Sunalini Menon is the CEO of Coffeelab Limited, in Bangalore, India. This lab provides comprehensive quality related services for the coffee industry. Sunalini is not only one of Asia’s recognized coffee cuppers, but also travels to coffee origins to conduct workshops on quality. She is a Licensed Q Grader of the CQI. Sunalini is the “Quality Ombudsman” of the Speciality Coffee Association of India. She is also a Coffee Corps Volunteer. Sunalini has received many awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award 2005 (from the International Women’s Coffee Alliance Founding Committee), and the ‘Leadership Medal of Merit’ 2010 from the CQI.

Nishant Gurjer is the owner of Sethuraman Estates of Karnataka, India, managing partner of Kaapi Royale Coffee exporters and the chairman of the Karnataka Planters' Association. His coffee estate is the producer of the world’s first R Certified™ Robusta, three-time Flavour of India category winner and received the highest-ever review for a Robusta coffee from Ken Davids' Coffee Review.

Andrew Hetzel is the founder of CafeMakers, a consulting firm based in Hawaii that provides guidance and quality improvement services for coffee producers and roasters. Since 2001 his work has served a diverse range of clientele, including in East Africa and emerging markets of Asia, India and Russia. Mr. Hetzel is an instructor and consultant for CQI and member of the SCAA professional development committee. His quotes have appeared in media including the New York Times, Time Magazine, CNN, Associated Press, BusinessWeek and Fortune Magazine; his work was profiled by the James Beard Foundation in 2009. From 2008-2012, Mr. Hetzel served as a board member of the World Barista Championship.

Ernesto is a coffee professional with more than twenty years of experience. He is the principal for the Salvadoran Coffee School in El Salvador and the head of the Coffee Quality Control department for the Salvadoran Coffee Council, helping improve the coffee production chain from seed to cup. Ernesto became a certified Q grader in 2004 and he also helped in the development of the five national Baristas competitions approved by the WBC (World Barista Championship) and he also participated as certified sensory judge. In the search for better quality Ernesto has been a taster judge for the Cup of Excellence competition during the last ten years El Salvador has held the program.

Ana Elena is the executive director for the Salvadoran Coffee Council and legal representative of the Emergency Fund for Coffee. She belonged to the board of UCAFES becoming president for a period of two years. While she served as director of the Agricultural Development Bank she supported managing capital loans to the sector of cooperatives in general. Because of her studies in the organic agriculture she has driven the organic movement, preferably organic coffee, seeking support for certifications through international cooperation. She has always tried to market agro products to markets like United States, Canada, Japan and the European Union, participating in agribusiness fairs, achieving markets for Salvadoran products.

Norbert Niederhauser is CEO of Cropster Inc. and is based in California. He has worked in information management for specialty coffee for over 10 years, including a five-year research position at CIAT (International Center for Tropical Agriculture) in Colombia. Norbert works with roasters, traders and growers in the specialty coffee industry as well as with research and development organizations and NGO’s. Cropster specializes in online information management platforms enabling all partners along the coffee supply chain to manage data efficiently and improve quality and communication. Cropster has offices in Colombia, the USA and Austria serving clients in over 20 countries worldwide.

Andreas Idl is CEO of Cropster GmbH and is based in Innsbruck, Austria. He studied information technologies and worked in this area before dedicating himself to speciality coffee. After doing consulting projects in coffee in Latin America he eventually co-founded Cropster. Cropster specializes in online information management platforms enabling all partners along the coffee supply chain to manage data efficiently and improve quality, consistency and communication. Cropster today runs offices in Colombia, the USA and Austria serving clients in over 20 countries worldwide.

Anna joined Gourmet Source, Specialty Coffee Foodservice Brokers, in April, 2011. Previously, she was the Senior Account Representative for Dillanos Coffee Roasters, working with them for nine years. Her experience includes marketing/branding, menu development, signature drink recipes, training, product selection and overall business development. She has authored several articles in national coffee publications and serves on the SCAA Lectures Committee. Anna is also a certified USBC judge, found a successful niche in Signature Drink Competitions and is the newest World Latte Art Judge. Her passion for the coffee industry and perfection in every cup is contagious! You’ll desire to aim for the same in your business.

Tom Palm has 25 years of experience in the restaurant and foodservice industry. He is the founder of Design & Layout Services, a company specializing in the design of specialty coffee shops. Since 1996, working with independent operators as well as national chains. Palm has helped more than 800 people open cafes and coffee shops throughout the United States and internationally. He is a member of the SCAA Allied committee. He has also written several articles that have been published in coffee trade magazines, and has presented seminars at numerous coffee industry trade shows.

As president of Probat Inc, Karl Schmidt is responsible for the companies activities in the North American market; this includes coffee, cocoa processing and particle size reduction equipment. Prior to joining Probat, he held the position of vice president at a major multi-national company in the dairy industry. Previously, he was actively involved with other major international companies within the European community involved in the food processing industry. His educational background includes a Master's Degree from a German University.

Andrew Miller is the president of Café Imports, an independent green coffee company based in Minneapolis. He has a degree from the University of Minnesota, twenty years of restaurant experience and now twenty years of entrepreneurial experience building a small business. The Café Imports team works with some of the world’s best producers in developing and sourcing some of the finest coffees on the planet. This work, in conjunction with some of the industry’s best roasters, is an attempt to increase the livelihoods of the people in coffee through education and quality.

Albert has combined his considerable knowledge of the Coffee, Cocoa and Palm Oil physical markets with his experience in implementing risk management strategies in Futures, Options and Structured Product in the commodity markets. Albert joined Hencorp Futures, later acquired by INTL FCStone more than 21 years ago, where he has been an important pillar for the development of Risk Management programs for all participants in the Coffee, Cocoa and the Palm Oil markets; from producers to final consumers. Albert received a BBA with a specialty in Finance from Florida International University. Albert is presently the President of the Pacific Coast Coffee Association (PCCA).

