Opening Keynote • Sunday, August 18

Putting Positive Societal Impact at the Heart of Strategy: How Diageo Uses This Approach to Make Its Business Better

Professor Katherine Smart

Global Technical Director and Chief Scientist • Diageo

Professor Katherine Smart is the Global Technical Director and Chief Scientist at Diageo, joining the company in 2019. She has held accountabilities for Diageo’s innovation, sustainability, science and technology, margin enhancement, and governance functions. Katherine is also an affiliate academic at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, having previously held a University Lectureship since 2018 as academic lead for the highly successful Masters in Bioscience Enterprise. Before joining Diageo and the University of Cambridge, Katherine co-founded The Surrey Copper Distillery Limited in 2017.

She previously held vice president roles in ABInBev and was the Global Chief Brewer for SABMiller. Earlier in her career, Katherine held University appointments at Cambridge, Oxford Brookes, and Nottingham. She co-founded the National Brewing Library at Oxford Brookes and the Brewing Science and Bioenergy Centre at Nottingham, where she remains an honorary Professor. Katherine has published over 100 refereed publications and is the author of patents and books in the field of Yeast Cell Biology and Fermentation. She holds two scientific doctorates, is a qualified distiller, and has successfully completed sustainability courses at the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford. She is also an alumna of the Royal Society Industrial Fellowship.

Katherine is the current vice-president of the ASBC and Master of the Worshipful Company of Brewers. She was previously the President of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling.

Closing Keynote • Tuesday, August 20

Weathering the Storm: Balancing Short-Term Demands and Disruptions Against Long-Term Goals to Create an Enduring and Sustainable Business

Willie Rahr

President and CEO • Rahr Corporation

Willie Rahr is President and CEO of Rahr Corporation, a family-owned company that includes Rahr Malting Co., Gambrinus Malting, and RahrBSG (formerly Brewers Supply Group). Willie is the fifth generation of the Rahr family to lead a business that, since its founding in 1847, has seen everything from Prohibition to pandemics and lite beer to hard seltzer. He is a passionate outdoorsman and conservationist, and under his auspices, the company has become a leader in philanthropy and sustainability as well as malting and brewing.

Taproom Talks

Brewing Beyond Boundaries: Trials & Triumphs in the Triad of Beverage Innovation
​Monday, August 19

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Janet Johanson • Moderator​

Founder & CEO • BevSource

Janet Johanson, a two-time EY Entrepreneur of the Year honoree and MSP Business Journal's Most Admired CEO in 2023, brings over 20 years of experience assisting thousands of new brands in launching, innovating, and scaling—including renowned brands such as Not Your Father’s Root Beer, Celsius, and Crispin Hard Cider. Her leadership style, centered on empowering mindsets and fostering collaboration, has propelled BevSource to become the largest packaging and ingredients distributor exclusively serving the beverage industry in the United States.
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Jeff Cornell • Panelist

General Manager • AC Golden Brewing

Jeff Cornell has 24 years with Molson Coors and is the General Manager of AC Golden Brewing Company, a craft brewing operation and brand incubator in Golden, Colorado. Before his current role, he was Director of Craft Supply Chain supporting and enabling brewing, packaging, quality, and capital projects for Tenth & Blake's craft breweries. In prior years, he held various roles including Sr. Manager of Brewing Innovation and Development, Manager of Corporate Chemistry, Sensory and Microbiology, and Head Brewer for AC Golden Company.

Omar Ansari • Panelist

President • Surly Brewing Company

Omar Ansari established Surly Brewing Co. on December 31, 2005, carving out a space on the factory floor of Brooklyn Center’s Sparky Abrasives to start what would become one of Minnesota’s largest craft breweries. Omar led the charge to allow Minnesota brewers to sell their own beer, resulting in a craft beer revolution across the state and Surly’s Destination Brewery, a 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility with a brewhouse, beer hall, full-service kitchen, massive beer garden, and events center.​

Becki Schwietz • Panelist

Director, Strategic Sales and Business Development • STAUBER

Becki Schwietz has a B.A. degree from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. Becki joined the beverage industry in 2018 with MN-based Hawkins Inc. in the Stauber Health and Nutrition Division. She focuses on functional and innovative beverage ingredients, recognizing the importance of supporting all phases of growth and working with the many stakeholders [formulators, brands, and manufacturers] within the dynamic beverage ecosystem.

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Irina Lorenzi

Executive • ​Naomi Whittel Brands​​

​Irina Lorenzi is a passionate, entrepreneurial senior executive with a long career in operating and brand marketing leadership roles in the natural products industry.  Her responsibilities reached across a diverse range of nutraceutical, functional beverages, and natural product categories within multiple sales channels; direct-to-consumer, specialty, natural, and conventional. She has a consistent history of innovation with a proven ability to identify and leverage a highly focused, sustainable competitive advantage regardless of product life stage, market conditions, or sales channel.

Approachable Ways to Meet the Shifting Demands of Global Sustainability
Tuesday, August 20​

Robert Christiansen • Moderator

Director of Quality • New Belgium Brewing Company​

​Robert Christiansen is the Director of Quality at New Belgium Brewing Company where he has worked for the last 8 years. He previously worked as a microbiologist and Director of Quality at Avery Brewing Company in Boulder, Colorado.  Rob studied at the University of Wyoming earning a degree in molecular biology. He is a past President of the ASBC where he served on the Board of Directors for seven years. Rob is also an active member of the Master Brewers Association of the Americas (MBAA). ​He enjoys studying and learning about all things fermented, especially beer.​

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Mandy McKay • Panelist

Chief Sustainability & Social Impact Officer • Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.​

Mandi McKay is the Chief Sustainability & Social Impact Officer for Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. where she leads the strategic vision and implementation of the company’s commitments to environmental and social responsibility. Mandi’s team drives operational sustainability through zero waste, GHG emission reductions, and resource efficiency as well as inclusion & belonging. Beyond operations, her work also includes advocacy and community engagement that align with the company’s ambition to be climate-resilient, nature-positive, and people-powered. ​

Jonas Borrit • Panelist

Vice President • NIRAS

Jonas Borrit is involved in the international beer & beverage industry, working as Vice President of the global engineering company NIRAS. He offers a strong business understanding that derives from a background in the consulting industry, IT Industry, and financial industry combined with a Master’s degree in economics and supply chain management.​

Bryan Selders • Panelist

Brewing Manager • Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

​Bryan Selders is an award-winning brewer who began his career as a brewing professional in Philadelphia in 1999. His thoughtful and curious spirit has guided his journey over the past 25 years gaining experience in craft brewing operations of all sizes and capabilities. The majority of that time has seen him contributing to the growth and success of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery having led beer production and now focusing on R&D, product development, and hospitality concepts. 

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