FLOurish Mentoring Program Expands, Welcomes Most Recipients Ever in 2023
In its 3rd year, Dream Big Darling and Millinger Group’s one-on-one business scholarship program grows to 25 recipients from all wine and spirits industry sectors
Featured on Wine Business Monthly | Aug 22, 2023
August 22nd 2023 – PASO ROBLES, CA – FLOurish, a six-month professional coaching series featuring free career sessions for emerging women leaders in the wine and spirits industry, has announced its largest recipient group ever for this year’s season.
Co-created in 2021 by Dream Big Darling founder Amanda Wittstrom Higgins and Rona Millinger of the Millinger Group, the funded program—whose current activations run from July 2023 to February 2024—assists and mentors recipients through personalized assessments, insights, coaching and mentorship. Each individual receives the equivalent of $6,500 of support over the six-month period.
This year's FLOurish recipients.
This year, FLOurish’s review committee received over 40 applications, and awarded 25 scholarships—its most ever—to women from around the U.S. and beyond. The expansion was possible due to support from corporate sponsors including Mast-Jägermeister and Paso Robles’ Ancient Peaks Winery, who donated $44,000 to Dream Big Darling in March.
“As we head into Year Three of the FLOurish program, we’re overwhelmed by the progress and the impact it has made on so many up-and-coming women in the wine and spirits industry,” says Wittstrom Higgins. “This program helps the next generation of women identify their super powers and natural strengths, and sheds light on areas of opportunity. Women from all segments and markets in the industry come together to learn from one another and also, to build lasting personal relationships. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind environment.”
Recipients this year also spanned a wider array of professions, geographic markets and sectors, according to Higgins, who says that the “recipient pool is among our most broad-ranging and inspiring yet, representing nearly every aspect of our industry in role and category. “
2023 FLOurish recipients demographic pie charts showing role, location and employer type break down of all 25 recipients.
The program’s recent event kick-off featured prominent industry guest speakers who emphasized the importance of “being yourself, “being self-aware and honest” and “translating your personal growth into professional excellence.”
Says Karl Wittstrom, owner of sponsor Ancient Peaks Winery, “The FLOurish program provides one-on-one mentoring for much of the behind-the -scenes aspects of navigating success in business. There is nothing like having a boots-on-the ground veteran when you need to have a straight answer. The program provides a community network that is invaluable.”
More about FLOUrish
FLOurish is named in honor of Rona’s professional mentor, Florence Pramberger, a former human resources leader for Seagram’s, Beam and Mast-Jägermeister—where she was known as the “FLOmeister.” The program includes a comprehensive Caliper Assessment, the most accurate and predictive personality assessment on the market, a debrief of assessment results and a review of focus items, followed by four “Insights into Actions” coaching sessions with Millinger. Also included: peer insights sessions, mentoring from industry influencers, and group networking. The program is virtual, providing easy access to all. https://dreambigdarling.org/flourish
About Dream Big Darling: Celebrating its 5th year, Dream Big Darling is a non-profit organization specifically created for women building a career in the early stages, offering its community a practical and actionable 360-degree approach of education, mentorship, community and access to opportunities. www.DreamBigDarling.org
About The Millinger Group: Founded by Rona Millinger, the Millinger Group is a full-service human resources consulting firm. www.TheMillingerGroup.com
About Ancient Peaks Winery: Ancient Peaks is a family-owned winery specializing in wines from the sustainably-farmed estate Margarita Vineyard in Paso Robles on California’s Central Coast. The name Ancient Peaks honors the tall peaks surrounding Margarita Vineyard, which were forged by the collision of the coastal plates. Over time, these same geologic forces blessed us with five distinct soil zones — ancient sea bed, rocky alluvium, shale, volcanic and granitic—that bring natural complexity to its wines. www.ancientpeaks.com