SCA Unveils Slate of Candidates for 2026–2028 Board of Directors and Appoints 2nd Vice President
Dubai – August 28, 2025 (Qahwa World) – The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has announced the official slate of candidates for its 2026–2028 Board of Directors election, alongside the appointment of the association’s new 2nd Vice President. The announcement was made by Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the SCA, in an address to members worldwide.
The nominations, which follow an extensive interview and review process led by the Nominating Committee chaired by SCA Board President Garfield Kerr, bring together three prominent industry leaders:
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Emi-Beth Aku Quantson, CEO and Chief Caffeination Officer at Kawa Moka Coffee Company
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Rob Stephen, Managing Director of Covoya Specialty Coffee
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Daryanto Witarsa, Co-Founder of Common Grounds Coffee and Catur Coffee Company
A Diverse and Influential Slate
Emi-Beth Aku Quantson has redefined Ghana’s coffee sector by creating value across the supply chain. Through Kawa Moka, she sources premium Robusta from rural farmers—mainly women—roasts it locally, and develops eco-innovations such as turning coffee waste into skincare products. A PwC alumna and Fortune Magazine-featured entrepreneur, she has received international recognition for her pioneering role in African agribusiness and youth empowerment.
Rob Stephen, with over 35 years in specialty coffee, is the Managing Director of Covoya Specialty Coffee. A former SCAA President and Coffee Kids President, Stephen has deep expertise in retail, roasting, quality, standards, and international coffee trading. As a Q Grader instructor and representative at the ISO Council on coffee standards, he is known for his leadership in global quality protocols and supply chain optimization.
Daryanto Witarsa, a central figure in Indonesia’s specialty coffee movement, co-founded Common Grounds Coffee and Catur Coffee Company, helping shape modern coffee culture in the region. As President of the Specialty Coffee Association of Indonesia (SCAI) and Advisor at the Coordinating Ministry of Food Affairs, he has championed Indonesian producers globally. He also played a key role in hosting World of Coffee Jakarta 2025 and has mentored leading baristas such as 2024 World Barista Champion Mikael Jasin.
Appointment of the 2nd Vice President
In addition to the election slate, the SCA Board of Directors has appointed Jiyoon Han, Co-Owner of Bean & Bean Coffee in New York, as the association’s new 2nd Vice President. Han, a Licensed Q Grader and Harvard MBA, is recognized for her work on gender equity and technology in coffee, as well as her jury service at Cup of Excellence competitions across Latin America. Alongside her mother, Rachel, she has built Bean & Bean into a multi-channel coffee business spanning retail, ecommerce, and wholesale.
With Han’s appointment, the officer group of the SCA Board for 2026 will consist of:
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Andrew Tolley (Tolley Coffee & Tea), President
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Nadine Rasch (Primavera Coffee), Vice President
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Jiyoon Han (Bean & Bean Coffee), 2nd Vice President
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Cosimo Libardo (Nomad Coffee Consulting), Treasurer
Election Process and Next Steps
The SCA Board of Directors, comprising 15 volunteer members serving three-year terms, plays a pivotal role in guiding the global coffee industry. For the 2025 election cycle, three seats are open. The final ballot will be released on October 13, 2025.
If the number of candidates exceeds the available seats, voting will take place from November 1–30, 2025. Ballots will be distributed via eBallot, the third-party company managing the process, from the email [email protected]. Members are encouraged to add this address to their contacts to avoid missing their ballot.
More details on the election process, candidate biographies, and frequently asked questions are available on the SCA’s elections page: sca.coffee/board/elections.
