Our Vision
Mindful Drinking Fest wants to foster a world of mindful drinkers by creating the largest mindful drinking event in America. As a company, we are dedicated to upholding the values of mindful consumption, inclusivity, sustainability, and social wellness.
We are gathering conscious consumers to experience the world of mindful drinking while connecting them with like-minded people as they enjoy the best non-alcoholic drinks in the world.
Derek Brown
Event Director
Derek Brown is an author, NASM-certified wellness coach, and founder of Positive Damage, Inc. Previously, Brown owned Spirited Awards 2017 “Best American Cocktail Bar” Columbia Room in Washington, D.C., and was one of the nation’s top bartenders.
Brown published his first book, Spirits, Sugar, Water, Bitters: How the Cocktail Conquered the World in 2019, and was named 2020 “Author of the Year” at the Nightclub & Bar Show Awards. He published his second book, Mindful Mixology: a Comprehensive Guide to No- and Low-Alcohol Cocktails in 2022.
Brown has been recognized as a leading beverage figure affecting positive change in the global bar industry by Drinks International in 2020 in their “Bar World 100” list and as “one of the most inspirational people and places that will shape how we drink in 2023” in Imbibe magazine’s “Imbibe 75” for 2023.
Maria Bastasch
Creative Director + Venue Coordinator
Maria Bastasch is the owner of Disco Mary, an experiential pop-up art space located in Union Market D.C. She is also the creative director for the award-winning Drink Company and former director of operations at Maydan and Compass Rose. Bastasch has bean featured in Food & Wine, Washington Post, Thrillist, Eater DC, District Fray, and Vinepair for her unique take on food, beverage, and gathering.
About AnBA
The Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association advocates and supports members in creating a world where everyone has access to adult non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy in every social situation.
ANBA’s mission is to promote, protect, and grow the adult non-alcoholic beverage industry with a unifying voice that serves its members from production to marketplace.
Marcos Salazar
CEO ANBA
Marcos Salazar is the CEO of Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA) supports its members in creating a world where everyone has access to adult non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy in every social situation. The mission of ANBA is to promote, protect, and grow the adult non-alcoholic beverage industry with a unifying voice that serves its members from production to marketplace. In addition to ANBA, he is the Co-Founder + CEO of Be Social Change, a social impact community providing expert professional development, networking, and coaching to help professionals around the world grow successful social impact careers.
Pauline Idogho
Pauline Idogho is the Founder/CEO of Mocktail Club, a line of premium
crafted ready-to-drink non-alcoholic cocktails inspired by her quest to
find sophisticated and better-for-you alternatives to alcohol. Prior to
founding the company, Pauline had a 15-year career in investment
banking, international development and clean energy finance.
Companies she has worked for include the International Finance
Corporation (the private arm of the World Bank). She has lived, worked
and traveled around Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, which
helped to inspire the rich and sophisticated flavor profiles of the
Mocktail Club line. One percent of Mocktail Club’s sales go to support
clean water access globally through the organization Water for People.
Pauline is a board member for Water for People. Pauline is also the
Treasurer and head of the Finance Committee of the Adult Non-
Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA).
Pauline is originally from Nigeria and moved to the UK when she was
younger. She holds a Bachelors in Economics from Howard University
and MBA in Finance from The Wharton School of Business at the
University of Pennsylvania.
Anika Sawni
Anika Sawni, founder of Grüvi and Chief Brand Officer, started Grüvi in 2019 along with her brother Niki Sawni. Today, Grüvi is the only company in North America to offer a multi-award-winning line of non-alc social beverages including beer, wine and sangria.
A sought after thought leader in the space, Anika was named to Forbes Top 30 Under 30 List and the company was recently named as EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 Finalist.
In just under five years, Anika has co-led Grüvi to be one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic brands in North America, with products available in 4000+ retail outlets and on-line. Credited as trailblazers in the non-alcoholic beverage space, the team at Grüvi continue to challenge the status quo, filling the void of appealing beverage options available for sober curious consumers.
It’s Anika’s mission to leverage her experience in branding , community and experiential marketing to create a unique product that helps embrace the joy of celebratory moments by offering bevs that always deliver on taste, variety and are broadly accessible and highly desirable.
Anika is proud to be a founding member of the Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA). As Chair of Events, she is leading industry events and initiatives geared to unite peer retailers and eager consumers. With a personal commitment to maintaining balance in her personal life, coupled with a more formal background in Neuroscience from her studies at McGill University, she also draws on her own experience with the benefits of changing consumption habits to benefit overall health and well-being.