Karen has been a leader in the travel industry for over 25 years and was on the board of Bay Area Travel Association for 6 years.  In 2017 she relocated her travel business to Napa to focus on global, culinary travel.  Having been a Director of Sales and Marketing at Carlson Wagonlit Travel for 8 years developed her knowledge and skills to build a thriving travel business.  She truly believes in close collaboration with chefs, wineries, restaurants, hotels and local producers to make all of her culinary adventures special and unique. After visiting 63 countries and counting, she understands what travelers need and want in varied destinations around the globe.  She holds a degree in English Literature from St. Mary's College of California and has written many articles for travel industry publication.  She belongs to the prestigious Virtuoso Network of the most accomplished travel designers in the world and holds a special designation as a Virtuoso Culinary Expert.  She has been a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier San Francisco chapter since 2019 and the Sonoma chapter since 2024 and is proud to be part of this philanthropic organization of women leaders in the field of food, fine beverage and hospitality.  

She is a driving force in wine marketing and business development.

With an impressive 20-year career, Barbara is a versatile and results-oriented marketing and business development expert in the international wine industry. Her extenstive experience and adaptability have led her to roles from entry-level to senior executive, consistently driving revenue growth and elevating brand recognition for the wineries she serves. Barbara's keen analytical skills, innovative thinking, and engaging storytelling abilities ensure her strategies are both effective and captivating.

Holding a degree from Syracuse University, Barbara has cultivated her expertise across marketing, production, distribution, and hospitality sectors, enabling her to create powerful and successful campaigns. As an entrepreneur, she leads Apri La Creative Consulting, a full-service agency specializing in omnichannel marketing strategies that boost brand awareness, drive growth, and foster strong team synergies.

In addition to her consultancy work, Barbara co-owns a boutique production company and an import business with her husband, focusing on bringing artisan Italian wines to the US market. Her multifaceted experience and leadership make her a driving force in wine marketing and business development.

Kimberly Belle is a partner and coach at Salt & Roe, a boutique coaching firm supporting hospitality professionals and their teams in developing careers and concepts that meaningfully contribute to our communities. She works with owners and operators to guide them as they create new food and beverage ventures, grow existing restaurant operations, and lead lives of purpose. Kimberly previously worked as Co-owner and Executive Chef at her NYC-based catering company, The Dinner Belle, before moving on to become a hospitality executive charged with developing the F&B programs at both Restoration Hardware and Crate & Barrel. She lives in the Sonoma Valley with her family, where she stands (and eats!) in awe of the Early Girl tomatoes her garden grows.

Lisa was raised on an apple farm in Sonoma County which helped blossom her passion for food and wine. When Lisa was 19 years old, she moved to Germany to work in hospitality and there she finally understood the community relationship between food and wine and farm to table. Lisa returned to Sonoma County and pursued a degree in biology and chemistry and was seduced by the wine industry.

Lisa has been a wine industry professional for 27 years at Benziger Winery. Lisa is the winemaker for biodynamic, organic and sustainable certified programs at Benziger. Lisa loves to bake and cook, supporting local farms, restaurants and neighboring wineries. Lisa believes in community involvement.

“Community work is essential to help promote respect, tolerance and growth as a living entity. This means showing up to serve and be part of a movement that knows it takes a village - the team together can achieve more than the individual.”

Dawn is the owner operator of The Mad Batter Cakery Company in Santa Rosa, California. Mad Batter is a bakery dedicated to the craft of gluten free baked goods and they have been serving up their award winning baked goods for 10 years. Mad Batter is a wholesale and retail bakery serving restaurants like Wild Goat Bistro and Penngrove Market. Dawn makes baked goods for coffee shops like Avid Coffee and is hoping to get her products in Oliver’s Markets.

Dawn prides herself on serving up the best products using the freshest ingredients. Dawn works with the Lattice School and has had two highly functioning autistic kids working for the bakery. She also has partnered with the Department of Rehabilitation to hire young adults to work in the bakery. Dawn loves working with kids and spreading the joy of baking.

