Lydia has a Sommelier Certification from the Sommelier Society of America, and is currently pursuing her WSET Level 4 Diploma. Originally from Panama, she has worked in various areas of the wine industry, including retail, marketing, PR and events. In 2017, she founded her private wine education and consulting company, Vino Concierge. Lydia also co-founded Hispanics in Wine, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying Hispanic / Latinx roots in the beverage and hospitality industries. Her expertise is frequently featured in renowned national, and international wine trade and consumer-oriented publications. In 2021, Lydia was included in the renowned 40 under 40 Tastemaker’s List by Wine Enthusiast, Wine Business Monthly’s Wine Industry Leaders, and Imbibe’s 75 People to Watch. A proud Afro-Latina living and working in the United States, she is passionate about inspiring and mentoring the next generation of BIPOC, Hispanic and Latinx interested in working in the wine industry.