Julia Ritz Toffoli

Julia Ritz Toffoli is the founder of Women Who Whiskey, a global experimental whiskey club. Open to both amateurs and connoisseurs, Women Who Whiskey is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, educational, and, most importantly, fun environment—creating space for members to explore their love of whiskey, learning, and community, especially those who have long been left out of the traditionally male-dominated whiskey world.

Raised in Massachusetts by a French mother and an Italian father, Julia grew up surrounded by wine and aperitivi but didn’t stumble upon whiskey until college. While studying at McGill University in Montreal, she discovered Rye & Gingers—the gateway cocktail that set her down the path of whiskey appreciation. After spending three years in Rome and Madrid, she moved to New York City in 2010 to pursue a graduate degree in Human Rights Advocacy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. There, her passions for whiskey, feminism, and social justice collided, ultimately inspiring the creation of Women Who Whiskey.

By day, Julia is a behavioral scientist specializing in philanthropy, with two decades of experience in the social sector. While her work may seem worlds apart from whiskey, her expertise in behavioral science and strategic planning has been the secret ingredient in turning Women Who Whiskey from a small neighborhood club into a global women’s network and a thriving grassroots marketing and consumer events company.

She currently lives in New York City with her husband, Mike (a fellow whiskey lover who graciously tolerates her unreasonable whiskey collection!), and their two cats, Ruby and Spritz—who, regrettably, do not share her taste for a well-made Manhattan.