Leah is the second-generation family owner, President and CEO of Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, NC. Founded by her father Oscar Wong in 1994, Highland is the founding brewery in Asheville. It is also the largest independent brewery native to NC and in the nation’s top ten breweries led by women. Leah’s past board service includes the NC Brewers Guild, Asheville Chamber, Buncombe County Tourism Authority, Riverlink, AB Tech Community College. Currently, she serves on the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Visitors. Recognitions include Brewbound’s Person of the Year, Woman Executive of the Year from the Asheville Chamber, James Beard semi-finalist for Beer, Wine or Spirits Professional. But her only trophy with a disco ball is for Best Dancer in a local version of Dancing with the Stars. Leah is married to Brock Ashburn, Highland’s VP of Facilities and Engineer, and is stepmother to two amazing young women.

Nick grew up in the beverage industry, where he learned early the value of long hours and discounted family labor. He began his beer career as a cook and dishwasher in the Firestone Walker Taproom kitchen, later taking on roles in groundskeeping, forklift driving, and cellar work. Leaving home, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy, competing on the national USNA Parachute Team. He went on to serve five years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an Artillery Officer, deploying to Afghanistan in 2014. After military service, Nick earned his MBA at UC Berkeley and worked as a Senior Strategy Consultant for L.E.K. Consulting, advising clients in technology, private equity, and retail. Today, Nick serves as Chief Executive Officer of Firestone Walker. As a fourth-generation member of the family beverage business, he is deeply committed to advancing the brewery’s legacy through innovation, sustainability, and long-term stewardship....and he looks forward to one day employing his three kids at the Firestone Walker Taproom.

Rosalie Kennedy is the Director of Marketing at Athletic Brewing Company, where she leads the company's strategic initiatives. Her industry-leading work has shaped Athletic’s leading brand presence and helped define the modern non-alcoholic beer category. With a background in brand management, Rosalie previously honed her expertise at Boston Beer Company, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the brand strategy for Angry Orchard Hard Cider, which became the country's No. 1 hard cider and drove the overall cider segment. Her career also includes notable agency experience in New York City, where she coordinated high-profile campaigns for Heineken USA's portfolio of brands. Outside of the office, Rosalie is actively involved in her community and has volunteered her time to small business growth initiatives. She is also a certified yoga instructor and a proud mom. She graduated with a double major in marketing and psychology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Mike LaRosa began brewing with his father very early on after discovering a passion for full, flavorful beer. While at Albright College and inquiring to every local brewery about possible internship opportunities, he got an offer from Rock Bottom, located in King of Prussia, PA. Within months, Mike’s hard work and determination prompted his unpaid internship to transition into a paid Assistant Brewer position, under then-Head Brewer Brian McConnell. During their tenure at Rock Bottom, Mike and Brian won a Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Fest for Baltic Style Porter. After college, he accepted the Head Brewer position for start-up Saucony Creek Craft Brewery. Mike left to support a handful of breweries in start-up and expansion phases, starting with Manayunk Brewing Company. Mike moved to Kane Brewing Company, in Ocean, NJ where he served as Head Brewer. He was a part of the company during a very interesting time for the development of a lot of their dark beer portfolio. From there, Mike joined Tired Hands Brewing Co. in Ardmore, PA, as both Production and Operations Manager. Mike was the first brewer for Tired Hands’ Fermentaria location, and was an integral part in developing and expanding the brewery operations. During his time at all of these breweries he has accumulated a number of awards including RateBeer’s Best Brewer in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania for multiple years, other Gold Medals from both GABF and World Beer Cup, along with being a part of a team with a James Beard Award nomination. In an effort to stay connected to his passions of making great beer and helping companies grow, Mike founded MJL Brewery Consulting. MJL Brewery Consulting worked on the invention of New Trail, and has been an owner since our founding, where he continues to collect awards.

Growing up in the former Czechoslovakia, Rudy Kellner is no stranger to the mountains, rivers, and crisp beer that that surrounds the home of pFriem Family Brewers in Hood River, Oregon. While spending his first career in high tech, Rudy co-founded pFriem Family Brewers with a couple friends, and now serves as CEO of pFriem, a 50-thousand barrel brewery known for its breadth of beers, and religious commitment to quality, hospitality, and local Pac NW presence.

Sophia D’Angelo is the founder of Boston Experiential Group, a Boston based experiential agency specializing in high-impact brand storytelling through immersive consumer experiences. With over 15 years in the experiential marketing space, she has led strategic activations for top beverage brands including Boston Beer Company, EIGHT Brewing, Night Shift, Loverboy, Flor de Caña, Edrington and more. Sophia is known for translating brand positioning into dynamic, on-the-ground moments—from national sampling tours to large-format festival footprints—that drive trial, boost share of voice, and deepen consumer affinity. Her expertise lies at the intersection of cultural insight, retail readiness, and full-funnel engagement.

Sam Hendler co-founded Jack’s Abby Brewing with his brothers, Jack and Eric, in 2011. As head of sales and marketing during the high-growth years of the 2010s, he helped build Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers into a regional powerhouse across the Northeast. Since becoming CEO in 2020, Sam has navigated the brewery through one of the most challenging periods in the industry—pivoting into contract brewing, executing strategic M&A, and tripling the company’s production between 2020 and 2025 under a new corporate umbrella, Hendler Family Brewing Company. A past president of the Massachusetts Brewers Guild, he was honored with the Brewers Association’s 2022 F.X. Matt Defense of the Industry Award for his leadership and advocacy on behalf of craft brewers.

