State of the Industry: 9 Key Women Shaping Spirits Weigh in on Equity, Progress and What Needs Improvement

From Kentucky to Scotland to Jamaica and beyond, women working across the spirits business describe an industry that has changed significantly over the past two decades. More women now hold leadership roles, contribute across technical and creative disciplines and gain recognition for their work. At the same time, they point to ongoing challenges around visibility, equity and access to opportunity.

Below, some of the most important women working in the spirits industry sound off on the state of the industry. We asked each how the industry has grown in terms of representation and equity, and where it still has room to grow.

Elizabeth McCall, Master Distiller, Woodford Reserve

(Photo: Woodford Reserve)

“The industry has come a long way in the almost 17 years I’ve been in it, and I’m proud to be part of that progress. What excites me most now isn’t looking back at how things were, it’s looking forward.

I’m really focused on what’s ahead for women in this industry. I want them to see a clear path to leadership, whether that’s in distilling, production, or brand management. I’m fortunate to work alongside incredible women at every level at Woodford Reserve, and my goal is to make sure that’s the norm across the industry, not the exception.

There’s still room to grow. I think the biggest opportunity is continued visibility. The more women in this space see someone who looks like them in a leadership role, the more attainable it feels. I look forward to the day when women leading brands and serving as master distillers is so commonplace that it’s no longer considered newsworthy. That’s when we’ll know we’ve really gotten there.”

Joy Spence, Master Blender, Appleton Estate

(Photo: Campari Group)

“When I joined Appleton in 1981, women were simply not seen in this space. Being appointed Master Blender in 1997 was historic precisely because it had never been done before. Today, I look around and see women as Master Blenders, Master Distillers, and category leaders, and that fills me with enormous pride. The institutional support that now exists — forums, mentorship programs, partnerships, etc. — none of that existed when I was carving my path. The change has been real and meaningful.

Representation at the very top, in ownership, investment, and funding, still has a long way to go. And I think often about the young women in STEM across Jamaica, the Caribbean, and beyond who have all the gifts but don’t yet know a career like mine is possible for them. That is why mentorship is not optional for me; it is a responsibility. Satisfaction will come when a woman walks into this industry and nobody thinks to remark upon it. We are not there yet, but we will be.”

Andrea Wilson, Master of Maturation, Michter’s

(Photo: Michter’s)

“It is an amazing time to be in Kentucky Bourbon. While the industry has always included women, I feel there are now more women being recognized for their contributions to the industry and holding influential positions of leadership to shape the next generation of producers. With the explosive growth of the industry, it is opening many opportunities for women to explore their full potential in a variety of careers. Everything from accounting, science, engineering, supply chain, logistics, graphics, marketing, research, and development to name a few areas. You don’t have to be a science wizard to get into the industry. There are so many more facets to the industry than the traditional fields of distillation and maturation. However, I think it is incredibly important to continue to attract young women to S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) careers by making it approachable and to help them make the connection to what they can uniquely contribute. In order for the industry to continue to grow we need to continue to increase the diverse backgrounds within it.

We have all heard the old saying about if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life. While there are many paths you can take in the bourbon industry, it takes great passion, perseverance, love and a constant effort to strive for excellence knowing that you are creating something to be enjoyed all over the world to celebrate life’s precious moments.”

Nancy Fraley, Master Blender

(Photo: Joseph Magnus)

“When I first entered the spirits industry, there were few women in technical roles like blending and distilling, and even fewer whose work was publicly recognized. Much of the craft was still treated as a very traditional, male-dominated space. Over the years, it has been incredibly encouraging to see more women stepping into leadership roles across production, education, and brand stewardship. There is also far greater visibility now. Women are not only doing the work, but they are also being acknowledged for their expertise and contributions.

Over the course of my career, I have had the privilege of working across a range of spirits and helping to shape blends that are meant to tell a story, and to invoke passion and interest. For me, blending has always been an artistic endeavor that is rooted in science. It is about understanding how different mash bills, types of barrels, the age of the spirit, potential finishes, and maturation environments can create something greater than the sum of its parts. That perspective has guided my work throughout my career and continues to inform the way I approach projects like Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon.

What has been very encouraging over the years is seeing more women entering the industry and taking on visible roles in production, education, and leadership. There is a level of recognition and amplification today that did not exist when I first started. At the same time, there is still room for growth. As of late, I have seen a fair number of my female colleagues being laid off from all of these positions, and I find it very troubling.

In light of this, continued progress will come from ensuring that women have access to mentorship, technical training, and meaningful opportunities to shape the future of distilling and blending. The spirits industry thrives on creativity and collaboration, and the more diverse the voices contributing to that work, the stronger and more innovative the field will become.”

Stephanie Macleod, Master Blender, Dewar’s

Photo: Bacardi

“When I graduated from University, the Scotch Whisky industry was not that visible to me. There were no female role models that were spotlighted for me to aspire to. When I became the first female Master Blender for DEWAR’S in 2006, I vowed that I would not be the last! As such, I have made it my mission to mentor, encourage and recruit talented to my team.

Now, as we enter DEWAR’S 180th year, my talented team are largely female, and across the industry we’re seeing more women taking on visible and influential roles, from distillers and blenders to brand leaders. I’m proud to have been part of that shift and to play a role in supporting and inspiring the next generation of women in whisky. There has been real progress in terms of representation, but there’s always more we can do to ensure the industry continues to welcome different perspectives and create opportunities for the next generation coming through.

