Joanne D. Smith Brings Leadership and Vision to the Court of Master Sommeliers
Santa Barbara, CA (February 25, 2025) –The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas (CMS-A) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Joanne D. Smith to its Board of Directors. Smith, who is retiring from her role as Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Delta Air Lines, will serve a three-year term from 2025 to 2027. Her extensive expertise and leadership experience will be invaluable as she contributes to the future of the sommelier profession.
Joanne Smith has been instrumental in building Delta’s unique culture of positive engagement with its more than 80,000 employees. Her role encompassed talent management and development, recruitment, HR service delivery, diversity and inclusion, and HR policies and programs. Under her leadership, Delta was recognized as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
“I am excited to join the CMS-A Board of Directors and look forward to contributing to the growth and evolution of the sommelier profession,” said Joanne Smith. “As I transition from my role at Delta, I am eager to bring my experience in fostering hospitality and building an inclusive culture to this esteemed organization.”
The CMS-A Board of Directors includes external members who are not Master Sommeliers, providing additional skills and perspectives from outside the wine industry. This diverse board structure ensures a broad range of insights and expertise, enhancing the organization’s ability to achieve its goals and uphold its standards of excellence. “Joanne’s leadership in building strong, people-focused cultures will bring valuable insight to our board,” said Michael Meagher, Chair of the CMS-A Board of Directors. “Her experience in fostering hospitality and creating welcoming environments aligns perfectly with our mission, and we look forward to her contributions to the sommelier community.”
Smith’s distinguished career in the travel industry spans over 30 years, during which she has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the 25 Power Women to Watch in Atlanta and Advertising Age’s Top 10 Women to Watch. Her leadership roles at Delta have included Senior Vice President – In-Flight Service and Vice President – Marketing, where she managed brand, marketing communications, and customer service for the airline.
In addition to her professional achievements, Joanne Smith serves on the Board of Directors for the Delta Air Lines Foundation, the Board of Trustees for Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, Georgia, and is an Advisory Board Member of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University.
About the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas
The Court was established in England in 1977 and sets the global standard of excellence for beverage service within the hospitality industry with integrity, exemplary knowledge, and humility. The first Master Sommelier Diploma Exam to be held in the United States was in 1987. The Americas chapter, which serves both North and South America, was established in 1987. Since then, 171 professionals have earned the title of Master Sommelier as part of the Americas chapter. The title Master Sommelier marks the highest recognition of wine and spirits knowledge, beverage service abilities, and professionalism in the hospitality trade. Education was then, and remains today, the Court’s charter. For more information, please visit mastersommeliers.org or contact Julie Theobald, Executive Director, Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas at jtheobald@mastersommeliers.org.
