Twenty-One Women in Wholesale Complete Women In Leadership Program

Jun 14, 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C.

 

WASHINGTON, D.C., 06/14/2021 – Last month, twenty-one women from eight WSWA member companies including Allied Beverage, Breakthru Beverage Group, Fedway Associates, Great Lakes Wine & Spirits, Major Brands, Martignetti Companies, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits successfully completed the Women in Leadership (WIL) program at Columbia Business School. The program consisted of an intensive four-week, fully live and virtual curriculum designed to accelerate the advancement of women leaders in the wine and spirits industry – enabling them to navigate the business landscape, develop and leverage their talents, and step into roles of greater influence and leadership.

 

The now annual program is open to women employed by WSWA member companies by way of a nomination from their respective companies. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the program from being delivered in its usual four-day, in-person structure, so was once again pivoted to a virtual format over a four-week period to accommodate this year’s participants.

 

“This was a highly unique and valuable experience, unlike any other professional development program I’ve been exposed to in my career,” said participant and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Vice President of Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility Cindy Haas. “I feel more confident about myself as a leader and learned a number of practical skills that will help me make my voice heard, expand my network, and be a more effective mentor.  I am incredibly proud to have been selected for this program, honored to have met all the incredible women from participating companies around the world, and thankful to work for a company like Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits that invests in its people in such a meaningful way.

 

“I was thrilled to participate in the Columbia University, Women in Leadership Program as Chairwomen of WSWA’s Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) and representative of Martignetti Companies,” said WLC Chairwoman Jessica Cyr. “Not only were the professors and speakers elite in their respective fields, but also the caliber of women in the program from across the globe in various industries were a source of inspiration and motivation as we shared our challenges in our respective industries. The most impactful session for me was on Feedback by Deb Riegal. Through her dynamic and engaging style, Deb shared why the importance of both giving and receiving feedback is critical for individuals to develop and improve their skillset.”

 

On the last day of the program, participant and Allied Beverage Group Sales Manager Liany Villafane shared, “Today was the last day of my leadership class, my head and my heart are full of treasures learned and gratitude for the opportunity that was given to me.  I discovered so much about my leadership qualities, areas for me to improve on, and opportunities for me to share with others.   I was able to apply my learnings right away since the classes were held virtually.  A COVID benefit.”

 

WSWA will continue to support efforts that develop both talent and diversity and support the advancement of women in the wholesale tier. Congratulations to the class of 2021!

 

Kristi Weber, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Cindy Haas, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Raquel Fellings, Great Lakes Wine & Spirits

Lesley Weaver, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Jessica Partington, Winebow

Monica Chaplin, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Alisa Fuller, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Sam Shiekman, Fedway

Melva Pete, Major Brands

Liany Villafane, Allied Beverage Group

Jennifer Chenoweth, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Heidi Klein, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Rosie Haugh, Breakthru Beverage Group

Claudia Chain, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Shelly Flores, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Marrisa Brown, Breakthru Beverage Group

Jessica Baldo Riggio, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Paige Gibbons, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Jessica Cyr, Martignetti Companies

Prasanna Dasari, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Erin Connolly, Breakthru Beverage Group

 

 

About Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America

WSWA is the national trade association representing the distribution tier of the wine and spirits industry, dedicated to advancing the interests and independence of distributors and brokers of wine and spirits. Founded in 1943, WSWA has more than 380 member companies in 50 states and the District of Columbia, and its members distribute more than 80 percent of all wine and spirits sold at wholesale in the United States.  

 

To learn more, please visit www.wswa.org or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

 

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