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- Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Awards 74 Recipients with $174,700 in 2022
The mission of the non-profit is to foster the next generation, cultivate leaders, feed the talent pipeline, and promote greater diversity, equity and inclusion in wine, beer and spirits. September 28, 2022 (New York, NY) – Women of the Vine & Spirits, the all-encompassing global membership organization, dedicated to boldly pushing the wine, beer and spirits industry toward a more diverse, equitable and inclusive era, announced today its non-profit arm, the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3), has awarded scholarships to 74 deserving candidates, totaling $174,700 in total funds given in 2022, bringing the total amount of scholarships awarded since its inception in 2017 to $595,600. The Foundation received 304 applications from candidates in 30 Countries, including Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. “Once again, the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation received a plethora of outstanding applications from individuals worldwide,” said Deborah Brenner, President of Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation. “I am so honored to celebrate this year’s recipients for their incredible achievements, and I am so grateful to our Donors, Committee Members, and our Board. Together, we are crafting a better world for women in wine, beer and spirits.” For the fourth year in a row, E. & J. Gallo Winery donated $100,000 as a Patron Donor to its namesake “Women Behind the Wine” Educational Fund, and the Foundation received generous donations from 14 additional companies in 2022. It is through the ongoing generosity of WOTVS Donors that the Foundation has been able to continue to increase the number of annual scholarships awarded, promoting greater access to continued education and professional development. For a list of all 2022 donors visit wotvsfoundation.org/our-donors. Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Scholarship Recipients Supported by Our Generous Donors: Professional & Leadership Development Scholarship: Sarah Andrew, Victoria, Australia. Student Educational Scholarship: Marie Berson, Saint Macaire du Bois, France; Laura DeOliveira, San Francisco, CA; Snehal Deshmukh, Nashik, India; Limor Finkel, Mill Valley, CA; Leyla Gonzalez, Pasco, WA; Victoria Terrill, San Luis Obispo, CA. Continuing Education Scholarship: Kirsten Ainslie, Glasgow, Scottland; Miriam Chambers, Sacramento, CA; Juanita Diusaba Yusunguaira, Bogotá, Colombia; Charese Embree, Santa Rosa, CA; Miriah Falce, Manson, WA; Anna Maksimova, British Columbia, Canada; Debra Mortillaro, Pittsburgh, PA; Sophia Mumbi, Nairobi, Kenya; Chijindu Peace Onwuchekwa, Lagos, Nigeria; Morgan Plew, San Francisco, CA; Emma Rangsinee Promjant, Bangkok, Thailand; Tonya Rawe, Washington, DC; Elise Vaux, West Des Moines, IA. WSET Level 1 Award in Wines: Karen Freyre, Miami, FL; Runasi Assante Perry, Demerara, Guyana; Britt Spears, Silver Spring, MD. WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits: Antonia Davis, Cincinnati, OH; Becca Goldklang, Gardena, CA; Keiani Worrell Thomas, Nassau, Bahamas. WSET Level 1 Award in Sake: Caitlin Burdick, Austin, TX. WSET Level 2 Award in Wines: Tanisha Edwards, Brooklyn, NY; Carolyne Wairimu, Kiambu, Kenya. WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits: Mollie Reese, Surprise, AZ; Alma Leticia Robles Valdez, Guadalajara, Mexico. WSET Level 3 Award in Wines: Nina Keyser, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Ty Morrison, Houston, TX. WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits: Connie Lee, British Columbia, Canada; Jaya Mootoo, Ontario, Canada. WSET Level 3 Award in Sake: Zaloren Gonzalez Fontes, Mexico City, Mexico. WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines: Mackenzie Pedersen, Seattle, WA. Executive Leadership Program Scholarship to Attend DISCUS Academy: Elana Effrat, Washington, DC; Lauren Reynolds, Crestwood, KY. Developing Leadership Program Scholarship to Attend DISCUS Academy: Lindsay Parmele, Lemont, IL; Otesha Mosley-Bremond, Los Angeles, CA; Ashley Noble, Brooklyn, NY. Women Behind the Wine Fund Scholarship Recipients Supported by Patron Donor E. & J. Gallo Winery: Elizabeth Smyth Student Scholarship: Paige Breen, Raleigh, NC. Masters of Wine Scholarship: Cristina Mercuri, Milan, Italy; Carrie Rau, Ontario, Canada. Fuel Your Dreams Award: Gillian Allen, Carlsbad, CA; Hayley Aubin, Los Angeles, CA; Robin Bogue, Central Coast, CA; Jon’ll Boyd, Silver Spring, MD; Nicole Chaffin, Cincinnati, Ohio; Claudia Chamberlain, Arlington, VA; Victoria Chitko, Athens, GA; Elisa Cordova, Phoenix, AZ; Hope Cortez, Fort