Coffee Quality Institute is a 501 (C)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a board of trustees. Those trustees advise CQI and help us have the most impact we can. The end of the year gives us a chance to recognize their service, note recent additions and thank those whose time with us is coming to an end.
Welcome
In 2025 CQI welcomed four new trustees to the board.
Shauna Alexander (Stumptown Coffee) Shauna is Vice President of Coffee and Sustainability at Stumptown Coffee Roasters, where she leads the green coffee and quality teams. She oversees all sourcing, logistics, and both green and roasted quality. She also leads sustainability strategy for Stumptown, a certified B Corporation, both within coffee supply chains and the company’s overall operations.
Prior to Stumptown, Shauna led global sustainability initiatives for Volcafe, one of the world’s largest coffee trading firms. She worked collaboratively with the company’s in-country agricultural extension teams across Africa, Asia and Latin America to create a consistent approach to farmer support services called the “Volcafe Way."
Shauna got started in coffee researching her master’s thesis on the economics of shade-grown coffee in Costa Rica. She holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Yale University.
Siobhan Gaudino (Nestlé) As the Head of R&D Nescafe at Nestlé, Siobhan Gaudino is a key leader responsible for driving innovation and excellence in coffee research and development. In this role, Siobhan oversees various aspects of product and technology development, including new coffee launches across the globe.
Before joining R&D, Siobhan spent many years in Nestlé coffee operations leadership in Europe and the USA, contributing to numerous innovative projects and strategic developments. Her expertise extends to managing complex R&D projects, fostering collaboration across departments & organizations, and leading strategic initiatives.
Kenzel Fallen (Three Keys Coffee) Kenzel Fallen is CEO and Co-Founder of Three Keys Coffee. After receiving a BA in Economics from Duke University, she managed the Annual Fund campaign program for Temple University before obtaining an MBA in Finance from Rice University in 2012.
Kenzel’s post-MBA career spanned Operational Risk, Credit Risk, and Change Management, advising companies in the commodities trading and financial services industries, before advancing to SVP of Enterprise Risk for First Horizon Bank.
In 2019, Kenzel and her husband, Tio Fallen, co-founded Three Keys Coffee, named as a finalist for "Micro-Roaster of the Year" by Roast Magazine in 2024, 2025, and 2026. Kenzel was named a "Sprudge Twenty" honoree in 2022 and received recognitions from the Houston Business Journal in 2025 for both the “Most Admired CEO” and “Women Who Mean Business” awards. Kenzel is also a licensed Evolved Q-Arabica Grader, as of November 2025.
Kenzel has three sons and enjoys traveling, reading, listening to music, and attending arts & cultural events.
Gilbert Gatali (African Fine Coffees Association) Gilbert Gatali is the Executive Director of the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) and a passionate advocate for Africa’s coffee sector, bringing over two decades of experience in specialty coffee leadership, trade, and sustainability.
Before joining AFCA, Gilbert held senior leadership roles in several prominent East African coffee companies, including CEO of KZ Noir Ltd, Managing Director of RWASHOSCCO Ltd, Founder and CEO of Roots Origin, and Relationship Manager at Sustainable Harvest Coffee Importers (East Africa). His career has centered on connecting producers to markets, advancing quality-driven value chains, and promoting equitable trade across the continent.
Beyond his executive roles, Gilbert has served on multiple industry boards, including the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity (CCRE), the Coffee Exporters Association of Rwanda, and AFCA itself. He currently serves on the Boards of the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) and Equal Origins. Gilbert holds a degree in International Development Studies and Social-Cultural Anthropology from the University of Toronto.
At the end of 2025 we will say farewell to a trustee who has been steadfast in his guidance and whom we will miss a great deal. Even though he is departing the board he leaves behind so much of himself in the development of CQI and what we are today.
Felipe Isaza (Coffee Resources) has served as a trustee for CQI since March of 2010. He ends his time with the CQI board serving on the executive committee as treasurer.
In the fifteen years that Felipe served he was part of the significant evolution of Coffee Quality Institute. During his tenure CQI-certified Q Graders established global value, passing ten thousand in number. The Robusta Quality Standards were established with the Uganda Coffee Development Authority, the post-harvest processing program was introduced, and finally the pair served as stewards for CQI’s commitment to its next phase, leaning into that new program and expanding education in origin. We thank Felipe for his counsel and support, and hope to make him proud in the future.
