Felicia Prater

Felicia Prater is founder of The Urban Taste, an educational wine forum and tasting organization focused on exposing diverse groups and minority consumers to the world of wine and wine entities. Based out of Kentucky, Felicia discovered the program at Sonoma State University as way to amplify her impact and expertise in wine business. She also works at Baker-Bird Winery as a Key Accounts Festival Manager and at Dalsey Hillblom Lynn, logistics and supply chain, as an Operations Trainer.

Before enrolling in the Sonoma Executive Wine MBA in 2016, Felicia wanted to rebrand The Urban Taste and her personal brand, "The First Lady of Wine." She was ecstatic to discover that Sonoma State University and the Wine Business Institute offers an executive master's program focused on the business of wine. For the past year, Prater has been commuting between Kentucky and California to attend courses.

"The flexible alternating Friday/Saturday schedule allows professionals and executives like Felicia to obtain their master's while working full-time. The program is designed to teach a set of leadership, communication, and analytical skills students can apply in their jobs and wine businesses right away," John Stayton, Executive Director of the Graduate & Executive Programs at Sonoma State University said.

"I've been able to apply what I learned in the program immediately to The Urban Taste and a new wine app that I'm developing for wine enthusiasts. The connections and resources I have gained in the Sonoma Executive Wine MBA program has supported my journey with my business and personal goals," Felicia Prater, Sonoma Executive Wine MBA student and Founder of The Urban Taste said.

"The program is designed to elevate all students to their highest potential and our administrators make sure we have every tool and resource we need to succeed. The greatest take-away from the program has been the connections I've made with my classmates as well as guest speakers from the industry." With this new network, job prospects for Felicia are abundant.

For more information about the Sonoma Executive Wine MBA program and other Sonoma MBA programs, visit sbe.sonoma.edu/mba.