Stephanie Alcala
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Stephanie Alcala is a trader specializing in sustainable coffee supply chains. She works for RGC Coffee, a family-owned importer whose robust in-house supply chain sustainability program enables her to pursue her passion for agriculture and community economic development. Prior to RGC, Stephanie received a Master of Science degree from the University of Michigan in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Her research examined coffee genetics and whether specific (visual) morphological traits were correlated to genetic variation found in the DNA of the plants. In addition to working in the private sector, Stephanie also remains active at her undergraduate alma mater, Whittier College, where for the past three years she has been developing and teaching a course titled, “Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains: Coffee.” Coupling her professional work experience with her academic training in biological sciences, the course was designed to introduce students to the agricultural business of coffee and its ability to advance communities towards sustainable development. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys biking, spending time with her family and friends, eating, and being in green, mountainous spaces.