Inc. Names Jennifer Stiefel to Its 2025 Female Founders 500 List
Jennifer Stiefel, Co-Founder and President of Heritage Distilling (Nasdaq: CASK), has been named to Inc.'s 2025 Female Founders 500 list. The prestigious list recognizes top female business leaders who collectively generated approximately $9 billion in 2024 revenue and $10.6 billion in funding.
Stiefel has led Heritage Distilling since 2011, transforming it into one of North America's most awarded craft distilleries. Under her leadership, the company expanded through the Tribal Beverage Network (TBN), partnering with Native American tribes for distilling enterprises. Her background includes experience with the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and education sector.
The selection process involved multiple rounds of judging, evaluating metrics such as revenue, sales growth, funding, and social impact. The recognition highlights Stiefel's role in brand preservation, enhancing consumer experiences, and building community relationships.
Jennifer Stiefel, co-fondatrice e presidente di Heritage Distilling (Nasdaq: CASK), è stata inserita nella lista delle 500 fondatrici donne di Inc. per il 2025. Questo prestigioso elenco riconosce le migliori leader imprenditoriali donne che hanno generato collettivamente circa 9 miliardi di dollari di fatturato nel 2024 e 10,6 miliardi di dollari in finanziamenti.
Stiefel guida Heritage Distilling dal 2011, trasformandola in una delle distillerie artigianali più premiate del Nord America. Sotto la sua guida, l'azienda si è espansa attraverso il Tribal Beverage Network (TBN), collaborando con tribù dei nativi americani per imprese di distillazione. Il suo background include esperienze con il Comitato per le Appropriazioni del Senato degli Stati Uniti e nel settore dell'istruzione.
Il processo di selezione ha coinvolto più turni di giudizio, valutando metriche come fatturato, crescita delle vendite, finanziamenti e impatto sociale. Questo riconoscimento evidenzia il ruolo di Stiefel nella preservazione del marchio, nel miglioramento delle esperienze dei consumatori e nella costruzione di relazioni comunitarie.
Jennifer Stiefel, cofundadora y presidenta de Heritage Distilling (Nasdaq: CASK), ha sido nombrada en la lista de las 500 fundadoras de Inc. para 2025. Esta prestigiosa lista reconoce a las principales líderes empresariales femeninas que generaron colectivamente aproximadamente 9 mil millones de dólares en ingresos en 2024 y 10.6 mil millones de dólares en financiamiento.
Stiefel ha dirigido Heritage Distilling desde 2011, transformándola en una de las destilerías artesanales más premiadas de América del Norte. Bajo su liderazgo, la empresa se expandió a través de la Tribal Beverage Network (TBN), asociándose con tribus nativas americanas para empresas de destilación. Su experiencia incluye trabajo con el Comité de Apropiaciones del Senado de EE. UU. y en el sector educativo.
El proceso de selección involucró múltiples rondas de evaluación, analizando métricas como ingresos, crecimiento de ventas, financiamiento e impacto social. Este reconocimiento resalta el papel de Stiefel en la preservación de la marca, mejorando las experiencias del consumidor y construyendo relaciones comunitarias.
제니퍼 스티펠, 헤리티지 증류소(Nasdaq: CASK)의 공동 창립자이자 사장, Inc.의 2025 여성 창립자 500 리스트에 이름을 올렸습니다. 이 권위 있는 리스트는 2024년 약 90억 달러의 수익과 106억 달러의 자금을 공동으로 창출한 최고의 여성 비즈니스 리더를 인정합니다.
스티펠은 2011년부터 헤리티지 증류소를 이끌어오며 북미에서 가장 많은 상을 수상한 수제 증류소 중 하나로 발전시켰습니다. 그녀의 리더십 아래, 회사는 트라이벌 음료 네트워크(TBN)를 통해 확장하며 원주율 부족과 협력하여 증류 사업을 진행하고 있습니다. 그녀의 경력에는 미국 상원 세출위원회와 교육 분야에서의 경험이 포함됩니다.
