RISE 2025: Social Justice, Diversity & Inclusion

RISE 2025

LEADERSHIP PILLAR:

SOCIAL JUSTICE, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

WORKSHOP I: BUILDING REGENERATIVE SOCIAL SYSTEMS WITH SOIL AND SHADOW & DOMINUS ESTATE

WORKSHOP II: COMMUNICATING MEANING: CULTURAL INSIGHTS TO ENHANCE BUSINESS SUCCESS FEATURING SARAH UNGER OF CULTIQUE

KEYNOTE: BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS: WHERE HIP-HOP MEETS WINE FEATURING JERMAINE STONE, CREATOR & HOST OF STREET SOMM AND AUTHOR OF “WINE BARZ VOL. 1”

ASKING THE CRITICAL QUESTIONS FORUM: DOES DIVERSITY IMPROVE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE & RESILIENCE?

SUSTAINABLE SERVICES & TOOLS SPONSORS

MEDIA GALLERY

Workshop I: Building Regenerative Social Systems with Soil and Shadow & Dominus Estate

Engage with the process and outcomes of a powerful mentorship between Soil and Shadow CEO Nikki Silvestri and Dominus Estate’s Tod Mostero, facilitated by Napa Green’s RISE program. Building on their vulnerable 2023 dialogue, these leaders share how principles of regenerative agriculture can inform and transform workplace culture and team dynamics. Learn how Mostero applies these insights at Dominus Estate to cultivate an environment where every team member – from vineyard to cellar to management – feels empowered to contribute. Silvestri brings her innovative “social fertility” framework to demonstrate how natural systems can inform more inclusive, resilient organizational structures.

Action Opportunities:

Apply regenerative principles to team development
Create feedback systems that encourage open dialogue
Build shame-free approaches to addressing blind spots
Implement nature-inspired leadership practices
Design inclusive decision-making processes

Speakers

Nikki Silvestri | Founder and CEO of Soil and Shadow

Nikki Silvestri is, first and foremost, a mother of two, wife, and sci-fi nerd. Nikki is also a serial non-profit executive director and entrepreneur (currently the CEO and founder of Soil and Shadow), a board member of Greenpeace USA, and an international keynote speaker.

Nikki’s unique approach to inclusion, leadership and organizational development takes cues from nature, building models of “social fertility” to weave them into a Joy and Impact™ framework. Her work also encourages a rigorous and shame-free approach to acknowledging our societal shadows and blind spots, especially when attempting to balance the triple bottom line (ecology, economy, and equity) in times of uncertainty, climate/health feedback loops, and increasing volatility.

Nikki’s wide-ranging career has taken her from presentations at the White House and negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency to intimate workshops with local businesses and small retail organizing. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including ELLE Magazine’s Gold Award and OxFam America’s Act Local, Think Global Award, and she was named one of The Root’s 100 Most Influential African Americans.

You can find out more at www.nikkisilvestri.com and www.soilandshadow.com

Tod Mostero | Director of Viticulture & Winemaking at Dominus Estate

Director of Viticulture and Winemaking, the French connection runs strong through Mostero, who studied in Bordeaux and trained at Château Haut-Brion, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix. He worked with Baron Philippe de Rothschild in the Languedoc and at Almaviva in Chile before returning to his native California to join Dominus Estate in 2007.

“Christian Moueix has been my guide throughout my career and has been my greatest example of a perfect winemaker. He is clear, precise and is profoundly attached to the vineyard. He has guided me from the beginning.”

Workshop II: Communicating Meaning: Cultural Insights to Enhance Business Success featuring Sarah Unger of Cultique

Dive into how wineries can leverage their purchasing power to drive sustainability innovation. With packaging and distribution accounting for 40-60% of vineyard and winery emissions, learn how industry leaders are reshaping their supply chains. Spottswoode’s Molly Sheppard shares their methodical approach to emissions reduction – from annual GHG inventories, to lighter glass bottles and shipping materials, and optimized transportation. Discover B Cellars’ success with Green Cell Foam packaging, including their customer communication strategy and positive market response, and how their partnership with H&A Barrel Management ensures oak barrels have 7+ lifecycles. Plus, explore UPM Raflatac’s direct label backing recycling program and vision for the future of sustainable packaging.

