44 Acorns selected for OurWhisky’s 2025 Atonia Programme
The OurWhisky Foundation has revealed the 2025 cohort of 44 women and non-binary individuals to be selected for its re-launched mentorship programme.
After a vigorous application and interview process, the 44 successful mentees (known as Acorns) have this month begun the six-month intensive personal and professional development programme.
They will be the sixth cohort of mentees to take part in the coveted, one-of-a-kind programme, which was relaunched this year in two markets: Great Britain and Ireland. Forty-four candidates from both regions combined made it through to the shortlist before interviews with the OurWhisky Foundation team which saw the final group selected.
Applications came from all parts of the industry (and outside of it) from operations, sales and marketing to journalism, tourism and hospitality.
The programme includes the award-winning, confidence-building Power Room as well as monthly professional development workshops and regular one-to-ones with mentees’ carefully matched mentors.
It also includes membership to the new OurWhisky Foundation Community platform which will be a space for Acorns to network in private groups, while also enjoying the networking, chat, one-to-one messaging functionality and events programme it offers.
The 18 Acorns joining the Ireland programme are:
Susan Boyle, drinks consultant, freelance (Kildare, Republic of Ireland)
Aisling Bulman, tour guide at McConnells Distillery (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
Megan Byrne, distillery supervisor, Great Northern Distillery (Dundalk, Republic of Ireland)
Angela Coral-Medina, brewing & distilling support, Irish Distillers (Cork City, Republic of Ireland)
Annie David, national sales manager, Two Stacks Irish Whiskey (Newry, Northern Ireland)
Samantha Donnelly, tour guide team leader, McConnell’s Distillery (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
Aisling Harrington, continuous improvement leader, Irish Distillers (Dublin, Republic of Ireland)
Bronagh Kelly, whiskey blender, Irish Distillers (Cork, Republic of Ireland)
Sarah Kennedy, brand manager, McConnell’s Distillery (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
Jessie Lynch, business development manager, J.J. Corry Irish Whiskey (Kilrush, Republic of Ireland)
Ciara McArdle, Irish Whiskey Academy tutor, Irish Distillers (Youghal, Republic of Ireland)
Sarah McAvinchy, head of sales, Tipperary Boutique Distillery (Monasterboice, Republic of Ireland)
Fionnuala McGrenaghan, visitor experience team leader, Belfast Distillery Company (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
Shenda O’Hare, distillery manager, Killowen Distillery (Killowen, Northern Ireland)
Shauna Parkes, commercial manager, Belfast Distillery Company (Newcastle, Northern Ireland)
Kaitlyn Sercovich, brand home manager, Pearse Lyons Distillery (Dublin, Republic of Ireland)
Sara Spillane, retail team lead, Irish Distillers (Cork, Republic of Ireland)
Maura Tomei, copywriter & communications specialist, self-employed (Galway, Republic of Ireland)
The 26 Acorns joining the Great Britain programme are:
Diane Archer, distillery experience manager, Arbikie Distilery (Montrose, Scotland)
Elisabeth Barmby, marketing executive, The Glasgow Distillery Co. (Duntocher, Scotland)
Lauren Benson, Microbiologist, Whyte & Mackay (Invergordon, Scotland)
Kirsten Blackburn-Elsdon, head of marketing, The Borders Distillery (Melrose, Scotland)
Victoria Charlton, key account manager, Mangrove (Liverpool, England)
Jade Cox, bartender, Wetherspoons (Derby, England)
Dana Crombie, key account executive at Suntory Global Spirits (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Victoria Ferguson, business development representative, Ad Gefrin Distillery (Morpeth, England)
Srushti Gondane, self-employed, freelance (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Anna Gregory, assistant brand manager, International Beverage (Glasgow, Scotland)
Kaya Guzinska, sensory analyst and whisky maker, Edrington (Paisley, Scotland)
Lesley Hammerton, content manager, CVH Spirits (Glasgow, Scotland)
Emma Hilton, HR coordinator, CVH Spirits (East Kilbride, Scotland)
Cara Holsgrove, social & digital senior executive, Muckle Brig (Glasgow, Scotland)
Amber Johnston, strategic project engineer, Whyte & Mackay (Inverness, Scotland)
Justina MacLellan, creative marketing manager, Brave New Spirits (Glasgow, Scotland)
Matilda Mear, senior visitor assistant and visitor experience manager apprentice, The Scotch Whisky Experience (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Elena Merlino, operational stock planning assistant, The Macallan (Elgin, Scotland)
Flora Outram, European brand ambassador, International Beverage (Aberlour, Scotland)
Gemma Porter, global innovation manager, The Balvenie (Forres, Scotland)
Angelica Robertson, category development manager, Edrington UK (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Dominika Smyth, bulk stock manager, InchDairnie Whisky Ltd (Glasgow, Scotland)
Bethany Squires, associate/deputy editor, The Whiskey Wash (Manchester, England)
Kathryn Wilkie, global brand communications manager, The Glenmorangie Company (Glasgow, Scotland)
Heidi Wilson, visitor experience manager, Benromach Distillery (Forres, Scotland)
Sarah Wood, business account manager, Remy Cointreau (Glasgow, Scotland)
Becky Paskin, founder of the OurWhisky Foundation, said: “We’re so excited to welcome another 44 Acorns into our first Atonia Programme since its rebranding. Now we are operating this life-changing programme on a more focused, regional basis, there are even more opportunities for women+ in the whisky industry to connect, learn and grow. Our graduates continue to say this is the most effective professional development programme they've experienced, and we're committed to ensuring that stays true for all participants, all over the world.”
Samantha Staniforth, global community & events manager, and head of the Atonia Programme, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome this round of Acorns to the Atonia Programme and can already feel their energy and enthusiasm for what’s ahead. It’s inspiring to see such drive and dedication from each of them, and we’re excited to help build their confidence as they carve out their place in the whisky industry. I look forward to supporting their journey alongside our fantastic mentors and watching their stories unfold.”
Since its inception in 2022, the OurWhisky Foundation mentorship programme has helped guide over 200 women working in the whisky industry toward their goals, while providing opportunities to build their network and improve their confidence.
Applications for the 2026 programme will open later this year. More information on the programme can be found here.
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