At the Drinks Association's International Women's Day event, an industry panel will delve deeper into some of the themes raised by Dr Julia Baird in her keynote address. They'll also reflect on the '2020 experience', its personal impact and how they had to adapt their leadership styles.
Treasury Wine Estate's George Samios will facilitate the panel comprised by Brown-Forman's Eveline Albarracin, Treasury's Chief People Officer, Katie Hodgson and industry stalwart, Peter Hurley of the Hurley Group in South Australia.
George Samios, Director of Fine Wine and Direct to Consumer, Treasury Wine Estates
George Samios is the Director of Fine Wine at Treasury Wine Estates and spends much of his time training and educating people about wine with a particular interest in the relationship between wine, food and lifestyle. Larger than life, George is a qualified journalist who was the editor of a regional newspaper, and also the wine writer for the Canberra Times. Prior to joining Treasury Wine Estates in 2000, George owned and managed a licensed restaurant in Canberra for eight years. The restaurant, Caffe Della Piazza, won several national awards for its wine list and was named 'best restaurant' in 1998. George also trained as a chef and was particularly active in regional food and wine events. George’s basic philosophy of wine is very simple: “Wine is for enjoyment and there is a wine for every palette”.
Eveline Albarracin, VP, Managing Director ANZPI
Eveline joined Brown-Forman as Managing Director ANZPI in January 2020. Prior to this she worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 20 years in various sales, operational and marketing roles, and most recently was Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, for Nestlé Skin Health.
Eveline has tertiary qualifications in Business Management and Physiology and Pharmacology and is passionate about inclusive leadership. She believes that supporting leaders and empowering them to lead teams is key to a company’s success. This, along with employee culture, are front of mind, informing Eveline’s priorities and decisions. Eveline thrives when developing cultural and operational synergies across diverse groups and introducing frameworks for efficient implementation within the business. She is inspired by innovation, creativity and experimenting with iconic brands, to simultaneously preserve their history and build them up for future growth.
Eveline takes great pride in being a role model for women in the drinks industry.
Katie Hodgson, Chief People Officer, Treasury Wine Estates
Katie was announced as Treasury Wine Estates’ Chief People Officer in January 2020, having joined the company in 2017. She is responsible for TWE’s People Strategy, building a high performing organisation and an inclusive, collaborative culture where people and results thrive. With more than 20 years’ experience in Human Resources, Katie is a leader in organisational transformation, and passionate about building coaching and change capability as enablers to unlock individuals' and business performance.
Prior to joining TWE, Katie was a foundational and executive member of Axieo where she was responsible for the establishment and leadership of the HR, Internal Communications and Environmental Social Governance functions. Prior to Axieo, Katie held numerous leadership roles at Mondelez International/Kraft Foods. Katie holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts.
Peter Hurley AO, Hurley Hotel Group, South Australia
In 1975, Peter Hurley left a career in teaching and purchased the Wudinna Hotel where he met the new local nursing sister Jenny Pengelly. Peter married Jenny in July 1979.
Peter and Jenny believe a good team is essential to the success of a large company. The Hurley Hotel Group employs over 600 staff, with many of them long term employees. Peter and Jenny’s children, Nick, Samantha and Anna have all worked within the business, with Anna currently holding position as Marion Hotel Manager.
Today, the Hurley Hotel Group operates 10 hotels across South Australia, in addition to having shares in the Golden Grove Tavern at Surrey Downs, and the Murray Bridge Hotel.
From 1979 through until 2007, Peter and Jenny purchased the leases on numerous South Austalian hotels.
Early in 2019, the Hurleys ventured beyond borders and made their first interstate purchase with the Ivory Tavern and Marina in Tweed Heads, New South Wales. Shortly after the purchase, Peter's daughter Samantha moved with her husband, Scott Oakley to take over management of the hotel.
Hurley has had an illustrious career at Australian Hotels Association SA, joining the council in 1979. Besides the long-held presidency, he was also the chair of various committees within the organisation, including Hospitality Group Training, the largest group training scheme in South Australia. Hurley has also held the national AHA presidency twice, and was made an officer of the Order of Australia in 2016.
Ian Horne, CEO of AHA SA, has worked with Hurley for a cumulative 17 years, and said that the president’s legacy was one of great achievements in changing the face of the South Australian Hotel industry.
“He’s been a great stalwart for the hotel industry in South Australia. A lot of people are so grateful for his representation and his capacity to work with both sides of government. He always has the best outcome for all hoteliers in his sights” said Horne.
Please contact Drinks Association’s General Manager, Rachel Wormald, for information on how your company can access the event.