Louisville Business First Recognizes Lauren Cherry Newcomb and Sam Sorsa for Leadership Excellence
At Heaven Hill Brands, we are defined by the people who bring passion and leadership to the work we do. Today, we raise a glass to two exceptional team members whose recent honors exemplify our values in action. This Heaven Hill leadership recognition from Louisville Business First celebrates the spirit of Thriving Together and the individuals who help move our business—and our culture—forward.
Lauren Cherry Newcomb: Forty Under 40 Honoree
We’re proud to share that Lauren Cherry Newcomb, Senior Manager, Brand Public Relations, has been named one of Louisville Business First’s 2025 Forty Under 40 honorees.
Over the past decade, Lauren has been a driving force in how Heaven Hill shows up to the world—leading strategy across brand public relations, internal communications, executive visibility, public affairs, and community impact. She has guided our company through transformative growth, from navigating a leadership transition to advising on the development of Raise the Bar communications, co-launching Employee Resource Groups, and steering many of our company milestones.
In recent years, Lauren co-led our corporate brand refresh, helped launch the Spirited Neighbor platform, managed a $1 million corporate philanthropy budget, and oversaw several major industry spirits award nominations and wins, earning more than 2,500 medals and 100 prestigious accolades for our brands. Equally important, she founded The Heartstrings Project, a nonprofit supporting maternal and pediatric cardiac health inspired by her and her daughter’s heart journey. She also serves on civic boards across Louisville, including the Assumption High School Alumnae Board of Directors, American Red Cross – Louisville Area, Norton Children’s Brave Hearts Leadership Council, Speed Art Museum Corporate Council, and Norton Children’s Foundation Bourbon & Bowties Committee. A proud graduate of Leadership Louisville programs, Lauren completed Focus Louisville in 2015 and Ignite Louisville in 2023, deepening her commitment to civic engagement and cross-sector collaboration.
After graduating summa cum laude from Western Kentucky University in 2013 with a dual degree in Political Science and Advertising, Lauren joined the largest public relations firm in Kentucky, RunSwitch PR, supporting political campaigns, public affairs, non-profit communications, and consumer brand public relations. After working with clients such as Amazon, Blaze Pizza and Dare to Care, Lauren joined Heaven Hill in 2015 to initially focus on trade media relations.
“I am thrilled to see Lauren’s well-deserved recognition. She is the definition of a communications pro, and her hard work and strategic mind adds value to our brands and business every day.” —Matt Blevins, Chief Marketing Officer
The Forty Under 40 award is one of the most sought-after recognitions in our region. With more than 600 nominations and over 325 applicants submitting detailed Q&A forms, the judging process is rigorous and rooted in professional impact, community involvement, and leadership potential. Lauren’s selection reflects her influence not just inside our organization, but across the broader Louisville community.
Please click here to read the full announcement of Louisville Business First’s Forty Under 40 Honorees.
Sam Sorsa: Best in Finance Honoree
Named a 2025 Best in Finance award recipient, Sam Sorsa, Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis, has transformed how we understand and activate growth at Heaven Hill since joining us in 2024. Sam leads with strategic precision and collaborative spirit, serving as the analytical engine behind our five-year strategic roadmap. His leadership has enabled everything from real-time financial dashboards to dynamic resource planning tools, bringing clarity to complexity and empowering smarter, faster decision-making across our business.
His influence extends beyond numbers. With experience spanning General Electric, Brown-Forman, and Barrell Craft Spirits, Sam brings a global perspective rooted in pragmatic execution. He mentors future leaders, works cross-functionally to align financial strategy with brand, IT, and supply chain goals, and is a trusted advisor to our Executive Leadership Team. Off the clock, Sam and his family are committed to community service through Fleur’s Dream Homeless Outreach, exemplifying the Heaven Hill belief in Thriving Together.
“This recognition is well earned. Sam has played a critical role in positioning Heaven Hill for long-term growth, and his leadership continues to move us forward in meaningful ways. He brings a depth of insight that influences decisions at every level—and his presence is felt far beyond the finance function.” —Will Rives, Chief Financial Officer
The Louisville Business First Best in Finance Awards recognize outstanding financial professionals in the Greater Louisville area. The program honors leaders who drive impact through strategic planning, mergers & acquisitions, and financial growth—all qualities Sam demonstrates daily. His selection is a testament to both his sharp financial acumen and his collaborative leadership.
Please click here to read the full announcement of Louisville Business First’s Best in Finance honorees.
Together, Lauren and Sam’s honors reflect not only personal excellence but also the collective strength of our teams. This Heaven Hill leadership recognition from Louisville Business First reaffirms the impact of our people, our purpose, and our continued momentum as a company.