Nathanael has been an active part of the coffee industry since 2001, when he started as a barista at Disneyland. His career has taken him to managing Starbucks, pouring cappuccinos at Peet's, training at Java City, and developing a comprehensive education program at Portland Roasting. Nathanael is a regular presenter at industry trade events, a United States Barista Competition judge and Certified Barista through the BGA. As Portland Roasting’s Coffee Educator, he develops new products and recipes, assists with blend assessment and development, cups new offerings, and constructs brewing guidelines and training materials.

Alan Leviton is a physician-epidemiologist who, for more than 30 years, has been evaluating the relationships between coffee consumption and many disorders and diseases. He is a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, and head of the neuroepidemiology unit at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Mark Corey is a product development scientist at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. based in Waterbury, Vermont. Dr. Corey received his PhD in Food Science at the University of Georgia, conducting research on functional foods and bioactives. He represents GMCR on the Scientific Advisory Group of the National Coffee Association.

As a managing partner Mark Stell oversees a staff of 29 and is responsible for things green, sales and marketing and financial management. His leadership has earned the company local, national and international recognition for its business achievements and sustainability initiatives. Mark and his family also co-own a coffee farm in Tanzania where they are rehabilitating a 1500 acre coffee estate employing over 90 full time people. Sustainable supply chain management is Mark’s passion and he has been working at it for over 20 years. Mark is also the founder of Portland Global Initiatives, a non profit that focuses on water issues around the world.

Kim Elena Ionescu, Coffee Buyer and Sustainability Manager for roaster Counter Culture Coffee in Durham, North Carolina, wholeheartedly believes the adage that "you can't manage what you can't measure". From the percentage of certified organic coffee purchased and the company's carbon footprint to the satisfaction of partners at every stage in the supply chain, the sustainability data gathered over the past six years has been immeasurably valuable in setting the organization's priorities and aiding decision-making on both short-term and long-term bases.

As Director of Sustainability for Farmer Brothers Coffee, Sarah develops and implements strategy, process, and systems to support sustainability and corporate responsibility—linking people, planet, profits. Through an innovative lens, she guides a culture of sustainability, both internally and with all stakeholder relationships. Through impact tracking, waste and water reduction, greenhouse gas emission reduction, renewable energy, sustainable coffee portfolio management, stakeholder engagement, and stewardship projects, Sarah aspires to create transparent and sustainable coffee, tea, and spice supply systems.

Helen Russell is co-founder and CEO of Equator Coffees and Teas in San Rafael, CA. Under her direction, Equator has earned a reputation as a quality-oriented, customer-focused business that takes the lead on issues of social and environmental responsibility. Helen is responsible for company strategy and growth. She has defined competitive advantage to include social responsibility and sustainable choices. She strives to deliver innovations in procuring, roasting, brewing, and sales and business practices. These initiatives tangibly support the company’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility and they also enhance the bottom line. Under Helen’s strategic guidance, Equator has achieved 10-15 % annual growth over the past 17 years.

Marshall Fuss is a lawyer in Pasadena, California with long experience in business, real estate and trademark law, and a special interest in the coffee industry. His clients have ranged from single coffee shops to international companies and trade associations, including SCAA, the Coffee Quality Institute, International Women’s Coffee Alliance, World Coffee Events and World Coffee Research. He is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley and the Cornell Law School and is the author of “Choosing and Protecting Trademarks” (Specialty Coffee Retailer, Aug. 2010), “Leasing 101 for Roasters” (Roast magazine, Jan./Feb. 2005) and other articles.

Michael has worked on coffee for Catholic Relief Services since 2004. From 2004-2007 he worked to increase the consumption of Fair Trade and sustainable coffees in the United States as director of the CRS Fair Trade Coffee Project. Since 2007, he has worked with smallholder farmers in the coffeelands throughout the Americas. Michael currently directs the Borderlands Coffee Project in Colombia and Ecuador and advises other CRS coffee projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. He is based in Quito and publishes perspectives from the intersection of coffee and international development for the CRS Coffeelands Blog at coffeelands.crs.org.

Saurin manages Root Capital’s Financial Advisory Services program. The program compliments Root Capital’s credit services by providing targeted financial management training to small and growing agricultural businesses, so managers have the practical tools and skills they need to grow and sustain their enterprises. Prior to joining Root, Saurin coordinated and implemented a mobile phone-based agriculture extension system in Uganda, served as director of a fair trade organic cotton cooperative in India, and was a technical adviser for USAID’s microenterprise development program in Armenia. Saurin started his work in economic development as a former Peace Corps volunteer in Panama.

Orlando Hoyes, pequeño productor de café con 12 años de experiencia; actual presidente de Cooperativa 5 de Junio ubicada en Las Sabanas, Nicaragua. Como directivo, se ha destacado por manejar de manera transparente las relaciones con sus asociados e incrementar los lazos comerciales y estratégicos con sus aliados en la cadena de valor de cafés especiales.

Steve started his career with an Importer on Wall St. in NYC in 1978. He has worked for various importers, roasters and an exporter at origin. Steve currently sources green coffee for multiple concepts, roasting locations and market segments. He travels extensively to visit producers around the world and works closely with the marketing department on new product development.

Michael C. Boyd is a fourth-generation Boyd family member. He evaluates and purchases green coffee and travels to coffee-growing regions. He is an active member of the SCAA and a Licensed Q Grader.

Angelo is a green coffee buyer at Paramount Coffee Company, a coffee export company in Santos, Brazil.

