meet the team
Meagen Anderson
CEO & Founder
Anderson has lived a zero-proof lifestyle since 2020 and has a deep passion for elevating the category and reducing stigmas associated with the production, sales, marketing, and service of alcohol free and non-alcoholic (AFNA™) adult beverages. Anderson holds an MBA in Sustainable Business, and is 20-year CPG industry veteran, with a commercial portfolio that includes a national beer education role with the Boston Beer Company, as well as global hops sales management roles with Kalsec and NZ Hops Ltd. Anderson is currently the Director of Global Sales for Sustainable Beverage Technologies which focuses on cutting-edge technologies in beer, wine, and cannabis beverage application. Outside of a love for training and education, Anderson has consulted for breweries, hemp and cannabis beverage producers, and commercial hop startups. Anderson is also a Certified Cicerone®, Certified BJCP judge, and has completed over 140 hours of in-person beer sensory training with the esteemed Dr. Bill Simpson.
Leigh Gall
Co-Founder, Cannabis Beverage Certified™
Leigh Gall (she/her) is an energetic sales executive with 20 years’ experience. blazing a trail at the Boston Beer Company. After leaving Boston Beer, Leigh went on to a role as community marketing manager for RaceTrac Petroleum. Most recently she held the title of vice president of sales at TUPPS Brewery, overseeing multiple states, a sales team, and national accounts, while working alongside production and marketing.
Leigh now leads Happi THC seltzer as vice president of sales, working with distributors and retailers nationwide. Leigh has a passion for growing education and awareness for this quickly growing category, inspiring her to co-create this exam and collaborate with many industry experts in the cannabis beverage industry . By helping to normalize and de-stigmatize cannabis for consumers and businesses, she hopes that both can mutually benefit from what cannabis has to offer.
about us
We are here to serve the non-alcoholic and alcohol free adult beverage professionals and enthusiasts, to support a movement of adult beverage seekers that want flavorful alternatives and great drinking experiences. We also view non-alcoholic and alcohol free beverages as socially sustainable, and a portion of all AFNA Beer Certified™ exam proceeds supports Transcending Trauma, a movement focused on helping others in need of relief from trauma, stress, and burnout in the alcoholic beverage industry.
To us, the AFICIONADO™ Certification Program isn't just a great business idea - this program is our chance to support a category that has made a big impact on our lives. Being able to share a drink with friends means a lot to us, and we know we're not alone in that. Everyone, all of us, have a story to share and supporting those sharing moments is core to what we want to accomplish with AFICIONADO™.
Katie Nasiatka
Technical Director of Beer
10 years technical experience in the beverage and hop industries with academic research efforts focused on hops chemistry with an emphasis on associated environmental impacts (e.g., smoke taint) and how it effects final sensory outputs. Nasiatka holds a Bachelors in Biochemistry from University of Colorado, Boulder and recently graduated with a Masters of Science in Horticulture from Colorado State University. Nasiatka worked for Odell Brewing Company for nearly a decade as part of the Quality Team focusing on micro analysis, in-house yeast propagation and management, sensory analysis, and raw materials quality. Nasiatka is passionate about the science important to creating quality non-alcoholic adult beverages.
Breanna Neff, CFS, PCQI
Technical Director of Cannabis Beverage
A Cornell University alumna with a B.S. in Food Science & Technology, Business, Nutrition and Health, Breanna is a visionary Certified Food Scientist. Her journey includes pivotal roles at industry giants like Danone, Dannon, Evian, and Hydrant, where she honed her skills as a product developer, R&D engineer, and FDA compliance specialist.
Now, fueled by a passion for cannabis, homeopathic remedies, and functional ingredients, Breanna has birthed brelixi. This innovative venture offers meticulously crafted, ready-to-mix drink blends that reimagine how we engage with cannabis. Brelixi not only reflects Breanna's academic prowess and industry experience but also showcases her aim to destigmatize cannabis culture and elevate the user experience.
Relying on her scientific expertise, along with her profound drive for culinary innovation and holistic wellness, Breanna is setting new standards in the dynamic landscape of cannabis-infused consumables.
Claire Morelli
Designer
Born and bred in France, no wonder Morelli is such a food and drink lover. Based in Amsterdam, with over 15 years graphic design experience and specialized in branding and packaging, she has worked in some of the most recognized agencies in Netherlands for international big brands.
Since 2013, she is enjoying her solo career, collaborating with like-minded entrepreneurs on products and matters she cares for.
You can see her work on: clairemdesign.com
meet the advisors
