16 August 2024 | 37 mins

Episode 124: Leveraging coffee for good

In today’s episode, we’re exploring how businesses can leverage coffee as a force for good, benefiting both our coffee communities and the world beyond.

We’ll speak with three leaders from remarkable social organisations to learn about their transformative work and the tangible impact they're making on people's lives.

Cemal Ezel, Founder and CEO Change Please, reveals how his innovative business model provides housing and barista training for individuals experiencing homelessness, empowering them to build brighter futures.

Kate O’Brien, Executive Director of The Costa Foundation shares the charity's mission to support education in coffee-growing communities by funding schools for children where they are needed the most.

Mia Hartwell, Head of Food at the environmental action group Hubbub discusses how the organisation collaborates with communities and hospitality businesses to drive positive environmental change.

Credits music: "Something New" by Naomi Banks in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective

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Guests

Kate O’Brien

Executive Director, Costa Foundation

Kate O’Brien joined the Costa Foundation in June 2023 and has worked across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, in both international and national organisations, with a focus on enabling children and young people to thrive. O’Brien has travelled the globe extensively, which has helped to cultivate her love of coffee.

Cemal Ezel

Founder and CEO, Change Please

Cemal Ezel is the Founder and CEO of Change Please and Old Spike Roastery - a B-Corp certified coffee chain, specialty roaster and social enterprise dedicated to ending homelessness. The organisation provides housing and barista training to individuals in need, empowering them to build a brighter future.

Mia Hartwell

Head of Food, Hubbub

Mia Hartwell is Head of Food at Hubbub: a creative charity that makes environmental action make sense for people, communities and businesses through campaigns and behaviour-change interventions. Prior to Hubbub, Hartwell spent 15 years in the food industry working in brand, sustainability and communications.