Bacardi
will launch the Spirit Forward series next month – a collection of
seminars designed to empower women in leadership roles. The Spirit Forward Bacardi Women
in Leadership Empowerment Series hopes to champion the individuals that make up
the spirits trade and hospitality community through a host of inspiring
speakers and professional seminars. It will
cover topics including sexual harassment, diversity and inclusion in the
workplace.
Marlene Gordon, vice president, general
counsel for Bacardi North America, said: “Now more than ever, we can all
appreciate the power of community and how interdependent we truly are. “This series is borne out of Bacardi’s desire
to bring women and men from all parts of the spirits and hospitality industries
together to not only educate, inspire, celebrate and motivate each other, but
also to activate and accelerate the development and advancement of all women in
our industry.”
The initiative will host Q&A
sessions, workshops and networking opportunities in five locations as it tours
across the US. It will also host story
sessions on breaking stigmas and workshops on financial planning and self-defense. Each of these sessions will be led by
speakers, industry professionals and members of the hospitality industry.
Dana Cowin, the former editor-in-chief
of Food & Wine Magazine and current chief creative officer
of Chef’s Club International, has been chosen as the summit’s keynote speaker. Cowin said: “The commitment to supporting
and empowering women is more important than ever. It is imperative that we all,
men and women alike, work together to help inspire positive change and work
toward equality on all levels.”
A five-city tour around the U.S. starting in Houston on February 12 and
culminating in New
York City on April 3, the Spirit Forward
Bacardi Women In Leadership Empowerment Series will bring the tools, solutions,
relationships and know how needed to help inspire and unleash the potential and
further advancement of women in the spirits and hospitality industries,
directly to each city. The first summit in Houston will be
held at the Hotel Zaza Museum, and along with trailblazing national female
participants who are on the road for the series, local Texas industry
speakers and presenters featured include Jessica Sanders, Alba
Huerta and Bobby Heugel.
For more information go to https://www.bacardi-women-in-leadership.com/
