STEPUP FOUNDATION CELEBRATES CLASS OF 2026

Washington, DC (October 1, 2026) – The Spirits Training Entrepreneurship Program for Underrepresented Professionals (STEPUP) celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2026 yesterday in Louisville, Kentucky, recognizing nine emerging professionals who completed the Foundation’s newly redesigned training program. Representing communities historically underrepresented in the beverage alcohol industry, this year’s graduates bring a diverse range of professional experiences, educational backgrounds, and perspectives to the next generation of spirits industry talent.

With the addition of the Class of 2026, STEPUP has now educated 16 individuals since welcoming its inaugural class in 2022, advancing its mission to create meaningful career pathways for underrepresented professionals in the beverage alcohol industry.

This week’s graduation marks the success of STEPUP’s first year under a substantially revised training model. Introduced in March 2026, the overhaul was designed to expand accessibility, streamline education, and better equip participants with the practical skills and industry-recognized credentials needed to pursue careers in the spirits industry.

Selected through a competitive application process, this year’s 9 graduates represent Black, Asian, Latino, and LGBTQ communities from across the U.S. Their backgrounds span distilling, brewing, hospitality, engineering, finance, technology, communications, and public administration, reflecting the breadth of experience and perspectives STEPUP seeks to bring into the spirits workforce. 

A REIMAGINED PROGRAM BUILT FOR WORKFORCE READINESS

The Class of 2026 is the first to graduate under STEPUP’s comprehensive program overhaul, which replaced its previous training structure with a more accessible, flexible model combining online education, professional certifications, mentorship, and targeted industry exposure. Designed to accommodate participants balancing existing employment, family responsibilities, and other commitments, the revised program provided trainees with a combination of self-directed learning modules, testing, and practical experiences while remaining entirely free to participants.

Throughout the program, all nine graduates successfully completed a comprehensive training that included online learning modules and assessments, allowing participants to complete core coursework remotely and at their own pace.  The curriculum also included on-site distillery shadowing at Sugarlands Distilling Co. in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and weekly industry mentorship and professional development, connecting trainees with established spirits professionals through dedicated virtual office hours. Graduates also completed WSET Level 1 and Level 2 Awards in Spirits, OSHA-10 safety training, and Forklift Certification coursework provided by Industrial Safety & Training Services, to better help build tangible, employer-recognized credentials.

In addition to the core curriculum, STEPUP partnered with the Independent Distributor Network to offer an optional weeklong shadowing experience for trainees interested in broadening their understanding of the distribution tier. Participating distributors included AJAX Turner Co. Inc. in La Vergne, Tennessee; Kentucky Eagle in Lexington, Kentucky; and Prestige-Ledroit Distributing Co. in Elkridge, Maryland.

Margie A.S. Lehrman, Immediate-Past CEO of ACSA and President of the STEPUP Foundation, said, “The culmination of our newly redesigned program is an incredibly meaningful moment for STEPUP. This graduating class demonstrates what’s possible when education, mentorship, and meaningful industry exposure come together. We’re proud of their accomplishments and excited to see the contributions they’ll make to the future of craft spirits.”

Chris Montana, Founder and Owner of Du Nord Social Spirits and a founding leader of the STEPUP program, added, “One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s class is the range of backgrounds and experiences these graduates bring to the table. As I know well from my own experience, there is no single pathway into the spirits industry, and STEPUP is helping demonstrate that talent and potential can come from anywhere. By providing practical training, industry connections, and exposure to opportunities throughout the three-tier system, STEPUP is helping to open doors  that might otherwise remain closed.”

The STEPUP Foundation extends its appreciation to the distilleries, distribution partners, mentors, educators, and industry professionals whose contributions made the 2026 program possible. Their commitment to sharing expertise and creating opportunities remains central to STEPUP’s mission of building a more inclusive and accessible spirits workforce. Heaven Hill Springs Distillery, the Frazier Museum, Bulleit Distilling Co., and Stitzel-Weller Distillery contributed to this year’s STEPUP Graduation festivities in Louisville, Kentucky.

As the Class of 2026 embarks on the next chapter of their professional journeys, STEPUP remains committed to expanding opportunities for individuals from underrepresented communities and strengthening the pipeline of talent entering the beverage alcohol industry.

Individuals interested in learning more about STEPUP, supporting the Foundation, or participating as future trainees, mentors, and industry partners are encouraged to visit https://stepupinternship.org/.

STEPUP CLASS OF 2026
The STEPUP Foundation proudly recognizes the following members of its Class of 2026:

• Kymberli “Kymi” Lander-Douglas | Lexington, KY: With a background in biology and chemistry, Lander-Douglas currently serves as Lead Spirit Guide at Dark Arts Whiskey House.
• Jana Pollard | Richmond, VA: Holding a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA, Pollard is Founder and Chief of Strategic Solutions at Exclusive Pollard Entity, LLC.
• Adeshina “Shina” Diamond | Birmingham, AL: A finance graduate and ABC Bartending School alumna, Diamond currently serves as a Post Entitlement Technical Expert with the Social Security Administration.
• Bria Fountain | Philadelphia, PA: Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, Fountain works as a Data Entry Specialist at TAMMAC Holdings Corp.
• Daniel Nguyen | Lewisville, TX: A graduate in Corporate Communications, Nguyen currently serves as Cellarman and Assistant Brewer at Cowtown Brewing Company.
• Erica Ho | New York, NY: Holding a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Ho serves as Chief Product Officer at X10 Design Studio, LLC, and Brand Envoy for Kings County Distillery.
• Esteban Gomez | Sacramento, CA: With a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and education from the Culinary Institute of America, Gomez is the Shift Supervisor at Drake’s Brewing
• Maurice Edwards | New York, NY: With a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and Public Administration, Edwards currently serves as an Account Manager at Metropolitan Jewish Health System.
• Petula Jarvis-Hanley | New York, NY: Holding a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Jarvis-Hanley currently serves as Coalition Manager at Democracy Beyond Elections.

STEPUP LEADERSHIP

STEPUP’s Board of Directors has created an immersive training program for underrepresented individuals in the alcoholic beverage industry. Margie A.S. Lehrman (CEO, ACSA) serves as the organization’s president, working together with Secretary Rebecca Harris (Head Distiller and Co-founder, Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. and Past President, ACSA) and Treasurer Julie Kinch (CEO/Founder, JK Leadership Advisors, LLC). They are joined by a seasoned Board of Directors, including Chris Montana (CEO and Head Distiller, Du Nord Social Spirits), Chris Underwood (CEO, Young’s Holdings), David Cid (Owner, Silver Sun Group), Ingrid Wetzell (HR Director, Bently Enterprises), Nicole Austin (Director, American Whiskey Liquid Development and Capabilities, Diageo), and Sydney Jones (Supervisor and Lead Distillery Technician at Heaven Hill Springs Distillery). These critical liaisons help identify potential partners, secure financial resources, and develop training materials to ensure the program’s success.