Women In Beverage in your organization ? One cannot be a good sommelier without mentorship . I had many direct and indirect mentors and my role as a mentor today is something that I take very seriously . I have many mentees from across the year , some of whom I am still very connected with today .
How has your company benefited from having women at the table making decisions ? Given that a high percentage of our clientele is female , it is important to have women ’ s voices at the table .
Who are your professional role models ? Niki Leondakis was the president of Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants while I worked there , and her strong leadership is something that has always inspired me . Madeline Triffon ( the first American woman ever to pass the Master Sommelier exam ) is another , who exemplifies grit and grace and genuine care for all around her .
Maggie Timoney
Maggie Timoney is the CEO of Heineken USA , based in White Plains , NY .
How did you get into the beverage alcohol business ? I suppose you can say I fell into the beverage alcohol business . My first job during my teen years was helping auction cattle in Ireland , which is where I am originally from . After graduating from Iona College in New York , I landed a sales role with E & J Gallo Winery .
My degrees in international business and organizational behavior gave me the skills needed to succeed in sales . I went on to hold various sales positions , including serving as vice president of sales , with Sound Distributing Corp .
My career with Heineken began shortly after this , where I held a variety of commercial / general management positions for the company in the U . S ., Netherlands , Canada and Ireland .
Maggie Timoney
What makes you a successful leader ? Team building and embracing a diversity of skillsets , backgrounds and personalities is what makes a successful leader . The saying “ we before me ” is crucial to remember .
Over the last year and a half , I ’ ve also learned that leaders should never underestimate the value of reaching out . Open communication , providing context , and setting boundaries are all important concepts to remember when leading a successful team . And , always , be yourself .
How important is mentorship ? Did you receive any coming up , and do you provide it to women in your organization ? Mentorship is extremely important , particularly in this industry . During my time in the cattle industry , I learned lessons from the older women working there that I still apply to my job today . I learned how to see people as people and to not judge simply on appearances .
That ’ s why it ’ s been so important for us at Heineken USA to have programs like the Women ’ s Leadership Forum , which was launched over a decade ago to help with the development of women leaders across the organization .
Open to both men and women , this program has helped us build more connections for women both within and outside of Heineken USA , giving members access to learning and growth opportunities that they may otherwise not been aware of or felt comfortable joining . However , what I find more important is that we need to think beyond mentorship to allyship , which was one of the top findings of Behind the Label : Gender Diversity and the Alcoholic Beverage Industry ( a research report that Heineken USA released in September 2021 ).
Women across beer , wine and spirits all spoke to how crucial it can be to have people that not only guide you on your path , but who can advocate for opportunities and advancement , as it is likely that most of the time decisions about your
career are being made when you ’ re not in the room .
How has your company benefited from having women at the table making decisions ? At Heineken USA , we pride our ourselves on our spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation — bringing together people with different experiences and different backgrounds to share their creativity . It ’ s where these perspectives intersect that we often find our best ideas for consumers .
That ’ s why it ’ s so important for us to make sure we continue to be representative of the consumers we serve , which include both men and women . Having people at the table who understand the cultural experiences and concerns of the consumers who enjoy our products helps us to consider all of their needs as we ’ re developing innovations .
In the Behind the Label : Gender Diversity in the Alcoholic Beverage Industry report , respondents also noted that having a mix of men and women at the table is not just a nice-to-have , but a must-have for business .
Both consumers and workers expect brands to be representative of the communities they operate in and are giving preference to those who do .
Who are your professional role models ? It might be unusual to say , but there is not one person professionally that is a role model for me . I have admired and still admire many men and women throughout my career , many of whom have imparted their gifts and wisdom to me knowingly or unknowingly .
JOIN US IN ORLANDO 2022
The Cheers Beverage Summit and Beverage Alcohol Retailers Conference are coming to Orlando in June . Join us for educational sessions , networking opportunities and our first-ever Women ' s Leadership Breakfast !
2021 Women in Beverage 15