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Sherin and Lodgen hosts Women’s Initiative event featuring Hadley Douglas to benefit The Urban Grape Wine Studies program through Boston University

Sherin and Lodgen hosted over 60 women attorneys and professionals on April 25, 2024 for its annual Women’s Initiative event, “Doing Good Together.” The event featured a presentation by Founder and President of Drink Progressively Group, Hadley Douglas, followed by a wine tasting and reception to benefit The Urban Grape Wine Studies program through Boston University. The program provides financial support for historically under-represented students in the wine industry and the university’s wine studies program.

Jennifer Ioli Connelly, partner in the firm’s Real Estate Department and co-chair of the firm’s Women’s Initiative, welcomed guests on behalf of the Women’s Initiative. Sara Jane Shanahan, the firm’s managing partner, set the stage for Hadley Douglas to discuss her career path as a woman founder and entrepreneur in the wine and beverage industry. A wine educator then guided guests through a wine tasting featuring female-produced wines.

Hadley Douglas and her husband, TJ Douglas, are founders of the Progressive Wine Company, The Urban Grape, and The Urban Grape Wine Studies Award for Students of Color, an annual education, mentorship, and paid internship program dedicated to increasing BIPOC representation in the wine industry at Boston University.

The Urban Grape Wine Studies Award for Students of Color provides financial support for historically under-represented students in the wine industry and the Boston University wine studies program. The award provides access for two Black or brown students a year to the four-level Certificate Program in Wine Studies offered by the Elizabeth Bishop Wine Resource Center at Boston University, in a direct effort to reduce racial isolation in the wine field.

The mission of Sherin’s Women’s Initiative is to provide an internal network of support that fosters growth and achievement while connecting and learning with outside organizations that directly support women and women’s causes.

From left, Sara Jane Shanahan, Hadley Douglas, and Jennifer Ioli Connelly enjoying the networking reception following the program.