Her Story
About Mary
Mary DeRosa is a respected beverage industry leader whose career spans more than five decades, including 34 years with Allied Beverage Group. Currently serving as Vice President of Credit and Collections as well as Customer Service, after serving many years as the Director of Credit & Collections. Mary oversees a team of 35 professionals within two departments and manages critical areas including credit operations, collections, accounts receivable, financial compliance, and regulatory oversight. Her Customer Service Department, managing multiple forms of billing and coordinating with other critical departments is the gateway and many times the first impression of the large New Jersey customer base. Both departments serve as a vital link between every major function within the organization, requiring close collaboration across finance, sales, operations, and executive leadership. She also plays a key role in ensuring compliance with state alcohol beverage regulations, helping safeguard the company from costly penalties while supporting efficient business operations.
Mary's journey began in hospitality, where she worked in restaurants while attending college and steadily advanced through hotel and restaurant management roles. Following college, she remained in the industry before making a strategic transition to beverage wholesaling as a single mother seeking a career that would allow her to balance professional growth with raising her two children. Beginning in sales and training in New York, she later returned to New Jersey and steadily progressed through the ranks to become a senior leader. Throughout her career, she has successfully led major initiatives, including helping manage the company's fourth merger, which consolidated four facilities into one during a period of tremendous organizational change. Just months after the merger, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and Mary’s department remained on-site to ensure business continuity. She also spearheaded the development of the company's first online payment system for the company, a groundbreaking project that required nearly a year of planning and implementation. In 2026, Mary launched the first in NJ's online credit card portal allowing Allied Beverage Group's customers to have another means of making payments in a state regulated industry.
Beyond her operational accomplishments, Mary is widely recognized for her commitment to mentoring, leadership development, and advancing opportunities for women in the beverage industry. Long before formal mentoring programs became common, colleagues naturally sought her guidance and support, a role she embraced and continues to champion today. She is actively involved in Allied Beverage Group’s mentoring initiatives, participates in leadership programs through the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, contributes to diversity and inclusion efforts through the company’s RISE organization, and regularly speaks on panels and at industry events focused on women's leadership. As she prepares for retirement and the next chapter of her career, Mary plans to continue mentoring emerging professionals, recruiting women into the beverage industry, and partnering with educational institutions and organizations to help develop the next generation of leaders. Her enduring passion for people, leadership, and service remains the defining hallmark of her remarkable career.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mary
01What do you attribute your success to?
I've always believed that there is a reason I'm here, over and beyond being a wife and mother. While my adult children, grandchildren and husband are the reason I get up every morning and remain motivated, I have always wanted something that I could call my own and be proud of.
From a young age, I found that people naturally came to me for advice. It started as a teenager, and continued into my 20's, 30's, 40's and so on. Many times I laughed and asked others if the word information was written across my forehead because people kept seeking me out for business advice, personal advice and just a person to lean on. I realized that maybe this was my thing, that just maybe this is why I'm here; to really help others get into a better place in their life. That has become the foundation of everything I do and I still continue to lend an ear and advice to anyone who asks; family, friends and sometimes people I hardly know.
I also believe in making a presence in life. The first thing I always tell people when mentoring is to always show a presence, even if you're shy. When I walk into a room, I say hello to everybody. If it's somebody I've known for a while and haven't seen, I give them hugs. I know that giving personal space in society is a real principal of social etiquette, so I read the room first. If hugs are not acceptable, I smile and acknowledge everyone by name. People usually know when I walk through the door. I feel respected by everyone I work with and those that I come into business contact with. Although I'm part of keeping NJ state compliance first and foremost in my line of work, it is important to communicate with ease to departments that don't always know the compliance rules and make them feel comfortable while still being able to do their job.
I am moved continuously by people in my own organization who I may not deal with directly that actually know that I am someone who they can count on to help them through an issue or just guide them to be better at what they are trying to accomplish. The fact that I could influence them in some way, makes me feel accomplished. I'm not someone who needs or looks for formal awards. I'm more rewarded by just seeing other people do well and in turn it makes me feel successful.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came not from a single person, but from the many leaders, colleagues, and industry professionals who have influenced me throughout my career. Each relationship taught me something valuable about leadership, resilience, and the importance of continuous learning. One of the most meaningful lessons I learned is that success is never achieved alone it is built through collaboration, strong relationships, and a willingness to help others grow along the way. Those experiences shaped my leadership style and reinforced my belief that mentoring and supporting others is both a responsibility and one of the most rewarding aspects of a successful career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The one thing I always tell someone is to make a presence, smile and keep learning. I tell them, "be a sponge" and soak it all in. You can always learn something new, build new goals and strive for them no matter how short or long of a period of time you spend in a position or in your personal life. Always be humble and you will go further in business and more importantly in life.
That confidence and willingness to be visible and heard, and to keep learning, even when you're uncertain, is what will help you succeed in this ever evolving beverage industry.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The Alcoholic Beverage industry has changed continuously through the decades. Currently, many Gen X and Gen Z individuals do not consume the same as the previous generations before them. It is harder to sell brands that were popular a decade ago. Sales personnel must stay educated in the newer trends to keep up with other industry leaders. In New Jersey and at Allied Beverage Group, our portfolio has diversified to encompass other beverages such as Ready to Drink (RTD) canned cocktails, non-alcoholic mocktails as well as canned THC. These have all become a new and exciting way to market.
Collecting in a tougher buying market also becomes a challenge, so I believe that continuous training with our team of credit collectors must stay at the forefront to make sure that we keep the retailer as well as the company in a good place financially.
I also believe one of the industry's ongoing challenges is attracting and retaining diverse talent while ensuring future leaders are prepared to take on increasingly complex roles. I see tremendous opportunity in mentoring programs, leadership development initiatives, and expanding opportunities for everyone. Women throughout this industry continue to evolve as leaders daily, much more than when I started over 50 years ago. Then, it would have been difficult to imagine. I mean when I started in the wholesale industry, there was only 2 women including me, in a room of 200 men during Friday meetings.
I sincerely hope that I have been a small part and continue to be a part of the evolution which has made me to be proud of what I do and who I have worked for as a company who continues to be a leader in in the Alcoholic Beverage Industry.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
When it comes to my work life, I value integrity, leadership, service, mentorship, accountability, authenticity, and continuous growth. I believe strong leadership is measured not only by personal success but also by the ability to help others succeed.
In my personal life, I value honesty, a sense of humor, building values with family first and my friends, but most of all, the value of time well spent and to love unconditionally.
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