Debra Meiburg  Debra Meiburg MW is an multi-media wine journalist, wine educator, wine judge and a first recipient of the Master of Wine title in Asia. She is also founding director, along with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition. Now in its 10th year, it is the largest pan-Asian wine competition. Having passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exams, Meiburg was formerly an accountant at Price Waterhouse Coopers Hong Kong. Meiburg’s career change into wine saw her focus on wine education and journalism, but she has worked in vineyards and wineries in Chile, Bordeaux, South Africa and New York. Born in Sonoma County, she is a long-time and permanent resident of Hong Kong. In 2008, Meiburg was awarded the Master of Wine qualification by the Institute of Masters of Wine in the United Kingdom. Generally regarded in the wine industry as one of the highest standards of professional knowledge, Meiburg was awarded the title following her dissertation, "Wine Education and Training in Hong Kong and China: What Are the Wine Knowledge and Education Needs of the Wine Trade?" Meiburg also has a master's degree in Hospitality and Service Management, and is a Certified Wine Educator, per the Society of Wine Educators. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Wine Sensory Assessment from the Australian Wine Research Institute, and a Higher Certificate with Distinction from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, UK.  • 7th of Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Wine by The Drinks Business • Il Premio Internazionale (Vinitaly International Award 2012)  • Decanter's list of seven names to watch in 2013  • China Power List by "WINE Magazine" 2012 • Wine Business International - Most Influential Wine Journalist in Hong Kong  • Entrepreneur of the Year, "South China Morning Post" and AmCham, Women of Influence Awards 2013 • Gente Dame d'Honneur de l'Ordre des Hospitaliers de Pomerol • "Best of the Best" Speakers' Award Young Presidents' Organization  Debra Meiburg was a Professor of Wine at the School of Hospitality and Service Management, Rochester Institute of Technology. Her current wine education positions in Hong Kong include External Examiner of the Professional Diploma in Wine Assessment and Service at the Open University of Hong Kong (traditional Chinese: 香港公開大學) and Assistant Training Consultant, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) (traditional Chinese: 香港專業教育學院).