선정 과정은 여러 차례의 심사를 포함하여 수익, 매출 성장, 자금 조달 및 사회적 영향과 같은 지표를 평가했습니다. 이 인식은 브랜드 보존, 소비자 경험 향상 및 지역 사회 관계 구축에서 스티펠의 역할을 강조합니다.
Jennifer Stiefel, cofondatrice et présidente de Heritage Distilling (Nasdaq: CASK), a été nommée dans la liste des 500 femmes fondatrices d'Inc. pour 2025. Cette liste prestigieuse reconnaît les meilleures dirigeantes d'entreprise qui ont généré collectivement environ 9 milliards de dollars de chiffre d'affaires en 2024 et 10,6 milliards de dollars de financement.
Stiefel dirige Heritage Distilling depuis 2011, la transformant en l'une des distilleries artisanales les plus récompensées d'Amérique du Nord. Sous sa direction, l'entreprise s'est développée grâce au Tribal Beverage Network (TBN), en s'associant avec des tribus amérindiennes pour des entreprises de distillation. Son parcours comprend une expérience avec le Comité des appropriations du Sénat américain et dans le secteur de l'éducation.
Le processus de sélection a impliqué plusieurs tours de jugement, évaluant des indicateurs tels que le chiffre d'affaires, la croissance des ventes, le financement et l'impact social. Cette reconnaissance met en lumière le rôle de Stiefel dans la préservation de la marque, l'amélioration des expériences des consommateurs et la construction de relations communautaires.
Jennifer Stiefel, Mitbegründerin und Präsidentin von Heritage Distilling (Nasdaq: CASK), wurde in die 2025 Female Founders 500 Liste von Inc. aufgenommen. Diese angesehene Liste erkennt die besten weiblichen Führungskräfte an, die gemeinsam etwa 9 Milliarden Dollar Umsatz im Jahr 2024 und 10,6 Milliarden Dollar an Finanzierung generiert haben.
Stiefel leitet Heritage Distilling seit 2011 und hat das Unternehmen in eine der am meisten ausgezeichneten Craft-Distillerien Nordamerikas verwandelt. Unter ihrer Führung expandierte das Unternehmen über das Tribal Beverage Network (TBN) und ging Partnerschaften mit amerikanischen Ureinwohnern für Destillationsunternehmen ein. Ihr Hintergrund umfasst Erfahrungen im Haushaltsausschuss des US-Senats und im Bildungssektor.
Der Auswahlprozess umfasste mehrere Bewertungsrunden, in denen Kennzahlen wie Umsatz, Umsatzwachstum, Finanzierung und soziale Auswirkungen bewertet wurden. Die Auszeichnung hebt Stiefels Rolle bei der Markenbewahrung, der Verbesserung der Verbrauchererfahrungen und dem Aufbau von Gemeinschaftsbeziehungen hervor.
- Recognition in Inc.'s Female Founders 500 list enhances company visibility and credibility
- Successful expansion through Tribal Beverage Network demonstrates strategic growth
- Status as one of North America's most awarded craft distilleries indicates product quality
- None.
Inc.’s eighth annual Female Founders list highlights the nation’s top business leaders who challenge the status quo to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems
GIG HARBOR, Wash., March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, today announced its eighth annual Female Founders list, honoring a bold group of 500 women whose innovations and ideas are leading their industries forward. These resilient entrepreneurs expressed grit and drive to collectively attract approximately
Each year, Inc. editors review thousands of applications highlighting female founders who are challenging the status quo and tackling some of the world’s biggest problems, and cull applicants through three rounds of judging, looking specifically at an entrepreneur’s bona fides in the past year. Criteria include quantifiable metrics such as revenue, sales, revenue growth, funding, and audience size. Inc. also looks for qualitative metrics including social media momentum and stories of impact.
Honoree selection is also honed through the evaluation of the program’s advisory board: Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary; Dany Garcia, founder, CEO, and chairperson of the Garcia Companies; Pinky Cole Hayes, founder and CEO of Slutty Vegan; Anu Duggal, founding partner at Female Founders Fund; Katherine Power, serial entrepreneur and partner at Greycroft; Tiffany Dufu, president of the Tory Burch Foundation and founder of the Cru; and Kay Koplovitz, co-founder and chair at Springboard Enterprises, founder of USA Network.
