IWCA Announces New Global Leadership Team

International Women’s Coffee Alliance Announces New Leadership Appointments

The International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) has announced new leadership for its Global Board of Directors, with Emily Bollinger appointed President, and Shelby Colley appointed Vice President.The organisation says in a statement the leadership transition reflects IWCA’s continued focus on strong governance, strategic growth, and cross-sector collaboration in support of women across the global coffee value chain.

Emily Bollinger has served on the IWCA Global Board since March 2021 and brings deep institutional knowledge and operational expertise to her role as President. She is Green Coffee Logistics Manager at Peet’s Coffee, where she manages complex supply chain operations that connect coffee producers to roastery teams.

Shelby Colley steps into the role of Vice President with 15 years of brand and marketing leadership in the food and beverage sector. She currently serves as Vice President of Marketing at Equator Coffees, a United States-based B Corp recognised for its commitment to sustainability, equity, and quality.

Strengthening Global Governance

As a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering women in the international coffee community, IWCA operates through a network of national chapters spanning producing countries and consumer markets. Leadership transitions within such a structure are central to maintaining momentum and ensuring alignment with strategic priorities. The newly appointed leaders will assume responsibilities across governance, strategic planning, advocacy, and programme oversight. Their mandate includes strengthening collaboration among chapters, driving sustainable growth initiatives, and reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to gender equity within the coffee sector.

Expanding Industry Representation

Women play a vital role across coffee production, processing, trading, roasting, and retail. However, structural barriers often limit access to resources, finance, and leadership opportunities. Through refreshed leadership, IWCA aims to amplify the voices of women entrepreneurs and professionals across the value chain. The new appointments are expected to bring diverse regional perspectives, industry expertise, and strategic insight to the organisation’s global agenda.

Driving Impact Across the Coffee Value Chain

The coffee industry continues to face complex challenges, including climate change, price volatility, supply chain disruption, and sustainability pressures. Within this context, inclusive leadership has become increasingly important to fostering resilience and long-term growth. IWCA’s leadership team will focus on expanding training programmes, facilitating market access, and building partnerships that enhance economic opportunities for women producers and business owners. Strengthened governance is seen as a catalyst for scaling these initiatives effectively.

Collaboration and Strategic Partnerships

Global coffee markets are increasingly interconnected, with collaboration between producing nations, buyers, retailers, and advocacy organisations playing a critical role in sector stability. The incoming leadership has signalled its intent to deepen partnerships with industry stakeholders, certification bodies, development agencies, and private sector participants. Such collaboration is expected to drive measurable outcomes in capacity building, financial inclusion, and sustainable sourcing.

Industry Significance

Leadership transitions within global industry bodies often signal a shift toward renewed strategic focus. For IWCA, the appointments reflect an effort to consolidate its position as a leading advocate for women in coffee while adapting to evolving market realities. By strengthening its executive structure, the organisation aims to improve governance transparency, operational efficiency, and programme delivery across its chapter network.

Looking Ahead

As global coffee markets evolve, organisations championing inclusive growth are likely to play a more prominent role in shaping industry standards and sustainability frameworks. With its newly appointed leadership team, IWCA is positioning itself to expand its influence, enhance stakeholder engagement, and support women professionals navigating an increasingly competitive and climate-sensitive global coffee landscape. The transition marks a new chapter for the alliance as it continues its mission to foster equity, opportunity, and resilience throughout the international coffee community.