At Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), we recognize individuals whose work brings our mission to life in meaningful ways. It is our honor to name Javier Hoyos García as CQI Educator of the Year 2026.
Javier has dedicated much of his life to education as both an agronomist and a university professor. He began his work as a CQI Instructor in 2019. Since then, he has trained more than 1,000 students, contributing to the development of coffee professionals across Colombia in different areas, including post-harvest processing. In addition to his teaching roles, he serves as CEO of TECNiCAFE (Technological Innovation Park for Coffee), a leading training campus located in the department of Cauca, Colombia, and a valued partner of CQI.
Engineer, husband, father, son, uncle, instructor, leader, colleague, and friend—Javier carries many meaningful titles, each reflecting an important role in his life. Still, those who know him best call him “profe” (a short nickname for teacher)—a name that captures him perfectly.
Because at his core, Javier leads through education. His instinct is to teach, to share, to guide. Teaching is not just what he does; it is who he is, shaping how he connects with others, how he influences, and how he creates true impact. His work is not only about transmitting knowledge, but about transforming people. It is about meeting students where they are, sharing with generosity, and leaving a lasting mark—one that extends far beyond the classroom. His heart and passion are deeply rooted in education, and in the belief that knowledge, when shared with purpose, can change lives.
“What I value most is being able to share what I know with people who need it. It’s incredible how much you can influence or impact people’s lives by sharing knowledge, best practices, experience, and technical understanding,” Javier reflects. “The change is real. I hope to continue expanding this impact beyond Colombia. This year, I begin teaching in Peru and Thailand. I'm very excited."
One example of Hoyos García’s impact in 2025 was his commitment to deliver training for four hundred women from Cauca, Colombia, in fermentation practices that strengthen quality and consistency in coffee processing. Participants are part of the EntreAmigas network and represent various farmer organizations across the region. Each has received a scholarship through the CQI Global Coffee Fund, and upon completion, a CQI certificate.
This sense of purpose is closely tied to a single word that guides his work: “Inspire. This is the word that drives me every day. I want to be someone who inspires—someone who inspires young people, entire communities, and producers who have lost faith in coffee. That word moves me, and it’s what I want to keep doing throughout my life: inspiring,” he says.
Through his work in post-harvest processing education, Javier has not only strengthened skills—he has restored confidence, opened opportunities, and transformed lives. His impact is felt not just in the quality of coffee, but in the people behind it.
As we recognize Javier, we also celebrate the role of educators who carry this same spirit forward. They are the ones shaping the future of coffee, one student, one community at a time. Congratulations, Javier, on this deeply deserved recognition as CQI Educator of the Year 2026.