John has been in specialty coffee for over 30 years serving as a barista, roaster and coffee buyer and many other jobs mixed in. He has a love for coffee, especially buying and cupping. He has worked for roasters both large and small taking him to coffee growing areas. John has been a SCAA volunteer working on cupping subcommittees and leading cupping classes for over 10 years. The last three years he has enjoyed being one of the buyers in Ask the Green Buyer. Meeting so many people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives on coffee has enlightened John in this session.

TBA

Steve started his career with an Importer on Wall St. in NYC in 1978. He has worked for various importers, roasters and an exporter at origin. Steve currently sources green coffee for multiple concepts, roasting locations and market segments. He travels extensively to visit producers around the world and works closely with the marketing department on new product development.

Michael C. Boyd is a fourth-generation Boyd family member. He evaluates and purchases green coffee and travels to coffee-growing regions. He is an active member of the SCAA and a Licensed Q Grader.

Angelo is a green coffee buyer at Paramount Coffee Company, a coffee export company in Santos, Brazil.

John has been in specialty coffee for over 30 years serving as a barista, roaster and coffee buyer and many other jobs mixed in. He has a love for coffee, especially buying and cupping. He has worked for roasters both large and small taking him to coffee growing areas. John has been a SCAA volunteer working on cupping subcommittees and leading cupping classes for over 10 years. The last three years he has enjoyed being one of the buyers in Ask the Green Buyer. Meeting so many people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives on coffee has enlightened John in this session.

TBA

TBA

Deborah Atwood has more than 30 years of experience in policy and legislative matters regarding food, agriculture, the environment, research, and risk management, including extensive experience working with executives in the private sector, federal government, and nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining AGree she was an Associate for Corporate Affairs and Public Policy at Mars, Incorporated. She has worked for Crowell & Moring, on behalf of clients in the agricultural, food, environmental, mining, and chemical industries, at USDA, as a Special Assistant to U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jim Moseley, and at the National Pork Producers Council as Assistant Vice President of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs.

Proviene de una familia campesina del Municipio de Quilalí, al norte de Nicaragua. Cursó sus primeros estudios profesionales como Maestro de Educación y Técnico en Administración de Empresas. Posteriormente se graduó en la carrera de Ingeniería Agropecuaria y ha realizado PostGrado y Maestría en Administración de Microfinanzas. Posee amplia experiencia en el trabajo con organizaciones de pequeños productores, microcrédito y actividades relacionadas a la cadena del café. Lleva mas de 15 años en el sector cooperativo y actualmente labora como Gerente de la Unión de Cooperativas de Servicios Múltiples del Norte (UCOSEMUN).

Peter Giuliano has worked for a quarter century in specialty coffee as a coffee educator, taster, roaster, and buyer. He was a founder and president of the Roasters’ Guild, and served as president of the Specialty Coffee Association of America. As co-owner and Director of Coffee for Counter Culture Coffee he pioneered what has come to be known as Direct Trade Coffee, an approach that emphasizes quality, equity, and transparency in the supply chain. Giuliano is currently the Director of the Specialty Coffee Symposium, a cutting-edge conference and community of thought leaders in coffee.

Dr. Schilling is a plant breeder and agricultural development specialist currently serving as Executive Director of World Coffee Research (WCR) a non-profit, collaborative research and development program to grow, protect and enhance the supplies of quality coffee while improving the livelihoods of the families who produce it through agricultural research.

Rick Peyser is Director of Social Advocacy and Supply Chain Community Outreach for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters where he has worked over 25 years. He is a past President of the Specialty Coffee Association of America, and served 6 years on the Fair Trade Labeling Organizations International (FLO) Board of Directors. Currently Rick serves on the Boards of Directors of Coffee Kids, Fundacion Ixil, Pueblo a Pueblo, and Food4Farmers, a non-profit organization that he co-founded to end food insecurity in coffee commuities. Rick co-authored the book "Brewing Change: Behind the Bean at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters" that was published in 2012.

Ing. Agronómo de profesión, egresado de la Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad del Cusco, propietario de una finca cafetalera en Cusco y otra en la Huanuco, con 23 años de trabajo con productores de café, en manejo del cultivo, producción de abonos orgánicos, producción de cafés especiales, comercialización directa, organización cooperativa de productores.

As Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility for S&D Coffee and Tea, Tracy is responsible for leading initiatives for environmental stewardship, sustainable sourcing, and corporate citizenship. Prior to joining S & D, she held positions with the Specialty Coffee Association of America, Coffee Quality Institute, and Da Vinci Gourmet.

Andi's varied background within specialty coffee began behind the espresso bar in 1989 and, since then, includes cupping, training, consulting, green coffee trading, roast quality control, sales, writing, and marketing. Andi currently runs the Atlantic Specialty Coffee quality control lab and trades green coffee. Andi is a member of the Specialty Coffee Association of America Board of Directors. She has published articles with Roast Magazine and Specialty Coffee Retailer, and contributed to Fresh Cup, Coffee & Cocoa International, and Coffee Talk. Andi served 5 years on the board of the International Women's Coffee Alliance, including a term as President.

Marshall Fuss is a lawyer in Pasadena, California with long experience in business, real estate and trademark law, and a special interest in the coffee industry. His clients have ranged from single coffee shops to international companies and trade associations, including SCAA, the Coffee Quality Institute, International Women’s Coffee Alliance, World Coffee Events and World Coffee Research. He is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley and the Cornell Law School and is the author of “Choosing and Protecting Trademarks” (Specialty Coffee Retailer, Aug. 2010), “Leasing 101 for Roasters” (Roast magazine, Jan./Feb. 2005) and other articles.

Andrew Sargent is the general manager of the Hanns R. Neumann Foundation North America (HRNS), a not-for-profit implementer of economic development projects founded by the Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG). Prior to HRNS Andrew was a coffee trader with InterAmerican Coffee, a specialty coffee import company of NKG. Andrew’s experience at the nexus of the coffee trade and economic development has been formed through field implementation experience in Honduras, Guatemala, Peru, Brazil, and Tanzania, and professional experience with CARE International and Oxfam America. Andrew holds a postgraduate degree in economic development from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and lives in New Jersey with his wife, son, and dog.

