OurWhisky’s new Atonia Programme opens for applications
The OurWhisky Foundation has renamed its world-renowned mentorship programme as the Atonia Programme, and is now accepting applications from individuals based in Great Britain and Ireland.
Following a recent global restructure, the OurWhisky Foundation has redeveloped its mentorship programme in order to assist more women and non-binary individuals working in the whisky industry.
Now known as the Atonia Programme, the widely-acclaimed personal and professional development course has been renamed to better reflect the breadth of content delivered beyond mentorship.
Meaning ‘strong as oak’ in Hebrew, the name Atonia symbolises the wisdom, strength, resilience, endurance and growth of the programme’s participants – collectively known as ‘Atonia’s Acorns’.
Through a blend of personalised mentorship, virtual workshops and networking sessions, the programme is designed to elevate the careers of women and non-binary individuals working in whisky, contributing to a more equitable industry.
Overwhelming demand
Originally launched in 2022, the global programme has so far guided 200 women and non-binary individuals toward their goals, with 100% of graduates highly recommending the programme to others. As such, it now receives seven times more applications than places available.
This overwhelming demand has prompted a move away from a global approach and the establishment of new regional chapters that can provide more opportunities to those in need.
Becky Paskin, founder of the OurWhisky Foundation, says: “Our mentorship programme has rapidly become a beacon for women seeking to develop their careers in whisky, but until now we’ve been limited as to how many individuals we’ve been able to help.
“The new Atonia Programme is designed to provide a more in-depth and valuable experience, equipping women in whisky with vital personal and professional skills alongside a supportive community.
“We know the positive impact mentorship can have in developing confidence and career opportunities, and are excited to now extend the Atonia Programme to more women in whisky than ever.”
The new Atonia Programme includes monthly one-on-one mentoring sessions, virtual workshops lead by experienced trainers, group networking, a free 12-month membership to the foundation’s new networking platform and an in-person graduation, among many other benefits.
Applications are now open for the first two Atonia Programmes in Great Britain and Ireland, with just 25 coveted spaces available on each.
While previous editions of the programme were conducted free of charge, economic challenges coupled with the introduction of more enhanced workshops and networking opportunities see the introduction of a still heavily subsidised fee of £249 (incl. VAT) per person.
Applications for both GB and Ireland’s Atonia Programmes are now being accepted until 28th February 2025.
Further regional chapters beyond Great Britain and Ireland will be announced in due course.
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