Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS) is celebrating its 10th anniversary, highlighting a decade of work advancing women’s roles across the beverage alcohol industry. The organization, founded by Deborah Brenner in 2015, has grown into a global force uniting professionals across all three tiers of the industry.
“Ten years ago, I envisioned a community where women and men in beverage alcohol could take off their competitive hats to connect, share best practices and accelerate industry-wide change,” said Brenner, Founder & CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits. “Today, WOTVS is a thriving global network that has made significant strides in fostering a more gender-diverse industry, changing the face of beverage alcohol. This milestone reflects the dedication of our Corporate Members and our community’s unwavering belief in our mission.”
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Key Achievements and Growth
The organization has expanded to include more than 160 Corporate Member companies and over 10,000 professionals worldwide. WOTVS has established itself as a leading educational resource through weekly virtual Live Chats featuring industry leaders discussing business development, innovation, and career advancement.
Through its foundation, WOTVS has awarded $959,620 in scholarships to women in 80 countries, supporting professional development in food, wine, spirits, beer, and hospitality industries.
Networking and Professional Development
The organization maintains a global Membership Directory and industry-specific Job Board to facilitate career advancement. Business Resource Groups and the Breaking Barriers Series with senior male leaders provide additional networking opportunities, while Regional Events offer in-person connection opportunities.
Women Of The Vine & Spirits’, Looking To The Future
The organization launched several pioneering initiatives, including the ‘86 Harassment’ program, “an unprecedented industry-wide initiative aimed at creating safer workplace environments in the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries.” Together with industry sponsors, 86 Harassment aims to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace for all.
WOTVS also conducted a DE&I benchmark study titled “Women Raising the Bar” in collaboration with Deloitte and created a comprehensive C-Suite list of women leaders in the industry.
Elizabeth Campbell Boyd, Vice President of WOTVS, emphasized the organization’s forward-looking approach: “Women of the Vine & Spirits’ 10th anniversary not only celebrates past achievements of the organization and those of our Corporate Member companies but also serves as a renewed call to action for ongoing advocacy and empowerment of women in the beverage alcohol sector.
“We are so grateful to our Corporate Members for their continued support and commitment to our shared mission and invite others to join us in making a lasting positive impact for the next decade and beyond.”
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Anniversary Celebrations
WOTVS is marking its anniversary with several regional events throughout 2024, including gatherings at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines in Paso Robles, Disaronno in New York, New Riff Distillery in Northern Kentucky, and DISCUS in Washington DC. The organization will also maintain its industry presence at major events like WSWA Access Live in Denver and the DISCUS Annual Conference in Washington, DC.
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