
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, Distillery Manager, Cascade Hollow
LOCATION: Tennessee, 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, Senior Director, Beam Suntory, Global Scotch, Irish Whiskey
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, Global marketing director, Bowmmore, Auchentoshan & Irish whiskey
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, Prestige Portfolio Manager, Loch Lomond
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, Whisky Host & Consultant, Copper Cairn
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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Alexandra Clough, Founder, Gather PR
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, PR, Communications
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Ronan Currie, Sales Director and Assistant Blender, The GlenAllachie
LOCATION: Glasgow, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Ambassadorship & Advocacy, Blending, Leadership
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Kirsty Dagnan, Operations Director, Johnstons of Elgin
LOCATION: Elgin, 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, Compass Box
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Leadership, Coaching
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Gordon Dundas, brand development director, Ian Macleod
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 & Responsibility, 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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Cameron George, US brand ambassador, Ardbeg
LOCATION: Washington, USA
EXPERTISE: Ambassador, Education
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Gerard Garland, Global Brand Ambassador & European Sales Manager, O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co.
LOCATION: Dublin, Ireland
EXPERTISE: Ambassadorship & Advocacy, Sales
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Rod Gillies, Global Brand Director, The Dalmore
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, Distiller, Dublin Liberties Distillery
LOCATION: Dublin, Ireland
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Production
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Colin Gordon, distillery manager, Ardbeg
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, Beam Suntory
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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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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Matt Hofmann, Managing Director, Westland Distillery
LOCATION: Washington, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, Distilling, Production
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Stef Holt, Market manager, Waterford Distillery
LOCATION: London, England
EXPERTISE: Brand management, Marketing
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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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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, Head of Partnerships & Private Clients, The Glenrothes
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, distillery manager, Glen Scotia
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, Campari Academy Lead
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Leadership, Ambassador, Education
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Kirsty McLeod, Sales Director, Duncan Taylor
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, Head of Marketing - EMEIA, 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, Global Brand Ambassador, Naked Malt
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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Elaine Miller, Global Head of Marketing, Wyoming Whiskey & Naked Malt, Edrington
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, global brand ambassador, The Glenturret
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, Marketing Director Malts, Chivas Brothers
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, Regional Education Manager - The Macallan Europe North, Edrington
LOCATION: Amsterdam, Netherlands
EXPERTISE: Brand management, Ambassador, Distilling
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Alicia Partridge, Talent and Capability Partner, Pernod Ricard Winemakers
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, Marketing & Commercial Strategy Consultant, Johna Penman Consulting Ltd
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, Master Whisky Maker, The Glenrothes
LOCATION: Glasgow
EXPERTISE: Blending, Production, Brand Management, Marketing
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Sandrine Ricard, Deputy Director, 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 - The Macallan - European Partners
LOCATION: Madrid, 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, Master Distiller, Garrard County Distilling Company
LOCATION: Kentucky, USA
EXPERTISE: Distilling, Leadership, Business Management
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Noah Rothbaum, Spirits & Cocktails Author & Expert
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Writing, Cocktails
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Jane Ryan, Head of Marketing, Worksmith
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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Scott Sneddon, Distillery Manager, 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, Diversity and inclusion Lead, Scotch Whisky industry
LOCATION: Edinburgh, Scotland
EXPERTISE: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Coaching, Writing
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Tommy Tardie, owner, The Flatiron Room and Fine & Rare NY
LOCATION: New York, USA
EXPERTISE: Founder, Marketing, Education
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James Taylor, Global Marketing Manager, The Balvenie, William Grant & Sons
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, Marketing Director, 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, 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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Jackie Zykan, master blender, Hidden BArn Whiskey
LOCATION: Kentucky, USA
EXPERTISE: Blending, Production, Management