The 2nd Women in Tea & Coffee Conference is fast approaching
Happy Women’s History Month, and Happy International Women’s Day, albeit a few days late.
The inaugural Women in Tea & Coffee Conference in May 2025, offered women a chance to learn more about opportunities in both the coffee and tea industries on the manufacturing/consuming side from women currently in key positions with major coffee and tea brands, allied service companies, and coffee and tea associations/organisations. The one-day event featured keynote discussions, panel sessions, and networking opportunities in a collaborative setting so women looking to forge a career in either industry or those women perhaps looking to “make a change” can both learn how to navigate the best career path from women who have “been there and done that.”
The 2nd Women in Tea & Coffee Conference has the same goals as the inaugural event, however, since the United Nations has recognised this year as the International Year of the Female Farmer, the 2026 Women in Tea & Coffee Conference – taking place on 6 May in London – will highlight women in origin countries, both female producers and farm workers, addressing their struggles and their achievements, while continuing to spotlight remarkable women working on the manufacturing side of the tea and coffee industries.
We are honoured to announce Dr Erika Valério, senior gender and agrifood systems expert at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) as our keynote speaker. Dr Valério joins the previously announced Zahra Afshar, head of legal, human rights and sustainability at Ahmad Tea, who is our keynote tea speaker, and Kathrine Löfberg, chair of Löfbergs Coffee, who is our coffee keynote speaker.
New panel sessions this year include Women’s Evolving Roles in Tea & Coffee Agribusiness and Why Women are Pivotal to the Future of Coffee and Tea. The new sessions join the returning session, Careers in Tea & Coffee, which showcases diverse career positions women hold within the tea and coffee industries. Panellists and presenters include UK Tea Academy founder and tea expert, Jane Pettigrew; Katy Woollard, product specialist, Whittard of Chelsea; Hannah Nunn, founder & CEO, Kickstart Coffee; Joyce Maina, head of tea, Bird & Blend; Frances Musgrave, tea sourcing manager, Finlay Beverages; and Victoria Cordi, director of strategic partnerships, Rainforest Alliance. We continually update the WiTCC website, so please check back regularly to see new speaker and agenda announcements.
In celebration of International Women’s Day on 8 March, WiTCC brought back “early bird prices” but for one week only, through 16 March, so please click here to take advantage of the promotion.
We hope you are able to join us on 6 May in London for the 2nd Women in Tea & Coffee Conference, for what is sure to be another uplighting, inspiring, and productive event.
Vanessa L Facenda, editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, [email protected]
