Director of Property Management & Business Development, Lotus Property Management

Lana Toler

Bio

As a New Mexico native and a Colorado State Graduate, Lana Toler has immersed herself in the spirits category for the last 20 years, not only as a career but as a passion. She developed her love for bourbon in her earlier years at Beam Suntory, where she led the flavored innovation team and learned to appreciate all spirit categories. In her early roles, she not only learned but also dedicated herself to understanding how sensory and human experience can change a consumer’s perception and loyalty. She has traveled the world learning and tasting spirits and sharing the joy that each scientist, production, and marketing team member contributes to building brands.

Her passion for R&D, as well as marketing and innovation, has guided her path from liquid development to global innovation to packaging innovation, and now to a combination of both innovation and marketing, using packaging as a key tool to enhance brands. Innovation comes from all categories, and she excels at connecting the dots from Innovation to Production-Viable concepts. In her current role, Lana’s goals are to share her learnings in the spirits category with clients to deliver the most brand-representative, outstanding, and consumer-engaging packaging possible.

Lana is a big proponent of bringing innovation to all aspects of the spirit categories. She has always been an active member in various groups related to food and beverage, spirits, and packaging, and she can definitely be spotted at a variety of trade shows across the world, gathering inspiration to share with her clients. She is currently an active member with Bourbon Women, in Louisville, Kentucky, and Women of the Vine & Spirits

(WOTVS). She manages to connect with people everywhere she goes and is no stranger to getting very engaged in what is happening! Mentors and relationships are important in the world of spirits, and Lana is an advocate for mentorship and growth for women in all sectors in this category.

Lana brings innovative solutions, connects brand and consumer experiences, and shares her enthusiasm and passion for spirits in every project and professional relationship.

Strategic Innovation & Business Development Leader

Visionary leader with 20+ years of experience driving global strategy, product innovation, and marketing in the spirits, beverage, and consumer packaged goods industries. Proven expertise in developing growth strategies, building innovation pipelines, and forging global partnerships that translate consumer insights into successful products and experiences. Recognized for delivering transformative packaging and product solutions, advancing sustainability initiatives, and leading high-impact cross-functional teams that accelerate market growth.

Professional Experience

SigmaQ – Louisville, KY

Director, Global Business Development | Mar 2024 – Jun 2025
Led global business development and marketing strategy for spirits and consumer-facing packaging, driving growth through innovation and client partnerships.

Designed and executed Americas spirits packaging sales strategy, building relationships with top-tier clients and expanding into mid-market opportunities.
Guided clients in aligning packaging innovation with brand strategy, consumer insights, sustainability goals, and cost/feasibility parameters.
Streamlined RFP processes by aligning sustainability, procurement, and finance teams for faster, more competitive client responses.
Forged partnerships with adjacent suppliers (bottles, closures, labels) to deliver end-to-end packaging solutions.
Directed marketing initiatives for three businesses (SigmaQ Spirits Packaging, Chippenhook, Bufkor), including digital content, trade show strategy, and brand positioning.
Leveraged analytics to increase digital visibility, expanding client reach and outperforming competitors online.

The Spearhead Group – Louisville, KY

Marketing & Innovation Manager | May 2019 – Dec 2023
Partnered with global spirits leaders (Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Pronghorn brands) to deliver innovative, sustainable packaging and drive new business opportunities.

Served as primary client lead for innovation projects, delivering solutions that merged consumer trends, brand identity, and sustainability.
Co-developed two new innovation centers that doubled client purchase orders year-over-year.
Advanced sustainability commitments by integrating new materials, near-sourcing, and automation solutions into packaging strategies.
Expanded supplier partnerships across the Preferred Global Supplier Network, fueling pipeline development.
Elevated brand presence through multi-channel marketing campaigns; doubled LinkedIn followers in one year and expanded digital audience reach.

Art Eatables – Louisville, KY

Operations Manager (Consultant) | Oct 2017 – May 2019
Advised on strategic growth, manufacturing efficiency, and retail expansion for a multi-location chocolatier. Implemented Lean/5S principles and developed standardized processes for production, packaging, and inventory.

Bartesian – Louisville, KY

Commercialization Project Manager (Consultant) | Jan 2018 – Oct 2018
Directed commercialization efforts for a cocktail capsule start-up, overseeing co-manufacturer scale-up, procurement, and technical team build-out.

Built and led a new food scientist team; established multi-year cocktail innovation strategy.
Designed and implemented procurement, quality, and inventory processes to support scale-up.

Beam Suntory – Clermont, KY

Global R&D Senior Manager, New Business & Innovation Platforms | 2015 – 2017
Strategic innovation lead for global R&D, spearheading partnerships, packaging innovation, and global collaboration.

Created global partnerships and evaluated entrepreneurial ventures to expand innovation pipeline.
Established supplier innovation process and metrics, aligning technical concepts with business strategy.
Directed Beam’s Global Innovation Center (1,000+ guests annually) as a strategic hub to influence clients, partners, and internal stakeholders.
Designed immersive experiences to connect brand storytelling with consumer trends, science, and sustainability.

Global R&D Senior Manager, Flavored Blends – Liquid R&D | 2011 – 2015

Built global process linking R&D, Consumer Insights, and Marketing, accelerating consumer-driven flavor innovation.
Drove development for major flavored spirit launches (SkinnyGirl, Pinnacle Vodka, Cruzan Rum, DeKuyper, Knob Creek Smoked Maple, RTDs).
Delivered 20+ product launches annually through cross-functional collaboration with marketing and sales.

Group Lead, Cordials & Experimental Formats – Liquid R&D | 2009 – 2011

Directed pipeline development for DeKuyper, Cruzan, and emerging RTD innovations.
Oversaw flavor production transfer of 200+ formulas across manufacturing sites.

Food Scientist Roles – Liquid R&D | 2001 – 2009

Advanced from Assistant Scientist to Senior Scientist leading R&D for cordials, rums, vodkas, and experimental formats.
Built foundation in flavor development, process scale-up, and innovation pipeline management.

Education

Master of Science, Food Science – Colorado State University
Bachelor of Science, Food Science & Technology – Colorado State University

Professional Development

Fundamentals of Marketing: Your Action Plan for Success – American Management Association
Ongoing coursework in Innovation, Strategic Leadership, and Marketing Analytics