Our Board
Equal Parts Passion and Purpose.
Meet the people helping shape the work and spirit of A Sip of Paradise Garden.
Keyatta Mincey Parker
Founder and Executive Director
Keyatta Mincey Parker is an Atlanta-based mixologist, creative director, and community builder whose work centers hospitality as a vehicle for culture, wellness, and connection. She is the Founder and Executive Director of A Sip of Paradise Garden, a nonprofit community garden and gathering space supporting hospitality professionals through access to nature, education, and restorative programming. She also serves as Chief Curating Officer of Pictures and Cocktails LLC, where she produces immersive cocktail experiences rooted in storytelling, sustainability, and sensory design.
Guided by a garden-to-glass philosophy and inspired by seasonal ingredients, global traditions, and her Liberian heritage, Keyatta collaborates with brands, chefs, and cultural institutions to create experiences grounded in care and belonging. Through her leadership at ASOP, she continues to expand pathways for community gathering, positioning hospitality as a tool for healing, creativity, and shared joy.
Alicia Marcano
Garden Director
Alicia Marcano’s path to A Sip of Paradise Garden reflects a life shaped by creativity, movement, and connection. Born and raised in Argentina, she moved to the United States at 13 and built an early career as a hairstylist and educator for major beauty brands, traveling widely while cultivating a deep appreciation for service and community. After relocating to Atlanta with her family, Alicia discovered gardening during the pandemic, transforming a moment of isolation into a new source of purpose and belonging.
As Garden Director, Alicia helps steward the garden as a space for healing, companionship, and shared learning. Her work reflects a belief that tending plants and tending people are interconnected practices, and she remains committed to nurturing an environment where hospitality workers and neighbors alike can gather, grow, and feel supported.
Tiffanie Barriere
Board Chair
Tiffanie Barriere is a globally recognized bartender, educator, author, and industry innovator widely known as “The Drinking Coach.” A Louisiana–Texas native, she is celebrated for weaving culture, history, and storytelling into hospitality experiences that feel educational, engaging, and deeply human. Tiffanie serves as U.S. Co-Chair of the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards and has received numerous industry honors recognizing her leadership, mentorship, and contributions to beverage culture.
As founder of Barriere Collective, a creative hospitality agency dedicated to cultural curation and industry education, Tiffanie bridges brands, communities, and storytelling. In her role with A Sip of Paradise Garden, she provides strategic leadership and advocacy, helping guide organizational growth while championing inclusive opportunities and visibility for hospitality professionals.
Rori Robinson
Board Member
Rori Robinson has been an active presence in Atlanta’s craft cocktail community since 2013, developing her expertise across respected hospitality groups including Concentrics Restaurants and Painted Hospitality. Her work behind the bar evolved into a broader focus on beverage education and programming, leading her to earn the Certified Specialist of Spirits designation through the Society of Wine Educators.
A founding member of A Sip of Paradise Garden, Rori has contributed to the organization’s growth through leadership in gardening and development initiatives. She currently serves as General Manager and Buyer for The Zero Co., Atlanta’s non-alcoholic bottle shop, where she leads workshops and community programming. Through ASOP, Rori combines hospitality knowledge with agricultural curiosity, supporting spaces that encourage learning, nourishment, and community connection.
Ronan Lewter
Board Member
Ronan Lewter’s background reflects a lifelong relationship with agriculture, food systems, and community nourishment. Raised in Madison, Alabama among farming and logistics influences, he spent much of his early life working alongside family in diverse growing environments across the Southeast. After relocating to Atlanta to study Economics at Agnes Scott College, Ronan built a career spanning cultivation, distribution, sales, and culinary spaces while traveling internationally to understand global food cultures.
When the opportunity emerged to support A Sip of Paradise Garden’s mission, Ronan brought his multidisciplinary experience to the organization’s growth and development. His perspective emphasizes sustainability, nourishment, and thoughtful resource stewardship, helping shape ASOP as a place where hospitality and agriculture intersect to support community wellbeing.
Tracie Franklin
Board Member
Tracie Franklin is a Washington, D.C.–based spirits educator, professional judge, and award-winning blender whose career bridges technical production and consumer storytelling. With roots in professional theatre, she brings a dynamic and accessible approach to spirits education. Tracie gained national recognition as National Ambassador for Glenfiddich before pursuing extensive production study across the United States, culminating in a Diploma in Distillation from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. She currently serves as VP of Supply and Innovation at Pronghorn Co., contributing to product development and industry advancement.
An accomplished media contributor and global speaker, Tracie is deeply committed to mentorship and education within hospitality. Through her role with ASOP, she offers strategic insight, industry leadership, and a passion for expanding representation and opportunity across beverage and hospitality communities.
Nico Julia
Board Member
Nico Julia is an Atlanta-based beverage professional, photographer, and community builder working across hospitality and creative spaces. They are the Beverage Director and operator of Sakura Sake Bar, a Japanese-inspired cocktail and sake bar centered on education, intentional consumption, and guest connection. Nico’s approach to hospitality is guided by what they describe as CMC: creating magical cocktails, creating meaningful conversation, and creating meaningful community. This philosophy shapes how they care for guests, mentor teams, and cultivate environments where people feel welcomed, comfortable, and able to connect.
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Amber Aristy
Board Member
Amber Aristy is a beverage professional whose fifteen-year hospitality career spans retail, bartending, and education, offering her a multidimensional perspective on the industry. Known for her enthusiasm and storytelling approach, Amber specializes in translating complex production concepts into accessible learning experiences. Her academic curiosity has led her to pursue advanced certifications including CSS, WSET Level 3 in Spirits, and BarSmarts Advanced.
Stephanie Saputo
Board Member
Stephanie Saputo is a hospitality professional with over a decade of experience across hotels, events, and craft beverage spaces. After attending culinary school, she relocated from Pennsylvania to Asheville, North Carolina, where she began her career at the Inn on Biltmore Estate, gaining experience across multiple front-of-house roles with a focus on bartending and private events. Her path continued through event direction in Pittsburgh before returning fully to beverage when she helped open a prohibition-style bar within Hotel Indigo, deepening her engagement with craft bartending and education.
Committed to continuous learning, Stephanie has participated in Camp Runamok, Portland Cocktail Week, and holds certifications including BarSmarts Advanced, Green Dot, and Tequila CRT. As a board member of A Sip of Paradise Garden, she contributes beverage expertise, strategic insight, and a passion for mentorship, supporting programming that prioritizes education, wellness, and community growth.