Our Mission
The Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum brings together leaders of organizations with a core commitment to equity and diversity in the wine industry to act as a collaborative resource for support, discussion and positive change. Such collaboration is done with the recognition that change can only occur over time through intentional, ongoing commitment. The Forum also acts as a central resource for the wine community and its supporters to connect, support, and work with these organizations.
Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum
The Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum is powered in partnership by Maryam Ahmed (Founder and Owner of Maryam + Company) and Dr. Akilah Cadet (Founder and CEO of Change Cadet).
The Forum was co-founded by Maryam Ahmed and Elaine Chukan Brown in 2020 to help connect inclusive initiatives in the wine industry in order to foster collaborative efforts and problem solving among advocates and leaders. The Forum provides a bi-annual summit for leaders of organizations dedicated to diversity and equity in the wine industry; a central location for information on organizations doing the work; and educational series focused on DEI training for wine professionals.
Click Here to join our upcoming Do The Work series!
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Maryam Ahmed is a Napa, CA based food and wine entrepreneur and co-founder of the Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum. As the owner of Maryam + Company, she works at the intersection of chefs, sommeliers, activists, sustainability experts, media, and organizations focused on diversity and sustainability to design impact-driven programs and execute strategic projects within the worlds of food and wine. Maryam is a cast member on SOMM TV and a partner at PLAYTE Kitchen.
Dr. Akilah Cadet dismantles white supremacy daily as the Founder and CEO of Change Cadet consulting firm which offers a broad array of anti-racism and diversity services including strategic planning, crisis rebuilding, advising, executive coaching, and facilitation. Cadet (her last name) is a French term that means soldier. As it's often an uphill battle for BIPOC, women, and intentionally ignored communities to achieve success and equity in the workplace, Change Cadet prepares soldiers of change to overcome these continuous battles so individuals and companies can thrive. Akilah was named Forbes Next 1000, has 15+ years of experience working in various organizations, with both private and public sector companies. She literally has all the degrees, is disabled, lives in Oakland, CA, and is a proud Beyoncé advocate.
Elaine Chukan Brown co-founded The Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum with Maryam in the summer of 2020. Elaine remains as Advisor to the Forum.