Celebrating Connection, Courage, and Commitment at the IWCA Breakfast Fundraiser — SCA Houston 2025
On Saturday, April 26th, the International Women’s Coffee Alliance hosted its annual Breakfast Fundraiser at the Specialty Coffee Expo in Houston. With a packed room of industry leaders, producers, roasters, importers, and passionate advocates, the morning was a powerful reminder of the strength and solidarity within the global coffee community.
This year’s program featured keynote remarks from Pacita “Chit” Juan, IWCA Global Board Member and long-time champion for gender equity and sustainability in the Philippines and beyond. Her insights offered a compelling vision for how women’s leadership is essential to shaping a more inclusive and resilient coffee industry. Her words struck a chord—highlighting the urgent need for investment, visibility, and structural support for women at all levels of the value chain.
A highlight of the IWCA Breakfast at SCA Houston was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) officially welcoming IWCA Ecuador as the newest chapter of IWCA Global. This special moment marked the culmination of months of collaboration and shared commitment to advancing the role of women in coffee throughout Ecuador. With the signing of this MoU, IWCA Ecuador joins a network of 35 chapters around the world, each working to empower women at every level of the coffee value chain. We’re honored to celebrate this milestone alongside our global community and look forward to the meaningful work ahead.
We were also thrilled to announce the winning bidder of the Threads of Empowerment Quilt Auction, a new tradition launched in 2024 to raise funds and honor the collaborative spirit of our global network. Thank you to the generosity of our anonymous winner of the auction. The Quilt, created from fabric pieces contributed by IWCA Chapters around the world and brought to life by renowned artist Aisha Lumumba, is a traveling symbol of the stories, strength, and shared purpose that connect us all.
Throughout the morning, attendees enjoyed meaningful conversations, forged new connections, and were reminded of the tangible impact that collective support can have. The energy in the room was palpable—and the commitment to action was clear.
As always, this event would not be possible without the generous contributions of our sponsors, volunteers, and community members. Your ongoing support fuels IWCA’s global mission: to empower women in coffee to achieve meaningful and sustainable lives.
Looking Ahead
As we build toward 2026, we’re excited to continue evolving this event to deepen emotional connection, drive strategic collaboration, and provide clear calls to action. We invite all attendees to stay involved and bring others into the fold—because empowering women in coffee is not just good ethics, it’s smart strategy for the entire industry.
Thank you for being part of this movement.