Barbara will be speaking on gendered language and how to communicate with power and confidence.
2022 Women's Leadership Council Conference
2022 Women's Leadership Council Conference
![](webp/hero%20image_wlc-01.png40ae.webp)
This uniquely designed event connects current and future women leaders in the wholesale tier by providing networking opportunities, developing advanced leadership skills and business acumen, and equipping attendees with tools to elevate and empower them in their roles in the ever-changing marketplace within the beverage alcohol industry.
![WLC-About](png/wlc-about-01.png)
![Washington DC skyline at night](png/wdc%20skyline.png)
Who should attend? The WLC Conference is designed to educate, elevate and empower current and future women leaders in the wholesale tier.
![Barbara Brown](jpg/barbara%20brown%20headshot.jpg)
![Natalia Cardenas](jpg/natalia%20cardenas%20headshot.jpg)
Natalia will be speaking on career pathing and creating your own path to success.
![Francis Creighton](jpg/francis_creighton.jpg)
Francis Creighton will join WLC for a fireside chat and Q&A.
![Jessica Cyr](jpg/jessica%20cyr%20headshot.jpg)
Jessica Cyr is the WLC Board Chair and Vice President of Sales Execution for Martignetti Companies.
![Addy Flint](png/screen%20shot%202022-10-06%20at%209.33.22%20am.png)
Addy Flint developed Raendrop Art to provide an outlet for kids who spend extended amounts of time in hospitals. During WLC's philanthropic event, 400 art kits will be put together for all patients at Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C.
![Michele Goodwin](jpg/michele%20goodwin%20headshot%2c%20.jpg)
Michele Bratcher Goodwin will be speaking on achieving equality ensures a healthy democracy.
![Michelle Russo](png/michelle%20russo%20headshot.png)
Michelle is joining WLC as a keynote speaker.
![Elizabeth Sandler](jpg/elizabeth%20sandler%20headshot.jpg)
Elizabeth Sandler is a seasoned senior executive with 25 years of experience in global financial services. She will be presenting a masterclass on crafting & presenting your executive profile.
![Hillary Wirtz](png/hillary%20wirtz.png)
Hillary is a passionate and energetic fourth-generation owner of Breakthru Beverage Group. She will be moderating the panel on career pathing and creating your own path to success.
Agenda
Registration Opens
New This Year: We have created a “WLC Library” for attendees to exchange books on leadership and professional development. Bring a book to share with your contemporaries in exchange for one for yourself at no cost when you arrive.
Philanthropic Event Benefitting Raendrop Art
Each year, WLC chooses a local charity to actively support during an organized activity to “give back” to the community and network with peers. It is by far one of the highlights of coming together to make a difference at the conference.
This year, the WLC Advisory Board wanted to focus on children’s mental health and using the power of “art therapy” for children that are fighting a chronic illness in hospitals.
Raendrop Art was developed by Addy Flint, a fourteen-year-old, two-time cancer survivor who has a passion for art. She developed Raendrop Art to provide an outlet for kids who spend extended amounts of time in hospitals to enjoy art classes creating a sense of stability and community during the isolating hours in the hospital. Raendrop Art provides patients with boxes of project-focused art supplies in conjunction with artist-led classes. Join us as we make 400 art kits for all patients at Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Fireside Chat with WSWA's Incoming President & CEO
Panelists:
- Jessica Cyr, Vice President of Sales Execution, Martignetti Companies, WLC Chair
- Francis Creighton, Incoming President & CEO, WSWA
Join us in welcoming WSWA's new President & CEO Francis Creighton for a "Get to Know You Q&A." Learn about his experiences leading Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA), Financial Services Roundtable, his time with the Department of Labor (DOL) and as Chief of Staff to Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT).
It Takes Work to Network
Moderator: Nancie McDonnell Ruder, Founder and CEO, Noetic Consultants
Socialization came to a halt during the pandemic and connecting with people shifted to alternative modes of communication. Networking may not have been a priority. We will explore how we reset and change the mindset on networking, offer tips and practice what we learn about invaluable connections.
Welcome Reception
Speaker: Tom Cole, WSWA Chairman of the Board, RNDC Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors
Small Group Dinners
Attendees will be divided into three small groups to enjoy dinner within walking distance of the hotel on the D.C. Wharf at Mi Vida, Ilili or Officina. Connect with friends and get to know new peers across the industry!
Sunrise Yoga
Networking Breakfast
Speaker: Corrie Olson, CEO, Infuzion Solutions, LLC
Sponsor Exhibit Open
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! We have 7 exhibits hosted by our sponsors. These exhibits will be available during the day on November 4. We encourage you to visit the sponsors, learn about their business and thank them for supporting the conference.
You will receive a passport booklet in your registration packet on-site. If you receive 5 stamps from the sponsors, you will be entered into a drawing for a $100 VISA gift card.
If you are one of the first 15 people to receive a stamp from all 7 sponsors, you will receive a $25 Starbucks gift card.
Opening Remarks
Speaker: Jessica Cyr, Vice President, Sales Execution, Martignetti Companies, WLC Chair
Empower Sponsor: Dimensional Insight
Speakers:
- Tomeka Munford, Training Consultant, Dimensional Insight
- Kathy Sucich, VP of Marketing, Dimensional Insight
EMPOWER: Achieving Equality Ensures a Healthy Democracy
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Michele Bratcher Goodwin
Join us as we hear from professor and author Dr. Michele Goodwin on how achieving equality for women is fundamental to a healthy democracy. Dr. Goodwin will share her story and discuss how we can better empower women to be transformational leaders, further striving for equality inside and outside the workplace.
