As the CEO of the Santa Barbara Vintners, Alison Laslett works to promote and protect the Santa Barbara Wine Region. The region boasts over a hundred wineries, more than 350 labels, and 70+ varieties of wine. Since joining the organization in 2017, the region has doubled its retail sales, won the Wine Enthusiast Wine Start Award for Region of the in 2021, and Alison was named one of the Top Women in Business by the Pacific Coast Times, also in 2021.
Alison advocates for the region both locally and state-wide, working with tourism and lobbying partners to advance the reputation and rights of the industry. New to wine when she joined the Vintners, Alison previously spent time in both established nonprofits and start-ups, working with significant funders, including Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation.
Now, she enjoys her new-found knowledge of wine, working with colleagues across the state to continue to help the region thrive.