I didn’t grow up around coffee, my family didn’t drink much of it, and neither did I. I don’t believe I had a proper latte until I was in my 20s; I remember the art in the cup in a cafe in downtown Lancaster, PA. From that point on, I was hooked on the whole experience of coffee, and I got my first introduction to working in coffee four years ago at Chapters Books & Coffee in downtown Newberg, OR. Since then, I’ve been working in coffee in different capacities, from brewing drinks and cupping to branding and event planning.

As a food and drink nerd, I love the capacity coffee has for the community, both locally and globally. Locally, coffee offers us the opportunity to connect with friends, family, and coworkers in one of the simplest yet impactful ways. Globally, we are offered a glimpse into the living, breathing network of industry workers. Working together to extract the best this world has to offer into something as simple as your morning brew, making this big world a little smaller.

I’ve always been surrounded by coffee since I can remember. My first introduction to coffee was steaming milk with my dad on Saturday mornings while we made his latte and made “foamy milk” for me. I later got my official start at Chapters Books & Coffee in downtown Newberg, OR, and have worked in the coffee industry for the last four years.

The hospitality aspect of coffee is what drew me into the industry. I loved how community-based coffee is and how you can meet, connect, and make something tailored and exclusive to each individual. As I have grown in the specialty coffee industry, I have learned the workings of the industry, understanding the processes, the tastings, and all the components that coffee can have. And I love that at the end of it all, it truly comes back to hospitality and bringing people together for something delightful, all from a simple cup of coffee.