Pia Mara Finkell — Associate Vice President

 

With nearly a decade of experience in communications, Pia has a strong and versatile background in wine and food public relations, marketing and promotional strategy. An associate vice president in CRT/tanaka’s Consumer Practice, Pia oversees public relations, program development and strategic partnerships for, among others, the Wines from Rioja (Spain), one of the agency’s largest accounts.

 

Pia joined CRT/tanaka following her most recent position as the North American spokesperson and brand manager for Louis Bernard Winery at Boisset America. Pia served as the face of the brands, managing all sales, marketing and public relations programs, as well as education programs for the company’s 40 partner distributors in the U.S. and Canada.

 

After receiving scholarships from Women Chefs & Restaurateurs, Les Dames d’Escoffier and the James Beard Foundation, Pia recently attended and graduated with honors from The Institute of Culinary Education’s pastry and management programs. Pia taught wine education classes at her culinary school, as well as at other wine event companies in New York City.

 

Previously, Pia served in a leadership role in the public relations department at Sopexa USA, an integrated marketing services and communications agency dedicated to the promotion of French and European food, wine and spirits in the U.S.

 

Before working for Sopexa, Pia worked in the corporate office of Best Cellars Inc., a boutique chain of wine stores offering affordable wines in a fun, user-friendly atmosphere. She began her career in the wine industry working for Wine & Spirits magazine in the editorial department, while attending the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, where she graduated with honors from the advanced certificate program.