Sallie Miller is a longtime, one could say lifetime, lover of all thing's food, people and community. She has worked at the intersection of food and hospitality in northern California since her teens. She has helped to build and shape multiple food related brands over the years. Most recently, she finds herself working in the culinary world as Director of Social Enterprise for Marin County based nonprofit called Homeward Bound of Marin.

Nanette has years of experience in retail, merchandising, and special events. She served in a creative capacity for numerous major retailers throughout America and internationally. Most recently, Nanette has been developing marketing strategies including introductory events and overall designing concepts for her company Food & Vine Inc.

For the past 20 years, Nanette and her husband, Valentin, now considered the foremost authority on grapeseed oil, have been building an industry, introducing grapeseed oil and its unique attributes to people all over the world. Salute Sante! Is celebrating their 30 year anniversary. Their grapeseed oil is the winner of the SOFI award and is part of Oprah’s Favorite List.

Jill Olson founded Sonoma Coast Spirits in 2011. She runs the business with some of her adult children. Sonoma Coast Spirits produce award-winning ready-to-drink cocktails, vodka, gin, and whiskey. Sonoma Coast’s Lemon Drop Cocktail was awarded the Platinum Award in the San Francisco International Competition.

In 2012, their Jalapeno Lime and Citrus Basil Vodka’s were chosen by Oprah to be in her “O” list. Jill is involved in the communities she works and lives in by donating her time and product to various organizations. She is currently a member of the Petaluma Women’s Club. Jill enjoys collaborating with like minded professional women. She is willing to jump in and help where needed.

Lori’s career in food began over a decade ago with a blog and a WSET course, culminating in the realization of a dream to own a farm and vineyard. Lori has been a communications director, a marketer and in PR for the wine industry for over 15 years. Presently she serves as the National PR Manager for Folio Fine Wine Partners in Napa, representing iconic family wineries from across the globe.

Additionally, Lori and her husband co-own Uno Gelato, a farm-to-cone gelateria based in Vancouver, Canada. They also managed a small winery in the Okanagan wine region. Lori and her family moved to Windsor, California to their new home which includes a small vineyard and olive orchard. Lori believes in serving the community and is a volunteer for various nonprofits in Canada as well as in Sonoma County.

Cheryl Quist is a business professional with extensive experience in the hospitality and wine industry. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton College (Norton, MA) and an MBA from Babson College (Wellesley, MA). Her career began in the tech sector in sales and business development roles; in 2001 she decided to pivot into the world of food and wine, with a particular interest in northern California fine wines.

Since that time, she has worked with Goldeneye Winery, Sequoia Hospital Foundation, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Anderson Valley Winegrowers, Rhone Rangers, and for the last seven years has been the Executive Director of the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance.

In addition, she is an experienced short-term rental business owner, hosting guests from around-the-world at her 5-star vacation rental property in Sonoma Wine Country.

Rickey’s love of food and eventually wine was learned at an early age while cooking with my Italian mother every day in her kitchen. She taught me about using the freshest ingredients and how simple ingredients could turn into a fabulous meal. RIckey learned about wine and winemaking.

As a home winemaker she was fascinated with the science and art of winemaking. This began her journey into the world of winemaking. Rickey started working professionally in the wine industry when she joined Paul Hobbs in 1998. She worked alongside him in the vineyards and eventually developed his hospitality program.

Now, as the owner of Trombetta Family Wines, her daughter, Erica, is the winemaker. Rickey continues with her love of food and wine by growing grapes, vegetables and fruit along with her three bee hives and 30 chickens!

Rickey’s love of food and eventually wine was learned at an early age while cooking with my Italian mother every day in her kitchen. She taught me about using the freshest ingredients and how simple ingredients could turn into a fabulous meal. RIckey learned about wine and winemaking.

As a home winemaker she was fascinated with the science and art of winemaking. This began her journey into the world of winemaking. Rickey started working professionally in the wine industry when she joined Paul Hobbs in 1998. She worked alongside him in the vineyards and eventually developed his hospitality program.

Now, as the owner of Trombetta Family Wines, her daughter, Erica, is the winemaker. Rickey continues with her love of food and wine by growing grapes, vegetables and fruit along with her three bee hives and 30 chickens!