Anne Valdez, Managing Director of Lucky Hills Coffee and a well-respected expert in the coffee industry, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE). With her extensive experience as an international juror for Cup of Excellence (COE), Valdez is committed to strengthening the link between outstanding coffee producers and consumers.
In addition to her role at Lucky Hills Coffee, Valdez is the President of Amrita Certified Pure and the Owner of Florisbella Coffee Consulting. She has been an integral part of the Cup of Excellence program since its early days, working as a juror and advocate for top-quality coffee. Valdez has helped recognize exceptional coffee producers and uphold the highest standards within the specialty coffee industry.
Valdez’s journey in coffee began in 1986 at Barnie’s Coffee and Tea, and over the years, she has gained experience across all aspects of specialty coffee, including cupping, judging, roasting, and barista training. She has judged numerous prestigious competitions, such as Cup of Excellence (14 times), Best of Panama (3 times), and Rainforest Alliance Cupping (3 times).
While the Cup of Excellence program has been successful in highlighting farmers and improving quality, Valdez believes more work is needed to educate consumers about the exceptional standards behind these coffees. “My focus will be on developing tools to bridge this gap and enhance consumer appreciation for excellence in coffee,” she said.
As Managing Director of Lucky Hills Coffee, Valdez oversees the company’s direct trade relationships with 80 coffee growers in Brazil’s Southern Minas Gerais region, ensuring sustainable and transparent coffee sourcing practices. Lucky Hills Coffee is known for its rich, complex coffees from Carmo da Cachoeira, one of Brazil’s premier coffee-growing areas.
“Anne’s deep understanding of both coffee production and consumption makes her a perfect fit for our board,” said an ACE spokesperson. “Her extensive experience will play a key role in advancing our mission and connecting coffee growers with consumers worldwide.”
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