The Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology announced Alexandra Mize has been named the organization’s new executive director, following a nationwide search.

According to a Sept. 8 news release from CAVE, Mize brings experience in beverage-industry advocacy, public affairs, organizational strategy, tourism, sustainability and stakeholder engagement. She will lead CAVE’s statewide efforts to support and unite Colorado’s grape growers and wineries through advocacy, education, marketing, industry development and collaboration while working to further establish Colorado as a nationally recognized American wine region.

“Ali stood out not only because of the depth and diversity of her experience, but because she immediately understood both the challenges facing our industry and the tremendous opportunity in front of us,” said Kevin Webber, president of the CAVE Board of Directors. “She brings the strategic leadership, coalition-building experience and outside perspective we believe CAVE needs for its next chapter. We have an ambitious vision for the future of Colorado wine, and the board believes Ali is the right leader to help bring our industry together and turn that vision into action.”

Mize began her career managing Fulbright, an educational and cultural-exchange program, on behalf of the United States’ Tri-Mission in Belgium before joining the Kentucky Distillers’ Association as the trade group’s first director of social responsibility.

At the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, Mize developed an industry-wide responsibility strategy that became an aspirational element of Kentucky bourbon culture while supporting advocacy efforts that helped advance new legislative privileges for the industry, including by-the-drink distillery sales, vintage spirits retail sales and interstate shipping.

She subsequently built and scaled corporate-responsibility programs across the luxury-retail and outdoor-recreation industries, serving as vice president of sustainability at Neiman Marcus Group and Alterra Mountain Company.

Mize has a master’s degree in international business from Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Kentucky University’s Honors College. She resides in Evergreen, Colo., with her husband, John, and their dog, Daisy.

Mize will be based on Colorado’s Front Range, while CAVE will maintain and staff its Palisade office and its presence on the Western Slope. The structure is designed to strengthen CAVE’s statewide reach and better serve Colorado’s grape growers and wineries across the state.

“Colorado wine already generates close to $5.72 billion in total economic activity and attracts 545,800 tourist visits each year,” Mize said. “With the right infrastructure, partnerships and legislation in place, we’ll be able to build on this success and secure Colorado’s reputation as a distinctive American wine region.”

Mize succeeds Cassidee Shull, who announced earlier this summer she would step down following nearly 15 years as CAVE’s executive director. During Shull’s tenure, CAVE expanded its statewide educational and advocacy efforts, elevated Colorado Mountain Winefest to national recognition, grew the VinCO conference, launched Colorado Cru, and helped increase national awareness of Colorado wine.

“Cassidee has devoted nearly 15 years to CAVE and to advancing Colorado wine, and the organization Ali is stepping into reflects that commitment,” Webber said. “We are incredibly grateful for Cassidee’s leadership and everything she has done for our growers, wineries, members and partners. This transition is about building upon that foundation while looking ambitiously toward what Colorado wine can become.”