After an extensive six-month worldwide search and interview process, Ms. Cynthia Chang has been appointed to the position of Executive Director for the World Barista Championship (WBC).
Ms. Chang volunteered to serve the WBC and United States Barista Championship (USBC) in 2003 and has since served on the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s USBC Committee, as a Regional Coordinator for the WBC, and recently as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the World Barista Championship.
In her role as Executive Director, Ms. Chang will serve as a leader, visionary, ambassador and manager for the rapidly growing organization with the responsibility of carrying out WBC objectives, while managing the needs and expectations of a diverse group of international volunteers, sponsors and competitors. The position reports directly to the organization’s Board of Directors.
Ms. Chang has been employed in the specialty coffee industry for her entire career, beginning at a young age by working directly for the founders of Caribou Coffee in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For the past 11 years, Ms. Chang worked for Counter Culture Coffee of Durham, NC, where she most recently held the position of Director of Development. At Counter Culture, her responsibilities included the oversight of special programs, including the company’s highly visible collaboration with the Culinary Institute of America.
The World Barista Championship is the world’s premier coffee competition, drawing competitors from more than 50 nations to serve espresso, cappuccinos and original signature drinks to a panel of judges. The 10th annual World Barista Championship will be held 16-19 April 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia U.S.A.
About World Barista Championship UK Ltd.
World Barista Championship UK Ltd is a nonprofit organization jointly owned by the Specialty Coffee Association of America and Speciality Coffee Association of Europe. The first WBC competition took place in Monte Carlo in October 2000 and has since held annual competitions Miami, Oslo, Boston, Trieste, Seattle, Berne, Tokyo and Copenhagen. The organization’s next event will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia U.S.A. on April 16-19, 2009 in conjunction with the 2009 Specialty Coffee Association of America Symposium and Exposition. For more information, please visit http://www.worldbaristachampionship.com.