Board of Directors

Beibei Hou is a seasoned hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience in the industry. As a Certified Sommelier by both the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) and the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS), Beibei has honed her expertise in wine and beverage service. Her journey in the hospitality world began humbly as a food runner when she arrived in Canada in 2012. Since then, Beibei has cultivated a passion for wine, acquiring extensive knowledge and skills to provide exceptional dining experiences. With her warm hospitality and deep understanding of the intricacies of wine, Beibei is dedicated to...

  Jennifer Wood transitioned from a successful 20+ year career in the legal field to the world of wine in 2017, driven by her passion for a subject far more enjoyable to discuss! As a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) and a current WSET Diploma student, Jennifer has quickly made her mark in the industry.In 2021, she co-founded Corkscrew Imports, a boutique wine importing business where she delights in discovering and introducing unique wines to the market. Now in her second year on the board of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, Jennifer is committed to...

Heather McDougall is a certified sommelier (International Sommelier Guild and WSET) who has spent the last decade honing her skills in both retail and restaurant settings. She completed her certifications in 2008 in Calgary and worked as a wine director (Rush, Model Milk and Vintage Chophouse) and as a buyer / sommelier in top boutique wine stores, including BIN 905 and Metrovino. Teaching and tasting have always been a large component in all of Heather's roles and continues to be since moving to Toronto. She has held the position of wine director at Splendido and The Chase and has been...

As founder and president of The Siren Group Inc. (www.thesirengroup.com) -- a boutique, public relations agency and collective of consultants specializing in the consumer marketing and lifestyle sectors -- Susan designs, manages and implements innovative, compelling and successful marketing communications and PR programs for her wide range of clients. Susan’s passions are food & wine, music, hospitality & entertainment, travel, and continuing education. She graduated from Toronto’s Havergal College followed by post-secondary studies at the Canadian Junior College in Carriacou, BWI, and Lausanne, Switzerland; then at U of T, and Toronto Metropolitan University, where she earned diplomas in business, marketing,...

  After a successful 24-year career in the Financial Services industry, Divya is now pursuing her true passion – wine! After completing her WSET Level 3 and French Wine Scholar and Master of Champagne certifications with the Wine Scholar Guild, Divya launched her own small business, La Barrique Wine Consulting. Her goal is to educate and broaden the palates of her clients with new and interesting wine discoveries. In addition, Divya is an active member of the community and sits on several non-profit boards.