Lauren Ackerman, Ackerman Family Vineyards
Lauren Ackerman’s career has evolved as a former tech entrepreneur-turned-vintner and philanthropist in the Napa Valley over 26 years. In the mid-1980’s, Lauren created a successful technology marketing organization, working with over 75 information technology companies in the US. Selling the company in 1988, she moved to the Bay Area from Southern California and, became an international management consultant to companies such as Philips Semiconductor, Hewlett Packard and Motorola. In 1994, she moved to the Napa Valley and purchased a 16 acre vineyard property in the Coombsville AVA. Today, Lauren owns/manages Ackerman Family Vineyards, a boutique producer of cabernet sauvignon wines from the organically farmed Stonehaven vineyard.
With a passion for community building, business development, innovative education, entrepreneurship and strategic philanthropy, Lauren has worked with multiple non-profit organizations that range from art to ophthalmology, education and human trafficking. Currently, she serves on the boards of SEE International and Festival Napa Valley. Additionally, Lauren is a Member of the Society of Fellows with the Culinary Institute of America. In all, she has served on more than 12 boards in the Bay Area.
Recently, she was elected to be on the General Advisory Planning Committee (GPAC) 2040, a special committee of 15 members that advises the Mayor and City Council of Napa on strategic initiatives for the next 20 years of Napa’s growth. Lauren completed The Philanthropy Workshop, a global strategic philanthropy program offered by the Rockefeller Foundation in New York, in 2003.
Chuck Bortnick, AIDEM Group LLC
Chuck has over three decades of extensive experience in media operations, business development, and strategic partnerships. His career spans high-level executive roles in renowned media companies, showcasing his expertise in driving growth and innovation. He is the founder of AIDEM Group LLC, a media consulting firm, focused on helping content producers and companies on their business development and monetization strategies. He also founded SportsBug, a company focused on helping teams drive fan engagement through their play-by-play audio strategy and served as and the Chief Operating Officer.
Chuck’s background includes Chief Operating Officer at Westwood One, where he managed over 2,500 employees and negotiated deals with major media brands, overseeing content and marketing solutions for over 2,000 stations.
At Metro Networks, Chuck progressed from Regional Vice President to President and COO, helping build the company into a national powerhouse with over $250 million in revenue in 75 markets. He helped launch a successful IPO of the company and later was a key resource in the sale of the company to Westwood One.
Additional roles included Vice President and General Manager at WFAN, where he managed one of the country’s most successful radio stations. Regional Vice President at Cumulus Media, where he managed operations and revenue for 35 diverse radio stations, driving business growth through customized local marketing solutions and Executive Vice President at SparkNet Communications were he expanded the JACK radio brand in over 40 markets, enhancing revenue potential for station owners. Earlier in his career Chuck served as Senior Vice President at Gen Media Partners where he led the company into the network radio business, contributing to the acquisitions of Sun Broadcast Group and Envision Radio Networks. His role involved strategic partnerships and sales initiatives that significantly boosted the firm’s market presence.
Laurie Schalow, Chipotle Mexican Grill
Laurie Schalow is a Public Affairs veteran, starting her career with Yum! Brands in 1994 when she joined Taco Bell in California and served as the national spokesperson for 11 years. In 2005, she joined sister brand, KFC, in Louisville, KY, where she created publicity plans for the company’s core business, managed community relations initiatives, all internal and external communications and crisis management. In 2011, Schalow became Vice President of Public Affairs for Yum! Brands overseeing Global Corporate Social Responsibility, PR, Crisis Management, Social Listening and Community Diversity programs for the 44,000 KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants in 140 countries.
In 2017, Laurie joined Chipotle Mexican Grill in Newport Beach, CA as the first Chief Communications Officer reporting to CEO and Founder, Steve Ells. At Chipotle, Laurie is now the Chief Corporate Affairs and Food Safety Officer overseeing the Public Affairs function including all internal and external communications, stakeholder engagement, sustainability and is responsible for protecting and promoting the reputation of the brand and its 2,300 restaurants.
She is active in volunteer work and currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Muhammad Ali Center and Chairs the Maryhurst Board. Schalow is also a member of the International Women’s Forum, the Public Affairs Council and the Women’s Food Service Forum.
Alice Wheelwright, Wheelwright Marketing & Communications Consulting
Alice Wheelwright is a dynamic leader who helps organizations excel and drive growth.
With a distinguished career spanning key marketing, communications, and global sales roles at prestigious institutions and corporations such as Florida Gulf Coast University, Kennesaw State University, Stratford School, Ecolab Inc., Coca-Cola, Nabisco Brands, and Ogilvy, she brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Her extensive proficiency includes strategic planning, brand building and innovation, project management, acquisition marketing, corporate communications, M&A, post-merger integration, cross-functional team building and management, marketing strategy, change management, and public relations. Known for her visionary leadership and ability to drive growth and transformation, Alice has consistently delivered impactful results across diverse sectors.
