Board of Directors
Wine Women organization is run by the all-volunteer Board of Directors and Forum Chairs who plan and execute all the organization’s activities. Click on the Directors’ names below to learn more about them.
The Founder Advisory Board
- Christine L. Mueller, President Emerita, Co-Founder
- Marcia Macomber, Co-Founder
- Jackie Egidio, Co-Founder
- Ellen Reich Luchtel, Co-Founder
Ashley Burnett, President
Ashley Burnett grew up in Fresno, California where her love for the wine industry and nonprofit work began. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 2005 and stayed in Los Angeles working in account management and telecom sales until 2017 when she finally made the move to her dream city Napa, California. She started working for NakedWines.com as Senior Manager for US Partnerships and Business Development and now oversees Guest Services at Corison Winery under the legendary Cathy Corison. Since moving to Napa, Ashley has been involved in nonprofit work with the Latino Community Foundation, the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure and the Mighty Moms foundation supporting single mothers with cancer. Ashley was Wine Women’s Business Development Director for 1 year before taking over as President in 2021. She looks forward to the continued growth of Wine Women and being inspired by all of the amazing women in the Northern California wine country.
Morét Brealynn, Programs Director
Morét Brealynn is currently the owner-winemaker of her eponymous winery, Morét-Brealynn, as well as the General Manager for multiple small boutique wineries and a wine consulting business. She has been in the wine industry for over 10 years, starting in the tasting room at Silver Oak for two years. She then moved on to Kosta Browne, managing internal events and market travel for the winery Principles. From there, she managed the Hospitality and Events at Martinelli Winery then spent five years at HALL Wines, in PR, marketing, and an Executive Assistant role for Kathryn Hall. Her varied experience in events and organizational skills make her a wonderful addition as the Programs Director at WW. Morét is excited for the opportunity to connect with all the members at WW and discuss the programs and connections women are looking for in our industry. In Morét’s spare time, you’ll likely find her on a golf course or eating tacos with her fiancé, Adam, with their dog, Stout, in tow.
Megan Nelms, Membership Director
Megan Nelms, CPA was born and raised in the beautiful wine country of Sonoma County. She graduated from Sonoma State University in 2008, studying Accounting and Wine Business Strategies. She started her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in San Francisco, as an auditor. She quickly realized that staying closer to home and being able to work with wineries directly was her calling. She is a Senior Account Manager at Protea Financial, providing accounting and bookkeeping services to wineries. Prior to joining Protea Financial, she has worked at The Ranch Winery, Siduri Wines, and Allen Wine Group. As Membership Director for Wine Women, she is excited to connect with and learn more about our amazing members. Megan is also a member of the Santa Rosa Women for Good and serves as the treasurer for her son’s school parent teacher organization. When Megan isn’t crunching numbers, she’s usually watching her sons’ sports or spending time with her husband.
Education Director
Coming soon…
Beth Proctor, Treasurer
Beth Proctor graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in Business Administration, Accounting and Journalism. After many years working in various accounting roles in the telecommunications industry in Kansas City, Beth moved to the wine country in 2019 where she currently works for Boisset Collection on the accounting team. As the mother of two successful, adult daughters, she appreciates the opportunities that the Wine Women organization offers for networking, mentoring and shining light on the many wonderful women in the industry. Beth presently lives in Napa where she enjoys wine tasting, tropical travels, building new friendships and spending time with her daughters.
Jeanette C. Bolaños, Secretary
Jeanette is a newcomer to the wine industry after spending many years working in healthcare. She holds a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from USC. Never one to waste an opportunity to learn something new, she decided to lean into the idea of a midcareer shift and recently completed Sonoma State’s Executive Wine MBA program and is now working in Business and Finance Operations for Medlock Ames. She is excited to expand both her working knowledge and personal appreciation for all things wine. When she’s not trying to hone her palate, she’s spending time with her husband adventuring to parts unknown, or pursuing her other great joy – Flamenco dance performance. A new resident of Sonoma County, she’s looking forward to making new connections in this amazing industry.
Christine L. Mueller, President Emerita, Co-Founder
Christine Mueller has worked with Fortune 500 companies and has been the CEO of Marketing Made Simple/2Alibis LLC since 1999, with more than 25 years in advertising, media sales and marketing. Since the mid-90s, she has worked with wineries and hospitality-focused businesses to help them raise their visibility through web strategies, print advertising, PR and broadcast. Chris served as the president of the Napa-Sonoma Chapter of Women for WineSense from 2006 to 2015 and then as President of Wine Women. She is a current member of SFSU Hospitality and Tourism Management department’s Advisory Board, and delivered the commencement speech in May 2012. She has an Advanced Certificate from WSET, and serves as the Brand Ambassador for Spann Vineyards.
Marcia Macomber, Co-Founder
Marcia Macomber has served as Creator-in-Chief for Cornucopia Creations, her marketing and graphic design firm, for more than 20 years. Her clients range from large corporations, such as ClosetMaid, to small entrepreneurs, including gourmet chefs, small wineries, contractors, CPAs and sculptors. She served as Communications Director and Marketing Director of the Napa-Sonoma Chapter of Women for WineSense for five years and then as Marketing Director of Wine Women for three years. In addition to her marketing and design work, Marcia hosts the WINE WOMEN Radio Hour – a weekly show broadcast locally on KSVY 91.3 FM and downloadable as a podcast on the Radio Misfits Podcast Network across the US. She has been a past president and member of Business Network International (BNI) and is currently a member of the Sonoma chapter of Polka Dot Powerhouse.
Jackie Egidio, Co-Founder
Jackie Egidio has worked in the wine industry for over 20 years focused on Finance and Human Resources. She has been fortunate to work in hybrid roles for world-class small and medium-sized wine brands, leading dynamic teams. After her son was born in late 2018, she embarked on her own business venture offering bookkeeping services to small businesses throughout Napa and Sonoma Counties. Jackie remains active with Wine Women and currently chairs the Winery GM Forum. She is passionate about promoting talented women in our community and is very proud to be a co-founder of Wine Women and to have served on the Women for WineSense National Board and Napa-Sonoma Chapter Board. She loves a good hike, fresh produce from the farmers market, and swimming in the pool with her son, Ben.
Ellen Reich Luchtel, Co-Founder
Ellen Reich Luchtel is owner and vintner, with her husband Gary Luchtel, of Fortunati Vineyards in Napa, where they grow and make remarkable wines including Chardonnay, Cabernet, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Ellen is an active member of CANVAS, Napa Valley Vintners, Napa Valley Grapegrowers, Napa County Farm Bureau, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA and the Junior League of San Francisco. She served as Membership Director of the Napa-Sonoma Chapter of Women for WineSense for more than five years and then as Membership Director of WineWomen.
