The Pink Boots Society (PBS) was established in 2007, and has gone on to become a national force. The non-profit organization, which educates and advocates for women in the fermented-beverages industry, now boasts more than 75 regional chapters (including eight in other countries), with San Diego’s being one of its largest and most active. Much of that has been the result of strong leadership over the years from volunteers who spearhead chapter efforts over two-year terms. The arrival of the New Year brought with it a changes at the top for PBS’ San Diego chapter, with a trio of new leaders being appointed to guide the group in 2022.
Yesterday, outgoing PBS San Diego chapter leader Lexi Russell Martin (Duck Foot Brewing) announced that Joey Hanna and Lia Garcia will be taking over her duties effective immediately, with Magie Brennan assuming the chapter secretary role (replacing Romi Rossel of The Bountiful Bag). Hanna and Garcia hail from local beverage-company apparel consultancy, Hoppy Beer Gear, which the former founded in 2015, while Brenan is the Marketing Coordinator and Club Manager for Bay Park’s Lost Cause Meadery. This marks the first time in PBS San Diego’s history that the chapter will be headed by individuals not affiliated with local breweries. It’s fitting in a year when, for the first time ever, women from companies producing any type of fermented beverages are being brought into the fold.
“We are so excited to combine all of our passions and experience for the San Diego chapter of the Pink Boots Society,” says Garcia. “This year presents a great opportunity for us to grow our efforts with Pink Boots welcoming all within the fermented and alcoholic beverage profession.”
Given the large number of wine, spirit, mead, hard-kombucha, -tea and -seltzer producers in San Diego County, going beyond beer should allow PBS San Diego’s membership to grow significantly in 2022. Making sure members, both new and old, are well-acquainted and connected will be key to hitting the ground running. Hence, one of the first chapter events will be a combination reunion and meet-and-greet event, which will take place in February. Chapter leadership will also be reaching out to touch base with members to get feedback on current topics of interest, with the goal of maintaining that level of close communication throughout the year.
PBS San Diego’s leaders realize they are coming in at a time when the organization has never been as vital or able to enact positive change. Rather than fade away unacknowledged, women’s widespread firsthand accounts of workplace discrimination, harassment and assault in the beer industry served as the onset of a movement that not only continues but is gaining momentum. Across the country and even internationally, beverage companies are establishing codes of conducts, setting up processes to promote accountability, safety, equality and equity, investigating claims and holding individuals accountable like never before. That said, there is a great deal of room for improvement. The industry is—and figures to remain—fluid and everchanging, and PBS San Diego’s leaders understand that.
“We are ready to show support and provide a healthy and safe environment for all members. We will address post-pandemic new-normals and are prepared to accept challenges that may come our way,” says Hanna. “And we’ll stay true to PBS’ overriding mission, continuing to assist, inspire and encourage women to be their best selves, while promoting education in all areas of fermented- and alcoholic-beverage professions.”
While she’ll be handing over the reins, Russell Martin won’t be stepping away just yet. She plans to lend support to the next generation of leaders as they get their footing. It’s something she’s happy to do for an organization that she says has changed her life in a positive way.
“COVID hit right after I started as a co-leader in this chapter, and although these last two years definitely weren’t what I expected, I’m extremely thankful for them,” says Russell Martin. “Although my time as chapter leader has technically come to an end, I will still be involved for now. After what I have learned, who I have met and the things I have experienced in this organization, I will never not be involved with the Pink Boots Society.”
For more information on PBS or to join the San Diego chapter, visit the organization’s official website.