Fana Monché is a sommelier, educator, and brand strategist who believes that the most powerful and transformative conversations don’t happen in offices or boardrooms — they happen around the dinner table. With a background in policy from Georgia State University, Fana began her journey seeking to build cultural bridges through lawmaking, but quickly realized that food and wine were far more effective tools for connection, dialogue, and influence.
Drawn to the energy of these spaces, she became a sommelier not just to serve — but to listen, learn, and contribute to the conversations that shape culture. She calls wine and food “the great equalizer” — a medium through which diverse stories, histories, and identities are expressed and shared. From her beginnings on the floor in NYC to roles in wine retail and fine dining, she built a reputation for translating complex traditions into accessible experiences.
When she transitioned into brand marketing, Fana saw a new opportunity: not only to participate in the conversation, but to curate who gets to be at the table. As New York Brand Activation Manager for Nestlé Premium Waters (S.Pellegrino, Acqua Panna, Perrier), she now leads the brand’s wine program, teaching how water can elevate a dining experience and deepen the connection between guests, cuisine, and culture.

Fana continues to educate and advocate for a more inclusive wine world — including through her platform Gimme Somm — always guided by the belief that what we bring to the table matters just as much as who gets to sit at it.