Mill, SC; Fallon Ely, Fiddleton, CA; Anne Estrada, Los Angeles, CA; Jessica Forster, Buffalo, NY; Morgan Gray, Santa Rosa, CA; Glycine Jiang, Ithaca, NY; Kenda Jones Waugh, New Orleans, LA; Yasmin Kahn, Fairfield, CA; Alexsandra Lesnak, Hilton Head, SC; Milé Lin, Orange County, CA; Andie McKinnon, Charlotte, NC; Charity Potter, Temecula, CA; Erika Quintana, Los Angeles, CA; Karin Rockstad, Burnsville, MN; Alexa Rodriguez, Miami, FL; Nancy Sharp, Oaktown, VA; Merisa Soluri, Watertown, NY; Christina Vizcaino, Windsor, CA; Amanda Voyles, Cape Coral, FL; Sydney Werry, Indian Wells, CA; Ashley Whitfield, Donovan, Tulsa, OK. 2022 Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Donors: Patron ($100,000+): E. & J. Gallo Winery; Benefactor ($15,000-$34,999): Beam Suntory, Edrington, ForceBrands, Love, Tito’s; Affiliate ($5,000-$14,999): Breakthru Beverage, Grounded World, ReserveBar, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; Supporter ($1,000-$4,999): Bordeaux Wines / Gregory + Vine, Scott Laboratories Inc., The Women of Stone ERG; Friend ($100-$999): Kendra Scott, Montanya Distillers, The Spearhead Group. Overseeing the growth and development of the non-profit is Executive Director, Tara Davey, alongside the Board of Trustees, led by Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits; Béatrice Cointreau, President & CEO, byBC Wines; and Richard Tobin, CPA, CVA, CFF, Tobin & Collins, CPA, PA. The 2022 Foundation Committee is comprised of the following individuals: Tyson Bauer, Director, DEI Employee Led Initiatives, Beam Suntory; Hannah Becker, Associate Attorney, Gray | Robinson; Chris Cataldi, VP, Commercial Operations, Atlantic Corporate Division, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits; Anna Chamness, Associate Manager, Public Relations & Social Media, Tito’s Handmade Vodka; Béatrice Cointreau, President & CEO, byBC Wines; Debra Dziena, Recruiter, Global Talent Attraction, Royal Caribbean Group; Renata Franzia Price, Project Manager-Finance, Bronco Wine Company; Jennifer Friedrichs, Manager, Midwest South Region, Disaronno International USA; Melody Fuller, Founder & President, The Oakland Wine Festival / The Exceptional Vine; Felicia Ganthier, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Breakthru Beverage Group; Cindy Haas, VP, External Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits. Rachel Harris, VP, On Premise, Beam Suntory; Sarah Kaneshiki, Brewing Supervisor, Stone Brewing; Julie Kinch, Founder, JK Leadership Advisors; Dr. Kathryn LaTour, Associate Professor, Wine Services Marketing, Cornell University; Narelle McDonald, Director-On Trade & Brand Advocacy International Region, Beam Suntory; Rhonda Motil, VP, Marketing, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; Courtney Nuss, Wisconsin State Manager, Tito’s Handmade Vodka; Cathleen Price, Business Manager, Breakthru Beverage Group; Francie Purnell, Corporate Director, Retirement Plans, Scholarships & Foundations, Republic National Distributing Co; David Rudman, Executive Director USA, Wine & Spirit Education Trust; Kelly Stevens, Director National Accounts, On-Premise, Stone Brewing; Nellie Thornton, Sr. Manager of Marketing, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Stacey Townsend, Director, Sales Training & Education - Spirits, Constellation Brands. The Committee was responsible for reviewing applications and selecting finalists with guidance by Davey. For more information about the various scholarships awarded visit wotvsfoundation.org. The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3) is looking for donations to award scholarships in 2023. To donate and learn more about donor levels and benefits visit wotvsfoundation.org or contact the Foundation at foundation@womenofthevine.com. ### 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 individuals advance their careers in the food, wine, spirits, beer, or hospitality industries through education, leadership, and professional development, as well as fostering gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large. For more information, please visit wotvsfoundation.org. MEDIA CONTACT: Olivia Campbell olivia@womenofthevine.com 323-610-2322
- Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Teams Up with the United States Bartenders’ Guild to Expand
