NCA Mentorship Program

"The NCA Mentorship Program was a meaningful experience that accelerated my career growth in a very practical way. Learning from someone outside of my day-to-day role gave me a fresh perspective on my career goals and the broader industry. The honest conversations and shared experiences made the coffee community feel more connected and supportive, and I would highly recommend the program to anyone looking to grow professionally and personally."

Steven

2025 Mentee

"As a direct result of participating in the NCA Mentorship Program, I discovered the Illy Master’s Program in Coffee Economics and Science. I applied, was accepted, and will begin my studies in 2026! My mentee, who completed the program last year, shared her experience, guided me through the application process, and gave me the confidence to apply. In turn, I helped her navigate the volatile coffee tariffs, supported blend optimization and roast development, and shared lessons from multiple trials to accelerate her decision-making. Our mentorship was truly symbiotic - we learned from each other and grew together. This mentorship opened doors I didn’t know existed and exemplifies the power of mutual growth in the coffee community."

Aukse

2025 Mentor

"The NCA Mentorship Program provided a valuable opportunity to build a meaningful connection within the coffee industry and learn from an experienced professional in a supportive, open environment. As someone relatively new to the industry, having access to a mentor who was willing to share both broader industry perspective and practical insights made the experience especially impactful. Overall, the program fosters thoughtful connections and knowledge-sharing that benefit both individual participants and the industry as a whole."

Mitchell

2025 Mentee