Networking Break in Sponsor Exhibit Room
ELEVATE (Track 1): Embracing the Journey and Creating Your Own Path
This will be an interactive panel discussion and presentation. Ever wonder what is next for your career within the beverage alcohol industry? Are you curious about what other roles are out there and what do you need to get there? Learn from this seasoned panel of inspiring women who have created their own path to success and what it took to get there.
Panelists:
- Natalia Cardenas, Luxury Spirits Portfolio Consultant, E.&J. Gallo
- Cindy Leonard, EVP and General Manager, Fine Wine Division, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
- Gina Langone, AVP, National Accounts, Martignetti Companies
- Theresa Rossi, Director of Operations, Allied Beverage Group
Moderator:
- Hillary Wirtz, Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Breakthru Beverage Group
ELEVATE (Track 2): Gendered Language: Communicate with Power & Confidence
Speaker: Barbara Brown, Principal, Sperling Brown Associates
As celebrated business coach Barbara Brown can tell you, communicating with power and confidence is really a matter of both substance and style. No matter how elevated your role in business, every woman has experienced situations in which the language we choose (or don’t choose) is rooted in gendered experience and expectations. In this session, we’ll take a look at some of the typical differences between how men and women approach language and communication, both verbal and nonverbal, and we’ll explore some ways in which we can make our own communication styles more effective.
Networking Break
EDUCATE (Track 1): Masterclass: Crafting & Presenting Your Executive Profile
Speaker: Elizabeth Sandler, Founder and CEO, Juliette Works
Join this Masterclass to hear core elements of a modern executive profile and how to use them to present your most authentic self. Understand how being consistent in your executive branding benefits your career. Work together to create leadership monikers and map stakeholders. Learn the most common success de-railer for executive women and learn 3 immediate personalized actions for neutralizing it.
EDUCATE (Track 2): Communicating Strategically: Presentation Skills and Public Speaking
Speaker: Barbara Brown, Principal, Sperling Brown Associates
Every interaction you have with others is an opportunity to motivate, persuade and inspire. This interactive session offers valuable insights into making the most of each interaction, effectively build relationships and achieve results. Learn to identify essential ingredients of strategic communication, analyze audiences, clarify presentation objectives, and plan a concise, well-organized message.
Networking Lunch
WSWA Government Affairs, Legal & Regulatory Update and Key Takeaways
Panelists:
- Jake Hegeman, Assistant General Counsel, Legal and Regulatory, WSWA
- Dawson Hobbs, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs
- Catherine McDaniel, Senior Vice President, Member Advocacy, WSWA
- Jo Moak, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, WSWA
As leaders, it is necessary to understand the bigger picture when it comes to legislation, potential litigation and issues that are trending across the country. WSWA staff will lead a discussion on issues our wholesaler members need to be aware and how they may impact the wine and spirits industry. Attendees will also hear about two important tools to take action- WSWA-PAC and Project 21, our grassroots network.
Networking Break
When Women Lead: The Positive Impact on Business Commerce and Culture
Speaker:
- Michelle Russo, Chief Communications Officer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Our closing session will leave you nourished and invigorated for the future of women in the workforce. We will discuss why and how women continue to rise to the occasion when challenges occur and what sets them apart to lead organizations.
Make Rum, Not War!
Moderator: Todd Thrasher, Founder, Thrasher's Rum & Potomac Distilling Company
Celebratory Rum tasting lead by local D.C. Wharf distillery owner and former WSWA Convention judge, Todd Thrasher.
We will raise a glass and taste local rum cocktails to cap off our 2022 conference!
WLC Wrap-up
WSWA allows for a limited number of sponsors to participate in this event which provides a valuable opportunity to connect with key decision-makers in the wholesale tier. Sponsors not only get the chance to build new relationships and source new business, but are also able to attend content-rich sessions alongside attendees.
![WLC Corporate Stock](jpg/corporate%20stock%204_wlc.jpg)
![365 WineTrade](png/vip_0_0.png)
![andavi](png/andavi_0.png)
![BrandMuscle](png/brandmuscle.png)
![Dimensional](png/dimensional.png)
![Efficiency Enterprises](png/ee.png)
![encompass](png/encompass.png)
![FORM](png/form.png)
![Infuzion](png/infuzion.png)
![Inventiv](png/inventiv.png)
![Provi](png/provi_0_0.png)
![q mixers](png/q%20mixers_1.png)
![tito's](png/tito%27s_2.png)
![vip](png/new%20vip.png)
We understand that unforeseen circumstances may require a cancellation. We will issue a 100% refund, less a $50 processing fee, until August 31st. A 50% refund will be given for cancellations occurring between September 1st through October 1st. Any cancellations after October 1st will not receive a refund.
![Jessica Cyr-Sized](png/jessica%20cyr-sized.png)
![Hillary Wirtz-Sized](png/hillary%20wirtz-sized.png)
![Amy Barriault-Sized](png/amy%20barriault-sized.png)
![Monica Chaplin](jpg/monica%20chaplin.jpg)
![Laura DePasquale - Sized](png/laura%20depasquale.png)
![Jenn Engel-Sized](png/jenn%20engel-sized.png)
![Stacy Gabel](jpg/stacy%20gabel.jpg)
![Maggie Maxwell-Sized](png/maggie%20maxwell-sized.png)
![Virginia Means-Sized](png/virginia%20means-sized.png)
![Jessica Partington](png/jessica%20partington_sized.png)