MENTOR Directory
The OurWhisky Foundation’s Atonia Programme is supported by a star-studded line-up of mentors with backgrounds spanning areas such as distilling, blending, brand ownership, bartending, ambassadorship, marketing and journalism.
Without the support of our mentors, our programme simply wouldn’t be possible. If you would like to apply to be a mentor, please complete the application form below.
Candidates may be located anywhere globally and identify as any gender, but must have at least five years experience in their field of expertise. Mentors will be added to our database and contacted if a suitable match is found.
All mentors receive training with a qualified coach prior to starting our programme, as well as a course handbook and monthly guidance from our team. Active mentors also have complimentary access to the OurWhisky Foundation’s membership platform for the duration of the programme.
Our Mentors
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Peter Allison, Co-Founder, Woven
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Blending, Leadership, Entrepreneurship
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Nicole Austin, Director, American Whiskey Liquid Development and Capabilities, Diageo
LOCATION: Kentucky, USA
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Marketing, Consultation
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Colin Baird, Energy Manager, Edrington
LOCATION: Aberlour, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Sustainability, Production
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Charlotte Barker, Malts Ambassador, Diageo
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Ambassadorship & Advocacy, DE&I, Bartending
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Caitlin Bartlemay, Master Distiller, Clear Creek Distillery
LOCATION: Oregon, USA
EXPERTISE: Production, Blending, Operations & Logistics
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Richard Bates, SBFI Head of Category Expansion - Low/No Alcohol, Suntory Spirits
LOCATION: Hurstpierpoint, England
EXPERTISE: Strategy, Brand, Marketing
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Mitch Bechard, Founder, Copper Cairn
LOCATION: Aberlour, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Distribution, Consultation
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Kirsteen Beeston, Senior Marketing Director, Scotch & Irish, Suntory Spirits
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Management, Branding
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Georgie Bell, Co-Founder, The Heart Cut
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Brand Management, Brand Ambassadorship & Advocacy, Business Operations
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Kirsty Black, Distiller, Arbikie
LOCATION: Dundee, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Operations, Education
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Blair Bowman, Whisky consultant and broker
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Entreprenuership, Cask Management, Communication
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Nick Bradley, Global Marketing Manager, Prestige: Scotch & Irish
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Brand management, Marketing
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Lew Bryson, Writer & Author
LOCATION: Pennsylvania, USA
EXPERTISE: Writing, Journalism
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Joe Cabassa, International Brand Ambassador, Academia de Whisky
LOCATION: Puerto Rico
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Brand Management, Training
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Fraser Campbell, Director and Brand Consultant
LOCATION: Aberdeen, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Consulting, Ambassador, Brand Management
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Kirsteen Campbell, master whisky maker, The Macallan
LOCATION: Aberlour, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Blending, Distilling, Production
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Alex Chasko, Master Distiller, Teeling Whiskey Company
LOCATION: Dublin, Ireland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Blending
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Oliver Chilton, Head Blender, Elixir Distillers
LOCATION: Advie, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Blending, Business Operations, Leadership
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Abi Clephane, global brand ambassador, Bruichladdich
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassador & Advocacy, Bartending, Social Media
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Alexandra Clough, Founder, Gather PR
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, PR, Communications
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Ronan Currie, Sales Director and Blender, The GlenAllachie
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassadorship & Advocacy, Blending, Leadership
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Kirsty Dagnan, Site Director, Johnstons of Elgin
LOCATION: Aberlour, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Leadership, Operations Management
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Susie Davidson, Elucidate Communications
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Founder, Marketing, Communications,
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Alisdair Day, Co-founder, Rasaay distillery
LOCATION: Clachan, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Founder, Blending, Leadership
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Zoe Decool, Brand & Acceleration Director, Distill Ventures
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Strategy, Brand management
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Maurice Doyle, CEO & Founder, Generous Spirits Ltd.
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Leadership, Coaching
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Gordon Dundas, Brand Development & Advocacy Director, Ian Mcaleod
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Branding, Sales
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Marianne Eaves, Consulting Master Distiller
LOCATION: Kentucky, USA
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Blending, Production
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Julieann Fernandez, Master Blender, CVH Spirits
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Blending, Advocacy
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Tracie Franklin, Whiskey Educator, Spirited Tracie
LOCATION: Washington DC, USA
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Education, Distilling
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Calum Fraser, Master Blender, Scotch & Irish, Suntory Global Spirits
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Blending, Brand Management
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Karen Fullerton, Business Executive - Northern Europe, Alter Oak
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Brand management
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Julie Gallacher, Head of Sustainability Business Change & Engagement, Chivas Brothers
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Sustainability, Marketing
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Dhavall Gandhi, whisky maker & consultant
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Entrepreneurship, Blending, Production
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Gerard Garland, International Commercial Manager, Church of Oak Distillery
LOCATION: Dublin, Ireland
EXPERTISE: Ambassadorship & Advocacy, Sales
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Cameron George, Whisky Blender & Global Head of Advocacy, SirDavis
LOCATION: Washington, USA
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Education
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Rod Gillies, Global Brand Director, Laphroaig
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Brand Management, Innovation
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Chiara Giovanacci, Global Head of Brand, Single Malts, CVH Spirits
LOCATION: Greenock, England
EXPERTISE: Brand Management, Marketing
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Christopher Goggins, Quality Assurance Technician, Irish Distillers
LOCATION: Dublin, Ireland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production
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Colin Gordon, Distilling Sales Manager, Bairds Malt Ltd.
