Committees
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
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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
- Samuel Jimenez, General Manager of Chop Bar
- Kelsey Ramage, Supernova & Trash Tiki Founder
- Chris Cabrera, National LGBTQ+ Portfolio Ambassador- Bacardi
- Lisa Nguyen, Sales and Market Strategy for Letherbee Distillers
- Vivian Pei, F&B Specialist
- Claudia Cabrera, Bar manager at kaito del valle, Bar manager at Sod Bar, Manager at Paxia 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
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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 2022 Seminar Proposal ProcessEducation 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 for Prime Botanica, Bangkok Thailand
- Ara Caravallo, Co-Founder Barra Mexico, Portfolio Director Distill Ventures
- Brandon Grusd, GM Proof & Company, South East Asia
- Laura Green, M.Ed., Midwest Regional Spirits Specialist for The Winebow Group
- Alex Day, Chief of Operations for the Gin & Luck Company (Death & Co and Proprietors LLC)
- Rebecca Sturt, Marketing Manager, Middle East and India for Rémy Cointreau and owner of Dubai Bartenders Club
- Minakshi Singh, Co-Founder of two bars, Cocktails and Dreams Speakeasy, in Gurgaon, and Sidecar in New Delhi, India
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 at Artesian bar
- Laura Cullen, Founder of Liberty Consulting
- Ali Dedianko,Head of Advocacy & Experiential,, Brown-Forman, UK
- Bannie Kang, Brand Ambassador
- Keith Motsi, Beverage Operations/Head Bartender- Four Seasons Hotel
- Michael Neff, Proprietor, The Cottonmouth Club
- Benjamin Padron Novoa, Co-Founder of Licoreria Limantour
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:
- Holly Graham, Author, Managing Editor (International) at DRiNK Magazine & Academy Chair at The World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars
- Chelsea Gregoire, Founder & Hospitality Director at Church; Owner and Consultant at Drinkable Genius
- Andrew Ho, Hope & Sesame
- Hannah Lanfear, Founding Director of The Mixing Class Ltd
- Nicole Riske, European Brand Ambassador – The Macallan
- Nana Sechere, New Business and Partnerships Manager
- Jordan Zimmerman, Premium Whiskey Education Lead & Head of Advocacy, USA & Canada (Brown-Forman)
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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 LuncheonTales Catalyst Committee
Co-Chairs:
Active Committee:
- Bridget Albert, SGWS Sr. National Director Education
- Melanie Asher, CEO Macchu Pisco LLC
- Chris Cabrera, National LGBTQ+ ambassador – Bacardi
- Francine Cohen, Founder/Editor-in-Chief/Chief Consultant – INSIDE F&B
- Laura Cullen, Founder, Liberty Consulting
- Cris Dehlavi, Brand Educator, Diageo Hospitality Partnership
- Meaghan Dorman, Bar Director: Raines Law Room & Dear Irving
- Elayne Duff, Founder
- Dorothy Elizabeth, Mace & Cocktail Kingdom
- Kate Gerwin, Owner
- Abigail Gullo, Director of Industry for Bartender’s Circle
- Misty Kalkofen, Madrina at 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
- Lauren Paylor, R&D Production Chef – Silver Lyan | Owner – Focus On Health
- Charlotte Voisey, Global Head of Ambassadors, William Grant & Sons
- Claire Warner, Co Founder, Æcorn Drinks
- Pamela Wiznitzer, Beverage Consultant
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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®