the Brewers Association (BA), the non-profit professional association dedicated to small independent American craft brewersannounced the recipients of its first Mentor of the Year Award: Annette May and Ramon Tamayo.
“Through the broader mentorship program and our wonderful volunteer mentors, we are moving the needle forward in the craft beer community by providing people with the tools and resources to succeed – especially those who face obstacles. more important,” said Dr. J Nikol Jackson-Beckham, Equity and Inclusion Partner at the Brewers Association. “I am proud to see Annette and Ramon creating lasting and positive ripple effects in the industry; they establish a solid foundation to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
The Brewers Association mentorship program aims to increase the diversity of the workforce, leadership and ownership of small independent breweries by providing structured mentorship and advocacy to those who face barriers to entry or advancement in the industry . Since the program’s inception 15 months ago, 86 mentors have mentored 89 individuals seeking to develop their knowledge and skills in the craft brewing community. The Mentor of the Year Award recognizes volunteer mentors who have provided exceptional mentorship to program participants and championed those who face barriers to access and advancement in their career paths.
“Mentoring is a great way to give back to the community and make a positive impact in someone’s life,” said May, a founding member of Schoolcraft College’s Brewing and Distilling Technology program and the first woman to become Cicerone certified. “From serving and tasting beer at Craft Beer 101, I’m excited to have the chance to help mentor people who are looking to grow and thrive in the craft beer industry.”
“As a brewing community, we must come together to facilitate the continued growth of our members,” said Tamayo, Director of Brewing for Magnolia Brewery. “Through this program, I’ve met so many great people, both mentors and mentees, and heard so many wonderful stories. It was an inspiring experience that I am truly grateful to have been part of.
The two winners will be honored this year Craft Brewers Conference in Minneapolis. To learn more about mentors, see here. The Brewers Association recently announced the selection of the third cohort of the mentoring program; with 34 participants, it is the largest cohort to date. To learn more about the Brewers Association Mentorship Program or to apply to participate as a mentor or mentee, see here.