2025 Symposium Speakers

Maryam Ahmed is a Napa, CA based food and wine entrepreneur. As the owner of Maryam + Company, a certified B Corporation, she works at the intersection of sommeliers, chefs, activists, sustainability experts, media, and organizations to design impact-driven brand extension and educational programs that celebrate food and wine. She is the creator of Field Blends, an immersive food and wine travel experience focused on opening up conversations about what’s emerging in wine and agriculture.

Maryam is the co-founder of the Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum, which she leads in partnership with Dr. Akilah Cadet and she is a member of the Executive Leadership Board for the UC Davis Viticulture & Enology department. She was named a Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Tastemaker in 2022, received the 2023 Impact Award from the Wine & Culture Festival, was listed as one of the Imbibe 75, and nominated for the Social Visionary Wine Star Award in 2022. She is also a cast member on SOMM TV, a published writer, public speaker, and a partner at PLAYTE Kitchen.

Maryam + Company, California

Lise Asimont studied with the Environmental Horticulture graduate group with a specialization in viticulture in the lab of Dr. M. A. Walker at the University of California and conducted her master’s research on grapevine rootstock resistance to root-knot nematodes. After graduating from UC Davis, Lise has had the opportunity to work in Santa Barbara County in vineyard management at Cambria Vineyard and Winery, grower relations roles with Geyser Peak Winery and the Francis Coppola Winery throughout the state of California and Oregon, as CEO for Vinsense in agricultural technology, winegrowing in the North Coast for Cakebread Cellars, and Farm Management for Prudential in the West Coast. Lise joined the Foley Family companies in 2022 and serves as their Senior Vice President for Foley Family Farms, collaborating with an intrepid team overseeing five thousand planted acres throughout California, Oregon, and Washington, which strives to sustainably grow the greatest wines on earth.

In 2016, her family launched Dot Wines, LLC, a wine brand specializing in Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, and produces wines expressive of the beautiful vineyards they come from.

Sharing her valuable knowledge and passion, Lise is a strong voice for the American Society for Viticulture and Enology; she served as a past president and currently serves on their technical program committee. She lives in Healdsburg with her family and enjoys the agrarian life of Sonoma County.

Foley Family Farms and Dot Wine, California

Dr. Monica Cooper joined University of California, Cooperative Extension (UCCE) in Napa County as a Viticulture Farm Advisor in April 2009. Her formative work in the Peace Corps and her graduate degree program led her to a career in UCCE, at the intersection of her passions for science, plants, and public service. Educated as a Plant Doctor at the University of Florida, she has multidisciplinary training in plant pathology, entomology, soils, and plant science that she draws upon to help growers diagnose vineyard problems. Her applied research and outreach programs provide evidence-based technical information to the vineyard industry.

University of California, Cooperative Extension, Napa County

Allison serves as Vice President, Environmental Affairs for Wine Institute, an advocacy group of more than 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses that initiates and advocates state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, promotion and enjoyment of wine. She joined Wine Institute in 2003, shortly after the publication of the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing, and helped create the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, a nonprofit organization established by the Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers to promote sustainability from grapes to glass.

Allison has served as Executive Director of the Alliance since 2007, leading the organization’s education, certification and communications programs. She holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the Goldman School of Public Policy at University of California Berkeley, a B.A. in Psychology from Allegheny College, and a WSET Level 2 certificate from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. After earning a Certificate in Wine Business Management from Sonoma State University, she now teaches a sustainability course for the school’s Global Executive Wine MBA program. In addition, Allison is a board member for the National Grape Research Alliance, a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier San Francisco Bay Area chapter, and an alumna of the German Marshall Fund’s Marshall Memorial Fellowship.

California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance

As the President of Marketing at Bonterra Organic Estates, Rodrigo Maturana is a firm believer in the profound global impact of wine. Leading the marketing efforts for one of the world’s largest B Corp certified wineries, he orchestrates the strategy for a diverse portfolio of California and South American wine brands. Each of these brands is characterized by its unwavering commitment to quality, ethical business practices, and social responsibility.

For Rodrigo, marketing wine isn’t just a profession; it’s a means to cultivate a better world. His journey in the industry commenced as a Marketing Assistant for Concha y Toro’s Casillero del Diablo. He ascended in leadership quickly increasing in responsibility. His accomplishments included negotiating significant sponsorships, including the high-profile partnership with Manchester United, and executing successful product launches across multiple markets. Notably, he led groundbreaking initiatives for the

Bonterra Organic Estates, California

Rob McMillan, EVP & Founder, Silicon Valley Bank Wine Division

Rob McMillan is one of the top wine-business analysts in the United States and the author of Silicon Valley Bank’s highly regarded annual State of the Wine Industry Report, described by the New York Times as “…probably the most influential analysis of its kind.”

With decades of experience researching the wine business, his views on business and strategy are sought after and trusted by winery owners, journalists, entrepreneurs, and investors. He is a prominent speaker, both domestically and internationally, and you will find him extensively quoted in national, regional, and trade press.

Rob’s banking career has spanned 35-plus years — more than 25 with Silicon Valley Bank. In that time, he has held many roles, including founder and division manager of the Wine Group, executive manager of the bank’s Commercial Division, and several years as a member of Silicon Valley Bank’s Managing Committee. In addition to his public role, he is responsible for establishing new winery relationships and offers private management presentations and strategic consulting to the bank’s clients.

Rob received a bachelor’s degree in finance/economics from Sacramento State University and an MBA from Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business. He has served on boards in diverse industries and continues to do so today.

Rob is married with five children. When time allows, he enjoys the outdoors, travel, golf, and drumming.

Silicon Valley Bank, California

I’m Erica Walter, and email marketing is more than my bread and butter… it is my jam.

I’m deeply passionate about empowering small businesses with tools, resources, and training to send marketing emails that convert. I have over 16 years of experience in winery email marketing; I spent over a decade as the VP of a wine marketing agency before starting my own business, Email Mavens. My favorite thing to do in my role is create and execute compelling email marketing strategies that drive engagement and sales.

My second favorite thing to do is teach YOU to do it yourself.

I’m the creator of PRESS SEND: Email Marketing Mastery for Wineries, a digital course that gives wineries everything they need to do and know to make email marketing a profitable revenue channel, without tech headaches, overwhelm or a degree in graphic design or UX. I’m also the host of the Email Mavens YouTube Channel, the place for winery owners and marketing pros who want to sell more wine online by sending better marketing emails.

Having worked with just about every tech stack, I understand the pros and cons (and can uncover the hacks) inherent in winery systems. Helping demystify and exploit the tech component is critical to creating truly action-inspiring email strategies, driving delight and engagement with customers, and generating consistent profit to the bottom line.

I’m thrilled to share what I’ve learned with attendees at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium.

Email Mavens, Washington