Action Opportunities:

Assess the carbon footprint of packaging
Evaluate sustainable packaging alternatives
Optimize shipping materials and methods
Establish supplier sustainability criteria
Develop customer communication strategies

Speakers

Sarah Unger | Co-Founder, CULTIQUE

Sarah Unger is the Founder and COO of CULTIQUE, a cultural insights and strategy partnership founded in 2020 with Linda Ong, the company’s CEO. The female-led firm helps media, entertainment, tech and consumer businesses navigate fast-moving times with clarity and confidence, leveraging the changes in external culture as a competitive advantage and creating bespoke strategies to claim and own impact in the larger conversation.

An award-winning cultural expert, Unger and her team of analysts provide intel and POVs to businesses such as AMEX, GBT, AARP, Airbnb, YouTube, Apple, WarnerMedia, Disney/ABC, and NBCU to navigate fast-changing times, recalibrate for new audiences, minimize risk, and cultivate growth in an uncertain world. Unger has been a frequent commentator in media such as The New York Times, Fortune, The Atlantic, Forbes, and The Daily Beast. Previously, Sarah was SVP, Cultural Insights & Strategy at CIVIC Entertainment Group, now an investor in CULTIQUE. Unger also led brand strategy as Vice President of Marketing Strategy, Trends & Insights at Paramount (formerly Viacom) across its portfolio of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Network, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Nickelodeon, and more. She was named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in 2015 during her tenure at Ketchum as Vice President, Insights & Strategic Planning where she launched the Millennial and Gen Z division.

Michael Silacci | Winemaker Opus One

Winemaker Michael Silacci has been at the helm of Opus One Winery for more than 20 years. He’s worked globally and acted locally, including serving as President of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers. Silacci is a tireless advocate for climate health and sustainability, including ensuring Opus One became the first estate certified under the new Napa Green Vineyard program, and recently becoming a member applicant to International Wineries for Climate Action.

Will Drayton | Director of Technical Viticulture and Research Winemaking at Treasury Wine Estates (TWE)

Will Drayton is the Director of Technical Viticulture, Sustainability and Research at Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), one of the world’s largest wine companies. Will has been with TWE since 2008, beginning in viticulture at Etude Winery and has held many positions within the viticulture and winemaking groups.

In his current role, Will guides TWE’s US sustainability efforts in addition to technical and scientific aspects of winegrowing in California. He serves on the committee that guides the Sustainable Wine Roundtable, Chair of the PD-GWSS board for the CDFA and board member of the Los Carneros Water District.

Will holds a Master’s degree from UC Davis in Horticulture and Agronomy and undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge. Will resides with his young family in Sebastopol, CA.

RISE Leadership award

Congratulations to Boeschen Vineyards for the award for leadership in Social Justice, Diversity & Inclusion for Boeschen Vineyards’ commitment to worker disaster insurance and hazard pay.

Keynote: Breaking Down Barriers: Where Hip-Hop Meets Wine featuring Jermaine Stone, Creator & Host of Street Somm and Author of “Wine Barz Vol. 1”

Join wine cultural innovator and changemaker Jermaine Stone for a dynamic exploration of how hip-hop culture can open new doors to wine appreciation and industry inclusion. From his early days as a Bronx rapper to managing $60 million in fine wine logistics at Zachys, co-founding Wally’s Auctions, and launching Cru Luv Selections, Stone brings a fresh perspective to wine education and engagement. Through his new book “Wine Barz Vol. 1: For the Love,” he demonstrates how blending musical storytelling with wine knowledge creates authentic connections across cultures. Discover how his innovative approach makes wine more accessible to new audiences while honoring its rich traditions.

