WSWA Announces Graduates of 2025 WIL Education Program
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) annouced the graduation of 31 women wholesale leaders from nine wholesaler member companies at a special capstone event held the first week of May in Washington, D.C.
Over the past three weeks, women from across the country successfully completed WSWA’s 2025 Women in Leadership (WIL) Executive Education Program, a hybrid curriculum developed and taught by faculty from Columbia Business School, according to WSWA. The program featured a dynamic virtual classroom experience and concluded with a two-day, in-person capstone session in the nation’s capital.
Designed to accelerate the advancement of women in the wine and spirits industry, the WIL program equips participants to navigate complex business landscapes, leverage their strengths and step into roles of greater influence and leadership, according to WSWA.
WIL Education Program
The WIL curriculum was exclusively designed for WSWA by Professor Adam Galinsky, Paul Calello Professor of Leadership and Ethics and Vice Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Columbia Business School (CBS). He was joined by distinguished CBS professors Modupe Akinola, Barbara and David Zalaznick Professor of Business and Faculty Director of the Bernstein Center for Leadership and Ethics, and Sandra Matz, David W. Zalaznick Associate Professor of Business, according to WSWA.
This year’s capstone experience began on May 7th with a session titled “Inspiring Negotiations,” taught by Professor Adam Galinsky. The day concluded with a rooftop reception overlooking the monuments with special guest Representative Haley Stevens, (D-MI) followed by small group networking dinners across Washington, D.C., according to WSWA.
On May 8th, participants started the day with a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol building. The final educational session, “Inspiring Social Capital and Happiness” led by Professor Modupe Akinola.
The capstone event wrapped up with a celebratory graduation ceremony and reception, marking the culmination of the 2025 Women in Leadership Executive Education Program, according to WSWA.
“I appreciate the insightful wisdom of Professor Galinsky, especially, how he taught the material,” said Glenny Tjahjadi, vice president, IT, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, in a news release. “The engineer in me loved the research and data backing up the insights. The human in me loved the interactive breakout sessions that foster relationship building. The child in me loved the vividness of stories and imageries he used in the lessons. And the driver in me loved the connection he made between concepts and concrete actionable items and next steps,” she added.
WIL Education Program’s Success
Since its inception, the WIL Executive Education Program has celebrated over 177 graduates, according to WSWA, with more than 80% of alumnae reporting measurable career advancements and promotions post-completion.
“Congratulations to the Class of 2025 on completing the WSWA Women in Leadership Executive Education Program — a major personal and professional achievement,” said Dina Opici, WSWA chairwoman and president of Opici Family Distributing, in the release. “You are now part of an elite group of women leaders who are shaping the future of the wholesale industry. You are graduating from this program during a most exceptional time — your leadership, knowledge and perseverance are essential to navigate today’s challenges, and you will all play a pivotal role in this next chapter of our industry’s history.”
“The WIL program continues to transform the future of leadership in our industry,” added WSWA senior vice president of Member Advocacy and director of WSWA’s Women’s Leadership Council, Catherine McDaniel. “Each year, we witness the profound impact these women make, not only within their companies but across the wholesale tier. Their success stories are reshaping the landscape of our industry.”
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