The 2nd Women in Tea & Coffee Conference takes place 6 May

At this year’s International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) Breakfast (held during World of Coffee San Diego in April), the keynote speaker was Helen Russell, co-founder and executive chair of Equator Coffees, who discussed leadership, stewardship, and long-term responsibility in the coffee industry. Russell shared her coffee journey founding Equator Coffee and purchasing a coffee farm, Finca Sophia, in 2008, and the importance of empowering women.

“Empowerment isn’t about giving women strength; it’s about acknowledging the strength that has been holding the world together all along,” she stressed.

Empowerment was the motivation behind establishing the Women in Tea & Coffee Conference in 2025 and remains the mission for the 2nd Women in Tea & Coffee Conference, which takes place on 6 May in London.

The 2nd Women in Tea & Coffee Conference has the same goals as the inaugural event — offered women a chance to learn 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. However, since the United Nations has recognised this year as the International Year of the Woman 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 have Dr Erika Valério, senior gender and agrifood systems expert at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) as our keynote speaker, Zahra Afshar, head of legal, human rights and sustainability at Ahmad Tea, as our keynote tea speaker, and Kathrine Löfberg, chair of Löfbergs, as 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 include Michele Arias, sustainability manager, UNEX Guatemala; Victoria Cordi, director of strategic partnerships, Rainforest Alliance; Lucy George, CEO, Petersons Tea; Rebekah Kettrick, coffee purchasing manager, Cafédirect; Joyce Maina, head of tea, Bird & Blend; Frances Musgrave, tea sourcing manager, Finlay Beverages; Anna Nordström, global coffee expert, Löfbergs; Hannah Nunn, founder & CEO, Kickstart Coffee; Bryony Osmond, master blender,

Twinings; Jane Pettigrew, UK Tea Academy founder and tea expert; Valentina Molano Paredes, strategic planning & communications coordinator in sustainability, SKN Caribecafé SAS (NKG); Amy Powell, R&D Food Technologist for Tea, Clipper Tea; Noelia Villalobos Soto, director, Specialty Coffee Association of Costa Rica/ Sintercafé; and Kerrina Thorogood, partnerships director, Fairtrade Foundation.

Katy Woollard, product specialist, Whittard of Chelsea is hosting the tea workshop, which will explore the story behind and differences between two of the world’s most iconic green tea traditions Chinese pan-fired green teas and Japanese steamed green teas — two styles shaped by distinct cultures, craftsmanship, and processing techniques.

Pact Coffee trainer and London Coffee Masters 2026 finalist Laura Metcalfe hosts a tasting of four extraordinary coffees — each one grown by a woman at the top of her craft. As attendees taste, Laura will share the stories behind each cup: the women who produced them and the skill and dedication that makes their coffee exceptional.

Time is running to attend the 2nd Women in Tea & Coffee Conference (6 May in London at The View) but there is still time to register. If you are registered for the event and are interested in attending the tea or coffee workshop, spots are still available in the workshops, but you must register in advance.

As Helen Russell wisely noted during her 2026 IWCA Breakfast keynote, “When women thrive, everyone thrives. When women do well we all do well.” We hope you are able to join us at the 2nd Women in Tea & Coffee Conference, for what is certain to be an inspiring, aspiring, and empowering event.

• Vanessa L Facenda is the editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, and can be reached at: [email protected].