Women in drinks has announced details of the panel discussion to be held at its International Women’s Day event on March 8, at Doltone House, Pyrmont.

The discussion – ‘Bringing diversity and inclusion to life’ – will follow the keynote speech of Mia Freedman, a journalist, author, activist and co-founder of Mamamia, the largest independent women’s website in Australia. Mia was named one of Australia’s 100 Most Influential Women by the Financial Review and is a former chair of the federal government’s Body Image Advisory Board. She remains a passionate campaigner for more diversity in the way the media portrays women.

drinks association Chairman Ralph Dunning will moderate the discussion, while the panellists will be Michael East, Deputy CEO of Accolade Wines; Martin Smith, Managing Director of Endeavour Drinks Group; Jane Hill, Talent and Change Director at Lion; Denis Brown, Managing Director of Bacardi Martini and Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion @ Drinks Council; Jennifer Collins, Global Marketing Activation Director of Pernod Ricard Winemakers and WID councillor; and Kylie Fraser, CEO of Bevchain.

Among the topics the panel will be covering are where responsibility lies for promoting greater gender diversity in leadership roles, cultural barriers to diversity in the drinks industry, and how companies can empower women to lead. The discussion will kick off at 3pm and will be followed by networking at 4pm.

 Ralph Dunning, Chairman, the drinks association

Ralph Dunning is the Executive Officer of Australia’s First Families of Wine. Previously he headed both Sales and Marketing divisions in the Yalumba Wine Company. He has also contributed five years in the pro bono role of Treasurer of the Wine Communicators of Australia. Ralph is a founding partner in Byron & Harold – a winery based in Western Australia and also operates his family’s Speckle Park cattle stud in the Barrington Tops.

Michael East, Deputy CEO, Accolade Wines

Michael joined Accolade Wines in 2012. His experiences in the industry have included Global Sales and Marketing Director at Lion Wine; Managing Director, Southcorp Wines; and Sales Director, Pernod Ricard. Before being appointed Deputy CEO in 2016, Michael was the General Manager, Australia, NZ and The Pacific of Accolade Wines. He has worked in Australia, Europe, North America, Asia and New Zealand.

Martin Smith, Managing Director, Endeavour Drinks Group

Martin Smith has more than 45 years experience in retail, with his most recent appointment to Managing Director of Endeavour Drinks Group – formerly Woolworths Liquor Group in March 2015. Martin was Dan Murphy’s General Manager from 2008 to 2015 and has brought his experience and operational excellence to senior roles with FAL, Wesfarmers and an Independent Supermarket Chain. He is also a board member of ALH Group.

Jane Hill, Talent and Change Director, Lion

Jane joined Lion in 2003 as Global Marketing Director for its wine business. With over 20 years’ experience in marketing, sales and HR; Jane has built brands in Australia, the UK, the US and New Zealand in businesses including KFC, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Schweppes-Cottee’s, Southcorp Wines and LION. In her current role, Jane is responsible for ensuring Lion continues to lead the way on talent, attracting and retaining a diverse workforce.

Denis Brown, Managing Director, Bacardi Martini; Chair, Diversity & Inclusion @ drinks

Denis Brown has more than 20 years of liquor industry experience. He spent eight years working overseas – in London as Global Brand Director RTD at Smirnoff, in the Czech Republic as Country Manager, and in Malaysia as GM Marketing with the Diageo/Heineken joint venture Guinness Anchor Berhad. HE returned to the Australian drinks industry in 2006, where he is currently Vice Chair of DISCA, and Chair of Diversity & Inclusion @drinks.

Jennifer Collins, Global Marketing Activation Director, Pernod Ricard; Counsellor, WID

Jennifer Collins drives market activation of a global portfolio of Pernod Ricard Winemakers’ premium wine brands across 75 markets. She brings to her role more than 20 years experience across the FMCG, pharmaceutical and liquor industries, working in senior sales, marketing, trade development and strategy roles. Jennifer has been an Alternate Director of the Drinks Association since 2013. She is passionate about the industry and the opportunities we have to advance in the areas of diversity and inclusion.

Kylie Fraser, CEO, Bevchain

With a life-long career in freight and logistics, and the last 20 years in key management roles, Kylie joined BevChain in 2011 as the CEO, one of the leading and most successful beverage distributors in Australia. Kylie’s passion and drive as a leader has seen her able to transform the business – increasing bottom line by almost 40%, and growing BevChain to twice its size in her first four years as the CEO. Kylie takes great pride in finding new talent who she can grow and develop into future leaders in the industry.

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