Light has more than two decades of experience in wine industry communications. Prior to forming Nancy Light Public Relations in 2003, she was Vice President of Public Relations for Robert Mondavi for seven years, acting as chief communications strategist and managing public relations programs for the company and its portfolio of 16 wineries and labels. Light was responsible for communications programs for the launch of ten new labels, including international joint ventures, during a period of intense growth and expansion in the US and key export markets. She also managed press activity for family and key company executives and served as spokesperson on promotional, business and industry issues. This direct experience augments the broad view of the industry that Light gained as Wine Institute Communications Director and in her previous positions as Account Supervisor for Shelly Berman Communicators, a public relations and advertising agency, and as Public Relations Manager for Kobrand Corporation in New York, where she started the company's first in-house PR department in the 1980s. Wine Institute is a public policy advocacy group representing 637 California wineries and affiliated businesses responsible for more than 80 percent of the nation's wine production and 90 percent of U.S. wine exports. Light replaces Kari Birdseye who departs the organization and plans to remain in the wine industry.
