Is a prominent leader in the global coffee industry, recognized for her dedication to fair trade and the empowerment of small producers. Born in Nicaragua, she is the general manager of PRODECOOP, a cooperative center that brings together 38 grassroots cooperatives and more than 2,600 coffee-growing families in the departments of Madriz, Estelí, and Nueva Segovia. Since its founding in 1993, PRODECOOP has worked to improve the living conditions of its members through direct and fair coffee marketing. 

In addition to her work at PRODECOOP, Merling is co-founder and president of Pachamama Coffee, a roasting company in the United States owned by small coffee producers in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico, and Ethiopia. Under her leadership, Pachamama Coffee has been recognized for its sustainability model, winning the 2021 Sustainability Award in the Business Model category from the Specialty Coffee Association.

In addition to being the representative of the CLAC Coffee Network in Peru, serves as General Manager of the Central Cooperativas Agrarias Cafetaleras COCLA Ltda., a second-degree cooperative in the Cusco region that brings together dozens of cooperatives producing coffee, cocoa, and other agricultural products, with thousands of member families in the province of La Convención.

In this role, Vivanco leads the administration and institutional development of COCLA, promoting marketing, the socioeconomic empowerment of producers, and the cooperative's participation in the national and international markets. He also represents the organization at industry events and in collaborations with other fair trade and Peruvian coffee entities.

Xiomara holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the National Autonomous University of Honduras and an MBA with a focus on finance from the Central American Technological University. She has more than 20 years of experience working in rural and socioeconomic development organizations and projects. This experience has allowed her to accumulate knowledge in business issues, capacity building, empowerment, fair trade, gender and youth, climate change, strategic planning, project management, and human talent management, among others.

She is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fair Trade Small Producers and Workers (CLAC). Xiomara oversees implementing CLAC's strategy and operations in the 23 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean where it has a presence. 

Xiomara is the author of the book “The Value Behind a Cup of Coffee,” a journey through several years of real-life stories that help to better understand the complexity of coffee cultivation for small producers in Honduras and many other Latin American countries.

Marike Runneboom de Peña is currently the interim executive director of Fairtrade International.

She has over 35 years of experience working with small producers in the Dominican Republic. She has served as president and vice president of the Board of Directors of the Latin American and Caribbean Coordination of Small Fair Trade Producers and Workers (CLAC), helping to build strong networks at the regional, national, product, and worker levels. She has witnessed and experienced the devastating impact of low prices, unfair trade practices, climate change, and the lack of basic needs and rights, but she has also witnessed the strength and resilience of producers in facing these challenges.

Marike has served as executive director of BANELINO, a banana-producing organization in the Dominican Republic. She holds a degree in Agricultural Development from Wageningen University in the Netherlands.

Leading Coffee Producer in the Cusco Region, Peru

Journalist, Manager of the National Coffee Board of Peru for 30 years

Promoter of coffee farming cooperatives since the 1990s, linked to the production and export of organic coffee and fair trade certification

Executive Director of the International Coffee Organization and the first woman to lead the institution. With a background in consulting and over two decades in the coffee sector, she previously led the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association. In 2025, she was named one of the most powerful women in Brazil by Forbes. Vanúsia holds a PhD in Marketing and degrees in Engineering and Business Administration.

Cavada is the General Manager of Volcafe Peru. Miguel brings extensive experience in the coffee trade and a deep understanding of the Peruvian coffee landscape. He began his career at Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, where he represented the company in Peru for more than five years before moving to Olam and Louis Dreyfus Commodities to lead their coffee trading operation in Peru for more than four years. Miguel then joined the roasting industry and, most recently, headed the purchasing department at NewCoffee (Aldi South), where he was in charge of sourcing coffee and decaffeinated coffee for the chain's subsidiaries worldwide.

