Nomination Process

Categories open for public nomination are NOT based on the volume of nominations submitted. It only takes ONE nomination to be considered for an award, self-nominations accepted. Please read through the FAQs before starting a nomination form.

Catalyst Luncheon Nomination Criteria

Catalyst Luncheon U.S. Honoree considerations:

• A person whose professional and personal accomplishments have shaped the beverage landscape and provide visible models of achievement for tomorrow’s leaders.
• Serves as a leader and mentor
• Resides in the United States

Catalyst Luncheon International Honoree considerations:

• A person whose professional and personal accomplishments have shaped the beverage landscape and provide visible models of achievement for tomorrow’s leaders.
• Serves as a leader and mentor
• Resides outside of the United States

Judging Process

Once the Catalyst Luncheon nomination process is closed, submissions will be shared with the active Tales Catalyst Committee Members.

For Round One of voting, members will review the U.S. and International nominations of each individual and will be asked to rank nominees from 1-5 with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. Nominees will be evaluated against the Tales Catalyst criteria, not against each other. Each nominee’s scores will be added up, and the individuals with the highest total points will move on to Round Two of voting.

For Round Two of voting, members will be provided with the nomination statements, resumes, and bios of the Top Nominees for U.S. and International. Members will evaluate the candidates in each category against one another. Each member will be asked to make 3 weighted choices for each category.

• Choice 1 will be weighted with 3 points
• Choice 2 will be weighted with 2 points
• Choice 3 will be weighted with 1 point
  

Tales Catalysts

Previously called “Dame Hall of Fame Members”

• Kitty Amann, Market Manager for Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey (2022-20244 Co-Chair)
• Tiffanie Barriere, The Drinking Coach (2022-20244 Co-Chair)
• Bridget Albert, SGWS Sr. National Director of Education Beam Suntory, Author of Market-Fresh Mixology, Served Up The Podcast host
• Anu Apte, Owner Rob Roy, Co-owner Canoe Ventures LLC: Navy Strength, No Anchor, Vinnie’s Wine Shop, The Bar Bazaar, Tradewinds Tavern
• Brooke Arthur, Partner & Vice President, Global Education and Advocacy, House Spirits Distillery
• Melanie Asher, Ruth Fertel Pioneer Award Winner, Distiller and Master Blender Macchu Pisco
• Paige Aubort, Founder of Coleman’s Academy
• Monica Berg, Founder, P(our) Foundation
• Sharon Bronstein, Vice President of Marketing with The 86 Company, New York City
• Hollis Bulleit, Global Ambassador for Bulleit Bourbon The First Lady of Bourbon
• Chris Cabrera, Pioneer Award Winner, National LGBTQ+ Ambassador for Bacardi
• Katy Casbarian, Co-proprietor of Arnaud’s Restaurant, French 75 Bar and Remoulade Restaurant, New Orleans
• Gina Chersevani, Mixtress and Partner, Hanks Oyster Bar and the Eddy on Capitol Hill and at Buffalo and Bergen Soda Bar
• Francine Cohen, Founder and Editor-in-Chief Inside F&B
• Laura Cullen, Founder of Liberty Consulting
• Cris Delhavi, Head Bartender at M Restaurant and Bar & Cocktail Apprentice Manager
• Meaghan Dorman, Head Bartender The Raines Law Room
• Elayne Duff, Head Mixologist Diageo Wine & Spirits
• Lisa Laird Dunn, Ruth Fertel Pioneer Award Winner, Chief Operating Officer and Global Ambassador Laird & Company
• Dorothy Elizabeth, Bartender at Standby, Detroit
• Angie Fetherston, CEO of Drink Company, Washington DC
• Tracie Franklin, Head Distiller Apprentice at Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative
• Kate Gerwin, World Champion/Global Brand Ambassador Lucas Bols
• Abigail Gullo, Bar Director, The State Hotel
• Amanda Gunderson, Pioneer Award Winner, CEO & Co-Founder, Another Round Another Rally
• Lynn House, National Brand Educator Heaven Hill Brands
• Alba Huerta, Owner Julep
• Misty Kalkofen, East Coast Juez Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal
• Sandrae Lawrence, Co-Founder and Publisher/Editor of The Cocktail Lovers
• Lynnette Marrero, Co-Founder SpeedRack, Mixologist Llama Inn
• ms. franky marshall, Modern Bartender/Educator
• Ivy Mix, Author of Spirits of Latin America, Co-Owner of Leyenda, NYC Co-Founder of Speed Rack
• Lauren Mote, Co-Owner Bittered Sling (Canada) and DIAGEO Global Cocktailian (Netherlands)
• Shannon Mustipher, Pioneer Award Winner, Author and Founder of Women Who Tiki
• Robin Nance, Pioneer Award Winner, Portfolio Trade Engagement Manager Beam Suntory
• Lauren Paylor, Owner of Focus On Health, R&D Production Chef at Silver Lyan
• Tess Posthumus, Bartender and Owner of Flying Dutchmen Cocktails & Dutch Courage
• Eryn Reece, Bartender Mayahuel and Death & Company
• Julie Reiner, Ruth Fertel Pioneer Award Winner
• Nicola Riske, Southern European Brand Education Manager for The Macallan at Edrington
• Audrey Saunders, Ruth Fertel Pioneer Award Winner
• Joy Spence, Ruth Fertel Pioneer Award Winner, Master Blender Appleton Estate® Jamaica Rum
• Ezra Star, DRINK Director
• Carmen Alicia Villarreal Trevino, Pioneer Award Winner, Owner and CEO Casa San Matías
• Carina Soto Velasquez, Partner at Quixotics Projects
• Charlotte Voisey, Ruth Fertel Pioneer Award Winner, Portfolio Ambassador William Grant & Sons
• Claire Warner, Co-founder Æcorn Aperitifs
• Pamela Wiznitzer, Creative Director Seamstress, New York

*Qualifications listed may reflect the individual’s current title or their title at time of induction.*