Alice is a past Chair of the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF), a 3,500+ member organization dedicated to elevating women leaders in the foodservice industry. Under her leadership from 2005 to 2006, the WFF launched the Roadmap to Results, setting the strategic direction of the organization for years to come. Alice graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University. She is an avid lover of world travel and enjoys connecting cultures and people through her photography.
Monica Stevens, Jameson Humane and Studio 1299A
Monica Stevens, Founder and President, of Jameson Humane which she created with her late husband, David Stevens, in 2014. She is a dedicated leader heading up Jameson’s vison, fundraising, strategic partnerships and planning. She also is the founder of Studio 1299A, a high-end wine tasting studio for collectors and enthusiasts, located in St Helena, CA.
Monica moved to the Napa Valley in 2006 from Chicago. As a young child she developed a passion for animal welfare. She recognized the vital need to provide solutions to critical issues that arise from increased animal agriculture, pet overpopulation, food scarcity, homelessness, and ongoing domestic animal abuse and neglect. Since its inception, Monica and David have steadily grown Jameson to the respected organization it is today with programs that serve not only animals but humans as well, including the Senior Citizen Pet Wellness Program, Pet Pantry, Community Animal Assistance Program, Vet Mobile and Spay/Neuter Assistance Program, Animal Assisted Healing, as well as the nationwide, 7-day per week Helpline. Today, a dedicated team and more than 200 volunteers support and drive forward Jameson’s mission.
To sustain the critical work and programming of Jameson, Monica established a major annual fundraiser, WineaPAWlooza, that has grown into one of the most coveted wine auctions in the U.S., ranked within the top 10 by Wine Spectator, raising millions of dollars for Jameson’s initiatives.
David Pearson, Joseph Phelps Vineyards
David Pearson is the Executive Chairman of Joseph Phelps Vineyards. With an illustrious career in luxury wines spanning over 20 years, Pearson is renowned for his visionary leadership and for playing an important role in the development of luxury wines coming from the Napa Valley.
As Executive Chairman, he will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to lead Joseph Phelps Vineyards into its next phase of growth and success. He will be responsible for overseeing all of the wineries operations and strategic development. Building on the extraordinary legacy of Joseph Phelps and his family, Pearson and the team will develop and implement the strategy for the company and its portfolio both in the U.S. and around the world.
Previously, he held the role of Managing Director of Meadowood Estate, responsible for the management and oversite of the Harlan Family properties: Meadowood Napa Valley and The Napa Valley Reserve. He assumed this role in September of 2020. During his tenure he was faced with many challenges that arose with the pandemic and during and after the Glass Fire. Under his leadership Meadowood quickly positioned itself to move forward with plans for reconstruction and reopening.
In February 2004, David was named the first sole CEO of Opus One. Over the 16 years of his stewardship, Opus One enjoyed a period of sustained growth, notably in international markets, while producing some of the finest vintages of this renowned wine.
Prior to joining Opus One, David served as President of Rancho Arroyo Grande located in the central coast region of California. From 1996 to 2003, David was employed by the Robert Mondavi Corporation where he was Vice President, General Manager of Byron Vineyards & Winery, and before that, Vice President, General Manager of Vichon SARL, responsible for the establishment of wine growing operations in Languedoc, France. He conceived the marketing strategy and executed the launch of Vichon Mediterranean wines from Languedoc Roussillon. The brand was recognized as Impact Magazine’s “Hot Brand” twice within four years.
From 1991 to 1996, David served with Heublein, Inc. where he held the position of US Marketing Manager for the wines of Baron Philippe de Rothschild.
David has served as a Trustee on the Board of the UC Davis Foundation, and also as an honorary director of the Grapes for Humanity Foundation, whose mission is to support global humanitarian efforts, particularly those focused on the victims and survivors of disasters and personal tragedies. David was a Board member of the Napa Valley Vintners organization and served as Chair for two terms. David also serves as a Director on the Board of Festival Napa Valley, one of America’s premier music and lifestyle festivals held every year in Napa Valley.
Michelle Sakazaki, Kazumi Wines
Michelle is a Japanese American, born in California and raised in Tokyo. She is the General Manager of 90 Plus Wine Club, a position she’s held since 2010. The association was established by her father in 2009 who appointed Michelle to manage and build the business. She has visited hundreds of wineries and tasted countless wines from around the world.
