Julie Cohen Theobald joined the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas in 2021 as Executive Director. She is passionate about helping organizations and brands achieve their potential. As Executive Director of the Educational Theatre Association for a decade, Julie transformed the 90-year-old nonprofit: moving into the digital age, doubling the operating budget, and forging key partnerships. In her corporate career at Procter & Gamble, Julie launched the Febreze brand which grew to $150 million in sales in its first year and over $1 billion today. She also served as Brand Manager of Tide detergent, growing sales to over $2 billion in the strongest period of growth in its 60-year history.
Julie holds an MBA from the University of Chicago in business economics and marketing, and a BA from Duke University in public policy. Her passion for travel, food, and wine has brought her to twenty-nine countries on five continents.
“I am excited to join the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas and help to further the organization’s growth and evolution in this important period of change. The Court has a significant leadership opportunity to not only set the standard in the sommelier community but influence the broader beverage and hospitality industries. Working with the Board of Directors, I hope to bring a new vision to life in reshaping this historic wine education and examination body into an organization that is more inclusive, accessible, and transparent while upholding the values of integrity, exemplary knowledge, and humility. I am humbled by the opportunity and look forward to the challenge of achieving lasting progress within the organization.”
