Castle & Key recently announced a new partnership with the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild to form the Diversity in Kentucky Distilling Scholarship program, which will be supported by special whiskey sales.
(Leff to right): Jessica Pendergrass (photo credit Brianna Harlin) and Gathan Borden.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 12, 2021) As chairwoman of the board for the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, Jessica Pendergrass said 2020 was a year that required action and change, not just words, when it came to diversity, equity and inclusion. She is only the third woman chair of the board in its 140 years.
Pendergrass will co-chair a panel discussion March 12 during the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits virtual Bourbon Industry Conference. Panelists will discuss their experiences in their own career paths and field questions from conference attendees.
“Women in leadership are often questioned and held to a different standard than men. Our skillset is analyzed, our intentions are questioned, our communication style is scrutinized, and we are asked to seek a second opinion from men when advising on a topic,” said Pendergrass, general counsel and chief compliance