Is the Sr. Advisor for Coffee at Fairtrade International, where she leads coffee product strategy and coordination among a diverse group of coffee stakeholders in the Fairtrade system. Colleen has both commercial and market development experience with Fairtrade coffee, having served as Co-Managing Director / Head of Product Development for New York-based Gimme! Coffee Cooperative (2020 – 2025) and as Director of Coffee Supply Chain at Fair Trade USA (2015 – 2020). She has previously served as President of the Specialty Coffee Association (2021). Colleen’s vision is a transformed coffee sector that sees more power and value in the hands of producers.

Is the Chief Executive Officer of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), the largest trade association in the global coffee industry. With a clear purpose to make coffee better, the SCA brings together stakeholders from across the value chain to foster sustainability, equity, and excellence through education, research, standards, and collaboration.

An accomplished executive with over two decades of experience in global trade, nonprofit leadership, and fast-moving consumer goods, Yannis has helped position the SCA as a critical voice in shaping a more resilient and inclusive coffee sector. Under his leadership, the association has expanded its educational programs, increased its global footprint through events such as World of Coffee, advanced tools like the Coffee Value Assessment system, and initiated meaningful industry dialogue on value distribution and long-term viability. Yannis has studied Chemical Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School. 

Is Head of Raw Materials at Finlays, where he leads coffee and tea sourcing, along with procurement strategies, sustainability, and supplier partnerships. With experience in origin, risk management, and responsible sourcing, he drives more resilient and transparent agricultural supply chains. Under his leadership, Finlays achieved 99% traceability in green coffee in 2024 and strengthened relationships with Fairtrade to promote sustainable livelihoods and ethical practices. He was a member of the British Coffee Association, served on the Board of Directors of the National Coffee Association of America, and participated in World Coffee Research. His work focuses on traceability, climate resilience, and emerging regulations, including the EUDR.

International coffee consultant and industry leader with more than 20 years of experience across Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. Specialized in green coffee quality, market development, and strategic positioning, she supports producers, exporters, and companies entering and expanding within the GCC market.

Former Board Member of the Specialty Coffee Association UAE Chapter and Certified World Coffee Events Judge, she is also a Q-Grader and Q-Robusta Grader with extensive expertise in sensory evaluation, roasting strategy, and quality control systems.

With a career that began in Brazil and expanded globally, she bridges origin and market, connecting producers to high-value international opportunities through technical leadership, education, and commercial strategy.

She is the Executive Director of Fairtrade Canada and a member of the executive team at Fairtrade International, working at the forefront of transforming global supply chains through sustainability, pricing, and regulation.

She collaborates with companies and policymakers to design sourcing models that are commercially viable while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for farmers and workers. Her work focuses on translating concepts such as living wages, responsible procurement, and human rights due diligence into practical strategies that companies can implement at scale. 

Under her leadership, Fairtrade-certified sales in Canada have grown to exceed $850 million annually, reflecting the market’s growing demand for more transparent and resilient supply chains.

With nearly two decades of experience across 13 countries, Julie brings a rare combination of on-the-ground and market expertise. She has worked with farmer organizations, global brands, and governments to improve incomes, strengthen resilience, and reduce long-term supply risks. She also contributes to industry dialogue through global coffee platforms and sustainability initiatives, and serves on the Board of Directors of Cooperation Canada and the Sustainability Committee of the Canadian Coffee Association. 

Senior Marketing Manager, Sustainability & Innovation at Kicking Horse Coffee, the largest Fairtrade brand in North America. In her role, she leads national consumer marketing campaigns, product launches, and brand partnerships, translating Kicking Horse Coffee's Fairtrade and organic commitments into work that drives awareness, loyalty, and purchase intent in Canada's growing premium coffee market. Laura brings over 10 years of progressive marketing experience in the food and beverage sector, with a diverse background in managing global and domestic brands. She is dedicated to purpose-driven marketing and innovation, and her work at Kicking Horse Coffee continues to reflect her commitment to making Fairtrade meaningful for Canadian consumers. Founded in Invermere, British Columbia in 1996, Kicking Horse Coffee was built on the belief that it's badass to be good - a philosophy that has guided its Fairtrade and organic commitments for decades.

