Sustainability is as much about people as it is about the land. That’s how Maryam Ahmed, founder of Maryam + Company and the Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum, connects Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (“DEI”) to sustainability. Maryam shares how DEI creates access and relevance to new customers and markets for wine and how “doing the work” creates significant ROI for businesses.  Detailed Show Notes: Maryam’s background - worked in Finger Lakes, distribution in NYC, moved to Walla Walla, then Napa, was on Somm TV show SparklersMaryam + Company - educational program & strategic initiatives for food & wine companies, further sustainability and diversityWorks w/ associations, portfolios, or specific wine businesses & non-profitsAll clients have a demonstrated commitment to DEIHelp broaden their network and provides accountability consultingHelps with conference and panel development, changing from panels on diversity to core topics with diversity integrated into itField Blends - wine travel program to regions that don’t always get the spotlight (e.g. - 2022 in Walla Walla, WA); for both professionals and consumers; scholarships for diverse candidates; brings regional orgs to support programs; provides regions with diverse travelers and new customers to regionWine Writers Symposium - helped make the event virtual during Covid, broaden the audience from 30 to 300 people, and more diverse writers received jobs from itWorking w/ diverse influencers w/ trend towards micro-influencers (<10k IG followers) w/ ROI on sales and new market conversionClif Family - advised to let micro-influencers tell them what they wanted to do vs. the brand directingDEI benefitsCreativity from multiple perspectives in the organizationProblem-solving with new ideasEnables access and relevance to a broader customer base and new marketsDiversity in Wine Leadership Forum (“DIWLF”)Created in 2020, cofounded w/ Elaine Chukan BrownGetting the many initiatives for diversity in wine to collaborate instead of compete~20 organizations participatingOrgs primarily focused on creating access, elevation, education, & inclusion; all ties back to sustainabilityDo the Work Series - educated >150 professionalsWine Unify - creates access and elevation through education (WSET scholarships)Lift Collective - has an entrepreneurship program280 Project & Industry Sessions - creates immersive education from a black and brown lensSustainability needs to be not just for the land, but also the people, making DEI criticalDEI “B” - belonging also important, working in supportive spacesDoing the work is both personal and professional; common barriers for people: People don’t want to be wrong / embarrassed -> advise them to “fail forward”Don’t want to make other people feel uncomfortable -> discomfort is part of doing the work Get access to library episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.