Hospitality veterans join to lend expertise and steer industry’s association for three-year term
The Ontario chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) – Canada’s only non-profit association that funds educational programs and competitions for the country’s sommelier community – has announced its new 2026-2027 Board, elected last week at the chapter’s annual general meeting held online and at the Vintage Conservatory in Toronto.
CAPS Ontario is thrilled to welcome industry veteran, Elsa MacDonald, MW as Director, Education. Ms. MacDonald is an accomplished Master of Wine, WSET Diploma Leader at George Brown Polytechnic, wine educator, business consultant, and international wine judge that brings to bear extensive experience in wine sales, marketing, events management, educational design and delivery, and prior senior management experience with a Big 5 consulting firm.
Elsa MacDonald, MW joins the CAPS Ontario board of directors.
Current projects include Head of WSET Diploma, George Brown Polytechnic (2024-present), Wine Superintendent for Calgary Stampede Cellar Showdown Competition (2024-present), Board Member – International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (2021-present), Institute of Masters of Wine Committee Member – Study Program and Admissions, International Wine Judge – Decanter World Wine Awards/London UK and Wine Align National Wine Awards Canada/Niagara (2022-present), among others.
Thea McMillan joins the Board as Director, Membership, focusing on growing and engaging the sommelier and hospitality community, while supporting non-traditional pathways into the industry and fostering a more inclusive and connected wine culture. Ms. McMillan began her career in accounting, spending 16 years at a professional services firm before transitioning into the wine industry. Currently with That’s Life Gourmet, she focusses on a portfolio of European wine producers, with particular emphasis on Champagne and Burgundy, while pursuing her WSET Diploma at George Brown College.
Winemaker, Gianluca Di Loro joins the Board as Director, Hospitality. Following extensive studies in Italy, Mr. Di Loro was honored in 2017 with the title of Italy’s Best Wine Taster by ONAV; he then earned his WSET Diploma at IWEG Toronto in 2022.
His experience includes a research project on Champagne at the University of Reims, and expertise gleaned in various wineries across Italy, Napa Valley, Margaret River, British Columbia, and Ontario. His wines have garnered numerous accolades, including Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards and selection by the Ontario Legislative Assembly. He represents Ethica Wines in Ontario as sales manager, working closely with Noble Estate and Dandurand, and is also a member of the VQA tasting panel.
Elizabeth Davies joins the CAPS board.
The Board also welcomes Elizabeth Davies, as Secretary. Ms. Davies brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as an accomplished educator and owner of ED Wine Co. Ms. Davies first started in hospitality more than 20 years ago and is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, has her WSET Level 3 and is currently working on her Advanced Sommelier designation. She co-writes and teaches the Sommelier Program at George Brown College through the Canadian Association for Professional Sommeliers, as well as wine classes and WSET courses to the college’s Continuing Education students.
“We are thrilled with the incredible wealth of experience, skills and talent our new individuals bring to the Ontario chapter,” said Jennifer Wood, current president. “Their unique abilities and combined skills will assist us in spearheading a long-term vision, while managing the day-to-day challenges of our culturally diverse sommunity, and will continue CAPS Ontario’s growth for years to come. We welcome them warmly and thank our departing members for their invaluable contributions.”
Departing Board members are Heather McDougall, Bruce Wallner and Beibei Hou. Remaining on the 2026-7 Board for the next term are Jennifer Wood, president; Toni Davies, vice-president; Divya Steinwall, treasurer, Christian Perrault Hamel, competition/technical director; Sri Velagala, sponsorship director; Ekta Mathur, social media director; Connor Gallagher, Ottawa regional liaison; Max Irwin, web/technology director, and Susan Willemsen, communications director.
– with files from Susan Willemsen, CAPS board member and PR specialist with The Siren Group