Has been with Root Capital since 2007 and currently serves as Vice President of Programs for Latin America, where he oversees Root Capital's lending and advisory services in South America, Mexico, and Central America. He also chairs the South America Regional Team, ensuring that the regional team has the tools and resources necessary to execute Root Capital's mission efficiently and effectively.

Daniel came to Root Capital with experience in lending, finance, economic research, and project management in various sectors, including previous experience at a Peruvian coffee export company. Daniel holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the Catholic University of Peru.

Is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a member of the board of directors of Coffeeteam SA/NV, where he leads the commercial strategy and development of relationships with coffee producers in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, as well as with customers in the European market.

With advanced university training including studies at institutions such as the Université Catholique de Louvain and Aarhus University, Dupuis brings an international vision and management experience to the company, focused on offering conventional, organic, and fair trade certified coffees.

Coffeeteam, founded in 2006, has grown to become a recognized player in the global green coffee trade, with Dupuis playing a key role in its expansion and strategic relationships.

Bruno Biaggi Vidal is an economist with a master’s degree in finance. He has been working at Shared Interest since 2023 and currently serves as Lending Manager for the South America region, where he oversees all investments in the region. 

Previously, he spent four years at another impact fund evaluating investments for Latin America. Prior to that, he gained 10 years of experience at three banks in Peru, working in corporate banking, large corporate banking, and medium-sized corporate banking, as well as in commercial, structuring, and risk management units.

Certified Public Accountant, Auditor, Consultant

Agricultural Engineer, Founder and General Manager of the Sol & Café Multi-Service Cooperative. Experience in internal capitalization and financial benefits.

He is an agronomist who graduated from the Federal University of Viçosa in Brazil. For the past 33 years, he has worked in the production and roasting of specialty coffees in Brazil. Fifteen years ago, he began working in the Fairtrade system, where he currently serves as commercial director at CLAC (Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fair Trade Small Producers and Workers).

Senior Vice President of Trading at StoneX Group, with extensive experience in commodity markets and risk management strategies. He previously held a key role at Hencorp, where he co-developed CoffeeNetwork, a pioneering coffee market information and analysis platform. He has also been a speaker at international events, focusing on trading and risk management. His career is notable for innovation and educational contributions to the global financial sector.

Is a professional with a solid academic background that includes an MBA in Marketing and Sales, an MBA in Business Management, and an MBA in International Trade. He is trilingual, fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, which allows him to operate effectively in multicultural environments and global markets.

He is currently responsible for developing and maintaining commercial relationships in international markets, managing expansion, positioning, and loyalty strategies.

Throughout his career, he has led various projects related to sustainability, integrating principles of social and commercial responsibility into business dynamics.

Rafael firmly believes that cooperatives play a key role in empowering producers, especially through education and the creation of fair and equitable marketing conditions.

Senior Vice President of Trading at StoneX Group, with extensive experience in commodity markets and risk management strategies. He previously held a key role at Hencorp, where he co-developed CoffeeNetwork, a pioneering coffee market information and analysis platform. He has also been a speaker at international events, focusing on trading and risk management. His career is notable for innovation and educational contributions to the global financial sector.

Executive Director of the International Coffee Organization and the first woman to lead the institution. With a background in consulting and over two decades in the coffee sector, she previously led the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association. In 2025, she was named one of the most powerful women in Brazil by Forbes. Vanúsia holds a PhD in Marketing and degrees in Engineering and Business Administration.

Is the Sr. Advisor for Coffee at Fairtrade International, where she leads coffee product strategy and coordination among a diverse group of coffee stakeholders in the Fairtrade system. Colleen has both commercial and market development experience with Fairtrade coffee, having served as Co-Managing Director / Head of Product Development for New York-based Gimme! Coffee Cooperative (2020 – 2025) and as Director of Coffee Supply Chain at Fair Trade USA (2015 – 2020). She has previously served as President of the Specialty Coffee Association (2021). Colleen’s vision is a transformed coffee sector that sees more power and value in the hands of producers.

