Washington, DC (January 22, 2025) – The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) and The Spirits Training Entrepreneurship Program for Underrepresented Professionals (STEPUP Foundation) are proud to announce their 2025 class, which kicks off this month and welcomes industry veteran Sydney Jones as a mentor and Corsair Artisan Distillery as a distillery host.
STEPUP Foundation is an inclusion and equity program that aims to provide underserved and underrepresented individuals with training, encouragement, and opportunities to enter the craft spirits community through a comprehensive six-month immersive internship program. ACSA has long recognized a lack of diversity in the alcoholic beverage industry and has been working since 2020 to develop and update its comprehensive program aimed at increasing talent through the facilitation of workplace inclusiveness and equity. Now in its fourth year, STEPUP will continue to engage diverse applicants with an interest in the beverage sector and help those of different races, color, national origins, genders, disabilities, and sexual orientations to acquire the skills and experience they need to succeed in the industry.
In addition to relying on generous donors like Diageo North America and The Underwood Family Foundation, and continued proceeds from the sale of Good Deeds Spirits, STEPUP is excited to unveil its new online donation platform on its website, making it easier than ever for individuals to contribute. This new system allows for donations of any size, ensuring that everyday supporters can now easily contribute to the Foundation’s vital mission. To learn more or pledge support, visit https://stepupinternship.org/donors/.
2025 STEPUP MENTOR:
Sydney Jones
Sydney Jones is a Supervisor and Lead Distillery Technician at the newly constructed Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown, KY. Previously, she served as the first female Head Distiller for FEW Spirits in Evanston, IL, and has been working in the distilled spirits industry since 2016. She specializes in whiskey and gin production, as well as spirits education. Sydney has also served as a Board Member and Treasurer for the Northeast Florida chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild, worked as a Judge for the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago, IL, and taught as an educator with Brewing and Distilling Educational Services in Lexington, KY.
2025 STEPUP INTERN:
Keyah Boyd
Keyah Boyd was born and raised in Baltimore, MD, and comes to STEPUP from the American Cancer Society where she served as a Development Coordinator. Following part-time work at Sagamore Spirit, where she served as a Distillery Experience Guide, and later Wisher Spirit, she is excited to pursue her passion within hospitality and love for whiskey as she transitions fully into a career in spirits by diving deeper into spirits production and operations.
2025 HOST DISTILLERY:
Corsair Artisan Distillery (Nashville, TN)
Corsair Artisan Distillery is a small-batch distilling company that operates in Nashville, Tennessee, US. It was originally founded in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in January 2008. The distillery is owned and operated by Derek Bell and Andrew Webber, who are both distillers and natives of Nashville. Corsair Artisan Distillery is known for its production of innovative spirits, which include buckwheat whiskey, quinoa whiskey, malted and smoked whiskies, multi-grain bourbons, barrel-aged gin, red absinthe, naturally flavored vodka, and spiced rum.
2025 PARTICIPATING DISTRIBUTOR:
Republic National Distributing Company (Dallas, TX)
As a top wine and spirits distributor in the nation, Republic National Distributing Company’s (RNDC) national reach helps suppliers by building strategic relationships with on- and off-premise customers to elevate their brands and reach their target consumers. RNDC currently operates in the District of Columbia and 37 states across the United States.
Margie A.S. Lehrman, CEO, ACSA and President, STEPUP Foundation stated, “As we kick off another year with a group of incredible talent and committed support partners, we continue to be humbled by the generous volunteers who support our efforts to build a community that includes all faces in our society. Together, we are united on an imperative cause: recruiting and welcoming more diverse perspectives and talent into the world of drinks.”
STEPUP LEADERSHIP
STEPUP’s Board of Directors has created an immersive internship program for underrepresented individuals in the alcoholic beverage industry. Margie A.S. Lehrman (CEO, ACSA) serves as the organization’s president, working together with Secretary Rebecca Harris (Head Distiller and Co-founder, Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. and Past President, ACSA) and Treasurer Julie Kinch (CEO/Founder, JK Leadership Advisors, LLC). They are joined by a seasoned Board of Directors, including Chris Montana (CEO and Head Distiller, Du Nord Social Spirits), Chris Underwood (CEO, Young’s Holdings), David Cid (Owner, Silver Sun Group), and Ingrid Wetzell (HR Director, Bently Enterprises), and Nicole Austin (General Manager and Distiller, Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.).These critical liaisons help identify potential partners, secure financial resources and develop training materials to ensure the program’s success. The Selection Committee members for 2025e; Mac Harris of Wenzel Whiskey, Colton Weinstein of Corsair Artisan Distillery, Aswaithy Nair and Julie Townsend of Republic National Distributing Company, Max Hames of Sagamore Spirit Distillery, Sydney Jones of Heaven Hill, and Erin Lee, STEPUP Intern Alumni and currently Head Distiller at FEW Spirits.
INTERNSHIP CURRICULUM
STEPUP Foundation participants are guided through every facet of operating a distillery, with the bonus of an immersive internship opportunity with a wholesaler. Interns will experience hands-on training in and job exposure to several facets of the alcoholic beverage industry, including distillation production, safety, sales and marketing, business and finance, tasting room operations, and distribution.
The STEPUP Foundation is a 501(c)(3). To learn more about the foundation or to make a donation, visit www.stepupinternship.org or contact margie@americancraftspirits.org and alexandra@gatherpr.com.
About ACSA
The American Craft Spirits Association is the only national registered non-profit trade association representing the U.S. craft spirits industry. Its mission is to elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers, and membership in ACSA is open to anyone.
ACSA is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the eligible voting members of the Association. Voting members must be independent, licensed distillers (DSPs) annually removing fewer than 750,000 proof gallons from bond (the amount on which a Federal Excise Tax is paid.) For information about ACSA, call 202-669-3661.
