STEVEN MARTINEZ
(HEAD ROASTER/
SOURCING LEADER) He/him
Steven is so many things coffee but most importantly great all around human. Through patience, passion and quality he showcases what it means to be in the KWC collective. He maybe one of our oldest members and is one of our most seasoned coffee experts. From the ground up as lead barista in many shops around Bogota to now consulting for roasters in places like Chile & Guatemala. We couldn’t be more honored that he wants to share his knowledge and experiences with KWC everything. The one thing we will for certain always say about him is that anywhere he goes its hard to not love him. He is a listener first then a teacher and always a student in the craft of coffee.
SARA OLIVEROS
(Director of KWC EEU/HEAD OF QC) she/her
Sara the famous face behind the “we are the future hat”. It suits her well, since she joined the team she definitely showcases to be the future of coffee. She is a third generation producer and now is leading the speciality program in her family farm. Her goal and dreams is to help other farms improve protocols in there processing methods and styles. We are grateful to have her join and be the new leader for coffee roasters & women in coffee just like her. Sara is a great part of our team on the QC side and just recently gained in her q-grading certificate.
Maria Paulina Pulido Zuluaga
(HEAD OF qC COLOMBIA/ community manager) she/her
With over ten years of experience in the coffee industry, she has built her career around understanding every stage of the coffee chain. With a strong background in hospitality and experience as a Barista Leader, she returns to Colombia in 2025 to join the KWC family, focusing on quality control, international and national relationships, and as coffee competitor (Colombia’s Barista Championships ( 2025 Finalist #4). For her, coffee is a way to connect people and build bridges between producers and consumers. Driven by a constant desire to keep learning, she holds certifications such as Barista Services Technician, SCA Q Grader, SCA Intermediate Barista, and SCA Intermediate Brewing.
zita zheng
(Director & Logistics manager of KWC China) she/her
Zita is our operating partner, director, and trusted translator across China — a true force behind KWC Asia. With a strong background in business and sharp logistical skills, she’s the person who finds solutions and keeps everything moving forward. Although she jokes that she can’t drink much coffee, her passion for it is undeniable, and her impact goes far beyond the cupping table. From coordinating coffee competitions and events to engaging in coffee trading and leading brand planning and marketing across Asia, her career path has been both focused and impressive. Zita may not be the most experienced member of the team, but she is an outstanding entrepreneur, highly personable, and someone who always carries a learner’s mindset. Simply put, she’s our best-kept secret weapon
Sam Wen Jun
(KWC singapore) he/him
Sam is a media professional who discovered a passion for coffee a few years ago, and today he blends both worlds to help connect our coffee community across borders. Bringing his background in storytelling into the coffee space, he plays an important role in building bridges between people and communities around the globe. As our connection to Singapore — and someone who also helps us gain visibility in Indonesia and Thailand — Sam expands our reach while strengthening our relationships across the region. Now an active brewing competitor and proud coffee geek, he’s involved in sourcing with us and hosting cuppings whenever he can. We’re truly happy to have him as part of the KWC gang.