“I am honored to be acknowledged among such incredible women on the Female Founders 2025 list,” says Jennifer Stiefel, Co-Founder and President of Heritage Distilling. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our entire team; building Heritage Distilling has been a journey of passion, perseverance, and community for everyone involved. I hope to continue inspiring others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and create businesses and experiences that have a lasting impact on the communities around us.”
The founders cross all industries and bring with them unique stories of success from each stage of the entrepreneurial journey — from startup to going public, being acquired by big buyers, or spending decades at the helm of an organization.
Mrs. Jennifer Stiefel is a co-founder of Heritage Distilling (Nasdaq: CASK), a company she has led as President since 2011, shaping it into one of the most awarded craft distilleries in North America. Under her leadership, Heritage has expanded its reach through the Tribal Beverage Network (TBN), which partners with Native American tribes to develop distilling enterprises. She has been instrumental in brand preservation, enhancing consumer experiences, and building strong community ties.
Her background includes serving as a staff assistant for the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and teaching in Fairfax County Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Idaho and a Master’s in Instructional Education from Central Michigan University. In addition to her corporate leadership, she serves as a director for multiple nonprofit organizations and is an active voice honoring those in military service, both past and present.
Heritage Distilling was founded on a simple idea: to create better whiskey. Today, it has grown into a leader in the craft spirits industry, known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and community engagement. As president, Mrs. Stiefel oversees operations, retail strategy, and nonprofit partnerships while remaining deeply involved in product development. Recognized for her ability to balance a demanding career with family life, she prioritizes personal well-being and self-care, believing that strong leadership starts with a strong foundation. Her dedication to excellence and entrepreneurship has earned her a place on the Female Founders 2025 list, celebrating her impact on the spirits industry and beyond.
"Female founders know what struggle is, but they’re also experts of improvisation, adaptability, and creativity. The women featured on this year’s list exemplify these qualities. Through times of uncertainty, their unwavering dedication and steadfast leadership are not only inspiring but vital to driving progress," said Inc. executive editor Diana Ransom.
Several honorees will be featured in Inc. magazine’s Female Founders issue, on newsstands March 18, 2025. To see the complete list of honorees, please visit: https://www.inc.com/female-founders
About Inc.
Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
About Heritage Distilling Company, Inc.
Heritage is among the premier independent craft distilleries in the United States offering a variety of whiskeys, vodkas, gins, rums and ready-to-drink canned cocktails. Heritage has been North America's most awarded craft distillery by the American Distilling Institute for ten consecutive years out of the more than 2,600 craft producers. Beyond this remarkable achievement, Heritage has also garnered numerous Best of Class, Double Gold, and Gold medals at esteemed national and international spirits competitions. As one of the largest craft spirits producers on the West Coast by revenue, the company is expanding its presence nationwide through a diverse range of sales channels, including wholesale, on-premises venues, e-commerce and the innovative Tribal Beverage Network (TBN). The TBN initiative, a groundbreaking collaboration with Native American tribes, focuses on developing Heritage-branded distilleries, unique tribal brands and tasting rooms tailored to tribal communities. By serving patrons of tribal casinos and entertainment venues, the TBN creates meaningful economic and social benefits for participating tribes, while providing an additional avenue for tribes to exercise and strengthen their sovereignty. This unique partnership reflects Heritage’s commitment to innovation, community engagement and sustainable growth.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as "aims," "anticipates," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "goal," "intends," "may," "plans," "possible," "potential," "seeks," "will," and variations of these words or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any such statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding anticipated results or benefits anticipated from awards or accolades received for Heritage’s products and the implications that may come from it.
Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on Heritage’s current expectations, estimates and projections only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks of slowing growth for its online eCommerce sales, interruptions in that market segment, or the availability and pricing of bulk bourbon for its products. These and other risks concerning Heritage’s programs and operations are described in additional detail in its registration statement on Form S-1, and its quarterly 10-Q filings, which are on file with the SEC. Heritage explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law.
Investor Contact
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