Action Opportunities:

Reimagine wine education and engagement
Create inclusive cultural connections & pathways for new audiences
Design innovative outreach strategies
Connect music and wine experiences

Speakers

Jermaine Stone | CEO of Cru Luv Wines & Author of “Wine Barz Vol. 1”

Twenty years ago, Jermaine Stone went from rapping to packing boxes in the shipping department at Zachy’s to becoming the first black commercial wine auctioneer. He has since been heralded as one of Wine Enthusiast’s 40 under 40. The Bronx native’s rise in the wine industry has been driven by one key mission: to challenge the narrative about and for black men in America. In founding Cru Luv Selections, an innovative creative agency based in NYC, Stone has found a space that can use marketing, brand partnerships, and content creation to connect wine and hip-hop cultures and bring wine to an audience that has traditionally been ignored. In 2023, Stone was featured in the New York Times, on Sway in the Morning, and in Us Weekly. He also became the star of the Tastemade original streaming series Street Somm, which has been nominated for both a James Beard Award and an Emmy Award.

Additionally, he was a guest lecturer at Cornell University for the second year in a row and hosted the first-ever Wine & Hip Hop event at the Clos de Vougeot, arguably the most historic site in one of, if not the most prestigious wine regions in the world, Burgundy, France. This year, Stone plans to elevate his efforts to bring wine and hip-hop culture together by being more hands-on with the direct integration of wine and hip-hop culture in a way that only he can.

Asking the Critical Questions Forum: Does Diversity Improve Business Performance & Resilience?

Join moderator Nikki Silvestri for an evidence-based discussion of how diversity strengthens business success and adaptability. Gabriela Fernandez shares insights from multiple vantage points – from The Duckhorn Portfolio’s trade and events marketing to pioneering media platforms that elevate diverse voices in wine. Javier Zamora shares how his immigrant experience and commitment to worker equity helped build JSM Organics into a thriving 200-acre operation. Dr. Rosalind Conerly brings both academic rigor as an Associate Dean & Director at Stanford University and practical insights from RDC Consulting to examine the benefits of engaging diverse communities and consumers. Together, these leaders illuminate the tangible ways diversity enhances innovation, market reach, and organizational resilience.

Action Opportunities:

Develop strategies for inclusive hiring and advancement
Create platforms to amplify diverse voices
Design mentorship and professional development programs
Measure diversity’s impact on business outcomes

moderator

Nikki Silvestri | Founder and CEO of Soil and Shadow

You can find out more at www.nikkisilvestri.com and www.soilandshadow.com

speakers

Gabriela Fernandez | Events Curator, Duckhorn Portfolio and Founder & Host, The Big Sip

Gabriela Fernandez is a visionary leader, storyteller, and innovator deeply committed to bridging the gap for underrepresented communities in both the wine industry and media. Recognized in Wine Enthusiast’s prestigious Future 40 list and as the first Latina to grace its cover, Gabriela’s remarkable work spans across initiatives like The Big Sip Podcast, Sip & Sabor Festival, La Lucha Wines, The LatinX Wine Summit, Hispanics in Wine & Spirits, and The Duckhorn Portfolio. Known for her spirit of collaboration and strategic leadership, she has cultivated impactful business relationships that create lasting value for both consumers and stakeholders. As one of Latino Leader Magazine’s Top 100 Latinas of 2024, Gabriela’s influence continues to grow. In 2021, she played a key role in launching Napa’s first all-Spanish radio station, becoming Wine Down Media’s first Latina producer and On-Air host for MegaMix radio. With a powerful blend of expertise in wine, media, and an unwavering dedication to inclusivity, Gabriela uses her platform as a first-generation Latina to amplify diverse voices and build authentic, meaningful connections. Her work inspires transformative, results-driven experiences that leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Javier Zamora | Owner of JSM Organics

Immigrating to the United States in 1986, Javier Zamora worked in the service industry in southern California for 20 years before going back to school at the age of 43, earning his GED and a degree in landscape design before enrolling in the horticulture program at Cabrillo College. Sharpening his farming skills through the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA), he started farming organically in 2012 on 1.5 acres. Today, as owner of JSM Organics, he farms over 60 acres on California’s Central Coast. He also is a mentor to other farmers and a leading voice in the local organic community.

