Welcome to New Committee Members for the US Chapter
The US coffee market continues to be one of the most interesting, diverse, and innovative in the world, and you’re a part of that. We’re grateful to have you with us as part of the ever-growing community, so thank you for being here.
Today we’re sharing an update on the US Chapter and taking a moment to thank the incredible volunteers who have given their time and passion over the past years to support the Chapter’s efforts to make coffee better. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to serve the Chapter’s unique size, views, and needs, and the volunteer leadership has accomplished a great deal over the past few years. We thank these volunteers on behalf of the SCA and the US coffee community for their devotion, persistence, and passion. A few projects that they have been working on over the past few years are: Community Listening Sessions, Participation on the Strategic Committee of the US Coffee Competitions, RE:BLOOM, Detroit Coffee Week, New York Coffee Festival, Columbus Coffee Fest and several other community-focused engagement efforts.
A new structure is being created to support the production of community events in the US. To guide this effort, we are delighted to announce a new interim leadership structure: three branches, each with a different focus.
· National Coffee Competitions – Creating new partnerships to elevate the competition experience and create more accessible opportunities for participants and audiences
· Industry Connections (B2B) – Increasing support for business-to-business relationships and helping connect professionals within our community
· Consumer Awareness (B2C) – Building initiatives that invite consumers to learn more about the specialty coffee journey and engage with our vibrant community
Welcome to New Committee Members
As part of our new structure, we are pleased to announce the interim appointments of Sarina Prabasi and Ian Williams, who will be joining the team for the upcoming term. Together with our returning members, Joshua Eden, Reiko Piekarski, and Christopher Brown, they will continue to drive forward the goals and initiatives of the US Chapter.
- Ian Williams will lead a committee with a focus on Consumer Engagement. The goal is to build initiatives that invite consumers to learn more about the specialty coffee journey and engage with our vibrant community.
- Sarina Prabasi will guide the focus on Industry Connections. The goal is to increase support for business-to-business relationships and helping connect professionals within our community.
- Joshua Eden, Reiko Piekarski, and Christopher Brown have been and will continue with leading the US Competitions.
Scroll down to read more about the new committee members.
A Special Thanks to Our Outgoing Committee Members
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Brandon Bir, Lane Mitchell, and Jess Ross for their dedication and invaluable service to the US coffee community. Their contributions have laid a strong foundation for this next chapter, and we’re grateful for their hard work and commitment.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we look toward a new year filled with exciting possibilities for coffee, the US Coffee community and the US Chapter.
Meet the New Committee
Joshua Edens (they/she)
In my tenure in the industry I have worn many hats; I have served as a barista, manager, event producer, project manager, beverage director, educator, and operator. Like many of us, I started as a barista in a cafe in my hometown of Springdale, AR. This was my introduction to coffee and served as the catalyst for my interest in serving others. I'm passionate about people; it always comes back to people. This desire for connection to people is what drew me into the world of competitions and has kept me committed to both competitions and the specialty coffee industry ever since. Competitions offer themselves as a place where people can innovate, elevate, and learn from each other in a competitive yet community focused environment. The competition stage continues to be a place where we can serve and be served by others and the community that sits around this table is one we should be proud of. Today, I am so thankful to have learned from so many incredible mentors on the U.S. and World Coffee Competition Stages and am honored to serve as a mentor and steward of legacy in U.S Competitions.
Sarina Prabasi (she/her)
Sarina Prabasi is the Co-Founder of Buunni Coffee and The Roasting Room by Buunni in New York City. Since 2012, Buunni has grown into a beloved brand, and most recently launched a roastery, co-roasting facility and coffee education space that offers services to coffee entrepreneurs and other coffee businesses.
Prior to Buunni, Sarina had a career in international development, including serving as CEO of WaterAid America, and Deputy Chief of Programs for Orbis International. She has served on the boards of the Specialty Coffee Association, the People’s Theatre Project, and Helvetas. Sarina has been recognised for her leadership and innovation, featured in multiple publications including New York Business Journal (“Woman of Influence”) Fortune Magazine and Food & Wine (“Most Innovative Women in Food and Drink”).
Reiko "Coffee Jedi" Piekarski (she/her)
My introduction to coffee started at an early age but it bloomed when I started working in the coffee department of the local gourmet store. With the foundation work laid out, I moved on to become a barista, cafe manager, bean slinger in a mobile cafe, brand ambassador, and trainer in various locations in the local area. I've made a home as Director of Coffee Programs with Fortuna Enterprises in Greensboro, NC continuing to learn and grow in the industry. My introduction to competitions was in 2012 in Portland, started judging for barista competitions in the 2015 season, and now am proudly serving as the chair for US Latte Art and as USCC Strategic Leadership.
Christopher Brown (he/him)
Christopher Brown started his journey into coffee with a paper for an anthropology class in 2015. He soon became sales director and trainer for What’s Brewing Coffee Roasters in San Antonio, regional technician for Counter Culture Coffee in DC, and currently manages the Mid Atlantic sales team for Lavazza USA. Christopher has also served as a USLAC Judge, US Chapter Leader, and US Competitions Leader.
Ian Williams (he/him)
lan Williams is the founder and owner of Deadstock Coffee, a globally recognized sneaker-themed coffee shop in Old Town, Portland with a focus on uniting communities over their love of premium goods. With a purpose of connecting people, Ian has partnered with several organizations over the course of his entrepreneurial career, including working with adidas to design his own sneaker, creating a unique coffee blend for Kann Restaurant, and being a recurring host of Nike SNKRS Live: Live From The Archive. For his contributions and leadership, Ian has been awarded both the 2022 Travel Portland President’s Award and a 2023 James Beard Broadcast Media Award. Nowadays, Ian’s primary focus is activating the vibrant community he’s fostered, as well as his eternal quest to find the best cookie in the world.