Mentorship is deeply important to me. I was fortunate to have people who believed in me and gave me constructive, honest feedback, and I feel a responsibility to do the same. Through Bacardi’s graduate and intern programs, and organizations like Our Whisky Foundation, I mentor more broadly across the industry. Within my team, I focus on creating an environment where people feel supported and valued and making sure opportunities aren’t quietly missed. I also encourage women to speak up, name inequities when they see them, and never feel the need to diminish themselves. I want the next generation to feel empowered, curious, and confident in shaping the future of Scotch.”

Amanda Beckwith, Director of Liquid Development and Lead Blender, Virginia Distillery Company

(Photo: Virginia Spirits)

“After a decade plus in the spirits industry I’ve seen a lot of change. The one constant, and something I’m very proud of, is the creativity and passion I see daily from women in the spirits space. While the same old tired questioning and inappropriate comments (mostly from older men, but occasionally from other more unexpected places) has remained disappointingly consistent, there are some big gains to celebrate. I do see men (some of whom I am fortunate enough to work alongside) becoming increasingly aware of systemic inequalities that have been taken for granted for a long time. Education, awareness and actively rejecting a system created to look out for male interests over the good of all doesn’t happen overnight, and I try to remember that this is a long term struggle that many women have been walking through for generations before me.

The most wonderful difference between now and my early days in the industry is the established networking and communal spaces that women have carved out for each other. I was lucky to be mentored early on in my career by the brilliant Nancy Fraley – this was at a time when there weren’t many options for people like me. Today, there are organizations and internships created to connect, educate and provide community and resources for women. In 2015 I couldn’t have dreamed of access to things like the STEPUP Foundation, Our Whisky Foundation or the Spirited Collective – all places filled with incredibly accomplished women who are unendingly generous with both their time and their knowledge. Today, I’m humbled and inspired to share a space with these women, and I know I’m not alone when I say that I am reminded daily of how challenging this journey has been for each of us, but how strong we are together. I hope I never forget this, and I am determined to give back and continue to make space for the women who are just now finding their footing in the spirits industry.”

Samantha Olvera, Distiller, Garrison Brothers Distillery

(Photo: Garrison Brothers)

“[The state of the industry] has changed dramatically. When I first started making bourbon at Garrison Brothers Distillery 11 years ago, I had to do extensive research to find other women distillers, not just online but asking around too. Through my search, I discovered that women have always been a part of distilling and that inspired me even more.

We have all the room of the world to grow! Even though women are coming out of the woodwork in full force in the industry there is still much work to do to push for some visibility. Women have been a part of the alcohol industry from pouring your drinks, to selling it, promoting it, making it and even running a distillery/business for years and years. Yet, we don’t always receive the recognition we deserve. While Women’s History Month is important, I hope to see female leaders in this industry celebrated year-round, inspiring more women to pursue careers in this field.”

Lauren Trickett, National Brand Ambassador, Mount Gay Rum

“The first bartending job I ever applied for, I was told I could only be a cocktail server because bartenders needed to be able to lift a keg. The irony, of course, was that most of the male bartenders couldn’t lift a keg either; they relied on the barbacks to change them out. In reality, it was simply a way of keeping the bar a boys’ club.

That was 20 years ago, and I have worked my way up the ranks from bartender to beverage director, cooperate consultant and menu developer to now national brand ambassador for Rémy Cointreau. While our industry has certainly made progress in creating opportunities for women, there is still work to be done. Today, we see more women in leadership roles like Trudiann Branker, our first female master blender for Mount Gay rum, and many women including myself working on the trade advocacy and marketing sides for spirits companies. These are meaningful steps forward, but true equity means women being represented at every level of the industry.

Having a seat at the table matters. And we want to be in those rooms not because we are women, but because we are qualified. But the fact that we are women, should not exclude us from those rooms.

One of the most powerful ways we can continue to move this industry forward is through allyship. For those who come from a place of privilege, it’s important to remain mindful of the people around you to recognize whose voices may not yet be heard, and to ensure you are helping create opportunities for others to step forward and succeed.”

Kaylan Rexer, Chief Marketing Officer, Ilegal Mezcal

“When I first entered the spirits industry, there were far fewer visible pathways for women in leadership roles. That has changed in meaningful ways over the past decade, but there’s still a lot of room to grow.

At Ilegal Mezcal, the brand was operated by John Rexer, Michelle Ivey, and myself, so the majority of the leadership team were women. But what stood out to me was how unusual that still felt in the broader industry. We would walk into distributor meetings or industry gatherings with fifty people in the room and Michelle and I would often be the only women at the table. It made it very clear how much the industry still relied on a fairly traditional leadership pipeline.

One of the biggest opportunities for growth is broadening where companies recruit talent. Leadership in spirits still often comes from the same networks and pathways. Expanding that pool brings in new perspectives and opens doors for more diverse leadership.

And visibility matters. When we highlight women founders, distillers, winemakers, and executives, it changes what leadership looks like to the next generation. But I would argue that part of visibility is distribution. When women-led brands are supported with real market access, shelf space, placements, and investment, it ensures they’re not just visible in stories, but visible in the market. That kind of visibility is what truly changes the landscape.”

A big thank you to all of the smart, important and talented women who contributed their time and thoughtful responses to this article.