In October the Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced it had created a new Director of Social Responsibility position to emphasize and enhance the Bourbon industry’s commitment to alcohol responsibility, community engagement and environmental sustainability.
The association now has 33 members ranging in size from small craft spirits startups to large heritage brands that have been around since prior to Prohibition. KDAs President Eric Gregory said more than half of its members are new craft distilleries that have joined in the last four years making the job of Director of Social Responsibility increasingly important.
This week, they announced they have filled that position by naming Ali Edelstein the groups first-ever Director of Social Responsibility. Edelstein, 26, is a Louisville native and honors graduate of Western Kentucky University and Tufts University, where she earned a Master of International Business degree at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
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“All our members are committed to the responsible consumption of spirits, but newer distilleries may not have the resources or tools that the heritage distilleries have assembled,” he said. “They will greatly benefit from the KDA’s increased and united effort on this front.”
“Ali is a dynamic young leader and we’re thrilled to welcome her to our distilling family,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “She is the right person at the right time to build and deepen our commitment to responsibility in innovative and impactful ways.”
Gregory said this important new position will seek, develop and support effective programs, partnerships and public policies that make a difference in alcohol responsibility, community engagement and environmental sustainability.
Her work experience includes Program Manager and Education USA Advisor for the Fulbright Commission in Brussels, Belgium; Credit Analyst for Breckinridge Capital Advisors in Boston; and most recently, Senior Sustainability Advisor for Yum! Brands in Louisville.
“I’m inspired by the industry’s commitment to these issues during this time of rapid growth,” said Ali. “I look forward to meeting with stakeholders and member distilleries soon to learn how we can be part of collective solutions, on local to international levels.”
Rob Frederick, Director of Corporate Responsibility for Brown-Forman and Chair of the KDA Responsibility Task Force, said, “Ali brings talent and passion for responsibility. I look forward to her leadership and her many contributions to the KDA and its members, both in strengthening our vision and making it happen together.”
“We look forward to introducing Ali to our partners and stakeholders and working collectively to grow our signature industry in the right way. We can only succeed when the communities in which we live and work thrive as well.”
Edelstein will start as the Kentucky Distillers’ Association Director of Social Responsibility on January 2, 2017.
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