IWCA Appoints New Executive Director

The International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Blanca Castro as its new Executive Director. With over 16 years of experience in the coffee sector, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role.

Blanca's history with IWCA began as a dedicated volunteer where she actively supported IWCA Global projects in Central America. In 2016, Blanca took over the role of Chapter Relations Manager where she has successfully facilitated programs and projects in support of the growth and success of the IWCA Chapter Network, representing 33 countries.

IWCA Board President, Sharon Riechers, is excited about this new chapter saying “Blanca’s impressive background, experience, and deep commitment to the mission of the organization will bring a fresh perspective and energy to programs, partnerships, and overall impact of IWCA. With her leadership, IWCA is poised to further empower women in the coffee industry and drive positive change on a global scale.”

“Women in the coffee industry deserve the changes that will enable them to achieve recognition and accountability. Building a team has been a nourishing ride for IWCA, and I truly believe that the collaboration of so many volunteers, following the original vision of the five remarkable women in coffee, is the foundation of the shared success of our great working team. I am incredibly excited for what lies ahead and for the continued growth and success of IWCA."

Blanca's dedication to promoting gender equality within the coffee industry makes her an excellent fit for the role of Executive Director. Fluent in English, French, German, and Spanish, she possesses a diverse professional network and extensive experience in public relations, administration, and communications. Her multifaceted skills enable her to identify the needs of various stakeholders in the coffee market and find innovative solutions to industry challenges. Please join us in welcoming Blanca to her new role!