2025-2026 Charlotte Wine + Food Board
Charlotte Wine + Food is supported by an incredible group of Charlotte-area professionals, influencers and innovators that each leave an indelible mark on our organization. If you are interested in joining the CW+F board, please complete this form and submit to info@charlottewineandfood.org.
Bonnie Kelly - board chairman
Bonnie Kelly serves as Chair of Charlotte Wine + Food, where she brings energy, creativity, and a deep commitment to the community. A longtime supporter of CW+F’s mission, Bonnie blends her love of food, wine, and meaningful connection to help shape experiences that delight guests and make a lasting impact on children and families in Charlotte.
Professionally, Bonnie is the Total Rewards Leader at Culligan International, where she leads people-centered strategies that elevate both employee experience and organizational performance across a global enterprise. Whether she’s designing programs that reward talent or championing causes close to her heart, Bonnie believes in the power of connection, purpose, and making every glass poured make a difference.
When she’s not working or volunteering, you’ll likely find her exploring new restaurants, traveling with family, or raising a toast with friends.
executive committee
John Reid
SVP - Head of Community Commercial Real Estate,
Truist
Jon Perry
Executive Chairman,
Specialty Products & Insulation
Will Whitley
Founding Partner, New South Properties of the Carolinas, LLC; President & CEO, NSP, Inc
board members
Steve Balzer
Partner, Banking & Capital
Markets Tax
EY
Bill Bounds
Founder and Co-owner
Cork Vault
Cat Carter
Co-owner
L’Ostrica
Melissa Collins Brannan
Realtor ®/Broker
Cottingham Chalk
Jeff Conway
Partner/Owner
Napa at Glenwood Place, Napa at Kingsley, Napa on Providence, Napa at Stonecrest
Craig Selimotic Danforth
Vice President & Financial Advisor
Bernstein Private Wealth Management
Jim Deupree
Founder & CEO
Chapter Two
Jamie Gerrard, CPA
Member and VP Finance
Gerrard Builders, LLC
Max Krumdieck
Vice President,
Senior Financial Advisor
Merrill Lynch
Paul Kush
EVP & Chief Claims Officer
Selective Insurance
Company of America
Paul Miller
Retired Law Enforcement Executive
Jessica Murphy
Southeast Division Executive,
Wells Fargo Commercial Bank
Jim Nason
Retired Tax Partner
Deloitte
Kathryn Pearson
Realtor® / Broker, NC & SC
Cottingham Chalk
David Secrest
Managing Director
Barings
Larry Sullivan
Co-Owner
Renewal by Andersen of the Carolinas
Taryn Thompson
CFO of Global Operations &
Global Technology
Bank of America
Jim Tietjen
CFO
Arrows Capital Group
Jill Trainor
Managing Director, Head of Commercial Rates & FX Solutions
Wells Fargo
CHAIRMAN EMERITUS
Leslie Schlernitzauer
Co-Owner
Porcupine Provisions & Gathered
Phil Smith
Executive Vice President and Head of Specialized Industries
Wells Fargo
Ariail Siggins Barker
Vice President
Clearview Capital
Ali Summerville
Business Administration Executive
Ally Financial, Inc.
Staff
LAUREN DEESE, WSET II is the Executive Director of Charlotte Wine + Food (CWF). Lauren leads the organization's administration and strategy, including programming, marketing, and the execution of wine and food-focused fundraising events and auctions.
Lauren spent close to 10 years in NYC, where she started her career at Bon Appétit magazine, working in both advertiser merchandising and events. After that, she went on to produce events for many of the nation's leading culinary festivals, including The Food Network NYC Food & Wine Festival, Foxwoods Food & Wine Festival, Las Vegas Uncorked, Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, and Wine Riot, to name a few. She also spent over five years with the experiential marketing firm GMR Marketing, where she created incentive and meeting experiences for Cintas Corporation and Husqvarna, and most notably, led operations for the first-ever NFL Women's Summit at Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco.
A Charlotte, NC native, Lauren is thrilled to continue building upon the CW+F legacy, using her expertise and passion for wine and food to positively support the Charlotte community.
MAKAYLA JOHNSON is the Event Operations Manager at Charlotte Wine + Food (CWF). Makayla assists with the orchestration of various events, from managing vendors and procuring marketing materials to overseeing detailed event planning and execution. She also contributes to the success of both the online and live auction.
Makayla earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a Master of Science in Management, both from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her academic background and hospitality leadership experience equip her with the skills necessary for her role. Beyond logistics and planning, she is fueled by a passion for creativity and community engagement. She finds fulfillment in leveraging her skills to contribute meaningfully to the larger Charlotte community, making a positive impact through our events.
Makayla is thrilled to continue to support her local community through the efforts of Charlotte Wine + Food.
CHLOE HOLLAND is the Events Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Charlotte Wine + Food (CWF). In her role, Chloe drives the marketing efforts that elevate the visibility of CWF's signature events while managing ticketing and providing support for seamless event operations.
Chloe graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Business Administration, concentrating in Marketing. Her marketing experience, combined with her hospitality leadership, allows her to approach her role with a unique blend of creativity and strategic insight.
Chloe deeply loves bringing people together through shared experiences. She is excited to leverage her love for food, wine, and community in ways that create lasting connections and meaningful contributions to local causes for Charlotte Wine + Food.