Charlie Berger fell in love with the craft beer industry after a summer spent working on the Great Divide Brewing Company packaging line in 2003. He studied brewing at Siebel and Doemans, worked in brewpubs and production breweries before cofounding Denver Beer Co in 2011. Through strategic investment, he grew Denver Beer Co to 5 taprooms, and regional brewery status. In January of 2025, Denver Beer Co, Stem Ciders, and Funkwerks created Wilding Brands, which has grown through acquisition to include 9 unique beverage brands comprised of Great Divide, Station 26, Cerveceria Colorado, Howdy Beer, Formation Brewing, and Easy Living Hop water.

Bourcard Nesin is VP of Research covering beverages at Rabobank. He is a co-host of Liquid Assets, a podcast described as “unmissable” by Spirits Business. A few of his recent reports and recordings include: - The real reasons Gen Z is drinking less alcohol - How to get the most out of a distributor agreement - Why are so many young men quitting alcohol? (audio) - How bad is wine’s oversupply problem? (audio)

Kaleigh has 9 years of NIQ experience and considerable background working with clients in multiple categories. She has been involved with the Beverage Alcohol category for the last five years working on Thought Leadership, industry insights, and client specific business questions and projects. Kaleigh brings a unique skillset of analytic capabilities, as well as commercial selling story creation, and has significant background in bringing consumer insights to the forefront in support of sales trends. She has been pivotal in the NIQ strategy and tactics for Beverage Alcohol as the industry changes and develops.

Jon Halper is the Owner and CEO of Top Ten Liquors, one of the Twin Cities’ fastest-growing independent liquor retailers. Since acquiring the business in 2013, Jon has expanded Top Ten into a leading presence across Minnesota, recognized for its innovative retail approach and commitment to community. In addition to building one of the state’s most successful liquor businesses, Jon has emerged as an industry leader in the THC and cannabis market. He has played a pioneering role in advancing usage, shaping regulatory policy, and fostering collaboration across the country. His work as a network builder and advocate has helped position Minnesota at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry. Jon and his wife, Jill, are also deeply committed to philanthropy. They are longtime champions of the Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) and continue to give back through numerous local charities and community initiatives. With a career spanning law, retail, and entrepreneurship, Jon brings a unique perspective on growth, responsible innovation, and the future of both the liquor and cannabis industries.

Andrew Hummel is Director for CGA by NIQ and is responsible for driving the success of US supplier, distributor, and retail partners within the on-premise channel. Andrew joined CGA by NIQ in 2021, bringing 10+ years of comprehensive BevAl three-tier system experience and valuable CPG industry knowledge to the NIQ On-Premise team. He began his career journey as a pricing analyst for a large US grocer before seeking a hands-on role at a Chicago craft brewery. Subsequently, he gained exposure to chain and independent on-premise operators through his role at a leading BevAl distributor where he became well versed in industry data. His deep understanding of BevAl/CPG, and passion for brands, helps clients develop and execute actionable strategies from NIQ’s market insights. Andrew attended Indiana University – Kelley School of Business Honors Program and currently lives in Chicago, IL.

Jon Halper is the Owner and CEO of Top Ten Liquors, one of the Twin Cities’ fastest-growing independent liquor retailers. Since acquiring the business in 2013, Jon has expanded Top Ten into a leading presence across Minnesota, recognized for its innovative retail approach and commitment to community. In addition to building one of the state’s most successful liquor businesses, Jon has emerged as an industry leader in the THC and cannabis market. He has played a pioneering role in advancing usage, shaping regulatory policy, and fostering collaboration across the country. His work as a network builder and advocate has helped position Minnesota at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry. Jon and his wife, Jill, are also deeply committed to philanthropy. They are longtime champions of the Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) and continue to give back through numerous local charities and community initiatives. With a career spanning law, retail, and entrepreneurship, Jon brings a unique perspective on growth, responsible innovation, and the future of both the liquor and cannabis industries.

Brian Fried serves as Region Vice President for Sunset Distributing Company (SDC), a division of the Hand Family Companies—one of the largest family-owned beverage distributors in the U.S. With a legacy dating back to 1949, the Hand Family Companies now operate across four states, employ over 1,000 people, and distribute more than 50 million cases of beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages annually. With more than 30 years of experience in the beverage industry, Brian has held leadership roles across both wholesaler and supplier organizations, including Miller Brewing Company, Heineken USA, and Beam Suntory. His expertise spans business planning, organizational development, and strategic leadership, making him a respected voice in the evolving beverage marketplace.

Peter Heimark is President and CEO of Heimark Distributing LLC (HDC.) Heimark Distributing is an Independent Beer and beverage Distributor based in Indio, California servicing communities in eastern Riverside County and Southern San Bernardino County including the Coachella Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, Joshua Tree National Park, and surrounding communities. Peter is the third generation of Heimark Family Members at the Helm of Heimark Distributing. He began his career with an internship working for Anheuser-Busch in Spain and Denmark. He spent the first twenty-three years of his career with Heimark Distributing’s sister company, Triangle Distributing, based in Santa Fe Springs. Upon conducting a territory swap with Anheuser-Busch in 2020, Peter moved to Heimark Distributing LLC. Peter has served as the Anheuser-Busch Advisory Panel Chairman, the Chairman of the National Beer Wholesalers Association, and has served on the board of the California Family Beer Distributors Association.