LOCATION: Islay, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production, Leadership
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Ewan Gunn, Senior Global Brand Ambassador – Luxury Scotch Whisky, Diageo
LOCATION: Inverness, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassadorship & Advocacy, Blending, Sales
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Deepali Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, Thirsty Three Hospitality and SideCar India
LOCATION: Delhi, India
EXPERTISE: Marketing, F&B, Writing
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Daryl Haldane, global private client director, Suntory Spirits
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Leadership, Communication
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Becky Harris, President & Head Distiller, Catoctin Creek
LOCATION: Virginia, USA
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Leadership, Entrepreneurship
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Emily Harris, Founder, May Fox Communications
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: PR, Marketing, Branding
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Scott Harris, Co-Founder, Catoctin Creek
LOCATION: Virginia, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, Distilling, Marketing
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Mark Harvey, Managing Director, Fielden Whisky
LOCATION: Southborough, England
EXPERTISE: Business Operations, Brand Management, Marketing, PR & Communication
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Beth Havers, Founder, Whisky Beth
LOCATION: Toronto, Canada
EXPERTISE: Founder, Ambassador
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Leah Shaw Hawkins, global senior brand manager, Ardbeg
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Brand management
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Steve Hawley, president, American Single Malt Whisky Commission
LOCATION: California, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, Marketing, Brand management
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Paul Hletko, Founder, FEW Spirits
LOCATION: Chicago, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, Distilling, Production
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Emma Hodges, accessibility and inclusion consultant, freelance
LOCATION: Horsham, England
EXPERTISE: Coaching, DEI, Social Media
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Matt Hofmann, Managing Director, Westland Distillery
LOCATION: Washington, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, Distilling, Production
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Lynn House, National Spirits Specialist and Portfolio Mixologist, Heaven Hill Brands
LOCATION: Chicago, USA
EXPERTISE: Branding, Advocacy, Education, Self Promotion
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Julie Trevisan-Hunter, director of marketing, The Scotch Whisky Experience
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Leadership, Marketing, PR & Communications
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Abbie Jaume, Co-Founder & Distiller, Cooper King Distillery
LOCATION: York, England
EXPERTISE: Founder, Production, Distilling
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Jamie Johnson, National Brand Ambassador, Glenfiddich & The Balvenie, Canada
LOCATION: Toronto, Canada
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Communication, Sales
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Melita Kiely, Editor-in-Chief, The Spirits Business
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Journalism & Publishing, Leadership, Social Media, Writing
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Brian Kinsman, malt master, Glenfiddich
LOCATION: Speyside, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Blending, Production
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Hannah Lanfear, Founding director, The Mixing Class
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Production, Communication
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Alice Lascelles, Drinks writer & Author
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Communications, Cocktails, Writing
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John Laurie, Interim Managing Director, The Glenturret
LOCATION: Livingstone, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Leadership, Management
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Rachel Lavalette, Marketing Director, Distillers One of One Auction
LOCATION: Longford, Ireland
EXPERTISE: Marketing, PR & Communication, Brand Management
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Sandrae Lawrence, Co-founder, The Cocktail Lovers
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Founder, Writing, Cocktails
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Ilaria Leone, Freelance Digital Content Strategist
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Communications, Marketing, Social Media
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Miika Lipiäinen, Co-Founder, Kyrö Distillery
LOCATION: Helsinki , Finland
EXPERTISE: Founder, Entrepreneur, Branding
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Graeme Littlejohn, director of strategy and communications, SWA
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Communication, PR, Marketing
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Don Livermore, Master Blender, Hiram Walker Distillery
LOCATION: Ontario, Canada
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Blending, Leadership
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Polly Logan, Distillery Manager, Tormore Distillery
LOCATION: Aberdeen, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production, Operations
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Bill Lumsden, head of distilling & whisky creation, Glenmorangie
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distiliing, Management
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Gillian MacDonald, Master Blender, Glenmorangie
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Blending, Production
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Stephanie Macleod, Director of Blending, Dewar's
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Blending, Production
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Caspar MacRae, CEO, Glenmorangie
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Sales, Leadership
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Stewart MacRae, former Regional Director, Edrington
LOCATION: Bishopbriggs, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Brand management, Sales, Leadership
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Kelly Maguire, Global Client Partner, Smarts
LOCATION: Belfast, N. Ireland
EXPERTISE: Brand Management, Marketing, PR & Communications
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Iain McAlister, Master Distiller & Group Whisky Operations Director, Langjiu Group
LOCATION: Campbeltown, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Production, Distilling, Leadership