Exhibiting great capacity for resilience, he started a small organic farm in a region where land values are prohibitively expensive. As an immigrant who did not know the language or culture when he arrived, he has persisted and adapted, creating a thriving business, and serving as a role model for local small-scale growers. He is an advocate for immigrant farmers and farmworkers in California. Zamora is known for paying his workers a more than fair wage, and has expanded the number of workers he employs.

“You help others succeed because you’ve been given that opportunity. That’s the real American way,” Zamora explains.

Rosalind Conerly, Ed.D | Associate Dean & Director at Stanford University

Dr. Rosalind “Roz” Conerly, a Southern California native, is a scholar practitioner based in the San Francisco Bay Area with over 15 years of experience in roles focused on creating strategy to affirm and highlight the nuanced experiences of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) within an organization to contribute toward culture shift. She has held roles in organizations focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and has taught college courses focused on DEI and career exploration. She also had a brief stint in the hospitality industry while living in Las Vegas. She is the Associate Dean & Director of the Black Community Services Center within the Centers for Equity, Community and Leadership at Stanford University. Her expertise and scholarship are focused on creating and developing identity affirming spaces to assist with retention and belonging. She has co-authored several notable works including, “Who is Going to Mentor Us? Black Women Administrators and Our Leadership Journeys”.

Dr. Roz is the founder of RDC Consulting, LLC., a boutique firm driven by her dedication to community building, education, and passion for wine. Her consultancy specializes in strategic planning and fostering DEI across a range of industries, including wine and academia. A freelance wine writer and vibe creator, Dr. Roz enjoys crafting intimate wine tasting experiences for her clients while championing the stories of underrepresented winemakers and brands.

community sponsors

The CIA Wine & Beverage Summit

The CIA Wine & Beverage Summit is an annual program designed to empower wine professionals with the tools, insights, and connections needed to thrive in the dynamic world of wine. The summit provides a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application through out-of-the-box programming, including immersive tastings and insightful discussions. This annual conference empowers wine professionals with the essential skills and knowledge needed to bolster their creativity, enhance their business acumen, and become industry leaders and tastemakers. Learn more about the program here.

Co-Fermented

Co-Fermented is an organization dedicated to creating awareness and facilitating representation for the LGBTQIA+ community within the wine industry.

As a community that has experienced historical barriers of acceptance, identity, and representation, Co-Fermented seeks to create inclusive and safe spaces, as well as challenge the status quo that limits our self-being and expression through the use of educational tools, representation, and community building. Co-Fermented is committed to using wine as a conduit for narratives within gender and sexual diversity while elevating LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals and embrace the queer experience.

The Glancy Wine Education Foundation

The Glancy Wine Education Foundation was established in 2020 to assist wine and hospitality professionals in furthering their career goals, even as many lost their jobs during the Pandemic.

As of 2025 we now offer scholarships to students nationally via relationships with three of America’s top wine-education programs.

We are dedicated to assisting underserved communities across the country with scholarships to further their professional wine education with the goal of raising their earning power and increasing diversity in the wine industry.

Hispanics in Wine™

Hispanics in Wine™ is a nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying Hispanic/Latinx roots in the beverage and hospitality industries. Rooted in community and representation, its mission is to provide educational and career-advancementopportunities to the ever-growing Hispanic and LatinX community of beverage professionals in the United States and worldwide. From a comprehensive directory of wine professionals and strategic partnerships to an industry LatinX wine summit, scholarship opportunities, and more, Hispanics in Wine aims to connect, amplify, and support the ever-growing Hispanic and Latinx community, including wine entrepreneurs, producers, sommeliers, retailers, restaurants, vineyard stewards, and consumers.