Miguel has been involved in agriculture for almost 20 years. His work focuses on strengthening supply chains and creating opportunities between U.S. buyers and coffee-growing communities around the world. Miguel directs the Coffee Innovation Project as part of Fair Trade USA’s Fair Trade for All initiative. His work aims to bring the benefits of Fair Trade to farm workers and independent smallholder farmers in coffee while growing the market for the Fair Trade cooperative sector. Miguel is a member of the SCAA Sustainability Council and he blogs about his work with smallholder coffee farmers and farm workers at coffeegente.com.

Michael has worked on coffee for Catholic Relief Services since 2004. From 2004-2007 he worked to increase the consumption of Fair Trade and sustainable coffees in the United States as director of the CRS Fair Trade Coffee Project. Since 2007, he has worked with smallholder farmers in the coffeelands throughout the Americas. Michael currently directs the Borderlands Coffee Project in Colombia and Ecuador and advises other CRS coffee projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. He is based in Quito and publishes perspectives from the intersection of coffee and international development for the CRS Coffeelands Blog at coffeelands.crs.org.

Leo is an Arabica coffee farmer from Sumatra, Indonesia. Leo and Lisa (his wife) grow organic arabica coffee on their farm in Mariah Dolok in the Simalungun region near Toba Lake, North Sumatra. They are working in all areas of the coffee industry within their region.

Rob Stephen is a Senior Coffee Trader for InterAmerican Coffee and manages their East coast office. Mr. Stephen has worked in senior positions for national coffee brands and has a long history in the development and training of specialty coffee standards. He is a Past President of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and a Past President of Coffee Kids. He is a licensed Q grader for the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) and also one of a handful of licensed Q Grader instructors.

For over twenty years, Mark Inman has been a leading voice in the specialty coffee industry for issues concerning sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, green entrepreneurship and social justice. In 2008, Mark served as President of the Specialty Coffee Association of America, where he has also chaired or served on numerous committees and international task forces. In 2010, Mark served as President of World Coffee Events, which manages seven international coffee competitions, including the World Barista Championship (WBC). Mark joined Olam Specialty Coffees as their Trader and Sales Manager.

Rosemary Trent, the Executive Director of Pueblo a Pueblo, leads a team committed to improving the lives of indigenous Guatemalan women and children. Over the last four years, she has created and grown successful grassroots programs that partner with local schools to provide access to education, health care, improved nutrition and food security in coffee-growing communities. Prior to her work with Pueblo a Pueblo, she spent 16 years living in East Africa, South America and Mexico where she worked with WorldTeach, the School for International Training, Peace Corps and Plan International. Rosemary earned her Master’s Degree at the School for International Training. She speaks Spanish and Portuguese.

Genaro Similaj is Pueblo a Pueblo’s School Garden Technician. His past experience includes working as a coordinator for the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute (IMAP), with REDSAG, an organization working for the food security of Guatemala, facilitating exchanges of experience between farmers, with I’JATZ as a technical coordinator, and as a livestock technician with Heifer International. Genaro’s passion for the environment and desire to protect our planet's biodiversity brought him into this field where he works with organic gardening and beekeeping. Genaro is married with three children and lives in Pampojilla, a small community outside of San Lucas Tolimán.

Steve has over 20 years of experience managing international volunteer and educational exchange programs. He has held senior management positions at School Year Abroad AFS/USA, WorldTeach, and Amigos de las Americas. Steve has served on many boards of directors including Pueblo a Pueblo, AMIGOS, and the Sunrise Foundation. Steve was awarded a Kellogg Foundation-funded Fellowship in International Community Development through Partners of the Americas and currently serves as co-president of the Massachusetts Chapter. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Boston College and an M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Houston. He has also done graduate work in international development and social change at Clark University.

Adam Pesce is the Director of Coffee at Reunion Island Coffee, a Canadian specialty roaster and wholesaler. He is a member of the SCAA's Sustainability Council, on the board of directors at Grounds for Health, executive director of First Drop Canada (a not-for-profit that raises money for coffee-related projects and NGOs), and coffee blogger for the Huffington Post. A second-generation coffee professional, Adam's work has seen him travel extensively throughout Central and South America, East Africa, and Southeast Asia in search of coffee and development projects. As the DOC at Reunion Island he has spearheaded sustainability initiatives, including the use of 100% renewable energy and their Sierra Verde tree-planting project

Lewis began his marketing career in public relations before moving to web marketing in 1996. He founded Anvil Media, Inc. in 2000, to help Fortune 2000 clients grow revenue via search engine and social media marketing. In 2008, Lewis created Formic Media, a sister agency, specializing in digital marketing and website development for small business. In 1999, he created pdxMindShare, an online career community and networking event. Lewis is co-founder and past president of SEMpdx, professional trade association. He’s also an adjunct professor at Portland State University and on the board for SMART, a statewide early literacy program.

Gregory is the President of Gregorys Coffee, a retail chain based in New York City. Gregory is a graduate of Boston University's School of Management and Brooklyn Law School. In 2006 Gregory opened Gregorys Coffee and since that time has opened a total of six locations in Midtown Manhattan. Gregorys is a progressive shop that continues to push the boundaries of coffee quality, customer service and of course social media. Through Gregory's leadership the company has continued to grow during challenging times and in a very competitive market.

