Cynthia Wells, WRD Alumna
When you think about bourbon and alcoholic beverages, you don’t often think of writing. Yet, in my current role working at the Sazerac Company as an Operations Leadership Development Professional, writing is a foundational tool I use to create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and technical documents that ensure consistency and efficiency across our Northwest Ordinance Distilling plant operations. My comprehension and writing abilities, honed as a WRD student, allow me to digest complex technical topics and craft them into simple, meaningful, and organized communication that delivers exactly what my technicians need to properly operate and troubleshoot a piece of machinery.
Before graduating UK with a Bachelor of Business Administration; Distillation, Wine, and Brewing Studies (DWBS) Certificate; and an International Business Minor, I wrapped up my DWBS Certificate with WRD 225: Craft Writing, taught by Dr. Jan Fernheimer. This course provided an in-depth exploration of bourbon history and heritage, highlighting the contributions of underrepresented demographics, consumer perceptions and stereotypes, and experimenting with different forms of Bourbon writing.
Dr. Jan introduced me to Bourbon Women, an organization dedicated to empowering and connecting women in the bourbon industry through education, networking, and support. Each year, they host the Bourbon Women SIPosium, the only consumer-focused whiskey conference for women in the U.S., where a handful of SIP Scholarships are awarded.
With the knowledge I gained from WRD 225 and my passion for the industry, I applied for the SIP Scholarship, highlighting my love for heirloom varietals, my vision for expanding the Bourbon Trail to Eastern Kentucky, and my commitment to challenging the misconception that bourbon isn't a drink for women. What do you know? I was selected as a 2024 Bourbon Women Angel’s SIP Scholar!
Although WRD classes differ from the typical technical aspects of bourbon and the alcohol industry, they cultivate essential communicative skills that are invaluable to the industry. Through these experiences, I have developed a unique skill set that I believe helps me stand out among my peers. The ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively not only enhances my work at Sazerac, but it also empowers me to contribute to a more inclusive narrative in the bourbon community.