The virtual conference by the U.S. chapter of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance continues this week by gathering female entrepreneurs to talk about sustainability.
BY KATRINA YENTCH
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
As the International Women’s Coffee Alliance continues to grow its presence, it wants to extend the conversation of female leadership even further. That’s why the U.S. chapter is hosting the Coffee Women’s Colloquium, a virtual series of panels that aim to address the topics that women in coffee care most about. Following the colloquium’s first session on green coffee and the supply chain, the second panel takes place this Thursday at noon PST. The session will begin with a panel and conclude with an open-forum Q&A.
Sustainability and Storytelling
The primary discussions that will be held revolve around “Sustainability and Storytelling,” which can be a pretty big topic to cover—especially within coffee. So, the point of view will be sustainability from a female entrepreneur’s perspective.
Some examples of topics that panelists might address are prioritizing what a company’s sustainability protocols and missions should be, and how to maintain those while staying profitable. They’ll also discuss how to pick like-minded business and supply chain partners in sustainability, and how important it is for women leaders in coffee to be a part of conversations around sustainability.
“We’re excited to really drill down into some key components of it, specifically as it pertains to women and marginalized groups in the industry across the various channels in the supply chain,” explains moderator and board member Ashley Tindall.
Introducing Your Panelists
This session of the Coffee Women’s Colloquium features a group of women who work in coffee from a variety of sectors within the industry. According to Ashley, “We wanted a representative panelist from each of the following segments in the industry: a roaster, a producer, an exporter, and an importer, and we found wonderful individuals who are uniquely positioned to address perspectives from each of those, ranging from newer businesses that are growing to larger, well-established organizations to give a broader range of input and experience.”
The list of speakers are:
- Candice Madison, owner and roaster at Kandake Boutique Coffees
- Svetlana Santillan, Because We Care 365 founder and coffee producer at El Cinquenta Farm
- Emily McIntyre, founder and CEO at Catalyst Trade
- Larissa Ceron, Neumann Gruppe, Sustainability Business Unit
Whether you are just beginning the conversation or digging deeper than ever into sustainability, it could be helpful and enlightening to speak with other experienced women in the industry. To be a part of the colloquium, you can register via Zoom here.
