Women Empowerment

Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Announces 2019 Recipients

The non-profit aims to foster the next generation, cultivate leaders, feed the talent pipeline and attract more women to join the alcohol beverage industry.

Nov 12, 2019 (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 its non-profit arm, the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3), has awarded scholarships to 44 deserving candidates, totaling $134,200 in total funds given in 2019.

The Foundation received 376 applications from applicants in 42 countries, including: Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czechia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, St. Kitts & Nevis, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe.

“Providing women with education, resources, role models and career advancement opportunities is the cornerstone of our organization and Foundation,” said Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits. “Thanks to our generous donors, the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation is cultivating leaders, feeding the talent pipeline and attracting more women to the alcohol beverage industry.”

In 2019, the Foundation hired Executive Director, Tara Davey to oversee the growth and development of the non-profit alongside the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, led by Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits; Béatrice Cointreau, President & CEO, byBC Wines; Alison Herman, Senior Counsel, Regulatory & Compliance, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; and Richard Tobin, CPA, CVA, CFF, Tobin & Collins, CPA, PA.

“I have been involved as President, CEO, and Board Member of multiple international companies in wine and spirits for 40 years and I understand first-hand the importance of how education and providing opportunities for women to thrive impacts our industry,” said Béatrice Cointreau, President & CEO, byBC Wines. “As a Board of Trustee of the Foundation, I am honored to be involved in the development of these women; each and every personal journey and anticipated achievements were touching, impressive, diversified, and enlightening and I am thrilled for what is to come for these women and the future of the alcohol beverage industry.”

2019 also saw the formation of the Foundation Committee comprised of the following individuals: Hannah Becker, Associate Attorney, GrayRobinson, P.A.; Béatrice Cointreau, President & CEO, byBC Wines; Renata Franzia Price, National Chain Manager, Bronco Wine Company; Cindy Haas, Senior Director, External Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits; Natalie Henderson, Principal, Corporate Communications & PR, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Dr. Kathryn LaTour, Associate Professor, Wine Services Marketing, Cornell University; Andrea McBride John, CEO & Founder, McBride Sisters Collection; Robin McBride, President & Founder, McBride Sisters Collection; David Rudman, Executive Director, USA, Wine & Spirit Education Trust; Dr. Liz Thach, MW, Distinguished Professor of Wine, Professor of Management, Sonoma State University; and Judy Viera, VP, HR, Breakthru Beverage Group. The Committee was responsible for reviewing applications and selecting finalists with guidance by Tara Davey.

The Foundation Committee is pleased to announce the following recipients of the 2019 Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Scholarships:

Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Scholarships: Supported by Our Generous Donors

Professional & Leadership Development Scholarship: Deanna D’Alfonso, Jersey City, NJ; Educational Scholarship, Student: Taylor Amerman, Louisville, KY; Tori Russotti, San Luis Obispo, CA. Educational Scholarship, Continuing Education: Kristin Harper, Phoenix, AZ; Sabrina Lueck, Walla Walla, WA. WSET Level 1 Award in Wines: Tara Kelly, Sebastopol, CA. WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits: Christie Verschoor, Rye, NY. WSET Level 2 Award in Wines: Nicole Wells, Rohnert Park, CA. WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits: Ana Hinz, Seattle, WA. WSET Level 3 Award in Wines: Gbemisola Johnson, Nigeria. WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines: Elizabeth Moss, Kennewick, WA.

Patron Scholarships: Supported by the Generous Donation of E. & J. Gallo Winery “Women Behind the Wine Educational Fund”

Master of Wine Scholarship: Sarah Bray, Brooklyn, NY. Master Sommelier Scholarship: Mariya Kovacheva, West Palm Beach, FL. Elizabeth Smyth Student Scholarship: Yordanos Gebru, Cumming, GA. Fuel Your Dreams Award: Crystal Angela Dewana, Hercules, CA; Kelli Silva, Napa, CA; Meghan Vergara, Carlsbad, CA; Nicole Walsh, Watsonville, CA; Julia Ammons, Chino Valley, AZ; Cristin Castro, Austin, TX; Brenda Kowen, Millersview, TX; Cedar Stoltenow, Chicago, Il; Michelle Beathard, Wellington, FL; Rachel Ford, Atlanta, GA; Kathleen Young, Acworth, Georgia; Bryanna Cooper, Washington DC; Keely Rosenthal, Charlotte, NC; Chasity Cooper, Chicago, IL; Madison Malott, New York, NY; Omolola Olateju, Brooklyn, NY; Tracy Cryder, Little Rock, AR; Jennifer Pyle, St. Helena, MT.

Benefactor Scholarships: Supported by the Generous Donation of McBride Sisters Collection “McBride Sisters Collection SHE CAN Professional Development Fund”

Certificate Program in Business of Wine: Billie Harris, Atlanta, GA; Shanika Hillocks, New York, NY. Degree in Wine Business Management: Jessica Diaz, Fayetteville, AR. MBA or Executive MBA in Wine Business: Hannah DeYoung, Santa Rosa, CA; Alicia Kidd, Hercules, CA; Caitlyn Krug, New Orleans, LA; Ann-Marie Mattis, San Francisco, CA; Martha Vicedomini, Washington DC. Professional Development: Kyle Burke, Randallstown, MD; Cassandra Schaeg, Escondido, CA; Sarah Timbrook-Nugent, Seattle, WA; Racquel Valbrun, Cumming, GA.

For more information about the various scholarship opportunities awarded visit womenofthevine.com/foundation.

The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3) is looking for donations to award scholarships in 2020. To donate, and learn more about donor levels and benefits visit womenofthevine.com/foundation or contact Executive Director, Tara Davey at tara@eastwood-partners.com.

Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Donors in 2019
Patron ($100,000+): E. & J. Gallo Winery; Benefactor ($30,000 - $49,999): McBride Sisters Collection; Supporter ($5,000 - $14,999): Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast Media; Friend ($1,000 - $4,999): Beam Suntory, Cynthia Lohr, Delicato Family Vineyards.

About the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation
The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3) is the charitable arm of Women of the Vine & Spirits. The Foundation provides scholarships and awards for the purpose of helping women advance in the alcohol beverage industry through education, leadership, and professional development. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com/foundation.

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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