Atonia’s Acorns

After 20 years in another industry, Tracy Dawn Shachtay started an unsure journey in whisky. Now, as Port Ellen’s new private client and brand home host, she has finally found her calling.

Managing a bar on an island in Florida means Cielo’s Rachel Urbelis has had to work extra hard to build her whisky community and knowledge. She explains how finding her confidence through our mentorship programme has allowed her to advocate for others.

Physical therapist-turned distillery operations manager, Rebecca Murphy of Two Trees Distilling Co. in North Carolina has successfully followed her passion for whisky. She explains how mentorship helped to give herself permission to grow.

In August 2024, Rebecca Kean joined InchDairnie Distillery as its assistant distillery manager. She explains her family ties to whisky, how the OurWhisky Mentorship Programme helped her find her support system, and what you can learn when you least expect it.

At 26 years of age, Caris Simpson, Chivas Brothers’ Scotch single malt global brand ambassador, is used to being met with surprise. She explains how she handles the challenge, and why being part of the OurWhisky Foundation mentorship programme has been a turning point in her career.

Success stories like Ana Hinz’s prove that empowering women can have meaningful consequences. We catch up with the former OurWhisky Foundation mentee and Westland Distillery’s business development manager about her extraordinary entrance to the whiskey industry.

In the first of a new series, we sit down with senior marketing & communications officer at Whisky Auctioneer and former OurWhisky Foundation mentee, Heather Storgaard. She talks finding true meaning and re-writing whisky history.