Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is pleased to announce the 2022 Dame Hall of Fame inductees: Tracie Franklin, U.S. Inductee, and Nicola Riske, International Inductee. As well as the Pioneer Award recipient, Amanda Gunderson. Established in 2012, Dame Hall of Fame is celebrating ten years of honoring industry leaders who have made unique and lasting contributions to the intersectionality and accessibility of the global hospitality industry. Tales of the Cocktail Foundation recognizes the work of these three professionals and will induct these honorees during the tenth-annual Dame Hall of Fame Ceremony, taking place during Tales of the Cocktail on July 29, 2022, at The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans.
“This event was born out of a simple desire to get industry women together in a room, with a strong hunch that magic would happen,” said Dame Hall of Fame co-chair Kitty Amann. “Ten years later, I’m amazed to see what the Dame Hall of Fame has become. This community means so much to us all, and I’m so thrilled to gather again in person this year to toast Tracie, Nicola, and Amanda.”
This year’s outstanding candidates were selected from a pool of over 100 qualified, open nominees and voted on by the Dame Hall of Fame committee. Proudly celebrating a decade of mentorship and encouragement within the beverage and hospitality communities, DHOF will warmly welcome the three new members to join the group of 42 current members.
“Dame Hall of Fame is filled with connection and recognition. As we are all on a mission and doing the work it can often not allow time to celebrate and reflect in self or in others,” said Dame Hall of Fame Co-Chair Tiffanie Barriere. “With all changes happening daily worldwide this time of year reminds us that we can gain a sense of life, beauty and growth together. Congrats to the beginning and salute to the future.”
To celebrate this year’s Dame Hall of Fame winners, a live, in-person ceremony will be held on Friday, July 29 at the Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans as part of the 20th Annual Tales of the Cocktail®. For those who are interested in attending the ceremony, tickets may be purchased on the TOTCF website.
2022 Dame Hall of Fame® Inductees:
2022 Dame Hall of Fame® U.S. Inductee presented by Woodford Reserve: Tracie Franklin. Head Distiller Apprentice at Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative
Tracie Franklin is a whiskey and spirits educator, public speaker, brand consultant, and distillation apprentice who lives in Washington D.C. Prior to whiskey, Tracie traveled the world as a professional singer performing in Broadway musicals. Now, her performance skills help her share her passion and knowledge for whiskey with diverse groups. Tracie has been a featured speaker for Google, Salesforce, Peloton, Essence Festival and Drexel University. She has appeared on local and national media including; LIVE on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and in Forbes and Imbibe magazine.
Tracie’s curiosity and dedication to spirits led to unforgettable opportunities to learn and distill alongside legendary whiskey personalities. She continues her pursuit of knowledge and has obtained numerous whiskey and spirits certifications, and is an IBD Diploma in Distillation Candidate. After recognizing the lack of diversity in the whiskey category, she co-founded a whiskey marketing company called Whersky which created inclusive and educational events for ALL whiskey drinkers. Her technical education and entertaining presentations made her an ideal Brand Ambassador and in 2020, she received an Icons of Whisky award for Best US Scotch Whisky Ambassador from Whiskey Magazine. As an ambassador and educator, Tracie represented numerous brands including; Angel’s Envy, Ardbeg, Rum Clement, Highland Park, Rhum JM, and Glenmorangie.
Tracie recently left her coveted role of Glenfiddich National Ambassador to join the Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative to study distillery operations and leadership. With a diverse background in spirits and a commitment to inclusivity, Tracie is thrilled to share her experiences, skills, and insights as an OurWhisky Foundation board member, mentor, and brand consultant. Follow Tracie’s “Spirited” adventures at @spirited_tracie on Instagram.
