Changing of the Guard...
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Dec
22
Anne Sprecher
Changing of the Guard…
Women In Beer
0

…well, at least as far as the board member in charge of scholarships and the board member in charge of communications. Pink Boots president Laura Ulrich sent Scholarship Director Rachel Hotchko and Communications Director Anne Sprecher a set of questions to get their thoughts on Pink Boots, being a board member, and life afterwards. The point of the questions was not simply to act as an exit interview but also to reveal a little bit about the these two women. Although neither knew each other prior to being on the board, one thing stands out about their responses: the similarity of their regard for Pink Boots as an organization and its membership.

Rachel Hotchko, Scholarships Director

  • How long have you been on the Board for Pink Boots Society: 2 years on the Board. 4.5 years volunteering in scholarships

  • What was your role: Scholarships Director

  • What has been your most memorable moment being on the board: The weekend retreats were exhausting and invigorating! 
  • How has Pink Boots Society impacted your Life: Volunteering for Pink Boots has taught me many things: new organizational skills, new ways to communicate, but most importantly, that together, we can all elevate, help, teach each other many things.
  • What would you like to see from Pink Boots Society in the future: Become the primary resource for women in the brewing industry

  • What will you do with all you spare time: I think gardening
  • Who has been your biggest role model/influencer: Within PBS, it would be Mary and Laura for putting so much of the life and heart into the organization.

  • What will you miss about being on the board for Pink Boots Society: The fierce women that are the force behind this organization.

  • Do you have any advice for women in brewing industry? Other than to keep educating yourself? Speak up for yourself and others.

  • What is your proudest moment? It isn’t one moment, but that the scholarship program was expanded every year and I’m looking forward to seeing it being taken to new heights in the coming years!

  • Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Striving to learn more

Anne Sprecher, Communications Director

  • How long have you been on the Board for Pink Boots Society: 2 years. Prior to that I organized the media list, and created press releases for the Germany trip.
  • What was your role: Communications Director

  • What has been your most memorable moment being on the board: Not to sound cheesy, but it’s been such a dynamic experience you might as well ask, What was your most memorable moment on the roller coaster ride? So many. I’ll pick a recent one. The text exchange where I didn’t think I called for a vote but it became obvious to me that anyone else would. Moral of the story: choose your words carefully, even when texting. A less recent moment, the spring membership meeting at the CBC. I kept flashing back to the first few Pink Boots meetings I attended and just marveled at the exponential growth. And I loved the pay-it-forward story. It made me really proud, verklempt even, to know I played a role in this organization’s growth.

  • How has Pink Boots Society impacted your Life: I rarely work with a group of women; this experience showed me how awesome that can be. The Pareto principle – 20% of the people do 80% of the work – didn’t apply in this case. 100% of the board did 100% of the work.

  • What would you like to see from Pink Boots Society in the future: Stronger chapters. More financial transparency from the chapters.

  • What will you do with all you spare time: Hahaha. Probably search for another group of women to work with.

  • Who has been your biggest role model/influencer: On the board? Laura. You’ve heard the expression, people rise to their challenges…she has gone above and beyond. And she’s done so with exceptional amounts of grace and graciousness. Mary Brettman is a very, very close second.

  • What will you miss about being on the board for Pink Boots Society: The unrelenting challenges – my life is comparatively dull – and the camaraderie.

  • Do you have any advice for women in brewing industry? Other than to keep educating yourself? Find a champion, a mentor, someone who will help you grow. And be a mentor to others.

  • What is your proudest moment? Getting the Mayor of San Diego to proclaim June 3, 2010 Pink Boots Society Day.

  • Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Since I’ll have so much more free time…perhaps in Tahiti ;). You’re all welcome to join me. On the beach. I’ll buy the first round.

Anita Riley, author of Brewing Ambition,cellerman at Lonerider Brewing and North Carolina chapter co-leader will succeed Rachel as the board member in charge of scholarships. Cat Weist, innovative brewer at Pelican Brewing in Tillamook, OR will succeed Anne as the board member in charge of communications. Cheers, ladies! We know you’ll take Pink Boots to new heights.

 



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