Samara Davis

As an influencer within the African American community, Samara consults and advocates for diversity and inclusion in direct consumer marketing standards and the importance of having “a seat at the table” within the spirits industry. Samara also speaks and moderates panel discussions at festivals across the country and hosts private educational whiskey tasting seminars.

Rachel Burkons

After more than a decade working in the wine and spirits industry, Rachel co-founded award-winning culinary cannabis hospitality group Altered Plates in 2016. She is also the founder of Smoke Sip Savor, where she is a cannabis curator, consultant, and bong vivant.

Rachel is the Editor-in-Chief of The Clever Root, a digital publication specializing in all things cannabis food and drink that will be relaunching June 2023.

Rachel lives in Los Angeles with her wife and two young daughters.

Bridget Albert

Bridget is an advocate for upbeat education that makes an impact. 

She has been a contributor to 10 cocktail and beverage books and is the recipient of numerous beverage industry awards. These include the Tales of the Cocktail Bar Chef Competition (first place), the Chicago Tribune’s Good Eats Award, and No Kid Hungry’s Share Our Strength Award for Sustaining a Community. Bridget has been repeatedly nominated to Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards list of Best Bar Mentors, most recently in 2023. 

Bridget is the Founder of the National Charity Foundation of the United States Bartenders’ Guild. 

She was the first female mixologist to be featured on the Food Network’s Iron Chef America Battle Mango.

Moe Aljaff

Born in the Middle East and raised in Sweden, Moe Aljaff is an award-winning international bar personality. Moe recently moved stateside, hosting a successful cocktail residency pop-up at Moxy South Beach’s Mezcalista Bar to bring his “Schmuck’s five-star dive bar” concept to the Miami bar scene.

Moe is an industry phenomenon. Under his leadership, Two Schmucks and the subsequent Schmucks empire shot to fame, winning Best New International Cocktail Bar by The Spirited Awards and landing the No. 7 spot on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022. 

Karla Alindahao

Karla has rightly earned worldwide recognition for her spirits-industry journalism. For eight years prior to joining Food & Wine, Karla was senior contributor for ForbesLife, with spirits as her primary beat.

Karla honed her craft during stints at Haute Media Group, The New York Observer, Metropolis Magazine, Lifestyle Mirror, and Tatler Philippines.

Karla is especially passionate about brown liquor, red meat, and green M&Ms.

Tiffanie Barriere

The Louisiana-Texas native is the trustworthy mentor of some of the best bartenders and mixologists in the world and maintains a goal of education, service, and fun with every pour. 

In 2020 Tiffanie was featured on Food Networks’ The Kitchen and receivied the Tales of the Cocktails Dame of the Year award. In 2021 Barriere appeared on the cover of Imbibe Magazine for the Top 75 for Imbibe and was also elected as the Tales of the Cocktail Dame Hall of Fame Co-Chair.  

Tiffanie has taken the stage in Berlin for Bar Convent, shared birthday cocktails with Hoda and Jenna on the Today Show, and was featured as a guest judge on the Netflix show Drink Masters. 

Erick Castro

Erick began his cocktail empire at San Francisco’s Rickhouse and Bourbon & Branch, served as Brand Ambassador for Plymouth and Beefeater, and co-created New York City’s Boilermaker. This bartending behemoth has created unique beverage programs that have earned a place on some of the nation’s most coveted lists, including Esquire‘s Best Bars in America, Food & Wine’s “World’s Top Bars” and countless nominations at the prestigious Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards in New Orleans.

Clyde Davis, Jr.

Having helped develop and launch numerous successful craft spirits brands throughout his career, Clyde is currently the Vice President of U.S. Sales for Equiano Rum. Clyde owns 75 Proof Beverage Solutions and is a partner in Vergys Capital.

John deBary

John is a celebrated mixologist, author, podcast hose, and workers rights advocate with over a decade of experience crafting delicious drinks. In March 2020, his nonprofit RWCF established a COVID-19 relief fund and has so far raised over $8 million to fund relief efforts for affected hospitality industry workers.

Lonnie Finley

Originally from Washington DC, Lonnie Finley has over 20 years’ experience in the food and beverage industry, including nearly a decade as a spirits expert at Los Angeles’ Bar Keeper, one of the top 10 liquor stores in the world. 

Lonnie is directly in touch with current spirits industry trends, helping shape and educate what consumers and bartenders put into their cocktails. He has worked with celebrity chefs to craft cocktail menus throughout Los Angeles, most recently creating The Spanish Gin and Tonic menu for Curtis Stone at Netflix Bites’ 9-week Los Angeles pop-up, working with Julie Reiner and Kate Gerwin. 

Lonnie is a mentor to young bartenders and is the founder of the IDrinkICan Cocktail Class, bringing unique and esoteric spirits to the attention of both consumers and bar professionals.