“Receiving this award is truly overwhelming. Last year was very difficult and I‘m here because of the love and support of my community. I am so grateful and hope to honor their faith by being a catalyst for change and a testament to hope,” said Tracie Franklin, Head Distiller Apprentice at Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative,
2022 Dame Hall of Fame® International Inductee presented by Woodford Reserve: Nicola Riske, Southern European Brand Education Manager for The Macallan
Southern European Brand Education Manager for The Macallan, Nicola carries more than 15 years of experience in the spirits industry. Recently named Icons of Whisky’s Global Scotch Whisky Ambassador of the Year 2021, she is internationally recognized for her spirits education & flavor conversations. She holds her General Certificate in Distilling from the Institute for Brewing & Distilling & she’s additionally a Certified Sherry Educator & Olive Oil Sommelier. Nicola is a current candidate for the Diploma in Distilling & WSET Level 3 Spirits.Nicola is passionate about health & wellness, liquid education, innovation, women in business, & sensory exploration. As a dynamic advocate of mentorship in the industry, coaching others in the business via the OurWhisky Foundation, she currently sits on the Global Working Group for DE&I at Edrington. She is a proud member of the Education committee at Tales of the Cocktail (Culture tract) and European Co-Chair of the Spirited Awards Committee. Nicola has a constant curiosity about how things are made & often asks too many questions. In her spare time, Nicola can often be found hiking across Europe, FaceTiming with her niece, or going for a run.
“To be recognized by one’s peers is the best honor I think that one can receive. However, specifically, with the Dame Hall of Fame, to be recognized as a leader leading with purpose in this industry and in a way that hopefully helps others – that, to me, is the greatest honor that one can receive” said Nicola Riske, Southern European Brand Education Manager for The Macallan. “I am truly honored to have received this award. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s true. There are so many incredible women in this industry who inspire me and have helped guide and support me along the way and to think that I’ve been a positive influence on one person, or two, or more… That means everything to me. It really does. To know that I’ve, in some small way, had a positive impact on others.”
2022 Pioneer Award presented by The Blend
This award recognizes an individual who has encouraged mentorship and contributed to making the hospitality industry equitable and inclusive by working to remove barriers as it pertains to gender identity, race, religion, and socioeconomic status.
Amanda Gunderson, CEO & Co-Founder, Another Round Another Rally
“It was a tremendous recognition to even be nominated this year for the Pioneer Award. To have my name listed alongside so many icons and industry talents I admire is the honor of a lifetime,” said Amanda Gunderson, CEO & Co-Founder, of Another Round Another Rally. “When we started Another Round Another Rally, we did so because we wanted to help level the playing field and create more paths to professional development and success for all hospitality workers, in particular, members of marginalized communities, including BIPOC and LGBTQ industry professionals. Receiving the Pioneer Award, and being inducted in the Dame Hall of Fame means the world to me because it means people are paying attention – and that means our efforts are paying off. I don’t take this honor lightly. I know this is the only beginning. As we’ve always said at Another Round; ‘there’s always more to do, more to learn, and more fun to be had and we are here to help with all of it’.”
For more information on the DHOF criteria and judging committee, please visit the TOTCF website, and for more information on the Pioneer Award criteria, please visit the Spirited Awards website.
Dame Hall of Fame Partners
Dame Hall of Fame is proud to share its presenting and supporting sponsors, who help make the 2022 DHOF Ceremony possible. The 2022 U.S. Inductee and International Inductee are presented by Woodford Reserve. The 2022 Pioneer Award is presented by The Blend. Supporting sponsors include Branca USA, Don Q Rum, Johnnie Walker, Laird & Co., St-Germain, and Tequila Fortaleza.
Tales of the Cocktail 2022
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is pleased to share that the 2022 Tales of the Cocktail® (TOTC) tickets and conference agenda are available via the Foundation’s website. Commemorating its 20-year anniversary, TOTC will return for an in-person celebration in New Orleans from July 25-29, 2022, and to toast this momentous occasion, TOTC is presenting a curated lineup of seminars, events, and, of course, festivities all in the name of “progress” — the conference’s official 2022 theme.
For more information on Tales of the Cocktail or the Dame Hall of Fame, please visit the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.