WASHINGTON, D.C., 05/05/2025 – Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) proudly announces the graduation of 31 woman wholesale leaders from 9 wholesaler member companies at a special capstone event held this week in Washington, D.C.
Over the past three weeks, women from across the country successfully completed WSWA’s 2025 Women in Leadership (WIL) Executive Education Program, an intensive hybrid curriculum developed and taught by esteemed faculty from Columbia Business School. The program featured a dynamic virtual classroom experience and concluded with a two-day, in-person capstone session in our nation’s capital.
Designed to accelerate the advancement of women in the wine and spirits industry, the WIL program equips participants to navigate complex business landscapes, leverage their strengths, and step into roles of greater influence and leadership.
The WIL curriculum was exclusively designed for WSWA by Professor Adam Galinsky, Paul Calello Professor of Leadership and Ethics and Vice Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Columbia Business School (CBS). He was joined by distinguished CBS professors Modupe Akinola, Barbara and David Zalaznick Professor of Business and Faculty Director of the Bernstein Center for Leadership and Ethics, and Sandra Matz, David W. Zalaznick Associate Professor of Business, bringing expertise in leadership ethics, innovation, negotiation, and inclusive culture development.
This year’s capstone experience began on Wednesday with a session titled “Inspiring Negotiations,” taught by Professor Adam Galinsky. The day concluded with a rooftop reception overlooking the monuments with special guest Representative Haley Stevens, (D-MI) followed by small group networking dinners across Washington, D.C.
On Thursday, participants started the day with a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol building. The final educational session, “Inspiring Social Capital and Happiness” led by Professor Modupe Akinola.
The capstone event wrapped up with a celebratory graduation ceremony and reception, marking the culmination of the 2025 Women in Leadership Executive Education Program.
“I appreciate the insightful wisdom of Professor Galinsky, especially, how he taught the material,” said Glenny Tjahjadi, Vice President, IT, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “The engineer in me loved the research and data backing up the insights. The human in me loved the interactive breakout sessions that foster relationship building. The child in me loved the vividness of stories and imageries he used in the lessons. And the driver in me loved the connection he made between concepts and concrete actionable items and next steps,” she added.
Since its inception, the WIL Executive Education Program has celebrated over 177 graduates, with more than 80% of alumnae reporting measurable career advancements and promotions post-completion.
"Congratulations to the Class of 2025 on completing the WSWA Women in Leadership Executive Education Program — a major personal and professional achievement,” said Dina Opici, WSWA Chairwoman and President of Opici Family Distributing. “You are now part of an elite group of women leaders who are shaping the future of the wholesale industry. You are graduating from this program during a most exceptional time — your leadership, knowledge and perseverance are essential to navigate today’s challenges, and you will all play a pivotal role in this next chapter of our industry’s history.”
“The WIL program continues to transform the future of leadership in our industry,” said WSWA Senior Vice President of Member Advocacy and Director of WSWA's Women's Leadership Council, Catherine McDaniel. “Each year, we witness the profound impact these women make, not only within their companies but across the wholesale tier. Their success stories are reshaping the landscape of our industry.”
Congratulations to WSWA’s 2025 WIL graduating class!
Heyddy Lombert, Allied Beverage Group, LLC
Jamie Wojaczyk, Allied Beverage Group, LLC
Marissa Gregori, Athens Distributing of TN
Anne Carson, Breakthru Beverage Group
Jenna Oppe, Breakthru Beverage Group
Noelle Lawrence, Breakthru Beverage Group
Jennifer Mullane, Fedway Associates, Inc.
Michelle Orlando, M.S. Walker of Rhode Island
Brittney Ferguson, Republic National Distributing Company
Jessica Van Voorst, Republic National Distributing Company
Rebecca Pulupa, Republic National Distributing Company
Rebecca Sylvester, Republic National Distributing Company
Tammy Curtis, Republic National Distributing Company
Kima Bacevicius, Southern Glazer's Beverage Group of Massachusetts
Alyson Atkinson, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Amanda Doucett, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Amanda Lickstein, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Diana Soler, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Elizabeth Fritsche, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Glenny Tjahjadi, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Jennifer Pierce, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Juliana Purcello, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Lisette Melchor, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Noelle Waite, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Shanda LeBeau, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Shehan Kharwat, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Stephanie Beilman, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Stephanie Rich, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Sukhi Martinez, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Melissa Risick, United Distributors
Chelsea Crucitti, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
For more information about WSWA’s Women’s Leadership Council and the WIL Executive Education Program, please visit wswa.org.
About Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
WSWA is the national trade association representing the distribution tier of the wine and spirits industry, dedicated to advancing the interests and independence of distributors and brokers of wine and spirits. Founded in 1943, WSWA has more than 380 member companies in 50 states and the District of Columbia, and its members distribute more than 80 percent of all wine and spirits sold at wholesale in the United States.
To learn more, please visit www.wswa.org or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.
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