Leaders & Luminaries 2020 Issue

LEADERS & LUMINARIES 2020 | Vol. XXXIII No.6 www.coffeetalk.com

Making a Difference Special Issue

Congratulations to the deserving winners of our first annual Legends and Luminaries awards. In these challenging times, it is more important than ever to recognize and appreciate good things happening around us. These awards were created to remind us all that all we need to do is look around to find inspirational individuals making a difference in our coffee community. After nominations were received, an independent panel of ten industry judges reviewed each nomination giving feedback and rankings. I am thankful for these giving individuals who took time out of their busy schedules and personal lives to make these awards possible. In one case a judge was a winner and, of co urse, she was not a judge of her own nomination. Categories included: Educator Extraordinaire, Compassionate Humanitarian, Pioneering Trailblazer, Inspirational Leadership, Equality and Equity Champion, Contribution to Industry, Origin Advocate, and Creative Genius / Innovator. After each winner was determined, they were asked how they became involved with the industry, who influenced them most, and a brief biography. Their answers were diverse and fascinating. I was impressed by David Beeman’s creative strategy to get the attention of famous chefs to improve their coffee quality. Jim Stewart found a career in coffee ‘by the hand of God,’ and it was his appreciation of what most would consider painful circumstances, he credits helped to form his success. Todd Carmichael started carrying green coffee sacks at Starbucks in the early days and his never-ending curiosity and drive towards evolving have inspired many. Phyllis Johnson was inspired by the warm and open reception from coffee people at the beginning of her career inspiring her to continue. Kelly Stein, like Stewart, ended up in coffee by accident. “Coffee chose me, not otherwise! My life was transformed through education and access to information and now is my time to give back!” I think we can all appreciate Tim Thwaites's acknowledgment, “Coffee is not unicorns and rainbows most of the time - it takes hard work.” Heather Perry learned from her father, “Never being afraid to fail is a great recipe for success.” It was this attitude as well as her perseverance in the world of coffee competitions and commitment to hard work that created her success. Like most of the other winners, Dean Cycon also came to coffee by happenstance. I remember reading his book, Javatrekker, before ever stepping foot on a coffee farm and if you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it! Cycon was an attorney fighting for indigenous rights and through his work and coffee, he “found a way to combine all my passions under one room.” The more I read about these inspirational figures, the more I found in common between them. CoffeeTalk’s core strength and value is in strengthening coffee community connections. We are stronger together. I hope you enjoy their stories as much as I did and continue in your own journeys in coffee creating connections and making a difference.

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