The Branch - Who We Are
The Capital Branch was established in early 2023 in London UK by a diverse and tightly knit group of individuals passionate about bonding around food and wine through outreach and education. The Committee members have deep personal roots in the US, Africa, Italy or East Asia, as well as the UK. Age-wise, they hail from their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. Some have wine certifications, such as DipWSET, or restaurant/catering industry expertise. Some are simply highly enthusiastic food/wine newbies, but with strong experience in managing either commercial or non-profit organizations.
The Branch is about sharing, caring, and creating fun memories through delicious, multi-sensory experiences.
Founding Members
Anne Donoghue
Elena Frank
Phillip Y Kim
Gianpiero Repole
Stephanie Robertson
Cheryl Roux
Omar Sayed
Susan Urkevich
Chris van Aeken
Chair
Phillip is a former banker turned part-time writer and literary editor. With a love of wine spanning 40 years, he is WSET L4-diploma educated and considers himself a full-on Cork Dork. He has lived long spells on three continents. He is unclear of which country to call home, but dead certain that it involves vineyards, hilly routes to climb on a bike, and an energetic dog to walk.
Vice Chair
An IWFS member for 37 years, Cheryl has been an entrepreneur and investor, much of it in hospitality, food, and real estate. She is a mentor, philanthropist and trustee of charities. Her causes include ecology and zero carbon principles. An adventurous lover of life, she finds escape whenever possible in old bottles of wine.
Secretary
After a 30+ year career in banking, Anne now dedicates her focus towards charitable causes and entrepreneurship – doing well by doing good. With IWFS, she is venturing out of her world of 'dry' finance and business to indulge in one of ‘liquid’ and gastronomic delights… from leverage to beverage.
Treasurer
Omar is a wine-loving hedge fund (the good sort) manager. As an investor in a space station, he hopes to one day do the first ex-earth wine tasting. He sits on the board of Columbia University’s Economics department. The professors by sheer coincidence are also great wine drinkers. In his leisure time, between sips and family time, he voraciously reads and writes.
Membership Secretary
Elena is a lover of the ballroom dance floor but is also more than happy to waltz into a hip enoteca. Her Italian upbringing and international life experiences have given her an appreciation of the finer, simpler things on offer - like sitting in a sun-splashed piazza enjoying a glass of wine.
Wine Coordinator
Stephie is a certified Cork Dork holding a WSET L4 Diploma. Her career has included acting as a Sommelier at Michelin-starred restaurants around the UK, and as a wine buyer for corporate clients. She pours every ounce of her love of all things vini and viticulture into all of her tasting events!
Wine Writer
A former Film and TV location manager, Mikey Clark’s favourite location is now spending too much time 'turning his bottles' in his wine cellar, or ambling around trade wine tastings. Mikey holds a WSET L3 (Distinction) certificate and is a wine writer featured in jancisrobinson.com. He is Founder of the North West London tasting club WineNot? Delusional wine dreams include having a Special Cuvée named after his wine alter ego, Vin de Plume.