Jenn Engel

Jenn Engel serves as chief commercial and strategy officer at Banfi Vintners, where she oversees sales, marketing, distributor relations and strategic planning. In close collaboration with CEO Cristina Mariani-May, Engel drives Banfi’s global success and enhances its legacy. Before joining Banfi Vintners, Engel was chief customer & commercial officer at Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC). In March 2022, she became the first female chief commercial sales officer in beverage alcohol wholesale distribution, responsible for the commercial sales strategy, marketing, sales operations and national accounts. Engel joined RNDC in January 2020, where she integrated the on-premise national accounts teams for RNDC upon the acquisition of the Young’s Marketing Company.

Engel’s career highlights include her role as vice president of sales and board of directors member at Santa Margherita-USA, where she managed national sales and ambassador teams. She has also held key positions at Anheuser-Busch, Jackson Family Wines, Wirtz Beverage and Banfi Vintners, earlier in her career, serving as the National Business Manager for the luxury Cru Artisan team. Her professional journey began in hospitality at Walt Disney World, where she gained managerial experience in event planning, wedding planning and banquets and catering following two College Program internships while at FSU.

Engel graduated from Florida State University’s Honors & Scholars Program and holds a degree in food science and human nutrition from the University of Florida. In 2023, she earned a Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from Harvard University. Additionally, she is a Certified Sommelier with the Guild of Sommeliers and a Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators, and she holds a Prompt Engineering Certificate from Vanderbilt University.

Beyond her professional roles, since 2020, Engel shas been the director of Trash Turtles, a youth-focused 501(c)(3) dedicated to environmental conservation through education and community involvement. Engel served on the board for Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America’s (WSWA) Women’s Leadership Council from 2021 to 2023. She is an active member of the Dean’s Council at FSU’s Dedman College of Hospitality, where she co-chaired the Dedman College 75th Anniversary Gala. She also collaborates closely with Dedman College’s RNDC Certificate in Beverage Management program. Her recent accolades include the Inspiring Leader award by Inspiring Workplaces in 2022, the WSWA Movers and Shakers Award in 2023, and the FSU Woman of Distinction Inspire Award in 2023. Engel is a Legacy Lifetime Member of the FSU Alumni Association.

Jenn Engel’s distinguished career and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a prominent figure in the hospitality and beverage alcohol industries, as well as in her community, continually inspiring those around her.