Stephanie Duboudin joins WCA board

Stephanie Duboudin has joined the National Board of the Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA).

She replaces Caroline Brown, who has left the board due to increased work commitments.

WCA said it was delighted to announce the appointment, as Duoudin will enable the WCA to retain a Victorian based national board representative, a key wine state in Australia.

Brown will remain on the Marketing and Events Delivery Group of the WCA to enable it to continue to benefit from her extensive wine experience.

The WCA noted in a statement: "The WCA would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Caroline for her hard work and contribution while on the board.  

"The WCA would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Stephanie as her replacement. Stephanie brings with her a wealth of experience and skill in the wine game." 

Duboudin has more than 18 years of experience working in the wine industry in the US, Canada, UK, China and Australia. She is the founder and Managing Director of consumer insights and trends strategic consultancy, Food and Wine Insights. She also holds the role of Account Manager Aus/NZ/Asia for the Decanter World Wine Awards, Decanter Asian Wine Awards and Decanter magazine. 

Previously Duboudin was the Country Manager for Wine Intelligence Aus/NZ and has held senior global marketing roles with Kobrand Corporation NY, Rathbone Wine Group and Yabby Lake. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Marketing/Media), Graduate Diploma in Marketing from the University of Melbourne and the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wines 

WCA Chairman Angus Barnes said: “The WCA is excited to have someone with such a relevant finger on the pulse arrive at the table. Stephanie will bring valuable insight to the group in so many pertinent areas of our industry. And while it is disappointing to lose Caroline as a board member, we are thankful that she will stay on in a smaller role and that this group, and the WCA, can continue to benefit from her expertise."