Cultivating Workforce Diversity in Wine: Actionable Strategies for Change

Lorez Bailey

Organization:

North Bay Business Journal, California

Lorez Bailey is the Publisher of the North Bay Business Journal, a prominent business-to-business publication and website covering the North Bay region, encompassing Sonoma, Marin, Napa, and Solano Counties. As part of the Sonoma Media Investments group, which includes the Press Democrat, she leads the charge in delivering insightful business news and analysis.

With a rich background in workforce development, Lorez has spearheaded various initiatives, from education and training programs to internships, focusing on enhancing workforce skills and qualifications. In 2019, during Women’s History Month, she received the “Woman of the Year” award from U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson for her dedicated work with students across Sonoma County and her impactful advocacy for positive changes in student support programs, preparing them for the demands of the 21st-century economy.

Lorez brings a wealth of experience from her media career, having contributed to outlets such as The Community Voice, Press Democrat, Fremont Argus, ANG Newspaper Group, Youth News, and Channel 50. She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and Telecommunications from Sacramento State University and a master’s degree in education with an Education Technology emphasis from Sonoma State University.

Previously, Lorez served as the Executive Director of Chop’s Teen Club, overseeing a state-of-the-art facility and acclaimed mentorship programs. Her leadership as the Director of College and Career Readiness at Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) involved enhancing college and career centers in Sonoma County high schools, managing work-based learning coordinators, and improving Career Technical Education (CTE) programs.

Actively engaged in her community, Lorez is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Nu Omega Chapter. She serves on the Pepperwood Preserve Foundation Board, the 10,000 Degrees Sonoma County Advisory Board, the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center Program Advisory Board, and the California Press Foundation.

Marcelo C. Aguero

Organization:

Jackson Family Wines, California

Marcelo has spent nearly 30 years working in the wine industry having held various senior level positions both within the wholesaler and supplier networks. He joined Jackson Family Wines in December of 2002 as a Regional Sales Manager overseeing the Pacific Northwest. Following a relocation to California, he was promoted to General Manager of Regal Wine Company in 2011, overseeing the entire direct distribution operation. In 2016, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of JFW Distribution taking a national role managing all self-distribution partnerships across the U.S.

In March 2021, Marcelo was elevated to Executive Vice President of Marketing while continuing to oversee the Direct-to-Consumer channel, which he had been managing since 2019. Jackson Family Wines operates 22 distinct winery tasting rooms across California and Oregon. Within the DTC channel, his goal is to provide visitors to the onsite locations, as well as the digital platforms, a world-class experience learning more about our portfolio of wines that are rooted in quality, authenticity, and an unparalleled commitment to the future. Within the Marketing segment, Marcelo oversees all marketing campaigns, new product launches, packaging enhancements and upgrades, new segment development, and innovations. This has included the Kendall-Jackson Grow True multi-media advertising campaign and the La Crema Mobile Tasting Room experience with stops at key events around the country where consumers can taste wines in the La Crema outdoor tasting room. Strategic partnerships include being the preferred wine sponsor of the Churchill Downs Racetrack for the past several years. This sponsorship has integrated promotional activations in both Sonoma County, CA and at the Kentucky Derby in Louisville. A national cross-promotion with Yeti coolers this summer increased the reach of Kendall-Jackson’s wines by introducing the brand to a new audience.

Marcelo also serves as the Executive Sponsor for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program at Jackson Family Wines. This area is important to him as he is a first-generation American. His family came to the United States from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He grew up in Seattle, Washington before moving to Northern California. Marcelo holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Washington.

Ikimi Dubose-Woodson

Organization:

The Roots Fund Inc, Connecticut

Nonprofit executive, hospitality changemaker and DE&I expert, Ikimi Dubose-Woodson is using her two decades of experience in hospitality to change the face of the wine industry. In 2020, she co-founded The Roots Fund, a nonprofit organization committed to helping more people of color gain access to the wine industry. As Chief Executive, Ikimi oversees The Roots Fund’s scholarship program for over 200 people which includes educational programming, enrichment trips, mentoring, career consulting, mental health support, directs their massive fundraising effort, and advises wineries and other partners on their diversity, equity and inclusion work.

Raised in Brooklyn, Ikimi got her start through a scholarship opportunity from an organization called C-CAP in high school that led to her first job at the World Trade Center Marriott as a silver polisher. She attended Johnson & Wales, fine tuning her culinary and hospitality management skills. After several years working in kitchens around the world, she transitioned to the front of the house and became the youngest and first woman to complete the Marriott & Ritz Carlton Management Training Program. Ikimi went on to lead culinary and management teams at sports organizations, restaurant groups, and prestigious educational institutions, and create her own hospitality consultancy. Through these management roles, she found her true passion was mentoring the next generation, which inspired her to pursue Nonprofit Executive Leadership at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy.

Since starting The Roots Fund, Ikimi has become an outspoken advocate for social change and has championed equity and inclusion throughout the hospitality and beverage industry. She regularly appears on panels on topics of DE&I within organizations and recruitment and was named a 2022 Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Tastemakers and Innovators and has been quoted by the New York Times on wine industry diversity efforts.

Dwight Phyall

Organization:

Total Wine & More, Maryland

Dwight A. Phyall brings a proven track record of spearheading extensive human service initiatives nationwide, dedicated to crafting solutions and leaving an indelible mark in service and transformative endeavors. Guided by the principle of “cura personalis” or the holistic care of the individual, Dwight has over 15 years of experience in program management and national non-profit leadership, notably with government-funded initiatives such as AmeriCorps, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), and Job Corps.

With a focus on health and wellness, education, workforce development, and diversity, Dwight has successfully implemented system-wide projects. His expertise spans strategic planning, employee experience, learning, and data analytics. Currently serving as the Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Culture at Total Wine & More, the premier retailer in wine, spirits, and beer, boasting 264 stores across 28 states and a workforce of 11,000 nationwide.

Known in the wine industry as “DAP,” Dwight is also a WSET3-educated sommelier, Roots Fund Vintage Scholar, HUE Society Founding Member, and recipient of the Sommelier Scholarship award. Beyond his professional pursuits, Dwight is a proud dad of twins, and nurtures a profound passion for education, sports, travel, and fostering connections through shared experience.

Nate Weis

Organization:

Silver Oak Cellars, California

A Napa Valley native whose father is also a winemaker, Nate grew up with wine on the table and a drawer full of t‐shirts emblazoned with winery logos. His first job after graduating with honors from UC Santa Barbara with a BS in Biopsychology was as a “cellar rat” at Groth Vineyards & Winery. “I loved that first harvest, so I packed my bags, dropped my application for UC Davis in the mail and went off to Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand to work another.” After earning an MS in Viticulture and Enology from UCD, he was hired as cellar master at Etude, and then spent two years as assistant winemaker for Patz & Hall Wine Company. In 2008 Nate was hired by Marchese Piero Antinori to be winemaker for Antica Napa Valley. He earned an Executive MBA in Wine Business from Sonoma State University in 2014.

Nate joined Silver Oak & Twomey as Silver Oak Winemaker in 2014, was promoted to Director of Winemaking in 2017, and then Vice President of Winegrowing in 2019. His responsibilities center around leading the team that handles all aspects of farming, grower relations, and winemaking for Silver Oak, Twomey, OVID, and Timeless Napa Valley.