Keyah Boyd was born and raised in Baltimore, MD, and comes to STEPUP from the American Cancer Society where she served as a Development Coordinator. Following part-time work at Sagamore Spirit, where she served as a Distillery Experience Guide, and later Wisher Spirit, she is excited to pursue her passion within hospitality and love for whiskey as she transitions fully into a career in spirits by diving deeper into spirits production and operations.
Sydney Jones is a Supervisor and Lead Distillery Technician at the newly constructed Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown, KY. Previously, she served as the first female Head Distiller for FEW Spirits in Evanston, IL, and has been working in the distilled spirits industry since 2016. She specializes in whiskey and gin production, as well as spirits education.
Sydney has also served as a Board Member and Treasurer for the Northeast Florida chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild, worked as a Judge for the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago, IL, and taught as an educator with Brewing and Distilling Educational Services in Lexington, KY. She currently serves as a Board Member for the Society of Spirit, regularly presents educational material for the American Craft Spirits Association, and contributes to Artisan Spirit Magazine.. Sydney is also a co-host of the Craft Spirits and Distilling Podcast.
Nashville, TN
Corsair Artisan Distillery is a small-batch distilling company that operates in Nashville, Tennessee, US. It was originally founded in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in January 2008. The distillery is owned and operated by Derek Bell and Andrew Webber, who are both distillers and natives of Nashville. Corsair Artisan Distillery is known for its production of innovative spirits, which include buckwheat whiskey, quinoa whiskey, malted and smoked whiskies, multi-grain bourbons, barrel-aged gin, red absinthe, naturally flavored vodka, and spiced rum.
Multiple Locales, U.S.
Diageo North America is the leading premium drinks business and one of the best-performing CPGs across the United States and Canada.
Our success is built on a rich heritage, from a centuries-old bourbon recipe to aged Mexican tequilas and classic Caribbean spiced rum. Every day, our more than 2,600 people across North America proudly claim ownership for shaping Diageo North America’s future and playing an essential role in our brands’ success – proud custodians of Bulleit, Don Julio, Captain Morgan and many more iconic brands. This commitment, from US Spirits to Diageo Beer Company USA to Diageo Canada, has helped make North America Diageo’s largest market.
Multiple Locales, U.S.
As a top wine and spirits distributor in the nation, Republic National Distributing Company’s (RNDC) national reach helps suppliers by building strategic relationships with on- and off-premise customers to elevate their brands and reach their target consumers. RNDC currently operates in the District of Columbia and 37 states across the United States.
The STEPUP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, is a spirits training and entrepreneurship program for underrepresented professionals in the spirits industry.
You can donate online to the STEPUP Foundation, by clicking here.
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STEPUP Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 85-2454665