In response to the equity and inclusion problem in the wine industry, Lift Collective introduced a new entrepreneurship program designed to provide financial support, resources, community, and professional connections for entrepreneurs and new business owners working in the wine industry. Lift Collective partnered with Maryam + Company to develop the curriculum for the 6-month program.

Key Actions & Results:

• Worked closely with Lift Collective to design curriculum pillars and thoughtful programming in collaboration with leadership

• Coordinated outreach to increase number of applications; drew in 53 applicants, five of whom were selected to receive $5k stipends for the first year (2022)

• Prioritized and confirmed diverse leadership for speaker curation as part of educational training, workshops, and roundtables

Testimonial:

“It was such a joy to work with Maryam + Company. Maryam and her team allowed us to actualize our big picture concept by taking our idea and breaking into smaller, more manageable goals. Maryam contributed positive feedback, accountability tools, ideation, and partnership recommendations based on the needs of our program, all while maintaining that it stayed true to our vision. We highly recommend and can’t wait to work with Maryam + Company. again for future programming."

- Lift Collective

Maryam + Company is a founding partner for the Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum along with Dr. Akilah Cadet, CEO of Change Cadet. The Forum was created in 2020 to help connect inclusive initiatives in the wine industry and foster collaboration and problem solving among advocates and leaders. In partnership with Dr. Akilah Cadet, Maryam + Company also launched a training program called Do the Work, a series of three workshops specifically designed for wine professionals working on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and anti-racist initiatives in the wine industry.

Testimonial:

"The Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum is doing hugely important work. Ultimately, the success of DEI work within our industry is dependent on our ability to lock arms and work in tandem for maximum impact. The Forum provides this means to collaborate and support each other as a community."

-Carly Maher, Co-Founder, The Veraison Project

Do the Work Series Testimonial:

“I took the Do the Work Series through the Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum and found it to be a great introduction to important concepts such as earned and unearned privilege, using our privilege to advocate for others, and dimensions of difference that go beyond the obvious. It was well-structured and paced, with a balance of conceptual learning and small group discussion. I was also inspired by learning alongside a group of people committed to making the wine industry better.”

-Julie Cohen Theobald, Executive Director, Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas

Maryam + Company was brought on to create Santa Lucia Highlands SOMM Tour, an educational trip to the Santa Lucia Highlands (SLH) AVA for wine professionals including sommeliers and buyers. Maryam + Company also spearheaded updating the application to be more inclusive and developing a new system that addressed implicit bias in the review process

Key Actions & Results:

• Led Santa Lucia Highlands Executive Director through accountability consulting to ensure immersive wine industry education experience met diversity goals

• Created more access for attendees who have been historically left off the invitation list

• Established a new application review and selection process which included DEI-driven training and guidelines

• Established travel stipends to increase program accessibility to a broader audience of diverse wine professionals

• Designed the scholarship program and selection process for SLH SOMM Tour

• Recruited diverse applicants and fostered regional connections

Key Actions & Results:

Led leadership team through accountability consulting to ensure the launch for VOICES met diversity, sustainability, cultural relevance, and representation goals with storytelling.

Recruited diverse writing talent for the contributor list representing consumers and the wine industry to write for the publication.

Key Actions & Results:

• Diversified board membership through strategic recruitment

• Expanded organization’s reach in new markets and strengthened brand relevance through leadership diversification

Living a sustainable lifestyle can look a lot of different ways – from being intentional about the type of car we drive, to the food we eat, to the wine we drink. As part of Kia’s EV6 GT all-electric vehicle launch, Maryam + Company designed an interactive sustainable wine experience to underscore the event’s theme.

Key Actions & Results:

• Curated a purpose-driven, sustainable wine program for EV6 GT launch event at Monterey Bay Aquarium

• Selected four diverse women that represented sustainable wine brands located in NorCal (low travel and shipping footprint in alignment with sustainability)

• Bridged two industries with necessary sustainability goals: automotive and wine/agriculture

• Set higher client standards with premium winemaker participation (also access to limited availability wines)

• Accommodations + Mileage reimbursement provided to winemakers (this isn't currently industry standard as it's considered "good marketing" but that mentality makes it very difficult for small biz winemakers to get important exposure because of the low economic viability)

Testimonial:

"Kia went to Monterey Car Week to launch its first all-electric performance crossover, the 2023 EV6 GT. Kia held a celebratory reception at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Maryam + Company curated an interactive wine program showcasing wines with a focus on sustainability, represented by diverse women in wine. Maryam was incredibly thoughtful about the program. Each winery selected was even within driving range of a fully charged EV6 GT! We look forward to working with Maryam + Company again."

– Jeff Jablansky, Product and Technology Communications Manager, Kia America

Camp Yoshi originated in Oregon, a state with plenty of outdoor lovers that enjoy wine. Maryam + Company curated an outdoor-friendly list of Oregon wines made by people creating something as adventurous, approachable, and community-driven as a Camp Yoshi expedition.

Key Actions & Results:

• Secured off-the-beaten-path Oregon wines that underscore diversity and sustainability goals held by Camp Yoshi

• Created educational guests notes in campfire storytime fashion about each wine, the people behind them, and their impact on the environment and their communities

• Facilitated budgetary and shipping logistics of wine program

Key Actions & Results:

• Thoughtfully curated a 4-day thematically-structured food & wine program that included intimate tastings with winemakers, regional deep-dives, hands-on educational offerings, and one-of-a-kind experiences

• Performed outreach to program sponsors and secured funding for scholarship seats

• Designed and executed a robust scholarship program that garnered 45 applicants and awarded four recipients

• Elevated unique voices in the industry by confirming diversity & sustainability experts as part of speaker series

• Created regional economic impact through community engagement and attracting new visitors to the area with a new travel experience

Participant Testimonial:

“The Field Blends: Walla Walla trip was beyond what I had imagined a food and wine trip could encompass. From the intimate group size to the local, curated meals to the sense of community displayed by all the wine industry professionals we met each step of the way was beyond amazing! Being able to meet other scholarship recipients from all over the country, who are all on different wine journeys, allowed us to connect on a deeper level that we didn't know we needed. Hence why this experience was like no other, and we all noticed the amount of care and intention that the Field Blends team took the time to create meaningful experiences which resulted in everlasting memories!”

– Tahlia Suggs, Founder, Sisterhood of Winos

In response to the pandemic, the team behind For the Culture Market had to respond swiftly to transform a beloved annual in-person Oakland event into an engaging and far-reaching virtual experience in fall 2020. Maryam + Company was enlisted to help develop an interactive virtual shopping experience alongside a dynamic team of women entrepreneurs who share a passion for supporting women of color businesses. The goal was to increase Black entrepreneurs’ access to capital and shift holiday shopping away from big-box retailers and Amazon.

Key Actions & Results:

• Drew in over 300 attendees and shoppers from across the U.S.

• Designed a two-day online event featuring more than 50 Black women creatives and artists, virtual shop tours, interactive workshops, music, and educational experiences

• Created an engaging and community-driven program for customers by designing workshops, “Meet the Maker” series, and virtual DJ dance party

• Performed extensive research to determine the best program software to be utilized for the event

• Developed event flow and run of show for the two-day event