Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA (MZB-USA) announced today that Nora Johnson, vice president of commodities, has officially become an Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) Certified Coffee Grader. Johnson joins an elite group of coffee professionals worldwide licensed to evaluate and determine whether green coffee meets the rigorous physical and sensory standards required for delivery against the global Arabica coffee benchmark futures contract.

Johnson’s certification marks a historic milestone for the global beverage sector: she is the youngest woman ever to pass the grueling ICE Grader examination.

The ICE Coffee Grader certification is widely regarded as one of the most demanding credentials in global commodity trading. A recent Wall Street Journal profile highlighted the extreme selectivity of the panel, noting an exam passing rate of just 5% to 8% – a benchmark significantly lower than the California Bar Exam’s ~64% pass rate. Typically offered only once every five years, the examination places immense pressure on candidates evaluating high-stakes physical commodity standards.

Among the limited number of Arabica Coffee Graders globally, only seven are women – two of whom are key leaders at MZB-USA. Johnson joins her colleague Dorothea Hescock, senior director, quality and r&d at MZB-USA, making the company an unmatched powerhouse in global coffee evaluation and risk management.

“Nora’s historical achievement is a testament to her extraordinary technical expertise, sharp market discipline and relentless dedication to our industry,” said Matthew Smith, president of Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA. “To have two of the world’s seven licensed female ICE Coffee Graders leading our inbound supply chain and quality teams gives MZB-USA a distinct strategic advantage. It reinforces our commitment to providing our customers and partners with unmatched excellence from green coffee procurement all the way to the final cup.”

Reflecting on the milestone, Johnson emphasised the years of preparation and deep industry support that led to her certification:

“Earning the ICE Certified Coffee Grader designation is both a profound professional honor and a significant responsibility,” said Nora Johnson, vice president of commodities, Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA. “The benchmark standards set within the ICE Grading Room serve as the bedrock for global Arabica trading and risk management. While this has been a dedicated goal of mine for years, I think the full weight of the achievement will truly sink in the first time I walk into the Grading Room at the New York Stock Exchange for a panel – NYSE badge and cupping spoon in hand. Joining this esteemed group of industry experts reinforces my commitment to maintaining market integrity and driving value across our global supply chain, and I’m deeply grateful to the mentors, colleagues, and leadership at Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA who have supported my journey.”

As vice president of commodities, Johnson oversees green coffee procurement, futures hedging, risk management, and inbound logistics for MZB-USA. Since joining the organisation in 2016, she has navigated the industry through historic market volatility, leading procurement strategy through record highs in Arabica and Robusta futures, consecutive years of global supply deficits, and major supply chain shifts.

Her technical precision and strategic vision have earned her widespread recognition across the beverage landscape. In 2026, Johnson was named recipient of the National Coffee Association (NCA) Rising Star Award. She currently serves as chair of the NCA Next Gen Council and holds a seat on the board of directors for the Green Coffee Association. She holds a B.S. in Finance, Summa Cum Laude, from Florida Gulf Coast University, where she was inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame.

The addition of a second ICE Certified Coffee Grader reinforces MZB-USA’s position as a premier global coffee leader, combining deep technical sensory evaluation with sophisticated supply chain risk management.