Recap: Fondazione Ernesto Illy and IWCA: Empowering Women in the Coffee Industry Webinar

On Friday, June 14, 2024, we had the pleasure of hosting an insightful and inspiring webinar focused on empowering women in the coffee industry. The event, a collaboration between Fondazione Ernesto Illy and the International Women’s Coffee Alliance, highlighted the significant contributions and ongoing challenges faced by women in this field. Here’s a recap of the key moments from the webinar.

Leslie Nanne Lippmann: Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Gender Equity

Leslie Nanne Lippmann delivered a powerful address, shedding light on the various challenges women have historically faced in the coffee industry. She spoke passionately about issues such as the gender pay gap, lack of access to basic education and literacy skills, and the legal barriers preventing women from owning land. Leslie emphasized that achieving gender equity not only leads to increased coffee production but also allows entire communities and families to thrive. She highlighted the value of being part of the IWCA, noting the organization’s role in providing friendship, connection, networking opportunities, education, empowerment, and inspiration through an international community.

Isabella Modde: Insights into the Master in Coffee Economics and Science

Isabella Modde shared her experiences and insights as part of the Master in Coffee Economics and Science program. She explained how the scholarship program operates, underscoring its value and the excitement the Ernesto Illy Foundation has for supporting women from coffee-producing countries. Isabella encouraged attendees to apply for the scholarship, stressing the importance of persistence. She advised applicants to share their heartfelt stories and experiences, as the selection committee values the extra effort and personal touch in applications.

Orietta Lucia Alvarenga Pinto: Personal Growth and Professional Development

Orietta Lucia Alvarenga Pinto shared her personal journey as a participant in the Master in Coffee Economics and Science program. She reflected on how she started the program feeling shy and timid but has since gained confidence and skills through her interactions with teachers and peers. Orietta expressed her excitement about applying her newfound knowledge to her work in quality control in Honduras. She warmly encouraged other webinar participants to apply for the program, emphasizing the transformative impact it has had on her life and career.

Host Orieta Pinto wrapped up the webinar by sharing the results of a quick survey conducted among attendees. The survey revealed a range of insights, including the feelings and demographics of participants. Notably, a significant portion of respondents were aged 50 and above, which Orieta highlighted as a motivating reminder that it’s never too late for women in coffee to apply for this program. The survey also showed that the most representation came from the Honduras IWCA Chapter, with several attendees not currently affiliated with any chapter. Interestingly, the most common profession among attendees was marketing, followed by agronomy, industrial engineering, chemistry, nutrition, and other fields.

Orieta graciously thanked the presenters for their valuable contributions and expressed deep gratitude for the opportunities being made available to women in the IWCA through the Master in Coffee Economics and Science program. She encouraged everyone to keep working hard and to pursue their dreams with determination and persistence.

Call to Action

We encourage all interested individuals to apply for the Master in Coffee Economics and Science program. This opportunity is not just an educational experience but a chance to make a significant impact on your community and the coffee industry as a whole.

If you are not yet a member of the IWCA, please reach out to us, and we will connect you with the chapter in your country. For more information, please send us an email.

Thank you to everyone who attended the webinar. Your engagement and passion are what drive this community forward. We look forward to seeing more of you in future events and programs!