2025 WOMEN IN BEVERAGE
the wine industry were incredibly accomplished but under-recognized. Compelled to tell the stories of these women and tapping into my love of research and journalism, I authored a bestselling collection of profiles, Women of the Vine: Inside the World of Women Who Make, Taste and Enjoy Wine, which Wine Spectator named a Critical Read of 2007.
After meeting these amazing women, I was inspired to enter the wine business myself, releasing wine from a first-of-its-kind collective of seven artisan women winemakers from Napa, Sonoma and Paso Robles. Ultimately, however, the wine brand was not profitable, which led me to dissolve the brand and to create the inaugural Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium one year later, which was a sold-out hit.
In 2015, Women of the Vine & Spirits evolved into a membership organization, and I am so proud that we are celebrating our 10th anniversary this year. We are a mission-driven global organization comprised of women and men committed to empowering and advancing women in the beverage alcohol industry.
Did you have a mentor in the industry? Have you been a mentor to others?
Mentorship has been so formative throughout my career, and I have been fortunate to connect with professionals in the industry who have provided not only mentorship, but also sponsorship. Steve Slater and Mel Dick at Southern Glazer’ s Wine & Spirits are two male allies who have been incredibly supportive of my career and the mission of WOTVS, offering guidance and advice as I launched new companies, programs and initiatives.
I have also received outstanding mentorship from Cynthia Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards, Béatrice Cointreau of byBC Ventures and Maggie Henriquez of Krug Champagne. Having these mentors as part of my own personal“ board of directors” has had an immense impact on my career trajectory and success as an entrepreneur.
Equally, being a mentor to others has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey. I have learned that mentorship is a two-way street: while I may provide guidance and support, I often gain fresh perspectives, renewed inspiration and deeper understanding of the evolving needs of the next generation of leaders.
Have you faced challenges as a woman in a leadership position in what’ s still a male-dominated industry?
Throughout my career I have often been the only woman in the room. This was true both in my tech days and in the beverage alcohol industry. In both industries, I experienced being overlooked, spoken over and dismissed. These experiences were what initially motivated me to leave the tech industry and transition to wine, so I was disappointed when the realities of representation were not totally different in beverage alcohol.
While I was disillusioned, this time I was determined to change it from the inside out. I was reinvigorated to take action, creating Women of the Vine & Spirits and the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation. Over the last 15 + years as a social entrepreneur I have witnessed incredible progress, though we still have a long way to go. I am so proud to be part of the change.
How has your company benefited from having women at the table making decisions?
When women are part of decision-making, the conversation shifts. You see more collaboration, more creativity and a broader perspective that mirrors the diverse consumers we serve. For us, having women at the table isn’ t just representation— it’ s a business advantage.
Research continues to show that companies with more women in leadership roles outperform those without. Women bring unique insights, approaches and lived experiences that drive innovation and long-term success. I am proud to work alongside such an inspiring group of women who lift each other up and push boundaries together.
At Women of the Vine & Spirits, our team partners closely with our WOTVS Strategic Council, comprised of both women and men who represent the beverage alcohol industry’ s leading corporations. These powerful discussions provide critical guidance to our internal team on key initiatives, future strategy and programming for our members, and ultimately the industry at-large.
What advice do you have for other women looking to get into the beverage alcohol industry?
Don’ t wait for permission, your voice and perspective are needed. Build your network, seek out mentors and allies, and lean into opportunities even if you don’ t feel ready. The industry is evolving, and there has never been a better time for women to step in and lead.
Growth comes from curiosity, collaboration and community. That’ s exactly why I created Women of the Vine & Spirits: to provide a platform where women and male allies can have candid conversations, share resources and support one another in advancing their careers.
Do you think the beverage alcohol industry has improved as far as women and gender inclusion in the past five years?
I do think the beverage alcohol industry has made progress in the past five years when it comes to women and gender inclusion, though there is still work ahead. We are seeing more women step into leadership roles, serve on boards and be recognized for their contributions at every level of the business. The conversation has also shifted— companies are not only talking about gender equity, but they are taking measurable actions
10 2025 WOMEN IN BEVERAGE