Cavada is the General Manager of Volcafe Peru. Miguel brings extensive experience in the coffee trade and a deep understanding of the Peruvian coffee landscape. He began his career at Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, where he represented the company in Peru for more than five years before moving to Olam and Louis Dreyfus Commodities to lead their coffee trading operation in Peru for more than four years. Miguel then joined the roasting industry and, most recently, headed the purchasing department at NewCoffee (Aldi South), where he was in charge of sourcing coffee and decaffeinated coffee for the chain's subsidiaries worldwide.

Is a professional with a solid academic background that includes an MBA in Marketing and Sales, an MBA in Business Management, and an MBA in International Trade. He is trilingual, fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, which allows him to operate effectively in multicultural environments and global markets.

He is currently responsible for developing and maintaining commercial relationships in international markets, managing expansion, positioning, and loyalty strategies.

Throughout his career, he has led various projects related to sustainability, integrating principles of social and commercial responsibility into business dynamics.

Rafael firmly believes that cooperatives play a key role in empowering producers, especially through education and the creation of fair and equitable marketing conditions.

Is an international leader in the coffee sector and a partner at P&A Marketing, a consulting firm with extensive experience in market intelligence, technology, quality, and sustainability applied to the coffee value chain. With a career spanning several continents, he has worked alongside producers, cooperatives, governments, financial institutions, roasting companies, and multilateral organizations to develop solutions that strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of coffee.

Throughout his career, Carlos has led market studies, quality improvement programs, technology transfer, and positioning strategies, contributing to the development of coffee in countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. His work combines technical analysis with strategic vision, making him an authoritative voice in international forums where trends, innovation, and the future of the sector are discussed.

Is a professor at the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), where he specializes in agricultural engineering with an emphasis on coffee mechanization, particularly mechanized harvesting and precision farming systems. In his role as a professor and researcher, he has produced numerous scientific publications on technologies applied to coffee cultivation and other areas of agricultural engineering, in addition to participating in events and symposiums in the agro-industrial sector.

An agricultural engineer and project management specialist with over 14 years of experience supporting coffee producers through technical assistance and rural extension services in southwestern Antioquia, Colombia. He currently leads sustainability programs and certifications at the Salgar Coffee Growers Cooperative, coordinating technical teams focused on social development, the adoption of technologies in the field, and the strengthening of a more sustainable and profitable coffee farming sector.

Is Assistant Director of Coffee at Swiss Water, a leading Canadian company in the production of decaffeinated coffee using a natural, chemical-free process. In his role, he works closely with the quality control laboratory and the green coffee team, participating in the purchasing, evaluation, and development of coffees for the company.

Teskey brings more than 20 years of experience in the coffee industry, with a background in roasting, coffee purchasing, and educational roles within the sector. He is also a certified instructor for the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and a certified Q-grader, participating as a volunteer and judge in coffee competitions.

Michael Sheridan is the CEO of Coffee Quality Institute. He has worked in coffee since 2004. Prior to joining CQI, he served as the director of sourcing and shared value at Intelligentsia Coffee (2016–2023) and in leadership roles for various coffee initiatives at Catholic Relief Services (2004–2016). Sheridan was based in Central and South America from 2007–2016, and his work in coffee has taken him to more than a dozen coffee-producing countries around the world. He has written and spoken widely on issues related to coffee sustainability, and he won the Specialy Coffee Association Sustainability Award for the Individual category in 2021.

Certified Public Accountant, Auditor, Consultant

Max Milward has worked at the Fairtrade Foundation in the United Kingdom for more than six years. As Senior Sustainable Supply Manager for Coffee, he works daily in close collaboration with key stakeholders in the UK Fairtrade coffee supply chain.

