Welcome to Episode 1556, in which Cynthia Chaplin interviews Michelle Schromm in this installment of Voices, on the Italian Wine Podcast. More about today’s guest Empowering Change in the Wine Industry, For Women in Wine: Bâtonnage is dedicated to creating lasting change within the wine industry by supporting and empowering women at any phase in their career, through Mentorship, Networking, and Community Building. The Bâtonnage Forum was founded in 2018 with the intention of stirring up the conversation about women in wine. What started as a grassroots event attended by over 300 people, has grown into a diverse network of women from more than 25 states and 15 countries, in all stages of careers. With a constant focus on real-life impact, Bâtonnage launched the progressive and impactful Mentorship program in 2020, and in 2021 became a 501c(3) organization. Today, our network includes a large and growing community of more than 2,500 women wine professionals, supported by over fifty industry professionals who volunteer their time to support our community. Michelle has been an active member of the Bâtonnage community since its first annual forum in 2018. She supported the organization’s Mentorship program for two years as a Level 1 and 2 Mentor (Marketing & Communications IAF), before being appointed as Executive Director in 2023. Her journey in the wine industry began over a decade ago in Mendoza, Argentina, where for over 5 years she led the Hospitality program at Pulenta Estate, as well as co-founded a nonprofit organization supporting vineyard workers and their families in the region’s wine country. She returned to the United States in 2015 to work for Paul Hobbs Wines in various Sales & Marketing roles, including import and export management and finally as Director of Marketing. In 2021, Michelle joined the environmentally passionate, and largely woman-run, team at Sonoma Coast’s RAEN Winery where today she serves as Director of Marketing and Direct Sales. Connect: Instagram: @lameech LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michelleschromm About today’s Host: Cynthia Chaplin is a VIA certified Italian Wine Ambassador, a professional sommelier with FIS and the WSA, a member of Le Donne del Vino, and a Professor of Italian wine and culture. Born in the USA, she’s lived in Europe since 1990. Italian wine, in particular rosé, is her passion. She works with embassies, corporations and private clients, creating and presenting tastings, events, seminars and in-depth courses. Cynthia is a wine writer, a judge at international wine and sake competitions, she consults with restaurants and enotecas developing comprehensive wine lists and food pairings, and she advises clients who want to curate an Italian wine collection. She currently works for Vinitaly International in Verona as a Project Manager, Educator, and the host of VOICES Series on The Italian Wine Podcast, focusing on diversity and inclusion in the global wine industry. Connect: Facebook: Italian Wines in English Instagram: kiss_my_glassx Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-chaplin-190647179/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow us on our social media channels: Instagram www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/ Facebook www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast Twitter www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast Tiktok www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin! Share this pod! Remember Voices is all about diversity, equity, and heart-warming personal stories about real people!