.

Other confirmed speakers include industry leaders such as: Greg Akins, President & COO, Wine Warehouse; Karen Betts, Chief Executive, Scotch Whisky Association; Amy Bourne, Senior Manager of Sustainability & Supplier Diversity, Marriott International; Danny Brager, SVP, Beverage Alcohol Practice, Nielsen; Nova Cadamatre, MW, Senior Director of Winemaking, Constellation Brands; Kathleen DiBenedetto, Sr. Director, Luxury and On- Premise, Beam Suntory & Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Member; Joe Essa, President & CEO, Wolfgang Puck Worldwide & 2018 Vice Chair of National Restaurant Association; Stephanie Gallo, Chief Marketing Officer, E.& J. Gallo Winery; Kelly Hendriksen, Senior Manager of Brand Development, Ruth’s Chris Steak House; Jan Jones Blackhurst, EVP, Public Policy & Corporate Responsibility, Caesars Entertainment; Rhonda Kallman, Founder & CEO, Boston Harbor Distillery, LLC; Robin McBride, Co-Owner, McBride Sisters Wine; Susan Kostrzewa, Executive Editor, Wine Enthusiast Media; Steve Sprinkle, Vice President, U.S. Sales, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Adam Strum, Chairman, Wine Enthusiast Companies & Editor and Publisher, Wine Enthusiast Magazine; and Barkley Stuart, Executive Vice President, Director, Government Affairs, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Chairman of the Board, WSWA; among others.

For a full list of speakers, visit womenofthevine.com/globalsymposium
 

The Global Symposium is open only to Individual and Corporate Members of Women of the Vine & Spirits. To become a member of Women of the Vine & Spirits, please visit womenofthevine.com. For those interested in Corporate Membership opportunities, please email info@womenofthevine.com or call 888.750.1863.

Women of the Vine & Spirits Corporate Members include Founding Member, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Diamond Members: Bronco Wine Company; Brown-Forman; E. & J. Gallo Winery; Moët Hennessy USA; and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Platinum Members: Caesars Entertainment; J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; Pernod Ricard; Shaw Ross; and William Grant & Sons. For a full list of Corporate Members including those at the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Associate level, visit the Corporate Members tab at womenofthevine.com.

About Women of the Vine & Spirits
Women of the Vine & Spirits is the world’s leading organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the alcohol beverage industry. Women of the Vine & Spirits is an organization for members to connect through our global and diverse network and collaborate across all industry sectors. Providing members with resources and opportunities to thrive is the cornerstone of our organization and success. We offer steadfast support for women at every position in the field with membership benefits that include: education, training, mentorship, entrepreneurship and networking as well as tools, services and resources for personal and business development. Together, we are a committed community taking action and making a positive impact on the alcohol beverage industry, worldwide. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com.

CONTACT:
Kyndal Korsgaden
Kyndal@womenofthevine.com
805-779-0301