Dr. Timothy Schilling – Executive Director, World Coffee Research

Dr. Schilling is the Executive Director of World Coffee Research (WCR), a non-profit, collaborative research and development program to grow, protect and enhance the supplies of quality coffee while improving the livelihoods of the families who produce it. The program is funded and driven by the global coffee industry, guided by producers, executed by coffee scientists around the world and managed by the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture of the Texas A&M University System. He is an agronomist, manager and former-researcher with strong market orientation and experience in agribusiness and cooperative development and manages over 15 research programs in 6 countries. Dr. Schilling is also a plant breeder and agricultural development specialist with strong market orientation and experience in agribusiness and has worked in agricultural research and development in Africa, Latin America and Central Asia for over 30 years.

  Johanna Roman - WCR Administrative Director – Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture

Mrs. Johanna Roman has over twenty years experience in international programs including project development and coordination, international sales and marketing and international agribusiness management. Johanna was born and raised in Guatemala City and comes from a family of coffee growers so she has been involved in coffee production most of her life. She speaks English and Spanish fluently. She moved to Texas in 1985 and has worked for Texas A&M University for most of her professional career. She has a B.S. and a Master’s degree in Horticultural Sciences from Texas A&M University. Her studies focused on tropical and temperate crop production with an emphasis in agricultural development. Johanna also has a Master’s degree in Education focusing on Leadership and Organizational Management.

  Najat Marden – Administrative Financial Assistant

Najat Marden is responsible for handling financial-related matters at WCR’s main office, located at Texas A&M University. She has over 15 years experience in providing financial and administrative support in the private sector, and an academic background in Accounting/Economics. Najat grew up in Belgium. She is fluent in French and Moroccan Arabic.

Emma Bladyka - WCR Industry Liaison

Emma Bladyka serves as liaison between coffee industry representatives and World Coffee Research. She is also currently the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) Coffee Science Manager. She holds a M.S. in Botany from the University of Wyoming and B.A. from Hampshire College with a concentration in Ecology. Her experience in a variety of laboratory and field research projects in botany, ecology, and climate change science has given her a solid foundation to apply to coffee. She has always been committed to science education and is dedicated to acting as a translator for the coffee industry. She is also helping with implementation of a Coffee Sensory Program for World Coffee Research.

 Hannah Booth- Communications Coordinator

Hannah is responsible for all communication, public relations, and marketing affairs at WCR’s main office. She is studying Agricultural Leadership and Development with a special emphasis in Communications and Public Relations here at Texas A&M University while she works for WCR.