Wine Industry Advisor has expanded its Wine’s Most Inspiring People (MIP) articles into a monthly series. We will be profiling individuals from within our industry who showcase leadership, innovation, determination and inspiration — both within the industry and in society at-large. If you would like to nominate someone for MIP consideration, fill out the form here.
By Kathleen Willcox
Technically, executives in any company’s human resources department deal with the hiring, training and management of personnel. In reality, these leaders often help set the tone for company culture and can make or break entire careers by providing opportunities and support at just the right moment. (Or failing to).
Julie Secviar
Julie Secviar joined Napa’s Far Niente Wine Estates (FNWE) in 2021 as vice president and went about formalizing and cementing FNWE’s core values — then ensuring they became enmeshed in the company culture. She also brought her own ideas for creating a just and equitable future into FNWE’s C-suite.
Secviar has spent 30+ years working in human resources, including her previous role as global head of human resources for Chef Thomas Keller and his entities. But the foundational elements of the exacting values she brings to the job were laid down in her childhood.
“I grew up outside of Chicago in a large Catholic family: five girls and one boy,” she recalls. “We had a very modest upbringing, and I was raised in a two-parent working household, which was unusual in the 1960s.”
Secviar’s mother instilled a love of adventure in her children and today, Secviar credits her love of a diverse range of food and culture to childhood travel and her mother’s spirit of generosity and fun.
A Life Changing Role
While her free-wheeling-with-serious-structure childhood contributed to a deep well of empathy, Secviar credits her work in human resources at a large acute care teaching institution with her understanding of how a company’s approach to wellness and work-life balance can impact its bottom line.
“I have a deep belief that we are all people with unique needs and challenges,” Secviar says. “When we support mental clarity, physical safety, financial prowess and social connection, we empower individuals to become their best, most engaged selves.”
Formalizing a Culture of Equity
To help FNWE employees become their best selves, Secviar knew they’d need to work in a healthy environment and have opportunities to pursue educational and recreational opportunities that would nourish their bodies and minds.
She introduced English as a Second Language classes for staff and created a company-wide holistic health initiative that she dubbed “The Blue Zone” program. In addition to going smoke free, offering culinary gardens and mobile health clinics, Secviar provided opportunities for flexible work schedules for organization’s team of 211 employees.
“I strive to not be one-dimensional — and to have a culture that represents the same,” Secviar says. “We all work long hours, but what really matters is the fulfillment we gain from the work we do. As a culture keeper and leader, I recognize that my actions are representative of the culture we wish to create.”
Developing Next Leaders
Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, Secviar is most excited to see what develops in the Emerging Leaders professional development program she spearheaded. The training program provides employees who are eager to grow and be mentored a chance to acquire valuable skills through a 13-month-long training program. Along the same line, Secviar also created a Roots Fund scholarship program to support BIPOC individuals who want to explore viticulture.
“We are now in our second year of Emerging Leaders, and it keeps getting better,” Secviar says. “We provide ongoing education to individuals who show potential for future leadership in the form of bi-weekly classes that focus on all operational areas, including the skills of managing others.”
FNWE’s potential for a range of robust employee-driven programs was already in place when Secviar arrived. But it needed her organizational acumen and empathetic vision to make them efficient and successful.
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Kathleen Willcox
Kathleen Willcox writes about wine, food and culture from her home in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. She is keenly interested in sustainability issues, and the business of making ethical drinks and food. Her work appears regularly in Wine Searcher, Wine Enthusiast, Liquor.com and many other publications. Kathleen also co-authored a book called Hudson Valley Wine: A History of Taste & Terroir, which was published in 2017. Follow her wine explorations on Instagram at @kathleenwillcox