Jorge, a very well-known taster in the Salvadoran coffee industry, is known for his outstanding work and professionalism. He has worked for almost twenty years in coffee, acquiring experience tasting and managing coffee quality control. He also participated in the World Tasters Championship winning second place in SCAE 2008. In El Salvador Jorge is the president of ASCAFE (Asociación Salvadoreña de Catadores de Café) and Salvadoran Asociation of Coffe Tasters. He also holds many different international certifications such as Q grader. He is a member of the star cupper program and sits on the international jury for Cup of Excellence in Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia and El Salvador.

Angel has more than 30 years of experience working in the Salvadoran coffee industry in the genetic improvement area. One of his career highlights was his participation in the creation of the Pacamara coffee variety, which is a hybrid of the Pacas and Maragogipe variety released in El Salvador in the early eighties. He has also worked in the improvement of coffee and seed production. Angel has also be involved in the certification of coffee farms with the Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade certificate. He has participated in developing and evaluating the Tekisic variety; introducing the Catisic, Catimor, and the red and yellow Catuai varieties from Brasil; in addition to developing the Cuscatleco variety released in 2007/2008 in El Salvador.

As President of Probat Inc, Karl Schmidt is responsible for the companies activities in the North American market; this includes coffee, cocoa processing and particle size reduction equipment. Prior to joining Probat, he held the position of Vice President at a major multi-national company in the dairy industry. Previously, he was actively involved with other major international companies within the European community involved in the food processing industry. His educational background includes a Master's Degree from a German University.

Tyler leads a Root Capital initiative focused on expanding access to finance and strengthening internal credit systems of agricultural cooperatives. Previously, he managed field finance for a water and sanitation NGO and also worked for a Fair Trade, organic coffee importer based in Seattle. Tyler holds an M.A. in leadership and a B.A. in international business from Bethel University.

Rosemary Trent, the Executive Director of Pueblo a Pueblo, leads a team committed to improving the lives of indigenous Guatemalan women and children. Over the last four years, she has created and grown successful grassroots programs that partner with local schools to provide access to education, health care, improved nutrition and food security in coffee-growing communities. Prior to her work with Pueblo a Pueblo, she spent 16 years living in East Africa, South America and Mexico where she worked with WorldTeach, the School for International Training, Peace Corps and Plan International. Rosemary earned her Master’s Degree at the School for International Training. She speaks Spanish and Portuguese.

Kara Greenblott is an independent consultant and founder of Nzinga International. Ms. Greenblott has nearly 20 years of experience in the field of international development and specializes in HIV, food security, nutrition, livelihoods and social protection. She lived and worked in Africa and southeast Asia for 12 years, working primarily in emergency and transitional contexts, such as Angola, East Timor, Eritrea and Sierra Leone. Ms. Greenblott currently provides technical support, conducts trainings, writes advocacy/discussion papers, and develops guidance for her clients, including UNICEF, the UN World Food Program, UNAIDS, Catholic Relief Services, and World Vision, among others. Ms. Greenblott is a member of the board of directors for Food 4 Farmers.

Marcela’s work with coffee producers centers on identifying effective, sustainable -- and partner-based -- solutions to overcoming some of the most common obstacles for coffee producers. She co-founded Food4Farmers in 2010, whose mission is to facilitate long-lasting food security programs in coffee growing communities, and is part of the Rural Livelihoods and Agroecology Group at the University of Vermont.

Mané Alves, is a member of the SCAA Standard and Stats Committee and a member of the CQI Instructors pool. He has been in the coffee industry for the last 25 years and he travels frequently to coffee producing countries to buy coffee and teach coffee professionals in the art of cupping. Mané owns CLI and Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea.

Janice is co-director of Food 4 Farmers, a nonprofit she founded with Rick Peyser and Marcela Pino in 2011 to fight seasonal hunger at origin through collaborative partnerships with coffee-growing communities, the specialty coffee industry and global development organizations. Janice has also served as a member of the SCAA Sustainability Council since 2009. Before co-founding Food 4 Farmers, she was development director at Grounds for Health and the Intervale Center, both based in Vermont.

Ronnie has been working in the coffee industry for the past six years as a barista, roaster, trainer, and "explainer". A Texas native, he has served thousands of iced coffees in numerous manifestations. From his first barista gig pouring cooled batch-brews into styrofoam cups full of ice cubelets, to dialing in Yama cold brew drip towers at Avoca Coffee in Fort Worth, to making iced pourovers of Handsome and Coava coffees at Frank in Austin, the iced coffee discussion has been an ongoing theme in his career. He currently works at Toddy as the Customer Advocacy Director.

Josh, along with his wife Tricia and brother-in-law Tyler Zimmer, currently own and operate 12 retail locations and a coffee roaster in St.Louis, MO under the name Kaldi’s Coffee Roasting Company. They also own and operate 8 retail locations throughout the islands of Hawaii were they showcase 100% Hawaiian grown coffees as well as coffees from their own farm located in Kona under the Honolulu Coffee Brand. In 2010 Honolulu Coffee company developed strategic partnerships to expand their business into Guam, Taiwan and Japan where they currently operate 7 licensed location under the name Honolulu Coffee Company.

After spending nearly a decade as a production barista and in store trainer, Lorenzo Perkins now produces baristas as Cuvee Coffee's Director of Education in Austin, TX. Currently serving as an Executive Council member of the Barista Guild of America, he is also a two time Regional Barista Champion and Regional Brewers Cup Champion. Lorenzo additionally serves on the SCAA Certification Panel, creating educational content in conjunction with the SCAA. He still makes coffee, too. Sometimes, people like it.

Current US AeroPress Champion and international judge, Jay is the barista/owner of Spro - a progressive coffee experience in Baltimore. Focusing on presenting coffees in a unique and thought-provoking way with a hospitality centric guest experience, Jay has been at the forefront of the American specialty coffee "Third Wave" scene for a decade. Hailed by Style Magazine as Baltimore's "Thomas Keller of Coffee" and noted by Travel + Leisure Magazine as one of America's Coolest Coffeehouses, Jay spends the year working with coffee professionals around the world and bringing that focus of coffee to the baristas and guests of Spro.

