Alicia Towns Franken is the executive director of Wine Unify. Her work revolves around championing diversity and inclusivity in an industry that has historically lacked representation. She actively pushes for greater opportunities and recognition for underrepresented voices, recognizing that the richness of the wine world is enhanced by diverse cultures and experiences. She was previously the Wine Director at Boston's renowned Grill 23 & Bar where she built one of the city’s most respected wine programs and earned recognition from Boston Magazine, The Boston Globe, Les Dames d'Escoffier, and Wine Spectator for her outstanding contributions to the city's wine scene. In addition to her work with Wine Unify, Alicia, together with her husband Michael Franken, co-founded Towns Wine Co., which seeks to elevate the voices of underrepresented female winemakers of color by sharing their stories, talents, and regions, and reinvesting Towns Wine Co. profits back into their partner winemakers. In 2023, she received the prestigious Future 40 Taste Maker award from Wine Enthusiast. (Boston, MA) @AliciaTownsFranken