After her husband’s unexpected passing in 2012, McCollum took the helm of her family-controlled beverage business and rose to become one of the first women CEOs in her industry. “Although there are more women in the wine, spirits, and beer business than ever before, the industry still needs more women, particularly in senior sales and operations management roles,” she says. “The industry as a whole would benefit by more diversity overall, as its makeup doesn’t adequately reflect the diversity of its consumers.”
2025 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? There is never a dull day in the beer and beverage alcohol business. The dynamism of the industry creates new challenges everyday–and keeps it exciting. our opportunity lies in how we respond to constantly changing consumer preferences and expanding choices. I’m most excited, though, about the people I get to work with every day as well as the partnerships we create with our suppliers and retailers. This is a relationship business, where the people you work with become like family and reputations matter.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? Although there are more women in the wine, spirits, and beer business than ever before, the industry still needs to more women, particularly in senior sales and operations management roles. The industry as a whole would benefit by more diversity overall as it’s make up doesn’t adequately reflect the diversity of its consumers.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome (excluding the pandemic) and why? The toughest challenge in my business career was leading Major Brands Premium Beverage Distributors after the passing of my husband from brain cancer. Though I had never worked at the the three generation family-owned company, I had to step in to run it. Less than one year after assuming the CEO postion, the company faced unprecedented legal and business challenges. I had to make a decision as to whether to fight for the company, it’s people and my husband’s family’s legacy or to lose it. We chose to fight and successfully survived the legal challenges and rebuilt the company. Leading this company didn’t just change my career path;it changed the trajectory of my life and that of my family’s.
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MENTORS & PEERS
To whom or where do you go for sound business advice? I go to many advisors that I’ve come to know over the years, be it former professors, lawyers, accountants and a network of women business leaders
Do you have a business mentor? If so, who and why? I’ve had many mentors over the years, and they’ve come from a number of backgrounds. The one thing they all had in common was that they were great listeners and they all were great supporters of my career.
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career? Always follow your gut and remain authentic. That advice has served me well throughout a number of challenges and over a number of years.
If you could have dinner with any two area business leaders, who would you choose and why? I would want to have dinner with Ben Poremba, founder of Bengelina Hospitality Group, and Chrissy Taylor, CEO of Enterprise Mobility. We would have such an interesting conversation about why they are committed to St. Louis, how they manage their visions with their business realities, and how they do it at different levels of scale. Ben is not from St. Louis. Chrissy is from a multi-generational family business. They both are investing in the region in distinct and unique ways. Plus, I know the food and wine will be great!
Who is the most interesting under-the-radar/emerging business leader in St. Louis and why? Lori Coulter, the founder of Summersalt, is smart, authentic, pragmatic, and authentic in all she does. She’s a strategic thinker and problem solver, who works hard, makes an impact and with seeking recognition. She’s running a great business while raising a family and meaningfully contributing to the community.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment and why? I would change our regional perspective, shifting from pessimism to optimism. We tend to perseverate over our challenges, while minimizing our potential and strengths. To quote Emily Dickinson, we need to spend more time dwelling in possibility.
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? Buffalo, NY
What was your childhood aspiration? To be a sportscaster
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? My first job was at Friendly Ice Cream while in high school. I learned the importance of customer service and camaraderie in the workplace.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? I hold a bachelor’s in economics and journalism, and an MBA from American University. I also have a JD from Washington University of St. Louis School of Law
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
If you were not in your current profession, what would you be doing and why? I would be an author writing beach-read novels that are easily adaptable into Hallmark Movies.
What is your favorite St. Louis-area restaurant, and what do you typically order there? Wright’s Tavern, the hot fudge sundae.
What is one item you recently crossed off your bucket list? Hiking in Bhutan
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? I recommend listening to the podcast Pivot to everyone. It provides news and analysis on the biggest stories in politics, tech, and business issues but with a broad perspective, including how these issues impact individuals and society as a whole.
What’s your hobby/passion? I love to sail and to participate in sailboat races.
What is your most prized possession? A signed photograph of Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame Coach Marv Levy that my son gave me for Christmas during a very challenging time.
What would people be surprised to learn about you—a fun fact? I’m a member of the Bills Mafia
What is your go-to karaoke song? “Respect”