Marcus is the Social Enterprise Project Manager at Central City Concern (CCC), where he oversees the development, execution, and operations of Central City Coffee, a wholesale coffee roasting business providing on-the-job training for CCC’s formerly homeless clients. From sourcing green coffee, developing roast profiles, blending, brewing, training and managing an economically viable business; he calls upon his relationships, creativity, palate, and experience every day. He is devoted to sharing the science, artisanship, and trends in specialty coffee while creating opportunities for personal and economic growth throughout coffee’s supply chain. He consults with retailers to grow their business through continuing coffee education, customer engagement, and coffee-centric events.

Matt Milletto has been a coffee professional for over 18 years. He primarily works with entrepreneurs and business owners to start-up and improve their coffee operations, and has trained over 1500 baristas in the past 8 years alone. He is also an owner at Water Avenue Coffee, an renowned, award winning micro-roaster and retail coffee bar in Portland, OR. Matt is a head judge at the Coffee Fest Latte Art Competition, and has judged barista competitions around the world. He is also the founder of baristaexchange.com, the specialty coffee industry's premiere online community. His mission is to create resources to help all baristas and shop owners succeed in this industry.

A chemical engineer by training, Marino Petracco serves since 1986 as senior research scientist at illycaffè, a leading Italian roaster that sells globally. His field of interest is on all links of the quality chain that makes espresso coffee fine, ranging from plant botany and agriculture to all relevant industrial processes of transformation, up to beverage brewing dynamics and its effects on consumers’ body. Active in various international committees, he presently chairs the European scientific committee for studies on the effects of coffee on human physiology (ISIC). Besides authoring books like “Espresso Coffee: the Science of Quality” and over forty papers, he performs as an enlivened (even expansive) multilingual lecturer.

Hailing from the City of Angels, Brant Curtis was born into a life of coffee. Representing the 4th generation of a family owned business, Brant heads up the Marketing Department at the Southern California HQ of the finest coffee brewer manufacturer in the world, Curtis. Since his induction into Specialty Coffee, there has nary been a moment of rest, much to the chagrin of Rachel, his wife of 4 years and Zoe, his 1 year old daughter. Brant has many acronymic titles that clutter his business card, but we won't bore you with the details.

Trevor is CEO and co-founder of Madcap Coffee Company and currently lives in the Washington, DC area heading up Madcap's expansion project. He is also currently serving as the Vice Chair of the Barista Guild of America, is a SCAA lead instructor, a subject matter expert in espresso for the SCAA, an editorial advisor for Barista Magazine and a contributor to Fresh Cup Magazine. Trevor has also been competing in barista competitions for a number of years having finished in the top 6 in a regional consecutively for the last 5 years. In 2011 he finished 4th in the US.

Oliver Stormshak is the Owner, Green Coffee Buyer, and Roast Master at Olympia Coffee Roasting Co.. He is the 2013 recipient of Roast Magazine’s Micro Roaster of the Year. Oliver has been involved for the last 18 years in nearly every role in specialty coffee, in companies ranging from international brands to nationally distributed roasters to start ups. Oliver has served on numerous Cup of Excellence juries and has been a US Barista Competition Judge, US Cup Tasters Championship Competitor, and US Brewers Cup Championship Competitor. Oliver is infinitely fascinated with growing, sourcing, roasting, cupping, brewing, and drinking amazing coffees.

Arturo is a 4th Generation Coffee Grower in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Together with his father they run El Injerto Estate with the mission to produce premium coffee while taking care of the environment, the people and the community.

Hanna Neuschwander is a freelancer who has written extensively about coffee for media outlets including Roast Magazine, Portland Monthly, Edible Seattle, and Sprudge. She is the author of Left Coast Roast, a guide to artisan and iconic coffee roasters on the west coast. Before establishing a career writing about coffee, Hanna worked as a barista for Extracto Coffeehouse in Portland, and has served as a judge for the NWRBC. She was also the media observer for the Good Food Awards coffee competition in 2012.

Matt Milletto has been a coffee professional for over 18 years. He primarily works with entrepreneurs and business owners to start-up and improve their coffee operations, and has trained over 1500 baristas in the past 8 years alone. He is also an owner at Water Avenue Coffee, an renowned, award winning micro-roaster and retail coffee bar in Portland, OR. Matt is a head judge at the Coffee Fest Latte Art Competition, and has judged barista competitions around the world. He is also the founder of baristaexchange.com, the specialty coffee industry's premiere online community. His mission is to create resources to help all baristas and shop owners succeed in this industry.

Meredith has worked in specialty coffee for 5 years with the majority of that time spent as a barista at Peregrine Espresso in D.C. She has an educational background in environmental policy and enjoys drawing on this background for her work on the SCAA Sustainability Council.

Richard is the senior engineer and director of education at the Food Service Technology Center (FSTC), a publicly funded research facility that studies and promotes energy and water efficiency in commercial food service. Richard focuses his efforts on outreach - translating the research into practical information. He has 20 years’ experience creating and presenting seminars, delivering over 50 sessions a year, and has authored numerous research reports as well as articles in magazines, newsletters and on the web, including the blog: Sustainability Beyond the Plate. He is an active contributor to the US Green Building Council's LEED rating system, the National Restaurant Association's Conserve initiative, and the SCAA's Green Guide.

