As with most entities within the craft brewing industry – trade associations, brewers guilds, non-profits – it takes a village to help the Pink Boots Society reach its full potential. Founded in 2007, the volunteer-run organization has grown to include more than 70 chapters, all of which share in the overarching mission of educating, empowering and advocating for women and non-binary individuals who are part of the fermented-beverages industry or aim to join that faction’s ranks. Most of those chapters operate at a state level, but San Diego County has boasted its own since 2008. That chapter is 92 people strong, includes individuals from Imperial County, and flourishes thanks to member involvement, especially those who give of their time and selves by serving in leadership roles.
Each year, Pink Boots San Diego (PBSD) holds elections among its membership to determine which nominated individuals will assume leadership positions. This year’s election was particularly significant in that the previous years’ leader, Romi Rossel (The Bountiful Bag, The Roadies Brewing, San Diego BrewCycling Collaborative), was departing the top role. When the votes were tallied, PBSD’s membership elected two individuals to work together as co-leaders, Kaitlin Peters (pictured above, left) and Madison Heacock. PBSD has traditionally adhered to the co-leader model, and actually began its 2025 term with two co-leaders, but Rossel has been operating solo since former co-leader Jes Pierce (AleTales Kitchen & Taproom) had to bow out midway through the year.
This will be Peters’ third time in a leadership role, having served as the chapter’s membership coordinator last year and secretary in 2024. She was first introduced to PBSD by one of its members shortly after moving to San Diego from Colorado in 2018. At the time, she was looking to build friendships and make professional connections, and says getting involved with the chapter helped her do both.
“The organization has given me an incredible network of supportive friends and colleagues that I’m deeply grateful for. I truly can’t imagine my life without this community,” says Peters. “Over the past two years, I’ve worked closely alongside our co-leaders and the rest of the leadership team, which has given me valuable insight into how the chapter operates. I’ve been actively involved in decision-making, planning events and supporting our members, and that hands-on experience has helped me develop a strong understanding of what it takes to lead effectively.”
A graduate of Regis University’s brewing certificate program, Peters began her career with Oceanside’s Legacy Brewing, before moving on to Eppig Brewing and Pizza Port Brewing. In addition to production and cellaring experience, she became well versed in packaging, event coordination and administration. In 2021, she joined Athletic Brewing in Miramar, where she currently serves as Fulfillment Lead for their e-commerce department.
“One of my key strengths is strong communication, along with a belief that organization is essential to a successful and effective chapter,” says Peters. “I bring a solid background in administrative work, which helps ensure that processes run smoothly and details don’t get overlooked. I also enjoy generating new ideas to attract additional members and keep the San Diego chapter one of the most active and engaged chapters in the country.”
It’s PBSD’s well earned reputation as such an active chapter that inspired Heacock to transition from Pink Boots’ Inland Empire chapter to the one she will now have a hand in leading. Heacock’s introduction to the beverage world was fielding pitches from sales reps while bartending at a country club, and working with industry professionals and sommeliers at pairing dinners and similar events. She went on to homebrew and expand her knowledge via Cicerone and Beer Judge Certification Program resources, before moving to Corona, where she worked at Storytellers Brewery and gained experience in just about every area of the business, including production. She went on to brew at a small operation in Temecula, and is currently a bartender at Quail beer-and-wine bar in the city’s Old Town area.
“I have always been incredibly inspired by women in male-dominated fields,” says Heacock. “My college degree is in wildlife biology, but by the time I graduated I was deeply discouraged by the lack of representation, mentorship and accessible opportunities in that field. Even volunteer roles were competitive and unwelcoming, which left me feeling isolated and unsure of where I belonged.”
It was while working at Storytellers that a coworker introduced Heacock to Pink Boots. She says that going in she was intimidated, but quickly discovered a form of open, genuinely uplifting camaraderie that she is excited to help foster and provide to others.
“Stepping into a leadership role feels like a full-circle moment,” says Heacock. “I want to help our chapter grow, not just in membership, but through meaningful outreach, education and collaboration, especially during a time when the industry is challenging and community matters more than ever.”
When asked what they believe should be priorities for PBSD over the coming year, Peters cites education and the need to expand it beyond beer to also include mead, kombucha, wine and other fermented products. She would also like to collaborate with other regional groups and organizations. Heacock agrees and believes such partnerships are one of many ways to expose people who may not know of Pink Boots to their inclusive community and what it has to offer. She wants to work to meet those people where they are and host PBSD events in spaces that go beyond the norm.
Joining Peters and Heacock in PBSD leadership roles for the 2026 term are Rossel, who will serve as both secretary and membership coordinator, financial liaison Connie Vasquez, marketing chair Lu Moceri (Sapporo-Stone Brewing) and collaboration collective (formerly “brew day liaison”) Esthela Davila (San Diego Brewers Guild).
There has also been a great deal of leadership change at the national level for the Pink Boots Society. This year, the organization promoted Other Half Brewing Assistant General Manager Erin Wallace from vice president to president, and welcomed Hot Plate Brewing owner Sarah Real as VP. Bold Republic Brewing owner Adriane Hodges and workforce development specialist Julianna Perez were elected as vice treasurer and education director, respectively.
PBSD’s next meeting will feature a presentation about Portuguese wine from The Vihno, and will take place on Tuesday, February 17 at Kairoa Brewing in University Heights. The event will be capped at 20 attendees, and sign-ups will be taken on a first-come-first-served basis.
More information on the San Diego Chapter of the Pink Boots Society can be found online