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Elizabeth McCall, master distiller, Woodford Reserve
LOCATION: Kentucky, USA
EXPERTISE: Production, Distilling
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Kirstie McCallum, Master Blender, Whyte and Mackay
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Blending, Ambassadorship & Advocacy, Brand Management
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Brendan McCarron, Independent Consultant
LOCATION: Port Ellen, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production
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Johanne McInnis, Whisky writer & educator
LOCATION: New Brunswick, Canada
EXPERTISE: Writing, Content
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Janice McIntosh, Marketing Director UK, Europe & GTR, Whyte and Mackay
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Brand Management, Leadership, Marketing
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Jessamine McLellan, Director, Campari Academy & Trade Advocacy, Campari
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Leadership, Ambassador, Education
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Kirsty McLeod, Sales Manager, Claxton's Whisky
LOCATION: Elgin, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Sales, Education
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Duncan McRae, co-founder, Woven
LOCATION: Adelaide, Australia
EXPERTISE: Leadership, Marketing, Branding
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Sandra Mearns, former head of Marketing, Edrington
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Brand management, Leadership
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Stephen Magennis, Global Head of Sales, Dunville’s Irish Whiskey
LOCATION: Belfast, N. Ireland
EXPERTISE: Ambassadorship & Advocacy, Sales, Marketing, Brand Management
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Isac Melander, Brand Ambassador, Ramsbury Brewing & Distilling
LOCATION: Stockholm, Sweden
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Brand Management, F&B
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Ann Miller, whisky educator
LOCATION: Speyside, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Leadership
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Graeme Millar, head of supply and operations, McConnell's Irish Whisky
LOCATION: Belfast, Northern Ireland
EXPERTISE: Business Operations, Distilling, Leadership
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Elaine Miller, European. Marketing Director, Baxters Food Group
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Brand Management, Marketing, Leadership
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Fred Minnick, whisky writer & author
LOCATION: Kentucky, USA
EXPERTISE: Writing, Journalism
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Chris Moffat, Global Innovation Manager, Bacardi
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Brand Management, Marketing, Operations & Logistics
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Andrea Montague, Head of Advocacy, Edrington
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Education and Advocacy
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Thomas Mooney, Founder, Westward Whiskey
LOCATION: Oregon, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, Distilling, Leadership
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Nick Morgan, whisky writer & author
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Writing
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Jamie Morrison, Brand Ambassador, One Cask at a Time
LOCATION: Crieff, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Communication, Sales
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Oisin Mulcahy, Head Distiller & Head Blender, Clonakilty Distillery
LOCATION: Cork, Ireland
EXPTERISE: Blending, Distilling, Marketing, Production, Warehouse/Cask Management
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Bridgeen Mullen, Visitor Centre Manager, The Clydeside Distillery
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Operations, Leadership
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Jayne Murphy, brand director whiskeys, Proximo
LOCATION: Dublin, Ireland
EXPERTISE: Brand Management, Marketing, Leadership
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Jennie Norrish, Founder, Yellow Shoes Consultancy
LOCATION: Woodbridge, England
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Communication, Branding
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Deirdre O'Carroll, Blender, Irish Distillers
LOCATION: Cork, Ireland
EXPERTISE: Ambassadorship & Advocacy, Blending, Operations & Logistics
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Sietse Offringa, Brand Education Manager Europe North, Edrington
LOCATION: Amsterdam, Netherlands
EXPERTISE: Brand management, Ambassador, Distilling
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Alicia Partridge, Internal Communications Manager, Vinarchy
LOCATION: Sydney, Australia
EXPERTISE: PR, D&I
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Alice Pearson, Head of Production, Cotswolds Distillery
LOCATION: Shipston-On-Stour, England
EXPERTISE: Operations, Distilling
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Johna Penman, Director of Marketing, Branding and Communications, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Brands, Marketing
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Oskar Persson, Head of Brands, Irish Distillers
LOCATION: Dublin, Ireland
EXPERTISE: Brand Management, Marketing, Social Media
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Martin Purvis, associate director Europe, Kelvin Cooperage
LOCATION: Bridge of Allan, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Operations
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Struan Grant Ralph, global brand ambassador, Glenfiddich
LOCATION: Forres, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Brand management, Distilling
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Laura Rampling, Head of Whisky Making Estates Brands, Edrington
LOCATION: Glasgow
EXPERTISE: Blending, Production, Brand Management, Marketing
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Sandrine Ricard, Director of Sustainability and Responsibility Communications, Pernod Ricard
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Communications, Branding
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Neil Ridley, Author, Writer & Consultant
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Writing, Presenting, Consultation
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Nicola Riske, Regional Education Manager & Key City Manager, Edrington
LOCATION: Jerez, Spain
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Brand management, Education
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Pauline Rooney, Former VP NAM Distillery Expansions, Diageo
LOCATION: Crestwood, USA
EXPERTISE: Operations, Technical & Engineering
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Lisa Roper Wicker, Director of Distilling, Whiskey Thief Distilling Co.
