Napa sommelier certification group rocked by harassment allegations names female leader

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Napa-based Master Sommelier Court of the Americas, rocked by allegations released last year that candidates for its prestigious certification where they were harassed, manipulated or sexually assaulted by master sommeliers, has appointed a new executive director .

Julie Cohen Theobald, a former marketing manager and director of a non-profit theater, will take office in September, the group said on Wednesday. Those looking to achieve master sommelier certification face tastings and exams. The Americas branch of the organization was created in 1987. From a gender perspective, the group is predominantly male.

In November, the New York Times reported that nearly two dozen women said they had been harassed or sexually assaulted as they sought certification under the guidance of one of the group’s master sommeliers. Their complaints to the organization’s leadership were largely ignored, the newspaper reported. After the story broke, the group announced that seven members were suspended and more than two dozen female members of the group issued a public apology and demanded reforms.

The announcement of the new executive director does not directly refer to the allegations or the story of The New York Times.

Theobald will spearhead the effort and work alongside the board for continued positive change within the organization, the group said.

He later added: In a time of rapid change and growth, the Court of Master Sommeliers of the Americas is committed to driving internal and external change by engaging with its members, stakeholders and the community at large. .

Theobald said in the press release that she wanted to “bring a new vision to life by reshaping this historic wine education and review body to make it a more inclusive, accessible and transparent organization while upholding the values ​​of integrity, exemplary knowledge, and humility.

As the first female executive director and CEO of the nonprofit arts organization Educational Theater Association, Theobald doubled its operating budget, forged new partnerships and transformed the widely respected nonprofit into a 21st century organization. century, said the group of sommeliers.

She previously worked at Procter & Gamble, helping the consumer products giant launch Febreze internationally and is credited with leading the $ 2 billion Tide detergent brand to its fastest growing in 60 years. ‘history.

She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago in Business Economics and Marketing, and a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University in Public Policy.

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