Kirstin Henninger is the Founding Director of Green Café Network (GCN), a non-profit organization whose mission is to make sustainability mainstream by greening the coffeehouse industry and harnessing cafe culture for environmental education and action. Kirstin has built on her 15 years of experience in the environmental field to help cafe owners and their staff combine business with sustainability and inspire environmental responsibility in their communities. Kirstin is a graduate of Stanford University and has an MA in International Relations from Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Dr. Stubblefield is Associate Professor of Hydrology and Watershed Management in the Department of Forestry and Wildland Resources, Humboldt State University. He received a M.S. in Forest Management at the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Hydrologic Sciences at U.C. Davis. Dr. Stubblefield teaches courses in wildland water quality, watershed management, hydrology and climate change. His research focuses on impacts of land management on water quality in wildland settings.

Paul Hicks is the Water Resources Specialist for Catholic Relief Services covering Latin America and the Caribbean. Mr. Hicks has worked oversees for over fifteen years in water resources management and agricultural development. His professional focus combines local management and administration of water supply systems with the protection of water sources. He led the Global Water Initiative in Central America from 2009 to 2012. Mr Hicks has a Master's of Science from the University of California, Davis in International Agricultural Development.

Since 1997, Miguel Humberto Flores has been involved in the Honduran coffee industry as a producer. During the last seven years, as part of his work at Catholic Relief Services - Honduras, he has contributed to strengthening community development through water spring protection, as part of the shade coffee cultivation development. Presently he is part of a cooperative named ANACAFEH. His goal as a coffee producer is to grow special varieties like Catuaí and Pacas at 1,450 meters (4,750 feet) over sea level, assure a stable and fair market, and benefit families involved in this process.

In her current position as Attorney-Advisor in the Office of Policy and External Affairs at the USPTO, Nancy Omelko specializes in international and domestic trademark law, with a focus on geographical indications, well-known marks and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceedings. She recently returned from a two-year detail with the Office of the United States Trade Representative to the World Trademark Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland. There she served as the Intellectual Property Attaché on matters including negotiations of the international register for wines and spirits; and extension of the higher level of protection currently provided for wines and spirits to other products. Ms Omelko participates in bi-lateral and multilateral discussions related to the EU; sub-Saharan Africa; South Asia and countries of the former Confederation of Independent States. She has spoken extensively throughout the world on trademarks, geographical indications and opposition proceedings; and, in addition to her responsibilities during her term as attaché to the WTO, she has represented the United States at WIPO meetings of the Standing Committee on Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications and meetings of the working group for the Madrid System. During her tenure at the USPTO, she has held the position of Administrator for Petitions in the Trademark Commissioner’s Office, during which she published an article demystifying the petition process. She also worked at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board as a motions attorney; and as an Examining Attorney where she examined service mark applications and held the title of Certification Mark Specialist.

Luis Fernando Samper is recognized as one of the leading experts in coffee branding. During his tenure as Director of Intellectual Property, the Colombian Coffee Federation has boosted a new era in branding and marketing strategies, developing new products and new coffee applications. Luis Fernando completed his Economics degree- both his bachelor’s and MSC-as well as an MSC in Law, at the Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá. During his graduate and undergraduate years, Mr. Samper fulfilled parts of his degrees at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and he earned his MBA from Columbia University in New York. In 1988 he joined the Commercial Department of the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia (FNC). From 1992 to 1995, Mr. Samper was based in the Netherlands working for the FNC’s subsidiary dealing with coffee logistics from Colombia and Central America, which allowed him a first hand contact with several European and American roasters. In 1997, he joined Colombian Coffee Federation Inc (CCF)., the U.S. subsidiary of the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia, overseeing the marketing, sales and advertising of Colombian coffee in North America. As President of CCF Mr. Samper was a member of the National Coffee Association and Canadian Coffee Association Marketing Research Committees and has been invited to speak at the NCA’s Convention and Educational gatherings, the Specialty Coffee Association of America Convention, the Coffee Congress of El Salvador and other regional coffee industry gatherings. Mr. Samper supervises FNC´s Sustainability policy and reports and brand-based and technology based ventures. His different tasks include the development of an Intellectual Property based strategy for marketing Colombian coffee and Juan Valdez ® coffee applications. The story of Juan Valdez is probably one of the most successful case studies in marketing and has been studied by many Universities around the world. Mr Samper has been featured in a number of case studies on Café de Colombia and Juan Valdez marketing challenges published by Harvard and other universities around the world. He is also co-author of a book entitled "Juan Valdez, the Strategy Behind the Brand".

Andrew Hetzel is the founder of CafeMakers, a consulting firm based in Hawaii that provides guidance and quality improvement services for coffee producers and roasters. Since 2001 his work has served a diverse range of clientele, including in East Africa and emerging markets of Asia, India and Russia. Mr. Hetzel is an instructor and consultant for CQI and member of the SCAA professional development committee. His quotes have appeared in media including the New York Times, Time Magazine, CNN, Associated Press, BusinessWeek and Fortune Magazine; his work was profiled by the James Beard Foundation in 2009. From 2008-2012, Mr. Hetzel served as a board member of the World Barista Championship.

William J. Walters is Vice President Technical for PBi Pacific Bag, Inc in Woodinville, WA. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and has worked 24 years as a packaging engineer in product development and quality control. Through his work at Fres-co System USA, Honeywell, Avery Dennison, and PBi as well as studies at Michigan State University and Clemson University, he has gained a wide range of knowledge in flexible packaging. His focus has been in developing barrier packaging and one-way degassing valves for the specialty coffee market.

Merry White is Professor of Anthropology at Boston University specializing in Japan and food studies. She is the author of the new book, Coffee Life in Japan. Her research covers the history of the coffee industry in Japan and the social history of cafes, from the first cafe in 1888 to today's diverse and local kissaten (coffeehouses).

