COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation values bringing people together and sees opportunity in collective efforts to further the global drinks industry. It is with this spirit that the Foundation enlists industry experts and leaders to form advisory committees for our Grants Program, Education, and Spirited Awards®. Each of our committee members dedicate themselves and their time to ensuring that the Foundation is offering elevated programming, acknowledges the best, and supports innovative programs looking to advance the industry.

Philanthropy and Development Committee | Education Advisory Committee | Tales Catalyst Committee | Spirited Awards Committee

Philanthropy and Development Committee

The Philanthropy & Development Committee is comprised of key industry stakeholders who advise the committee on promoting the welfare of the global hospitality industry. The Committee advises on the Foundation’s entire suite of giving efforts, including, but not limited to: grant-giving and direct relief, Beyond the Bar activations and Day of Service, policy and advocacy work, and non-profit partnerships.

Learn More about Philanthropy and Development

Philanthropy & Development Committee

Co-Chairs:

Committee:

Nandini Khaund, Spirit Guide + Consultant
Morgan Schick, Principal, There There Co.
Tiffanie Barriere, The Drinking Coach
Kelsey Ramage, Co-founder or Black Lagoon Pop-Ups and Trash Collective
Chris Cabrera, National LGBTQ+ Portfolio Ambassador for Bacardi
Lisa Nguyen, CureCo. Director of Service Operations
Vivian Pei, Co-Founder, Snacky Mini Mart, F&B Specialist
Claudia Cabrera, Bar Manager and Co-founder at Kaito del Valle, Fratelli Branca Brand Ambassador
Yisell Muxo, Director of Brand Advocacy Don Q Rum
Chris Patino, Owner Raised by Wolves, Founder Simple Serve, Organizer Bartenders Weekend

Education Advisory Committee

Overseeing the integrity of Tales of the Cocktail®’s educational programming and serving a 3-year term, the Education Advisory Committee is sub-divided into three streams of education: Business, Culture and Beyond the Bar. These committees work collectively to curate seminars that address the interests, needs, and goals of bartenders through these three lenses. at-Through proposals, three rounds of judging, interviews, and an execution phase, this committee members strive to provide educational programming at Tales of the Cocktail® that address the interests, challenges, and goals of the global hospitality industry.

Learn More about the 2024 Seminar Proposal Process

Education Committee

Business Advisory Committee

An excellent bar only works if the business is built on an equally impressive foundation. The Foundation recognizes the advantage of pooling together global business insights from the best and brightest in the industry and leveraging this tremendous resource to uplift and improve the entire community.

Co-Chairs:

Committee:

Chanel Adams – Business Development Specialist, Prime Botanica – Bangkok, Thailand
Alex Day – Chief of Operations, Gin & Luck Company (Death & Co and Proprietors LLC) – Portland, Maine
Laura Green, M.Ed. – Founder, Healthy Pour – Chicago, IL
Brandon Grusd – GM, Proof & Company – South East Asia
Nana Sechere – Global Brand Ambassador, Takamaka Rum and Owner & Creative Catalyst, Host Master’s Consultancy – Seychelles

Culture Advisory Committee

Thoughtfully exploring the culture and the lifestyle of the bartending community has always been at the core of Tales of the Cocktail’s programming. While this is not a new focus, the Culture Advisory Committee will seek to enhance these offerings to meet and exceed the evolving needs of the industry.

Co-Chairs:

Committee:

Giulia Cuccurullo – Head Bartender, Artesian – London
Laura Cullen – Founder, Liberty Consulting – Kentucky
Holly Graham – Author and Managing Editor (International) at DRiNK Magazine & Academy Chair at The World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars – Hong Kong
Keith Motsi – Beverage Operations & Head Bartender, Four Seasons Hotel – Tokyo
Michael Neff – Proprietor, The Cottonmouth Club – Houston
Minakshi Singh – Co-Founder, Cocktails and Dreams Speakeasy – Gurgaon & Co-Founder, Sidecar – New Delhi, India

Beyond the Bar Advisory Committee

Created in 2018, Beyond the Bar facilitates dialogue and inspires thinking around pressing topics facing the hospitality and spirits industry, from social justice to lifestyle, health, addiction, and sustainability.

Co-Chairs:

Committee:

Ara Caravallo – Co-Founder, Barra Mexico – Mexico & Portfolio Director, Distill Ventures – Amsterdam
Andrew Ho – Hope & Sesame – Guangzhou/Shenzhen, China
Hannah Lanfear – Founding Director of The Mixing Class Ltd – London
Benjamin Padron Novoa – Co-Founder, Licoreria Limantour – Mexico City, Mexico
Rebecca Sturt – Marketing Manager, Middle East and India, Rémy Cointreau & Owner, Dubai Bartenders Club – Dubai, UAE

Tales Catalysts

Dame Hall of Fame is now the Tales of the Cocktail Catalyst Luncheon

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Tales Catalyst Committee Members, including Co-Chairs and Committee Members, consists of active Tales Catalysts who have had groundbreaking accomplishments and have shaped the beverage landscape, providing visible models of achievement for tomorrow’s leaders.

A celebration of hospitality trail-blazers, the active Tales Catalysts work to select individuals who have made a unique and lasting impact on the accessibility and intersectionality of the cocktail community by introducing annually two new “Tales Catalysts” — the U.S. Honoree and International Honoree.

Learn More about Tales Catalyst Luncheon

Tales Catalyst Committee

Co-Chairs:

Active Committee:

Bridget Albert, SGWS Sr. National Director Education
Monica Berg, Owner Tayēr + Elementary
Chris Cabrera, National LGBTQ+ Ambassador, Bacardi
Laura Cullen, Founder, Liberty Consulting
Cris Dehlavi, Brand Educator, Diageo Hospitality Partnership
Meaghan Dorman, Bar Director, Raines Law Room & Dear Irving
Elayne Duff, Founder
Tracie Franklin, Founder and Principal of Spirited Tracie
Kate Gerwin, Owner
Abigail Gullo, Director of Industry for Bartender’s Circle
Amanda Gunderson, CEO/Cofounder Another Round Another Rally
Misty Kalkofen, Madrina, Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal
Lisa Laird Dunn, COO & Global Ambassador, Laird & Company
Sandrae Lawrence, Publisher/Editor, The Cocktail Lovers
Lynnette Marrero, Llama Inn (Brooklyn) Llama San (NYC), Speed Rack, Consultant
ms. franky marshall, Modern Bartender, Educator, Consultant
Lauren Mote, Co-Founder, Bittered Sling
Shannon Mustipher, Educator and Consultant
Robin Nance, Sr. Manager Trade Engagement
Nicola Riske, Regional Brand Education Manager, The Macallan
Julie Reiner, Partner, Clover Club, Milady’s, Leyenda
Ezra Star, Director/Bartender
Charlotte Voisey, Global Head of Ambassadors, William Grant & Sons

Spirited Awards Committee

The Spirited Awards® Committee, including Co-Chairs, Regional and Writing & Media Judges, is comprised of respected bartenders, bar owners, educators, and writers from across the globe. Drawing on their years of experience and their knowledge of the current work being done locally, nationally, and internationally, together with the Co-Chairs and Committee Members can evaluate individuals and establishments from within their region, and Writing & Media Judges can evaluate nominations from far and wide, to ensure that the Spirited Awards are inclusive and represent the breadth and diversity of the global drinks industry.

Spirited Awards Committee Members are not eligible to vote in any category in which they or their workplace are nominated.

Learn More about the Spirited Awards®