Taking the coveted Committee seats are leaders committed to greater gender diversity in the alcohol beverage industry
September 24, 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 the formation of the Senior Executive Committee. The Committee was established to provide leading industry professionals and qualified Corporate Member employees an opportunity to have a greater role in creating Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS) programs and initiatives that benefit all members.
The Senior Executive Committee’s focus is to identify and effectively implement different activations and opportunities to aid WOTVS in making and accelerating a positive impact across all three tiers, and to be the catalyst for other executives to take the lead in their companies to commit to gender diversity and inclusion in the alcohol beverage industry.
Members of the Senior Executive Committee include Annette Alvarez-Peters, Asst. Vice President/GMM – Beverage Alcohol, Costco Wholesale; Maureen Brekka, SVP Global Strategy Director, Portfolio & Brands, Brown-Forman; Mel Dick, President, Wine Division & Senior Vice President, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; Renata Franzia Price, Founding Family Member & National Account Manager, Bronco Wine Company; Stephanie Gallo, Chief Marketing Officer, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Alison Gavin, Vice President, Total Talent, Diversity & Enterprise Development, Pernod Ricard USA; Dan Heller, Executive Vice President, Sales, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; Jan Jones Blackhurst, Executive Vice President, Public Policy & Corporate Responsibility, Caesars Entertainment; Vanessa Kay, Executive Vice President, Brands & Chief Marketing Officer, Moët Hennessy USA; Kristina Kelley, Senior Director Corporate PR & Media Relations, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Maggie Lapcewich, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Communications, Breakthru Beverage Group; Kari Leitch, Senior Vice President, Communications & Corporate Affairs, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; Cynthia Lohr, Co-Owner, Trade & Brand Advocate, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; Lorraine Luke, Corporate Vice President, Human Resources, Republic National Distributing Company; Steve Slater, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Wine Division, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; Barkley J. Stuart, Executive Vice President, Director, Government Affairs, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; and Arleen Wallen, Controller, Bronco Wine Company.
“The Senior Executive Committee was formed as a means to collaborate as a community, with understanding and strategic thinking, to elevate the commitment we make to our membership and our industry,” said Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits. “We have great appreciation for the leading women and men who have graciously extended their time and expertise to support the common goals of our organization.”
Women of the Vine & Spirits has also formed additional committees focused on various efforts including the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Foundation Committee, Global Membership Engagement Committee, Global Symposium Content Committee, and Membership Committee.
For a list of those serving on all committees, visit womenofthevine.com.
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: Breakthru Beverage Group; Caesars Entertainment; 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.
To become a Corporate Member, contact Elizabeth Campbell Boyd at elizabeth@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.
