Our Vision
We are leaders creating empowering and spirited environments for fearless whiskey women through exceptional adventures and experiences; blending spirits education, personal development, community and entertainment in our whiskey world.
Our Mission
Bourbon Women creates an empowering spirits environment by masterfully blending knowledge, community, fellowship and fun.
Our Values
Connected Community: We foster deep connections and a sense of belonging, where every woman feels seen, heard, and supported.
Empowering Growth: We provide a nurturing space that encourages women to pursue their passions and aspirations.
Diverse Inclusion: We welcome and celebrate every woman, creating a colorful tapestry of unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
Celebratory Joy: We infuse every joyful moment with laughter and fun, celebrating each other’s achievements and spreading joy.
Inspiring Recognition: We passionately honor and support women’s remarkable contributions to their communities and the world.
From one Bourbon Woman to another,
It was more of a pent-up feeling. Knowing for my entire life that I watched women enjoying bourbon, yet the industry did not recognize this market. As a Master Bourbon Taster it felt awkward to me, conducting tasting programs around the world where women sat in the back of the room and only asked questions afterwards. Working both inside and outside of the industry, a quest began to design the perfect platform to start the conversation with women, not a commercial sales pitch and advance their interest in spirits. And that is exactly what we did. We first reached out to YOU to start the conversation. And, we thank you. Read More…
Leadership
Heather Wibbels
Managing Director
Kentucky
Former Chair of the Board
Takes Her Bourbon
Whatever I’m in the mood for, cocktails, neat or on the rocks.
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Mixing drinks and fostering for the Kentucky Humane Society
Carol Otto
Chair
Michigan
Takes Her Bourbon
On the rocks
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
On an airplane, a Harley Davidson, or a golf course
Kim Rice
Director
Kentucky
Takes Her Bourbon
Any way it’s being served!!
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
making sure the food supply is safe, supporting her favorite charity, gardening, enjoying her backyard with her four legged and two legged family!
Hamilton Thiersch
Director
Kentucky
Takes Her Bourbon
Neat
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Traveling, playing tennis
Deb Copeland
Secretary
Kentucky
Takes Her Bourbon
Neat, occasionally rocks, with two cubes plus twist of lemon. My cocktail is a Manhattan
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
In the garden, reading, golf
Margaret Horlander
Past Chair
Kentucky
Takes Her Bourbon
I love a well-made sour or old fashioned, but will take my bourbon however I can get it.
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Hosting dinner parties (when there isn’t a pandemic in town!)
Kristy Offitt
Compliance Officer
Tennessee
Takes Her Bourbon
Neat or in a cocktail
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Reading, traveling or solving employment law related challenges.
Peggy Noe Stevens
Founder & Chair Emeritus
Kentucky
Takes Her Bourbon
On the rocks with one big ice cube, or a Black Manhattan always UP!
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Creating culinary magic in the kitchen and gardening
Amy Bloomhuff
Director
NKY/Cincy
Takes Her Bourbon
Neat, On a Rock, or in a Classic Cocktail like an Old Fashioned or a Black Manhattan Up.
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Spending time with family and friends, attending a wine tasting, or planning her next trip.
Sarah Bryant
Director
Kentucky
Takes Her Bourbon
One large rock 😉
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
I love being outside when the weather permits. A good run or a bike ride.
Carrie Coe
Director
Indiana
Takes Her Bourbon
Neat to start, then adds some ice to dilute and savor slowly. She also loves classic cocktails
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
She’s baking treats to share, reading, or playing tennis!
Sydney Ferrara
Staff
Digital Engagement and Membership Manager
Takes Her Bourbon: With some ice to dilute and enjoy slowly! She also enjoys an old fashioned and whiskey sour.
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her: Attending fun events and enjoying local coffee shops/restaurants in Philadelphia.
Erica Fields
Director
Takes Her Bourbon
On the rocks. Her favorite cocktail is a Manhattan, up.
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Being active in the theatre and arts scene in Louisville
Nicole Fitzpatrick
Director
Kentucky
Takes Her Bourbon
with a splash of sweet tea and an orange slice
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Reading a good book or a magazine, exploring new happenings in Louisville or any city – love to travel, and spending time with family & friends.
Eulalia House
Director
Illinois
Takes Her Bourbon
Neat, but won’t say no to on the rocks or in a cocktail
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Reading
Dana D. Miller
Director
Kentucky
Takes Her Bourbon: Neat or however someone serves it to me.
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her: Crocheting, watching sports, reading.
Shauneille Peoples
Director
Washington, DC
Takes Her Bourbon
Neat (most of the time)
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
In her favorite cigar lounge with a cigar and bourbon, contemplating on the next best vacation.
Erin Petrey
Director
Washington DC
Takes Her Bourbon
With one ice cube – no more, no less. Or in a delightful cocktail – I love a truly exceptional Old Fashioned.
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
When I’m not learning or writing about bourbon or cocktails, you can find me checking out DC’s latest restaurants and bars, tending to my plants, doing yoga, watching Star Trek reruns, hanging with my dog Lila, and plotting my next international trip. Always up for a fancy coffee and delicious pastry!
Stacy Pritchard
Director
Kentucky
Takes Her Bourbon
Any way she can get it,
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Working on planning the next upcoming Ky Bourbon Festival
Emily Rhoades
Staff
Manager of Branch Operations
Takes Her Bourbon
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Melissa Richards-Person
Director
Kentucky
Takes Her Bourbon
With a beautifully molded rock
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Discovering and talking about new bands and planning for her next concert or music festival; reading about music or food and cooking or baking things that do or do not pair with bourbon!
Trina Summers
Director
Kentucky
Takes Her Bourbon
Neat, on ice, or in a Manhattan straight up
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Enjoying the outdoors, camping, hiking, boating, and gardening
Susan Reigler
Advisory Board Member, Past President
Kentucky
Takes Her Bourbon
Neat, with a rock, in a cocktail. Depends on the bourbon!
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Playing one of my brass instruments or reading.
Kerri Richardson
Past President
Kentucky
Takes Her Bourbon
Full proof, neat
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Developing communications strategies for public and private sector clients; playing with my two young daughters; scrolling for antique silver servingware
Maggie Kimberl
Past President
Kentucky
Takes Her Bourbon
However you’re serving it
When Not Sipping, You’ll Find Her
Browsing vintage vinyl with her two boys or tending her homegrown tomatoes
Want to Start a Branch?
Want to bring Bourbon Women to your city? Our Branch Ambassadors donate time, event planning skills & their networks to start a branch in their city.
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