OurWhisky Foundation

How effective is your International Women’s Day activity? It’s that time of year when we see a flood of brand-led panel discussions and social media posts celebrating female achievement, all in the name of gender equality. But how effective are they at tackling issues really? We need to move beyond echo chamber panel discussions and performative Instagram posts if we’re to make any kind of difference, writes our founder, Becky Paskin. It’s time to #accelerateaction, and that means doing more than just talk. https://lnkd.in/ecF8KVKq #internationalwomensday #iwd #iwd2025 #womeninwhisky #womeninstem #ourwhiskyfoundation #ourwhisky #whisky #whiskey

?? Ireland Atonia Programme Deadline Extended! ?? We’re giving women and non-binary folk in Ireland a few extra days to get their applications in for our 2025 Atonia Programme as this is the first time we’re running one specifically for the Irish whiskey industry. ?You now have until 9th March to submit! ? Not only will you be paired with a hand-selected mentor, you’ll have access to a series of professional development workshops, networking sessions, events and so much more. PLUS you’ll join a family of over 200+ Atonia graduates all over the world who’ve made lifelong connections and meaningful steps forward in their careers. The first step is to fill in a form… https://lnkd.in/eaRjn6Ae #atoniaprogramme #ourwhiskyfoundation #irishwhiskey #whiskey #ireland #womeninirishwhiskey #womeninwhisky #womeninwhiskey #mentorship Irish Distillers Bushmills Teeling Whiskey Company Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board William Grant & Sons

Don’t forget to submit your application for the Atonia Programme! Applications close at midnight tonight, so make sure you get yours in for the 2025 GB or Ireland programme today. https://lnkd.in/eaRjn6Ae #ourwhiskyfoundation #mentorship #atoniaprogramme #atoniasacorns #womeninwhisky #womeninwhiskey #whisky #whiskey

The pairing of Angela Salinas and her mentor, lynn house, is testament to our ‘magical’ mentor-mentee matching skills. We had no prior knowledge of either’s background in the theatre, only that these were two strong female whiskey ambassadors based in Chicago. Yet something told us they belonged together. “Hearing my mentor share her own experiences changed everything,” says Angela. “She made me feel truly heard and seen, reminding me that I wasn’t crazy or incapable.” Now Angela, Illinois market manager for KOVAL Distillery, wants to pass on what she’s learned to others, and reframe what it means to be a woman in the whisky industry. Read her experience on our Atonia Programme here: https://lnkd.in/eX8t2YYF Applications for our 2025 GB and Ireland programmes closes tomorrow, 28th February. #ourwhiskyfoundation #atoniaprogramme #mentorship #whisky #whiskey #koval #whiskycareers

Although there’s no such thing as a ‘conventional’ route into whisky, Kyra Elton has taken more than a few turns. Born in Hong Kong, raised in the UAE and professionally trained as a musician and singer, her career started in healthcare, winding through bartending, distilling at East London Liquor Company and now brand advocacy with Heaven Hill Brands. It wasn’t until she joined the OurWhisky mentorship programme that she found a sense of belonging. “My peers (mainly male) were tremendously more technically experienced, so I felt a little out of place. “But connecting with my mentor, Arbilie distiller Kirsty Black helped me realise that many successful people in distilling came from non-traditional backgrounds.” Don’t forget, applications for our 2025 GB and Ireland programmes close 28th February. https://lnkd.in/eQ6vn7vj #ourwhiskyfoundation #mentorship #kyraelton #heavenhill #samsonandsurrey #womeninwhisky #whisky #whiskey

I will never stop recommending this program. OurWhisky Foundation changed my life. If you are a woman in the industry and are looking for community, guidance, and support, please consider applying. You won’t regret it!

What are the challenges of being a pregnant women in whisky? From hiding their baby bump in brand photographs and from potential clients, to fearing they’d lose respect for taking maternity leave, pregnancy is an especially nuanced experience that women in whisky face. In her first guest post for OurWhisky, Bethany Whymark spoke to several new mothers in the industry about their experiences, and how pregnancy has changed the way they work. https://lnkd.in/eqMjQTnt #ourwhiskyfoundation #pregnancy #womenandwhisky #pregnancyatwork #whiskymothers #mothersday

What a 6 months! I was over the moon to be accepted onto the OurWhisky Foundation mentorship programme and I am delighted to now be an official Graduate from the 2024 class. What did I gain? ·? ?I have met an incredible group of strong, like-minded women who love the world of Whisky and have so much to offer. ·????????I have learned a lot about myself and I am so excited about the future. ·????????My mentor could not have been better matched – thank you Jennie Norrish, I am forever grateful for your counsel, praise and encouragement. I have a clear plan going into 2025! ·????????Great training including Unconscious Bias & Bystander Training ·????????I have re-ignited my whisky-geek passion and thrilled to be part of the wider OWF community. Thank you to the OWF team:?Becky Paskin, Samantha Staniforth and Millie Milliken, you showed up for us, saw our potential and nurtured us. Big shout out to Lucy Cox as well, the Power Room is such a valuable course and I would highly recommend. Whilst 2024 was tinged with great sadness for me personally, losing my wonderful Dad, I am pursuing so much that we often discussed together so I am entering 2025 with that in mind. If you want to get in touch with any questions on OWF, just drop me a message ??

They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Somewhere along the route, it's helpful to have a guide. I was fortunate to participate in the OurWhisky Foundation Mentorship Programme in the latter part of 2024. The Foundation that Becky Paskin created aims to provide guides to women and nonbinary folx working in the whiskey industry. At the time that I applied for the program, I was beginning to wonder what my future in the industry may look like as someone who is geographically distant from the central "whisk(e)y hubs" and whose web of responsibility is rather wide. Becky saw this and paired me with the extremely talented Pauline Rooney who was able to shine a light on the landmarks and trails that I might have otherwise missed had I been going down my route alone. Thank you Becky for creating this extraordinary space for women in the whisk(e)y industry. Congratulations to my fellow mentees, and those past and present, for completing this program. Thank you Pauline, Lucy and Ana for giving me the extra push Cheers ??

Do you want to help OurWhisky Foundation make whisky a more inclusive space? Come work with us! We’re recruiting for a handful of new part-time roles to help spearhead our expansion. Including: ?? Head of Partnerships & Events ?? Digital Marketing Manager ?? Regional Community & Events Manager, Ireland (volunteer) ?? Regional Community & Events Manager, UK (volunteer) We’re a passionate, hard-working team - come and help us make a difference to lives of women in whisky all over the world. https://lnkd.in/eNdcVry3