About Us
What We Do
About Our Program
The STEPUP Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to training underserved, self-motivated, and passionate spirits enthusiasts to join the spirits industry. Through a complimentary, comprehensive, hybrid externship program, STEPUP provides selected applicants (trainees) with online learning, including certification, in-person distillery and distribution shadowing, mentorship, and professional coaching, designed to expose trainees to career possibilities.
STEPUP’s program is intentionally flexible, meeting participants where they are and supporting those balancing work, family, and other commitments. STEPUP helps individuals gain knowledge, confidence, and connections while building innovation within the spirits industry.
Our Goal
Crafting Passion Into Equal Opportunity
The STEPUP Foundation was created to address a simple but persistent challenge within the spirits industry: access. While passion and talent exist everywhere, opportunity does not. Many individuals eager to enter the industry lack visibility into how it works, who belongs, and how to take the first step forward.
Founded by industry leaders who recognized this gap firsthand, STEPUP was built on the belief that meaningful exposure, education, and encouragement can change trajectories. The program was launched with support from leaders within the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA)—the only registered national trade association representing craft spirits producers across the United States. Our work is guided by values of fairness, learning, and community, creating pathways that prioritize passion over reputation and confidence over credentials.
Mission Statement
To provide access to the spirits industry through structured educational training, real-world exposure, and career-readiness resources for individuals historically underrepresented in the field.
Our Story
Reshaping the Spirits Industry Since 2020
2020
Founded to address barriers to entry in the spirits industry, STEPUP was created to offer structured learning and opportunities for emerging talent. The early vision centered on access, exposure, and long-term success for participants.
2022
STEPUP launched a comprehensive full-year internship program with two interns who dove into three diverse distilleries spanning across Oregon, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania, and one wholesaler experience in Dallas, Texas.
Through daily exposure to operations, mentorship, and industry culture, participants gained confidence, clarity, and a powerful sense of belonging—laying the foundation for everything STEPUP would become. Direct feedback from interns, distilleries, and mentors, combined with wholesaler critique, helped the program adapt to allow interns to enter careers more quickly.
2023
Class of 2022 interns were recognized and graduated with a ceremony at the 2023 American Craft Spirits Association’s Convention in Portland, Oregon. With a shortened eight-month internship onsite in Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, and Montana, the next class of interns pushed learning beyond the classroom and into real-world industry environments.
By the end of the program, interns emerged with stronger professional direction, industry-relevant credentials, and a clearer understanding of how to navigate the spirits industry—including the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to distillery recipe development.
2024
The Class of 2023 graduates were celebrated at the 2024 ACSA Convention in Denver, Colorado. Guided by industry feedback, STEPUP fine-tuned the program into a more focused six-month experience. The two interns took their learning on the road with onsite experiences at host distilleries in Maryland, New York, Indiana, Texas, and Kentucky—and one intern’s capstone project went a step further, culminating in the creation of an original recipe and finished product.
Along the way, these experiences sparked bigger conversations about how STEPUP can continue to grow thoughtfully and sustainably, while keeping its hands-on, industry-driven spirit intact.
2025 & Beyond
In 2025, STEPUP intentionally worked with a single trainee, giving us the space to evolve and expand the program while keeping the experience deeply hands-on. Training across Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas, she explored multiple distilleries, built the confidence to chase her goals, and clarified where she wanted to go next—ultimately leading her to relocate and accept a position within the spirits industry.
The lessons learned during this focused year helped shape STEPUP’s transition toward a redesigned hybrid externship model centered on online learning, short-term observational experiences, and broader access.
As CEO of the American Craft Spirits Association, Margie A. S. Lehrman has been a steady force in elevating and advocating for craft spirits producers nationwide. With deep legal expertise and decades of association leadership, she helps ensure STEPUP stays mission-focused, industry-relevant, and built to last.
A chemical engineer turned distiller and former President of the ACSA, Becky Harris, blends technical precision with boundless curiosity. From grains to fruit to anything fermentable, she brings a maker’s mindset and deep respect for process, experimentation, and craft to STEPUP’s leadership.
WHO WE ARE
Meet the Board of Directors
Hailing from multiple segments of the alcohol beverage industry, the STEPUP Board of Directors works to provide strategic direction, financial support, and oversight to fulfill the foundation’s mission. Each contributes countless hours of time to envision a craft spirits industry that reflects the diversity of consumers who enjoy spirits.
Julie Kinch is a highly accomplished legal and executive leader whose career spans senior roles at Heineken USA and Rémy Cointreau USA. Now the founder of JK Leadership Advisors, she brings sharp financial oversight, governance strength, and a deep commitment to inclusive leadership.
As CEO of the American Craft Spirits Association, Margie A. S. Lehrman has been a steady force in elevating and advocating for craft spirits producers nationwide. With deep legal expertise and decades of association leadership, she helps ensure STEPUP stays mission-focused, industry-relevant, and built to last.
