OurWhisky names 2026 Atonia mentees
Non-profit organisation the OurWhisky Foundation has revealed the 2026 cohort of the Atonia Programme, its personal and professional development course for women in whisky.
First launched in 2022, the programme has so far guided more than 200 women and non-binary individuals toward their goals. Graduates report experiencing a 53% increase in confidence, with a third securing promotions or new roles within 12 months of the programme.
This year’s programme attracted almost 100 applications since opening for entries in February.
Candidates from across the UK and Ireland applied, with 50 making it through to the interviews with the OurWhisky team, before the final 25 were selected.
Entrants spanned areas such as marketing, operations, sales, journalism, tourism and hospitality.
Becky Paskin, OurWhisky Foundation’s founder, said: “This year’s Atonia Programme cohort are an incredibly diverse group of women+ who have demonstrated their unrelenting passion and ambition to thrive in the whisky industry.
“With redundancies and DEI [diversity, equity and inclusivity] cutbacks affecting every corner of whisky right now, our Atonia Programme has never been more important. The OurWhisky Foundation is dedicated to supporting women+ establish successful, rewarding careers in whisky, in turn supporting the long-term health of the industry.
“Despite facing current financial challenges, it’s imperative that the industry continues to make whisky inclusive and support women+ in their careers. Otherwise we face a future that’s less diverse, skilled and attractive to new talent.”
The successful applicants will embark on a six-month mentorship programme, alongside gaining access to the OurWhisky Foundation’s WhatsApp community, dedicated development workshops, and one-to-one guidance from industry mentors.
The programme culminates in a graduation ceremony in January 2027, where alumni will receive a pin and certificate.
The 25 ‘Acorns’ joining the 2026 programme are: Kirsten Ainslie, Amy Barrett, Charlotte Bell, Maddison Blackwell, Ying Chen, Izzy Conner, Natalie Euler, Lisa Farrow, Cara Forbes, Charli Foulds, Tair Hull-Gorman, Naratha Gorur, Hannah Ingram, Annelise Kofod, Michelle Matuza, Claire Minnock, Rose Murray, Olivia Pattison, Jenna Risk, Victoria Swan, Morgan Bennett Tabuteau, Barbora Tichakova, Anna Travers, Helen Weeks and Beth Whymark.
Among the 25 mentors volunteering to support this year’s cohort are: Ewan Gunn, senior global brand ambassador, Diageo; Kirstie McCallum, master blender, Whyte & Mackay; Caspar McRae, CEO and president, The Glenmorangie Company; Julie Trevisan Hunter, marketing director, The Scotch Whisky Experience; and Ashley Smith, Glen Scotia’s master blender.
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