Your title:
Managing Director, Brand Strategy for Constellation Brands, Inc., a leading producer of premium beers, wines & spirits. Our main brands are Corona and Modelo beers in the US; Robert Mondavi, Kim Crawford and Ruffino wines; and SVEDKA and High West spirits. I have been based in Switzerland since 2017, after spending the previous decade in my company’s Chicago office.
How did you first learn about ILAO?
Jon Wasserman introduced me to the great work of ILAO back in 2014 as he asked me if I would help lead that year’s gala fundraiser. I was so impressed with the highly valuable work and great people of ILAO that I learned about in connection with the gala that I eagerly joined the Board the following year (2015).
Why did you first give to /get involved with ILAO?
As mentioned above, in learning about the organization, it became clear to me that ILAO was a uniquely innovative and much-needed self-help legal resource that filled a critical void in the legal support network for the disadvantaged and underprivileged in our state.
What about ILAO most resonates with you?
ILAO’s resources are very easily accessible for free on a 24/7 self-help basis, in two languages, on a wide variety of important but common legal subjects. This access is absolutely vital in helping members of our community help themselves in figuring out and beginning to deal with their legal rights in matters that often have critical importance in their daily lives.
Why do you still contribute to ILAO?
I am as deeply impressed and humbled as ever by the dedication, commitment and innovative spirit that the entire ILAO team consistently demonstrates in furthering ILAO’s critical mission. Plus, after the year or more of complete societal tumult in Illinois and throughout the nation, it has become clear to me that legal resource organizations and the selfless professionals who run them need all the support the rest of us may provide.
Why should others give to or get involved with ILAO?
If one cares about widening access to the law and justice in Illinois and gets to know the very unique and valuable work of ILAO, and the even better team of people and volunteers supporting the organization, it is a very easy decision indeed to become involved through the donation of time or money.
Favorite technology of the moment:
Moon jelly live cam at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams/moon-jelly-cam) – gives a larger sense of peace and wonder during these difficult times. (The sea otter cam is pretty worthwhile too, but for different reasons. 😊)
Alternative career:
Well, after spending the first 20+ years of my career as a practicing lawyer, I think I’ve stumbled in to my dream alternative career as a brand strategist for an international beer & wine company officed in Switzerland – extremely lucky!
What law would you abolish if you could? What law would you create?
I’ll plead the 5th on this one. 😉
