DISCUS, Pronghorn to Host 1st DEI Summit

Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) is convening its inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Summit in partnership with Pronghorn on June 13 at the Marriott Marquis Chicago, in conjunction with the 2023 DISCUS Annual Conference taking place June 14-15.

The pre-conference, all-day summit aims to unite and empower professionals interested in advancing DEI efforts throughout the spirits industry. The forum will foster discussion on ways to expand opportunities, share best practices, and continue to lead and affect change for the industry.

The DEI Summit will kick-off with keynote speaker Brooks Scott, founder and owner ofMerging Path, executive coach and DEI strategic advisor. During the address, sponsored by Alston & Bird, Brooks will share actionable steps spirits industry professionals can take to cultivate a more inclusive workplace across all functions of a company or organization.

Top leaders in advancing DEI initiatives will participate in various sessions including:

• Driving an Inclusive Culture and Expanding Opportunities in the Spirits Industry
• From Grain to Glass: Finding Diverse Industry Partners
• Identifying and Eliminating Barriers to Inclusive Hiring
• Employee Resource Group/Business Resource Group Best Practice Sharing Panel
• Appealing to a Diverse Consumer Base: Selling and Marketing to the Diverse Consumer

Victoria Russell, Beam Suntory Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer and Chair of the DISCUS DEI Committee, stated, “This is the first time we are leveraging our collective power as an industry to come together and drive a broader impact for all our people and consumers. Historically, we’ve worked in the silos of our respective organizations with marginal impact on the diversity of our industry.  We are better together, and this inaugural DEI Summit has the potential to positively impact the industry as a whole.”

The summit will also feature two afternoon panels that focus on specific issues related to both underrepresented founders and investors who specialize in mission-based brands, such as Pronghorn, Distill Ventures Pre-Accelerator, Constellation Brands and 1731 Management.