Ep. 1290 Alex Schrecengost | Voices With Cynthia Chaplin

Welcome to Episode 1290, in which Cynthia Chaplin interviews Alex Schrecengost in this installment of Voices, on the Italian Wine Podcast. About today’s guest: 2021 Wine Enthusiast 40 under 40 Tastemaker, and 2022 Tory Burch Fellow, Alexandra Schrecengost founded Virtual With Us in 2020 following Culture With Us in 2021 - and serves as the CEO. The organizations’ missions are to support global corporations with distributed workforces through cultural programming, DEI initiatives and food and beverage entertainment to better improve human connections. With more than 18+ years of experience in wine, spirits, hospitality, lifestyle, and luxury public relations, Alex's focus has been on community-building that ties into events marketing. She holds the WSET level 4 Diploma distinction in wine, hosts a number of wine and spirits events including the Brown-Forman Women in Spirits to bring to light female leadership in the beverage industry and has been featured in Wine Spectator, The Today Show online, Vogue, Ebony and more spreading the message of diversity. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and their identical twin 8-year-old boys, is a huge fan of tequila and tempranillo – and enjoys traveling, reading, and dancing in her free time. WHAT IS CULTURE WITH US CORPORATION Culture With Us is a high-end inclusive hospitality events and concierge service built to support global corporations and distributed workforces through virtual and hybrid events as well as curated artisan gifts by BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and women-owned businesses around the world to uplift professionals from all backgrounds, and communities. We offer wine, spirit and non-alcoholic boxes along with artisan, small-batch and family-owned olive oil, honey and food. Virtual & Culture With Us connected thousands of professionals including 4,700 female global team members over 60 countries in 2021. We’ve done a huge amount to spotlight women in the workplace—especially in the wine and spirits industry which has a lack of representation, supporting 68 female sommeliers over the last year, and partnered with 40+ businesses from around the world, from vendors and suppliers to artisans who are part of underrepresented communities. Our programs entertain employees and boost morale while fulfilling other needs like team-building, pipeline generation, executing new DEI initiatives, supporting mental health, building a strong company culture, and so much more. Find out more about today’s guest: Website: virtualwithus.com Instagram: @culturewithus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CultureWithUs/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culture-with-us 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. To learn more visit: 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 @italianwinepodcast Facebook @ItalianWinePodcast Twitter @itawinepodcast Tiktok @MammaJumboShrimp LinkedIn @ItalianWinePodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin!