2026 Keynote Speaker: Leah Wong Ashburn, President/CEO of Highland Brewing Company

Leah Wong Ashburn is the President and CEO of Highland Brewing Company and one of the leading voices on women in business and family-business leadership in the American South. Leah leads one of the pioneering craft breweries in the South, carrying forward the legacy of her father and Highland Brewing founder, Oscar Wong. Founded in 1994 as Asheville’s first craft brewery since Prohibition, Highland remains family-owned, brews all of its beer on-site in Asheville, North Carolina, and ranks among the top 10 U.S. breweries led by women.

Leah was raised in NJ and NC, and holds a degree from UNC Chapel Hill, and was named President of Highland Brewing Company in 2015. Leah’s past and current board service includes Asheville Chamber, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, RiverLink, AB Tech Community College, UNC Board of Visitors, and the NC Craft Brewers Guild.