Over 2,000 Hospitality Workers Across The United States Will Now Have Access to Free Resources, Including Licensed Clinicians, Financial Advisors and More March 21, 2023 (New York, NY) – The Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS) Foundation, today announced its partnership with the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG), to expand access to its Hospitality Assistance Program (HAP), which offers 24/7 confidential support to bartenders and food and beverage professionals in the United States. Similar to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), the Hospitality Assistance Program will connect employees and their families to an array of free resources, including a network of confidential licensed clinicians, financial professionals, attorneys, and more. The program was launched in January of 2021, as a direct response to the pandemic and the disproportionate impact on hospitality workers, stemming from the closure of many bars and restaurants. The initial launch was tremendously successful, offering confidential support to hundreds of individuals across the country. As on-premise operations resume, the WOTVS Foundation is excited to expand the Hospitality Assistance Program to USBG’s members, which will offer thousands of bartenders across the country the HAP as an additional membership benefit at no extra cost. “There are over half a million bartenders currently working in the United States, most of whom do not have access to healthcare, or a traditional Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by their employer,” said Deborah Brenner, President, Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation. “It is imperative that as an industry we continue to serve those who serve us; providing the Hospitality Assistance Program will have a tremendous impact on those seeking support, and we are thrilled to be expanding the program to all USBG members.” “As an organization, our mission is to unite and elevate the bar industry through education, community, and advocacy,” said USBG Executive Director Aaron Gregory Smith. “We welcome this partnership with Women of the Vine and Spirits Foundation advocating for USBG members by offering access to a wide range of professional services at no additional cost.” The program is made possible by Love, Tito’s, the philanthropic heart of Tito’s Handmade Vodka. In 2021, Tito’s generously committed $45,000 to help launch the initial program. Over the next three years, Tito’s will grant over $90,000 to continue expanding the Hospitality Assistance Program, ensuring that hospitality industry workers are able to take advantage of the free resources. “In 2020, we started working with WOTVS Foundation on building a program that best served hospitality workers during an extremely difficult time," said Lindsey Bates, Director of Philanthropy Operations at Tito’s Handmade Vodka. “The positive impact it had on industry members was incredible and we’re excited to continue expanding this program to support more people in 2023 and beyond.” The Hospitality Assistance Program is operated through ComPsych Corporation, the worldwide leader of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, HR, FMLA and absence management services under its GuidanceResources® brand. ComPsych GuidanceResoures core services include short-term counseling, treatment referrals, financial, retirement, legal, family, child, elder assistance, and intervention for critical incidents and more. Through a 24/7 toll-free number and best-in-class well-being portal, enrollees, and their household family members, can access confidential assistance with experienced clinicians, financial professionals, and attorneys, as well as leading self-service tools and resources. 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 their careers in the food, wine, spirits, beer, or hospitality industries through education, leadership, and professional development, as well as fostering gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large. For more information, please visit wotvsfoundation.org. About the United States Bartenders’ Guild Founded in 1948, the United States Bartenders' Guild®️ is the national, member-led not-for-profit association of bartenders and other hospitality professionals that unites and elevates the bar industry through education, community, and advocacy. Through its network, the USBG connects members with peer-to-peer learning, expert instruction, service projects, and skills-based competition, all while fostering a fun and healthy environment and reinforcing the importance of the ‘third place’ in neighborhoods across the country. About Tito’s Handmade Vodka Tito’s Handmade Vodka was founded by sixth-generation Texan, Bert “Tito” Beveridge. In the mid-nineties, on a plot of land in rural Austin, he built a 998 square foot shack, rigged a pot still with spare parts, and created Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Tito’s corn-based vodka is certified gluten free. Tito’s Handmade Vodka is distilled and bottled by Fifth Generation, Inc. in Austin, Texas, and is available in Liter, 1.75L, 750ml, 375ml, 200ml, and 50ml sizes. For more information, visit www.titosvodka.com.
- Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Selected as 2022/2023 Grantee of The Gérard Basset Foundation
As a selected grantee, the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation will support three WSET Level 4 Diploma scholarships in 2023, furthering educational opportunities in the beverage alcohol industry January 11, 2023 (New York, NY) – The Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS) Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)3, the charitable arm of Women of the Vine & Spirits, which provides scholarships for the purpose of advancing women’s careers in the food, wine, spirits, beer and hospitality industries, announced today that it was selected as a grantee of The Gérard Basset Foundation Education Fund. The Gérard Basset Foundation was established to honor the legacy and memory of Gérard Basset OBE MS MW MBA OIV MSc ASI World Champion, addressing the wine, spirits and hospitality industries’ most pressing issues through education, training and mentorship. As a grantee of The Gérard Basset Foundation, WOTVS Foundation will add three additional Wine & Spirit Education Trust® (WSET) Level 4 Diploma scholarships to its available scholarship opportunities in 2023. Applications will open February 1 and close in June. Thanks to the generosity of The Gérard Basset Foundation, recipients selected for these scholarships will have full funding to enroll in the Diploma course, furthering their wine education and industry knowledge. “We are deeply honored to be selected as a 2022/2023 grantee. The Gérard Basset Foundation’s mission is so aligned with ours and these additional scholarships focus on global diversity, equity and inclusion in the beverage alcohol industry,” said Deborah Brenner, President of the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation. “We understand that opportunity is often contingent upon available financial resources. This generous donation will provide the recipients with the support they need to pursue their career goals.” Created to help further Women of the Vine & Spirits’ larger mission of greater diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the beverage alcohol industry, the WOTVS Foundation provides annual scholarships and awards to deserving applicants interested in continuing their professional development and education. Since its founding in 2017, the Foundation has awarded 232 scholarships to recipients across the globe, totaling $595,600 in scholarship funds. In 2022 alone the Foundation awarded 74 recipients totaling $174,700. These numbers illustrate the extraordinary impact that each contribution to the Foundation has on its recipients, and the incredible growth of the Foundation, thanks to its generous donors and volunteers. “We are delighted to be supporting the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation. We already work closely with the WSET and are thrilled that with the help of our funding this initiative will enable women, who otherwise may not be able to pursue the WSET Level 4 Diploma, to further their educational opportunities and their careers within the world of wine,” said Nina Basset, FIH, Founding Trustee, The Gérard Basset Foundation. “The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation is inspirational and a perfect funding partner for the Gerard Basset Foundation and we are excited to be working with the Foundation during 2023.” WOTVS Foundation will begin to accept applications for its multiple scholarship categories on February 1, 2023. Applications will close June 30, 2023. More information about WOTVS Foundation scholarship opportunities as well as additional details about previous recipients is available at wotvsfoundation.org In need of support now? Enrollment to the WOTVS Foundation Assistance Program is currently open. Learn more and enroll today: wotvsfoundation.org/assistance-program The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3) is looking for donations to award additional scholarships in 2023. To donate and learn more about donor levels and benefits visit wotvsfoundation.org/support-us or contact the Foundation at foundation@womenofthevine.com. Thank you to our 2022 and 2023 Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Donors: Patron: E. & J. Gallo Winery; Benefactor: Beam Suntory, Edrington, ForceBrands, Gérard Basset Foundation, Love, Tito’s; Affiliate: Breakthru Beverage Group, Grounded World, ReserveBar, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; Supporter: Bordeaux Wines / Gregory + Vine, Scott Laboratories Inc., The Women of Stone ERG; Friend: Constellation Brands, Horton Vineyards, Kendra Scott, Montanya Distillers, The Spearhead Group. About The Gérard Basset Foundation Set up to honour the legacy and memory of Gérard Basset OBE MS MW MBA OIV MSc ASI World Champion, we address the wine, spirits & hospitality industries’ most pressing issues through education, training & mentorship. We fund education, learning & career opportunities for young wine, spirits and hospitality professionals with a focus on global diversity, equity & inclusion-related wine, spirits & hospitality industry educational and professional programmes. For more information, please visit https://gerardbassetfoundation.org/ MEDIA CONTACT Romané Basset, BA (Hons), Co-Founding Trustee romane@gerardbassetfoundation.org 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 wotvsfoundation.org. MEDIA CONTACT Olivia Campbell olivia@womenofthevine.com (323) 610 2322