Danelle Kosmal will leave her role as VP of research for industry trade group the Beer Institute (BI) later this year.
Kosmal announced the move on LinkedIn over the weekend, writing:
“I’m excited to share some big upcoming changes for my family and for me professionally. My partner, Brandon Cochenour, has accepted a role with the Office of Naval Research Global in Tokyo, and we’ll be moving our family to Japan later this year!
“It is bitter-sweet to be stepping away from my position leading research at the Beer Institute. I am grateful to the BI team and to Brian Crawford’s leadership, and for the experiences I’ve gained the past 2 years in learning about a world in D.C. that is so critical to the beer industry.”
Kosmal will stay at the BI through mid-November. She plans to eventually return to bev-alc “in whatever capacity seems right for me and my family during our 2- to 3-year stay in Tokyo,” she wrote.
Kosmal joined the BI – which represents the interest of brewers, importers and beer industry suppliers – in August 2021. She landed with the trade group after a nearly seven-year stint as VP of bev-alc practice for market research firm NIQ (formerly NielsenIQ). Prior to that, she led the firm’s business with Molson Coors in Chicago.
“I’ve already had the great privilege of talking to a few of you about what potentially is next for me professionally, and how I might stay connected to this fun and dynamic industry as a consultant from Japan,” Kosmal concluded in her LinkedIn post. “I look forward to continuing those conversations and also exploring new opportunities in beverage alcohol in Tokyo. Until then, I would love to hear if any of you are in Japan, have spent time in Japan, or have recommendations or connections there! There is so much for me to learn!”
Kosmal is also a frequent speaker at beer industry events, including several appearances at Brewbound Live. Rewatch her fact-check beer business trends during her Brewbound Live 2022 appearance with NIQ’s Jon Berg and 3 Tier Beverages’ Danny Brager.