Newly launched Foundation awards scholarships to women in alcohol beverage industry
August 16, 2017 (New York) – Women of the Vine & Spirits™, the world’s leading organization dedicated to the support and advancement of women in the alcohol beverage industry, launched the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation earlier this year and has awarded its first scholarship recipients for 2017.
The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. provides scholarships and awards for the purpose of helping women advance in their careers in the food, wine, spirits, hospitality, or viticulture industries through education, leadership, and professional development, as well as fostering gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large.
The Foundation’s scholarships are divided into two categories: the Professional & Leadership Development Scholarship awards recipients an all-expense paid trip and ticket to attend the Fourth Annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium; the Educational Scholarship awards recipients with funds to assist with their tuition, course materials,a lodging, and related educational expenses including the cost of professional advancement courses in the food, wine, hospitality, and/or viticulture industries.
The Scholarship Selection Committee, comprised of Dr. Liz Thach, Distinguished Professor of Wine and Professor of Management at Sonoma State University, Tim Widnes, Wine Buyer, Whole Foods Market and Dr. Kathryn LaTour, Associate Professor, Wine Services Marketing, Cornell University, reviewed a number of applications and awarded scholarships based on the quality of the application, essay, industry related experience and letters of recommendation. Women of the Vine & Spirits is proud to announce the following recipients of the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Scholarships for 2017:
Ava Dally – Professional Development Scholarship
“This scholarship takes me out of my sphere, and puts me in the company of some truly inspirational people. It gives me the courage to pursue my convictions. I am so excited to be involved, and looking forward to being a part of the next stage!”
Jennifer Reichardt – Professional Development Scholarship
“As I embark on my career in this industry, I am ever-eager to learn from those who have paved the way, and have influenced those around them. Attending the Symposium is such a great opportunity to meet and connect with women from all over the world, and hear from their experiences.”
Maria Dillingham – Education Scholarship
“It is an honor and privilege to be a recipient of this wonderful scholarship from Women of the Vine & Spirits. I am grateful for the organization’s efforts to help women in this industry that I love.”
Sandra Gomes – Education Scholarship
“I am so honored, and incredibly grateful to Women of the Vine & Spirits for granting me this educational scholarship. It means the world to me that an organization such as yours is including me in its commitment to growth and development.”
“A cornerstone of our mission is to educate and inspire women in the alcohol beverage industry to advance in their careers,” said Deborah Brenner, Founder & President, Women of the Vine & Spirits. “Awarding these impressive women with these well-deserved scholarships is just one way we demonstrate our dedication to this mission.”
For more information about the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, to apply, or to donate to the Edward H. Brenner Scholarship Fund, visit womenofthevine.com and find the Foundation page under the Career tab.
About Women of the Vine & Spirits™
Women of the Vine & Spirits is a membership-based alliance that empowers and equips women worldwide to advance their careers in the alcohol beverage industry. Women of the Vine & Spirits offers extensive education, advocacy, training, mentorship, networking and steadfast support for women at every position in the field, particularly through the annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium which will be held March 12 – 14, 2018 in Napa, California. For information or corporate membership inquiries, please visit womenofthevine.com or email info@womenofthevine.com.
