Welcome Remarks

8:00 – 8:15 a.m.

Kimberly McKinnish – Chief Operating Officer at NBWA

Rebecca Maisel – Chief Strategic Officer at Gulf Distributing Holdings, LLC

Kick off the program with an overview of BREW’s priorities and plans for 2026, including key focus areas, upcoming initiatives and what to expect at the fourth annual BREW Leadership Forum.

Honest Dinner Table Talk: Leadership Across Generations in Beer Distribution

8:15 – 9:00 a.m.

Panelists:

• Lauren Doll-Sheeder – Owner/Partner of Doll Distributing
• Mark Doll – Owner/Partner of Doll Distributing
• Rebecca Maisel – Chief Strategic Officer at Gulf Distributing Holdings, LLC
• Elliot Maisel – Chairman & CEO at Gulf Distributing Holdings, LLC
• Sarah Matesich – President & Chief Operating Officer at Matesich Distributing
• Jim Matesich – CEO at Matesich Distributing

Moderator: Kimberly McKinnish – Chief Operating Officer at NBWA

This candid conversation brings together respected beer distribution leaders and the next generation working inside their family businesses to explore how leadership works in practice today. Through an honest, discussion-based format, participants will share perspectives on the skills modern leaders need, how leadership approaches have evolved over time, and what it takes to motivate teams, make decisions, and deliver results in a changing beverage landscape.

This session highlights real experiences and practical insight from communication and collaboration to navigating change and balancing legacy with innovation. In the spirit of BREW, this conversation highlights how leadership evolves and how different perspectives strengthen organizations when they’re put to work. Attendees can expect timely discussion and takeaways they can put to work immediately.

This session is sponsored by Ohanafy

Congressional Remarks

9:00 – 9:20 a.m. & 10:45 – 11:05 a.m.

Representative Nikki Budzinski (IL-13)

Representative David Joyce (OH-14)

We’re honored to have each of these congressional speakers share their perspectives on bipartisan collaboration and problem-solving.

Late Night Lessons in Leadership

9:20 – 10:20 a.m.

Lindsay Shookus – Legendary Saturday Night Live Producer

Drawing on more than 20 years producing Saturday Night Live, Shookus will share candid and often hilarious stories about leading when stakes are high and the clock is ticking.

From navigating last-minute challenges to guiding teams through unpredictable moments, she’ll explore how to turn adversity into opportunity when the lights are brightest — and how leaders can use difficult moments to shape stronger, more resilient teams.

This session is sponsored by Encompass Technologies

Inside the BREW Academy

10:35 – 10:45 a.m.

Lori Scheiffler – Co-Owner and President at Tamarron Consulting

Get an update on the BREW Academy’s impact to date and a preview of Phase 2, which expands the program’s focus to core leadership skills. Learn how the new courses — delivered through webinars, online modules, and live “Ask the Expert” sessions — are designed to strengthen confidence, leadership, and performance across beer and beverage distribution teams.

Boldly Going into the Unknown…

11:05 – 11:45 a.m.

Panelists:

• Dan Weisbach – VP, SIP at LA Libations
• Emily Heintz – Founder of Sechey
• Ben Tannenbaum – VP Partnerships at LineLeap

Moderator: Jenn Litz-Kirk – Executive Editor at Beer Business Daily

How the Evolving Consumer Is Rewriting the Rules of Beverage Retail

The consumer isn’t who they were — and the retail landscape isn’t either. This isn’t a panel of industry insiders reassuring each other. It’s a frank, forward‑looking conversation about what’s actually happening on the ground: the rise of planned and event‑driven consumption, the brands no one’s talking about yet that will dominate headlines tomorrow, and the tech platforms reshaping how discovery and trial work.

From a brand‑first specialty retailer redefining what a modern bottle shop can be, to leaders at the forefront of beverage incubation, to a nightlife tech platform sitting on a goldmine of behavioral data, these panelists bring perspectives you won’t find on the usual conference circuit. Expect honest takes and a clear‑eyed look at where smart operators should be placing their bets right now.

Communication & Collaboration: A Conflict Resolution Strategy

11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Featuring: Rebecca Spicer – Senior Vice President of Communications at Airlines for America

Fireside Chat led by: Craig Purser – President and CEO of NBWA

Do you ever feel like it’s harder than ever to find agreement? In an environment where perspectives are divided and attention is scarce; how do you get anything accomplished—or even get heard?

The answer is simpler than it sounds: build meaningful relationships.

Rebecca Spicer is a Washington insider who understands this firsthand. Early in her career, she worked in TV news before serving as Associate Director of Communications in the George W. Bush White House, where she learned how trust, credibility, and common ground drive progress in high pressure environments. She brings that same relationship first approach to her work today as Senior Vice President of Communications at Airlines for America, where the CEOs of the nation’s largest airlines serve as her board members. Prior to that, Rebecca was SVP of Communications at the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), where many in this room knew her as a trusted partner and strategist.

From navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and government shutdowns to advancing industry priorities, Rebecca has built a career cutting through complexity by connecting people. She will share how strategic communications and authentic relationship building can turn unlikely groups into productive partners—and why collaboration remains one of the most effective tools for resolving conflict.

Whether it’s selling beer or advancing policy ideas, success comes down to engaging, educating, and mobilizing people around shared goals. In today’s climate, collaboration isn’t just a nice idea — it’s essential.

Incredible Instincts, Incredible Insights

12:15 – 1:00 p.m.

Caroline Levy – Founder & CEO of Caroline Levy Advisory Services (CLAS)

Nik Modi – Managing Director, Global Co-Head of Consumer Research at RBC Capital Markets

Strong leadership is built over time shaped by experience, perspective, and the relationships that challenge how we think.

This fireside chat brings together Caroline Levy and Nik Modi, whose professional paths crossed earlier in their careers and have remained connected over time. Both have spent decades studying consumer behavior, market dynamics, and leadership under pressure, developing a shared lens shaped by experience rather than trends.

Caroline, a former Wall Street consumer analyst and current board member for leading beverage companies, is known for drawing out thoughtful, candid conversations that move beyond surface level narratives. Nik, Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets, brings a disciplined yet human approach to how leaders navigate growth, uncertainty, and change in the beverage sector. He challenges industry leaders to rethink assumptions and focus on what truly drives consumer behavior.

Event Sponsorship

Want to get your brand in front of the distribution leaders of today and tomorrow? Learn how to get involved by clicking the link below.

BREW Sponsorship Opportunities