Glenna Joyce-Welsko
Last Revised: Aug 21st, 2025
Professional Biography
Glenna Joyce-Welsko is the first Head Distiller at the University of Kentucky’s James B. Beam Institute, where she oversees all aspects of spirit production. With a background in biochemistry from Skidmore College, her distilling journey began at Upstate Distilling Company, where she gained hands-on experience in every facet of small-scale spirit production. She later earned her master’s in Food Science and took Distillation, Wine, and Brewing Studies (DWBS) certificate classes from UK. As the former education coordinator at the Beam Institute, she led the state-accredited Whiskey Apprenticeship Program in partnership with Suntory Global Spirits. Joyce-Welsko now combines her passion for craft, education, and innovation to guide research and inspire the next generation of distillers.