Joel López, president of CAFESCOR, is part of the fourth generation of a family with deep roots in the coffee industry. From a very young age, he has been immersed in this sector, gaining an understanding of coffee from its origins in the fields to the most technical, technological, and commercial processes. His generation has set a milestone by being the first to take coffee beyond the country’s borders, committing to international marketing. This journey has allowed him to develop a comprehensive vision of the business and to lead with a practical and approachable style, focused on creating value both in the quality of the product and in the well-being of the producing communities.

Coffee producer in Nova Resende (Minas Gerais), entrepreneur, CEO of Coopervitae and head of the coffee commercial area, and treasurer director of BR FAIR, the association of fair trade organizations for coffee and oranges in Brazil

Originally from the Netherlands, Anneke has a Master Degree in Business Communications and Sociology. She studied at the Radboud University in the Netherlands and at Paris VII – Jussieu University in France. She has worked since 1998 within the Fairtrade movement, in Standard Setting, Communications at Fairtrade International, with a Fairtrade Trader from the UK and since 2004 in Producer Support mostly in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Since May 2013 Anneke works with CLAC, the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fair Trade Smallholder Producers and Workers. Currently, as the Chief Operating Officer, she coordinates the main operations of CLAC in the field, assisting over 830 Fairtrade Producer Organizations in their process of empowerment and organizational strengthening, access to markets, inclusion, climate resilience and advocacy.

Francy Elena Chica is a lawyer and holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Antioquia, with a Master's degree in Management and Practice of Sustainable Development from the University of the Andes. She has also worked as a professor of Human Rights and Governance in higher education. She has over 15 years of experience in Human Rights, project management, territorial development, sustainability, ESG, corporate social responsibility, urban planning, and due diligence. Her professional background includes legal and managerial consulting on international cooperation projects funded by Fairtrade, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), IFC standards, and USAID, as well as experience in public-private partnerships, implementing bottom-up methodologies for community projects, and managing territorial development programs with rural communities from a human rights perspective.

Brenda Huerta is Fairtrade International´s Senior Advisor for Climate & Environment. Originally from Mexico and now based in Germany, Brenda has 10 years’ experience in sustainability and environmental work, helping governments, businesses, and civil society turn climate policy into actionable strategy. She has a master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences and Resource Management, and a Bachelor’s Sc. in Environmental & Sustainable Development Engineering.

Is a prominent leader in the global coffee industry, recognized for her dedication to fair trade and the empowerment of small producers. Born in Nicaragua, she is the general manager of PRODECOOP, a cooperative center that brings together 38 grassroots cooperatives and more than 2,600 coffee-growing families in the departments of Madriz, Estelí, and Nueva Segovia. Since its founding in 1993, PRODECOOP has worked to improve the living conditions of its members through direct and fair coffee marketing. 

In addition to her work at PRODECOOP, Merling is co-founder and president of Pachamama Coffee, a roasting company in the United States owned by small coffee producers in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico, and Ethiopia. Under her leadership, Pachamama Coffee has been recognized for its sustainability model, winning the 2021 Sustainability Award in the Business Model category from the Specialty Coffee Association.

Originally from the Netherlands, Anneke has a Master Degree in Business Communications and Sociology. She studied at the Radboud University in the Netherlands and at Paris VII – Jussieu University in France. She has worked since 1998 within the Fairtrade movement, in Standard Setting, Communications at Fairtrade International, with a Fairtrade Trader from the UK and since 2004 in Producer Support mostly in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Since May 2013 Anneke works with CLAC, the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fair Trade Smallholder Producers and Workers. Currently, as the Chief Operating Officer, she coordinates the main operations of CLAC in the field, assisting over 830 Fairtrade Producer Organizations in their process of empowerment and organizational strengthening, access to markets, inclusion, climate resilience and advocacy.

Executive Director of the International Coffee Organization and the first woman to lead the institution. With a background in consulting and over two decades in the coffee sector, she previously led the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association. In 2025, she was named one of the most powerful women in Brazil by Forbes. Vanúsia holds a PhD in Marketing and degrees in Engineering and Business Administration.