Michelle started to dream of starting her own wine brand. In 2015, her good friends, the Perret’s offered her some Sauvignon Blanc grapes from their Rutherford vineyard. She could not pass up the opportunity to design, create and launch Kazumi Wines. A year later, she decided to create a red wine and started producing a single vineyard, Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. The first vintage sold out in just 3 weeks after its release. In 2022, Kazumi Wines debuted a Napa Valley Koshu, a Japanese varietal, which is the first of its kind to be made in the U.S. The wine has been well received in both the U.S. and in Asia with placements in some of the best Japanese restaurants.
Prior to a career in the wine industry, Michelle was a fashion designer for Missoni in Milan and Armani Exchange in New York City. She developed an appreciation for wine during her six years in Italy, where wine is an integral part of everyday life in the Italian culture. She loves how wine and food are universal elements that bring people together, regardless of where you live in the world. Michelle sees how food and wine bind together families, friends, and even strangers.
Alf Nucifora, LuxeSF
Alf Nucifora is the Chairman and Founder of LuxeSF in Northern California embracing San Francisco, Carmel/Monterey, Silicon Valley, Napa and Sonoma. LuxeSF is part of a global organization representing more than 1000 of the world’s leading consumer luxury brands.
A native of Brisbane, Australia, he entered the advertising and marketing business on the corporate side working for two Fortune 500 companies, first in Australia and then in the United States. He then made the move to the advertising business and later advanced into agency management. Nucifora graduated from the University of Queensland with a B.A. Degree. He furthered his formal education in the United States, attending the Harvard Business School, where he earned an M.B.A. Degree.
Royce Hall, Netflix
Royce is a Senior Client Partner at Netflix. He previously held a similar role with X after working at Conde Nast where he oversaw advertising partnerships on the west coast. Earlier in his career, Royce spent six years at Group Nine Media, working mostly on the Thrillist brand, which has become a leading authority in the food, drink and travel space. Royce lives in Los Angeles with his wife, and two daughters. He is a golf enthusiast, and enjoys exploring the Santa Ynez Valley wine region with friends.
Angie Shannon, Shannon Family of Wines
Angie was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, and obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi. Following her college years, she relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where she secured her initial position in the beverage industry with Anheuser-Busch. Subsequently, she held various roles in multiple cities, overseeing both on and off-premise operations for Red Bull North America.
In 2006, Angie embarked on a new venture by establishing a wine division within her family’s distribution business in Ohio. It was during this time that her profound appreciation for all things wine blossomed. It was also during her tenure in the wine industry that Angie met Clay Shannon, as she assumed the role of National Sales Manager for Shannon Family of Wines. Presently, Angie actively contributes to the Sales, Marketing, and Hospitality divisions of Shannon Family of Wines.
Stephanie Moriarty, Tonnellerie Ô and Creative Oak
Stephanie brings nearly two decades of experience across the wine, spirits, and craft beer industries, working with Michelin-star sommeliers, Napa Valley winemakers, and leaders at some of the country’s most innovative breweries. She currently serves as Area Director for Tonnellerie Ô and Creative Oak, where she advises winemakers, distillers, and brewers on barrel and oak programs that enhance quality, expression, and long-term consistency.
Prior to her work in cooperage, Stephanie held senior portfolio roles at Bacardi and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. During her brief hiatus from the wine industry, she also helped build and scale a Silicon Valley InsureTech firm that was recently acquired for $1.3 billion, an experience that deepened her expertise in strategic growth, operational discipline, and value creation. She is widely respected for the enduring relationships she has built across the wine and spirits industry, and the passion she brings to each encounter.
A former collegiate tennis player, Stephanie is a San Francisco native and continues to be deeply connected to the Northern California wine community. She lives in San Francisco with her wife, enjoys golf, travel, seeking out the best bars in the world.
Alyce Weixler, Wealth Management
With a career in financial services of over thirty years, serving as a trusted advisor to wealthy, multi-generational families across the United States, Alyce is skilled in providing insightful, timely and actionable counsel to families, entrepreneurs, professionals and small to medium businesses. As a leader in the global financial industry, Alyce utilizes a comprehensive wealth management process to develop bespoke plans to address and solve both simple and complex financial and planning situations. Her team includes specialists in both public and private investment, cash management, and investment banking, as well as portfolio, tax, retirement, estate, philanthropic, and succession planning.
Alyce works with clients all over the United State which has introduced her to unique opportunities and experiences worldwide. She loves to travel, seeking out art, architecture, and history everywhere she goes. If there’s snow close to her destination, she is likely to take her skis. Cycling, swimming, walking, and kayaking are also among her favorite activities. At home she enjoys down time with friends and family, over a glass of wine and her three dogs.