#3 Dr. Joy Spence, The World's First Female Master Blender

In this episode, Sharmadean Reid sits down with Dr. Joy Spence, who made history in 1997 by becoming the world's first female master blender at Appleton Estate, Jamaica's oldest distillery with roots dating back to at least 1749. Dr. Spence shares her incredible journey as she defied stereotypes in a traditionally male-dominated industry as well as telling the stories of the brilliant mentors she had along the way. She shares the challenges she faced, the resilience that propelled her to the top and why she is so passionate about getting more young women into STEM careers.Want more? Executive Realness is a community as well as a podcast and you can join us for live recordings and watch the past video interviews here: https://bit.ly/MoreExecutiveRealnessAre you a woman who wants to lead? out more about The Stack community here: https://bit.ly/thestackworldJoin Club Jamaica, a network of Stack Members who are Jamaican here: https://thestack.world/club/club-jamaica-269Executive Realness is brought to you by The Stack World, a new media company for women at work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What this episode covers

In this episode, Sharmadean Reid sits down with Dr. Joy Spence, who made history in 1997 by becoming the world's first female master blender at Appleton Estate, Jamaica's oldest distillery with roots dating back to at least 1749. Dr. Spence shares her incredible journey as she defied stereotypes in a traditionally male-dominated industry as well as telling the stories of the brilliant mentors she had along the way. She shares the challenges she faced, the resilience that propelled her to the top and why she is so passionate about getting more young women into STEM careers.Want more? Executive Realness is a community as well as a podcast and you can join us for live recordings and watch the past video interviews here: https://bit.ly/MoreExecutiveRealnessAre you a woman who wants to lead? out more about The Stack community here: https://bit.ly/thestackworldJoin Club Jamaica, a network of Stack Members who are Jamaican here: https://thestack.world/club/club-jamaica-269Executive Realness is brought to you by The Stack World, a new media company for women at work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NOW PLAYING

0:00 39:47

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

“Silence Is Not an Option”

Apr 30, 2026 ·21m

The Unanswered Questions After Strikes on Iran

Apr 3, 2026 ·20m

From the Archives: Jesse Jackson on the Rise of Barack Obama

Mar 20, 2026 ·64m

The Escalating War With Iran

Mar 6, 2026 ·25m

Investigating Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

Feb 6, 2026 ·33m

Inside the Making of “2000 Meters to Andriivka”

Jan 16, 2026 ·31m

Similar Podcasts

Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch Podcast of sermons by Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, senior rabbi at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York City. Rabbi Hirsch is recognized internationally for his leadership in Jewish affairs and was named by the New York Observer among “New York’s Most Influential Religious Leaders.” The coauthor of the acclaimed One People Two Worlds: A Reform Rabbi and an Orthodox Rabbi Explore the Issues that Divide Them, he previously served as executive director of the Association of Reform Zionists of America. PDF feed of Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship PDF feed of Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship The Interpreter Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization focused on the scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price, the Bible, and the Doctrine and Covenants), early LDS history, and related subjects. All publications in its journal, Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship, are peer-reviewed and made available as free internet downloads or through at-cost print-on-demand services. Other posts on the website are not necessarily peer-reviewed, but are approved by Interpreter’s Executive Board.Our goal is to increase understanding of scripture through careful scholarly investigation and analysis of the insights provided by a wide range of ancillary disciplines, including language, history, archaeology, literature, culture, ethnohistory, art, geography, law, politics, philosophy, statistics, etc. Interpreter will also publish articles advocating the authenticity and historicity Luxury Event Planning Services Casey-D Smith Experience world-class luxury event planning services in the UAE with Gear Up Events. Our expert team specializes in creating unforgettable corporate events, product launches, executive retreats, gala dinners, and exclusive private celebrations tailored to your vision. From concept development and venue selection to logistics, entertainment, and on-site management, we handle every detail with precision and creativity. Based in Dubai, we deliver seamless, high-end experiences across the UAE, combining innovation, elegance, and flawless execution. Whether you’re hosting a high-profile corporate gathering or a prestigious private event, Gear Up Events transforms your ideas into extraordinary moments that leave a lasting impression on every guest.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information. The FRONTLINE Dispatch FRONTLINE Editor-in-Chief and Executive Producer Raney Aronson-Rath sits down with journalists and filmmakers for probing conversations about the investigative journalism that drives each FRONTLINE documentary and the stories that shape our time.This work matters. At a time when deep-dive reporting is more vital than ever, your support ensures FRONTLINE can continue to hold power accountable. Join our community of supporters here by making a contribution to keep this work going. Produced by Joel Patterson at FRONTLINE’s headquarters at GBH and powered by PRX.The FRONTLINE Dispatch is made possible by the Abrams Foundation Journalism Initiative.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Executive Realness?

This episode is 39 minutes long.

When was this Executive Realness episode published?

This episode was published on November 10, 2023.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this Executive Realness episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!