NV Farmworker Foundation

The mission of the NV Farmworker Foundation is to support and promote Napa Valley’s vineyard workers through education and professional development.

The Farmworker Education Committee has been active in the community, hosting the Spanish Brown Bag Series and Napa County Pruning Contest, since 2001. The organization realized its full potential when founder, Arnulfo Solorio, presented his dream of creating a foundation to provide educational opportunities for farmworkers year-round. With overwhelming support, his vision became a reality, and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation was established in 2011, the first grower-supported organization of its kind in the United States. Today, the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation provides a wide range of annual programs that focus on developing skills in the areas of adult literacy, vineyard operations & safety, leadership & management, mentorship, and family life. The farmworker community is critical to the success of the wine industry and the foundation is dedicated to creating a better future for all Napa County farmworkers and their families.

Arnulfo Solorio is a partner at Silverado Farming Company and recognized as NVG Grower of the Year in 2022. He continues to serve as the Vice President of the Farmworker Foundation Board and Chair of the Education Committee.

Puertas Abiertas

Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center is a trusted home and advocate for the Latinx community in Napa County, dedicated to empowering individuals and families through equitable access to social services, cultural wellness, education, and civic engagement. Serving nearly 4,000 people annually, Puertas Abiertas provides essential programs in case management, mental health support, financial literacy, digital inclusion, immigration services, and community support.

With a bilingual, bicultural team and strong community partnerships, Puertas Abiertas ensures that Latinx residents—including immigrants, multi-generational families, farmworkers, hospitality workers, and essential contributors to Napa’s economy—have the resources and support needed to thrive. Through impactful programs, providing both immediate relief and long-term empowerment, Puertas Abiertas remains a vital force in fostering a healthier, more resilient community.

Teacher Resource Center of the North Bay

The Tinfoil Recycling Project is an exciting endeavor. The idea centers on the concept of recycling tin capsules from wine bottles. TRCNB supplies participating wineries with collection buckets to recycle the tin from the neck of each wine bottle. We collect the donations on a quarterly basis or earlier as needed and deliver to a local recycling business.

Click below to see our growing list of 40+ participating wineries and restaurants and how you might get involved.

Thank you for Helping Teachers Help Kids.

The Veraison Project

A vibrant and dynamic 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, passionately committed to reshaping the beverage industry. We are a collective of devoted professionals, united by a shared vision of creating an industry that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

The name ‘Veraison’ is not just a term; it’s a metaphor symbolizing our mission. In viticulture, ‘veraison’ marks the pivotal moment when grapes begin to ripen, changing color from their initial green hue to deep shades of purple or gold. It is a period of transformation, of maturation, and of potential realized. This is the change we aim to inspire within the beverage industry – a transition from mere growth to true equity, from blossoming to ripening.

Women for Winesense

Women For WineSense was founded in the Napa Sonoma area in 1990 to counter the anti-alcohol narrative taking hold at that time. Since then, Women For WineSense has grown to nine active local chapters across the USA, as well as a national membership option for those not living near a local chapter.

Women For WineSense members are winery owners, wine enthusiasts, wine makers, wine marketers, sommeliers, wine distributors, wholesalers and importers, credentialed consumers, people who just love wine…and more.

We feature events and programs for all interested in learning and fostering relationships at various levels with the promotion of the mindful enjoyment of wine at our core.

Napa Green

Napa Green is a global leader in sustainable winegrowing, setting the highest bar for sustainability and climate action in the wine industry. Napa Green facilitates systematic soil to bottle certification for wineries and vineyards, and provides the resources, tools and connections to continuously level up leadership. In 2021, Napa Green was the first sustainable winegrowing program in the world to redevelop Vineyard certification standards to focus on climate action, regenerative carbon farming, and social equity. In 2022, Napa Green and community partners launched a first of its kind, six-event Climate & Wine Symposium (Napa THRIVES now RISE) with over 65 speakers and 600 total guests.