The International Women’s Coffee Alliance Australia (IWCAA) has revealed its new board with the mission to connect the industry and be a voice for women in coffee.
A roaster of 17 years, Gina Di Brita will lead the IWCAA as President.
“As a member and President of the IWCAA, I’m passionate in leading the Chapter’s development as a platform that will identify opportunities in creating a more sustainable and balanced coffee industry,” Gina says.
Gina will be joined on the Board by Veronica Ponce, Vice President; Sabrina Czesla, Treasurer; Jayme Ellis, Secretary; Melissa Garcia, and General Board Members Muki Yeung and Melissa Garcia.
“I’m honoured to be serving alongside five other strong women who are all passionate about creating a more inclusive environment for our evolving industry,” Gina says.
“We are each ambitious, hard-working, highly capable, and ready to pursue the Chapter’s objectives.”
The overall mission of the IWCA is to encourage and recognise the participation of women in all aspects of the coffee industry, and to empower women in the international coffee community to achieve meaningful and sustainable lives.
The Australian Chapter is part of a collaborative team made up of 25 other Chapter members from different countries around the world, focussed on helping create global change for some of the issues faced by women across the coffee value chain.
“We are a self-governed, self-organised Chapter and the nature of the role is voluntary. At times, it doesn’t come without demands, but I’ve been given a unique responsibility to contribute to the work and life of IWCAA that can work to achieve its charitable purpose and this in itself is rewarding,” Gina says.
Current goals of the IWCAA is to provide a platform for women in coffee to:
– Connect, network and share one another’s experiences, deliberate over issues of mutual interest.
– Celebrate and promote the contribution of women in all aspects of the coffee industry.
– Provide women in the coffee sector the tools necessary to strengthen their participation nationally and internationally.
– Build relationships with coffee growers from our other 24 IWCA Chapter members to foster trading alliances.
– Support Australian women in coffee with education and resources through our global network.
Gina says given the current global climate and the industry challenges and uncertainty following COVID-19, now more than ever it’s important to stay connected.
“The resilient leadership of IWCAA’s role is here to unite all women and the coffee community to express our ongoing empathy and compassion as a support network, while we are recovering as we learn and emerge stronger,” Gina says. “It’s important that we continue to unite while reinforcing our purpose of building a network of women and men with a shared vision to connect, empower and advance the coffee industry.”
Gina says recognising the participation of women in all aspects of the coffee industry will help drive a cultural shift that will enable new pathways for effective change. Any support to get behind the Australian Chapter will create awareness and help address issues such as gender equality in coffee.
“IWCAA encourages discussion around developing a more resilient model that will continue to serve all stakeholders across the supply chain, no matter what crisis comes our way,” she says.
“We openly welcome anyone interested, both men and women to either get on board and actively participate with this initiative, keep educating yourself through our global IWCA portal, donate or just hold the space with mutual respect while we work towards understanding and developing a more stable and secure industry environment.”
The Australian board members have set a goal to grow and double its Chapter membership by 2021. Everyone is welcome to reach out and join.
For more information, visit www.womenincoffee.org
To get involved, email iwcaaustralia@gmail.com or contact Gina Di Brita 0419 758 870.