A chemical engineer turned distiller and former President of the ACSA, Becky Harris, blends technical precision with boundless curiosity. From grains to fruit to anything fermentable, she brings a maker’s mindset and deep respect for process, experimentation, and craft to STEPUP’s leadership.
Julie Kinch is a highly accomplished legal and executive leader whose career spans senior roles at Heineken USA and Rémy Cointreau USA. Now the founder of JK Leadership Advisors, she brings sharp financial oversight, governance strength, and a deep commitment to inclusive leadership.
An award-winning distiller, chemical engineer, and innovator, Nicole Austin is known for pushing boundaries while honoring tradition at Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. A founding board member of ACSA, she brings technical mastery, creative vision, and strong industry advocacy to STEPUP.
With a global career spanning hospitality, education, and brand leadership at BACARDI, David Cid is an internationally recognized expert on sugarcane spirits and an industry consultant and co-founder of Silver Sun Group. His perspective bridges heritage, innovation, and education—elevating STEPUP’s work on the global stage.
Co-founder of Du Nord Social Spirits, past president of the ACSA, and a leading voice in spirits law reform, Chris Montana brings legal expertise, entrepreneurial grit, and policy insight to the Board. His advocacy has helped modernize distilling laws and expand opportunity within the industry.
A fifth-generation industry leader and former Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America president, Chris Underwood has shaped wine and spirits distribution through executive leadership at Young’s Market Company and now as CEO of Young’s Holdings. He also serves on the Board of Managers of RNDC West and was a mentor in STEPUP’s first internship cohort, bringing a long-standing commitment to developing future industry talent.
With more than two decades of human resources leadership across hospitality, gaming, and manufacturing, Ingrid Wetzell brings a people-first lens to STEPUP’s work. A Nevada Woman of Achievement, she champions strong culture, thoughtful governance, and community impact.
Sydney Jones is a Supervisor and Lead Distillery Technician at Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown, KY. Previously, she was the first female Head Distiller for FEW Spirits in Evanston, IL, and has been working in the industry since 2016. She specializes in whiskey and gin production and spirits education, and co-hosts the Spirits & Distilling podcast. In 2025, Sydney served as a member of the STEPUP Foundation's Selection Committee and as the Foundation's internship program Mentor.
OUR REACH
Stronger Together: Craft Producers & Mentors Embrace the Program
Across key regions, host distilleries and mentors have partnered with STEPUP to create access, visibility, and real-world learning rooted in working craft operations.
This map represents more than geography. Each location reflects a producer and/or mentor, who believed in strengthening the future of the spirits industry by investing time, openness, and experience in the next generation.
Westward Whiskey
(2022 Host Distillery)
1 of 19Eight Oaks Farm Distillery
(2022 Host Distillery)
2 of 19Sagamore Spirit Distillery
(2023 & 2024 Host Distillery)
3 of 192023 Mentor
4 of 192025 Mentor
5 of 19New Riff Distilling
(2023 Host Distillery)
6 of 19Stitzel-Weller Distillery
(Diageo Participating Distillery)
7 of 19Bulleit Distilling Co.
(Diageo Participating Distillery)
8 of 19Corsair Artisan Distillery
9 of 19Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.
(Diageo Participating Distillery)
10 of 19Sugarlands Distilling Co.
11 of 19Glacier Distilling Company
(2023 Host Distillery)
12 of 19Black Button Distilling
(2024 Host Distillery)
13 of 19Cardinal Spirits
(2024 Host Distillery)
14 of 192024 Mentor
15 of 192024 Mentor
16 of 192023 Mentor
17 of 192022 Mentor
18 of 192022 Mentor
19 of 19MAP KEY
= Current Host Distilleries
= Past Host Distilleries
= Mentors
Our Partners
Made Possible By The Generous Support Of
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the STEPUP Foundation?
The STEPUP Foundation, 5013c, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to the spirits industry through education, exposure, and connection. Our program helps individuals explore the industry, building clarity and confidence, to strengthen the future of the craft spirits sector.
How does STEPUP support trainees?
STEPUP, through a vigorous application process, provides complimentary hybrid learning with real-world observation and access to industry perspectives. Our program emphasizes ease of learning through a multi-faceted curriculum, developed in conjunction with distillers and their distillery teams throughout the U.S.
How do industry professionals and distilleries get involved?
Industry professionals may participate as mentors through virtual, topic-based conversations, while distilleries may host short, structured onsite experiences. Each role is designed to be flexible, meaningful, and aligned with real-world operations. (Link to mentor and distillery pages)
How is STEPUP funded?
STEPUP is supported through a combination of corporate and individual donations, with initial foundational support from Diageo. Industry partnerships are critical to the program’s success. Industry partnerships such as RNDC, ISTS, and WSET. Contributions help sustain programming and cover key trainee expenses related to learning and participation. Make a contribution today on our GiveButter page.
How can I support STEPUP’s mission?
Where can I learn more about STEPUP’s impact?
Our Impact Report (read here) highlights program outcomes, participant experiences, and partner involvement. You can explore the report below to learn more about the reach and results of STEPUP’s work.