WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) concluded its 2026 Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) Conference last Friday in Washington, D.C., bringing together 58 current and emerging women leaders from 15 WSWA member companies for two days of leadership development, business education, networking and connection.
The conference focused on giving attendees practical tools to navigate an evolving industry and lead with confidence. Sessions explored artificial intelligence, resilience and grit, industry data, financial acumen, adaptability, and advocacy, while creating opportunities to reconnect and build relationships with peers from across the country.
“The beverage alcohol industry is changing quickly, and strong leadership has never been more important,” said WSWA Senior Vice President of Member Advocacy Catherine McDaniel. “WLC brings together women who are leading within their companies today and helping define what our industry looks like tomorrow. WLC gives them the insight, relationships and foundation to lead while navigating change.”
Programming opened with “WSWA 101: Association and Policy Updates,” giving an overview of WSWA’s advocacy work and the policy issues shaping the beverage alcohol industry.
Attendees then participated in “AI for Better Leadership: Driving Clarity, Speed, and Impact,” a hands-on workshop led by Nick Pericle, Founder of Tenexity and Founder and Keynote Speaker of NPAI. The session moved beyond the basics of artificial intelligence by giving participants an opportunity to apply AI tools to their own work and explore practical applications for decision-making, communication, executive visibility, time management and difficult conversations.
Each year, the WLC Advisory Board selects a women-focused philanthropic organization for attendees to support through a service activity. This year’s partner was I Support the Girls. The day ended with a networking reception and small-group dinners that helped attendees build connections beyond the classroom sessions.
On Friday, attendees started their day with a walk to the Washington Monument before gathering for “Forged in Adversity: The Power of Grit in Leadership,” a conversation with retired three-star generals Mary O’Brien and Lori Reynolds. Drawing on their careers, they explored how resilience, perseverance and clarity of purpose can be developed and used to navigate uncertainty and build high-performing teams.
This conference also featured a SipSource® data presentation led by SipSource Director Eric Schmidt, who translated the latest beverage alcohol market data into practical insights. The discussion examined consumer demand and on- and off-premise activity, helping attendees better understand the trends and pressures shaping their businesses.
Financial resilience was another key focus, with Joe Stephens, CFP® of Associated Financial Planners, leading “Finding Your Financial Grit.” The session addressed financial confidence, career interruptions, compensation gaps and strategies for building greater financial security and flexibility.
The conference concluded with “The Power Pivot,” led by author and public policy expert Ashley Davis, who explored how emotional intelligence, grit, grace and courage can help leaders adapt to change and turn uncertainty into opportunities for growth.
In addition to leadership and business development, WLC continued its longstanding commitment to philanthropy by giving back to I Support the Girls, a nonprofit organization that provides essential items and resources to women and girls experiencing homelessness and hardship.
“WLC is about more than professional development, it’s about connection, community and giving back,” said Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Senior Vice President Commercial Execution Fine Wine and Master Sommelier Laura DePasquale. “We are proud to bring women from across the industry together to learn from one another and build relationships that last well beyond this conference. Supporting organizations like I Support the Girls is another meaningful way our WLC community can use its collective strength to make a difference, both within our industry and beyond it.”
The 2026 conference was made possible by the generous support from the following sponsors: Masava, Provi, VIP, Wine & Spirits Shippers Association and Frederick Wildman.
As the beverage alcohol industry continues to evolve, WSWA’s WLC remains committed to educating, elevating and empowering women leaders across the wholesale tier. Through its annual conference, mentorship program, leadership development opportunities, networking and philanthropy, WLC gives women a platform to strengthen their leadership skills, exchange ideas and help shape the future of the industry.
About Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
WSWA is the national trade association representing the distribution tier of the wine and spirits industry, dedicated to advancing the interests and independence of distributors and brokers of wine and spirits. Founded in 1943, WSWA has more than 380 member companies in 50 states and the District of Columbia, and its members distribute more than 80 percent of all wine and spirits sold at wholesale in the United States.
To learn more, please visit www.wswa.org or connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook or X.
MEDIA CONTACT
Christy Moran
Senior Vice President, Communications & Marketing
christy.moran@wswa.org | (202) 669-3293
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SOURCE Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