Albert cuenta con una amplia experiencia en las operaciones de contratos de Futuros, Opciones y Productos Estructurados sobre las materias primas que operan de los mercados bursátiles internacionales. Albert se unió al Grupo Hencorp, y posteriormente INTL FCStone hace más de 21 años donde ha sido un pilar muy importante para la empresa en el desarrollo de los programas de Manejo de Riesgo para los operadores del Café, Cacao y Aceite de Palma; desde el productor hasta los consumidores finales. Graduado en Finanzas de la Universidad Internacional de la Florida, EE.UU. Presidente de la Asociación de Cafés de la Costa del Pacifico (PCCA) (Pacific Coast Coffee Association).

Branding and retail specialty coffee expert Lon LaFlamme is Director of Marketing for Dillanos Coffee Roasters. Lon has over 20 years of hands-on experience in serving the marketing and business development needs of Starbucks, Seattle's Best Coffee, Torrefazione Italia as well as independent and chain retail coffee businesses from coast to coast. This author of business books and seven fiction novels was Chief Executive Officer of Publicis/Seattle, one of the largest marketing communications companies in the western U.S. Lon has received numerous national advertising and public relations awards. He also served as marketing professor at the nation’s largest private university.

en los ultimos ultimos 12 años e estado al frent la la cooperativa coprocael como productor y gerente en la cual emos trabajdo en un modelo de desaroyo basado en le cafe difernsiado especialmete por cafe certificado

Born in Guatemala on May 26, 1962. Since 1981 has been the Marketing Manager of Fedecocagua, since 2001 Director of Asociacion Nacional del Café -ANACAFE. He has represented FEDECOCAGUA in different campaigns such as: Fairtrade Forum, Campaign Le Commerce Equitable, Oxfam Campaign, Saint André Notre Dame, Comercio Justo, CCC, 4C. He had several other positions, such as: Exportation Coffee Assistant – Conventional & FT (1984-1986), Exportation Bee Honey Assistant – FT (1981-1984), and worked for different Companies: Cargill Coffee, Trading Desk in Guatemala (1989–1990), Unilever Group/ P.T. Demeire, General Manager / Operations Manager in Guatemala (1990–1994), ITC Global Holding (British Tobacco), “Coffee Trading” in London, England (1995).

Gerardo Medina, Ingeniero con estudios de Maestria en Agricultura Sustentable, desde 1992 está vinculado al sector cafetalero, asesorando a pequeñas fincas de café, en la implementación de buenas prácticas sostenibles y organizándolas para acceder a mercados diferenciados por certificación; desde 1996, en América Latina, ha inspeccionado más de 3,000 mil fincas de café orgánico, para diferentes empresas certificadoras. Desde abril 2005 trabaja con Rainforest Alliance, y ha posicionado a Perú como el principal origen de café certificado bajo las Normas de la Red de Agricultura Sostenible, que tienen como objetivo integrar a una agricultura productiva, con la conservación de la biodiversidad y el desarrollo humano.

LICENCIADA EN ADMINISTRACION DE EMPRESAS. SRTA. DIONI SUAREZ YURIVILCA. TRABAJO COMO GERENTE GENERAL EN AGRO CAFE HACE MAS DE 7 AÑOS LA CUAL EMPEZAMOS CON 25 PRODUCTORES Y EN LA ACTUALIDAD CONTAMOS CON 85 PRODUCTORES ORGANICOS SOSTEBNIBLES Y DE COMERCIO JUSTO.

Ingeniero Agrícola de la Universidad de Costa Rica. Graduado con distinción del programa de Alta Dirección del INCAE Business School. Además es un auditor interno certificado de ISO en calidad y ambiente Desde 1999 ha trabajado en la evaluación, implementación, capacitación y monitoreo de programas de certificación en buenas prácticas agrícolas para café, cacao, banano, miel y sandía entre otras, para programas como GLOBAL GAP, UTZ Certified, Fair Trade, C.A.F.E Practices, Rainforest Alliance, Orgánico y FT USA. Miembro del Comité de Estándares de UTZ Certified. Especializado en el tratamiento de desechos para café y la generación de biogás para la producción de energías limpias (Proyectos en biomasa)

Inspector para sistemas de Certificación Orgánicos y sostenibles con 15 años de experiencia en el ramo, actualmente Gerente de Mayacert para la región de Honduras-Nicaragua- Costa Rica, radicado en la república de Honduras en la ciudad de Siguatepeque, Departamento de Comayagua.

Warren E. Armstrong has worked in coffee for 32 years, including 25 years as a coffee farmer in Nicaragua. In 1981, he started as a Peace Corps volunteer working with two Cooperatives: Cerroazul and Pilangosta in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Since 2000, Warren is the general manager for Asociación “Aldea Global” Jinotega, a small farmer association in Northern Nicaragua. In 2001/2002, Aldea Global entered the specialty coffee market with two members taking first place in Nicaragua’s first Cup of Excellence competition. Today, this Association exports: Specialty SHB/EP, Fair Trade, Organic and Rainforest coffees; tropical root crops, as well as promotes gender equality via economic alternatives and education, benefiting 1,424 members.

Jun-ho Choi is the head of the coffee division at Caffe Bene. He is responsible for green bean selection, barista training, and quality control for Caffe Bene roasted coffee production. He is a licensed Q Grader obtained in Arkansas, United States in 2009.

Kyonghee Shin is a freelance coffee writer living in California, originally from Korea. She covers specialty coffee culture and cafes around the world for Korean coffee magazines including Coffee T&I and Coffee Look. She is a licensed Q-grader, and is the apprentice roaster for Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters.

BK Kim is the specialty coffee buyer, roaster, and managing director of Coffee Libre. Coffee Libre is a coffee roaster in Seoul, Korea. Pioneer of Specialty coffee Industry of Korea. Travel 6 months per year for best green coffee. Also for coffee events like Nordic Barista Cup, SCAA Exposition, CoE as an international judge. 2013 WBC Korea national judge as well. And BK Kim can control every single part of coffee chain just after farmer. Still love Lucha Libre.