LOCATION: Kentucky, USA
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Leadership, Business Management
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Noah Rothbaum, Spirits Editor, Men's Journal
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Writing, Cocktails
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Jane Ryan, Creative Specialist, Liquid Ideas
LOCATION: Sydney, Australia
EXPERTISE: Journalism, Communication, Writing
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Lisa Ryan, Manager, The National Centre for Brewing and Distilling
LOCATION: Carlow, Ireland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Operations & Logistics, Production
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Holly Seidewand, Co-Founder, First Fill Spirits
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Retail, Marketing, Leadership
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Simo Simpson, bar owner
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Founder, D&I, Management
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Ashley Smith, master blender, Glen Scotia
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Blending
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Scott Sneddon, Managing Director, InchDairnie
LOCATION: Glenrothes, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Site Operations, Sustainability
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Janice Snowden, UK Brand Ambassador - Bushmills
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Brand Advocacy & Education
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Caitlin Soares, National Brand Manager, Edrington
LOCATION: Massachusetts, USA
EXPERTISE: Branding, Brand management, Leadership
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Colin Spoelman, Co-Founder, Kings County Distillery
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Entrepreneurship, Founder
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Kirsty Summers, Head of Workforce and Skills, Scotch Whisky Association
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Coaching, Writing
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Tommy Tardie, Owner, Goodnight Group
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, Marketing, Education
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James Taylor, Global Head of Innovation & Design - The Balvenie
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Brand Development, Marketing
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Kirsty Taylor, commercial director, Lakes Distillery
LOCATION: Cumbrial, England
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Sales, Distribution
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Annabel Thomas, CEO, Nc'nean Distillery
LOCATION: London, UK
EXPERTISE: Sustainability, Founder, Business
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Michael Vachon, co-founder, Maverick Drinks
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Brand management, Distribution, Sales
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Claire Vaughan, Co-Founder, White Peak Distillery
LOCATION: Derbyshire, England
EXPERTISE: Brand management, Marketing, Design
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Racheal Vaughan Jones, Chief Marketing Officer, Compass Box
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Marketing, Brand management, Writing
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David Vitale, Founder, Starward Whisky
LOCATION: Melbourne, Australia
EXPERTISE: Entrepreneurship, Business, Leadership
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Sarah Ward, Former Global Brand Manager, Highland Park, Edrington
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Communications, Brand management
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Emma Walker, Johnnie Walker Master Blender, Diageo
LOCATION: Menstrie, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Whisky Blending, Whisky Production, Innovation
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Rachel Walters, Director of Operations, The Macallan at Edrington
LOCATION: Moray, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Operations & Logistics, Whisky Production, Leadership
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Ron Welsh, Whisky Consultant, Ron Welsh Consulting Limited
LOCATION: Stirling, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Mature Inventory Management, Product Development
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Fiona West, Marketing Consultant
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Brand Management, Coaching, Marketing
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Johnathan Wilson, Brand Home Visitor Operations Manager, John Dewar & Sons
LOCATION: Aberfeldy, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Tourism, Operations & Logistics, Marketing
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Alan Winchester, Distillery Advisor, The Glenlivet
LOCATION: Dufftown, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production
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Alex wolpert, Founder, East London Liquor Company
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Founder, Distilling
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Jess Worley, global head of single malts, Diageo
LOCATION: Wotlington, England
EXPERTISE: Brand Management, Marketing
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Jackie Zykan, master blender, Hidden BArn Whiskey
LOCATION: Kentucky, USA
EXPERTISE: Blending, Production, Management
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Lora Hemy, consulting master distiller and whiskeymaker
LOCATION: Dublin, Ireland
EXPERTISE: Blending, Distilling, Innovation