Miranda (she/they) is an educator, songwriter, and founder of Barista Friend, a mobile coffee training service in Austin.

Their coffee journey began in 2015 when they got their first barista job in a drive-thru coffee shack in Maryland. Since then they’ve competed and judged in the US Barista Championships, participated in The Barista League, and taught many SCA and public-facing coffee classes.

You can find Miranda training baristas all around town, hosting classes at Barrett’s Coffee, or playing with her band, Other Vessels.

Operations Manager at Cosmic by day, caffeine-fueled dreamer by night. Her coffee journey began over a decade ago in Tijuana, Mexico, and since then, she’s worn all different hats in the industry—barista, roaster, educator. When she’s not at, she’s hanging with two small humans, writing poetry, or collecting tattoos like they're Pokémon. Her ultimate life goal? Outwit, outplay, and outlast on Survivor—because if she can handle the chaos of operations and parenthood, she can handle Jeff Probst.

M (she/they) is the Head Barista at Radio Coffee & Beer. They have a passion for education and love helping people enhance their latte art skills and have fun. You can go to Radio for their fun animal art or try one of their signature seasonal drinks. They enjoy exploring Austin, food, and trying new coffee shops in town!

Pepper Smith (they/them) is the Head Barista at Radio/East. They’ve been a barista for seven years and got their start while working as a line cook at a donut and coffee shop in Louisiana. You can find Pepper cooking up new signature beverages and slinging drinks at Radio/East, experimenting with interesting foods, camping in new places, or taking a pottery class.

Hana Yoshimoto (they/them) is a Barista Market Developer for Oatly in Austin after spending 10 years behind the bar and in café management in the Bay Area. You can find them at any number of cafes, restaurants, and food trucks in town. They love early morning swims at Barton Springs and hosting fundraising coffee pop-ups with their friends.

Areanna (they/she) is a barista at La Colombe and the founder of Screaming Cat Coffee. They’ve been in the industry for 6 years now, but got exposed to the wonders of coffee early in their life due to cultural rituals. From sipping coffee when no one is looking as a little kid, to slinging espresso and steaming milk like a pro. They’ve been around the block or two with a nice cup of joe. 

Since then, their love for coffee has exploded into rebellion and community wellness; aiming to bring coffee back to its ancestors roots as a medicine. 

You can find Areanna bopping about at work or in different coffee shops, thinking up new ways to be a coffee rebel. 

Michelle (she/her) is a mother, entrepreneur, and Regional Sales Manager for Intelligentsia Coffee.

Michelle's coffee journey began in 2001 when she got her first barista job in a cyber cafe in Lake Jackson, Tx. Since then she has held many roles within the coffee industry, this includes cafe management, national trainer, coffee buyer and regional director of coffee/juice bars in the NJ, NY, CT for Whole Foods Market, Director of Sales for local coffee roasters both regional and national.

You can find Michelle in and around Austin but mainly at the Intelligentsia coffee shop on Shoal Creek in downtown ATX!

Charles (he/him) worked as a barista before life pulled him away from the bar, but carries a lifelong passion for coffee. He currently works in buying/procurement for a local paint company. In his off hours, you can find Charles exploring Austin trying new cafés, studying, or hanging out with his cats.

Charles presently is working with his wife to get her coffee business off the ground, a place where we can bring our shared love for quality beverages and community-driven values to life. Whether it's through passion projects or volunteer work, Charles believes that coffee goes beyond your cup! It's about building relationships and strengthening connections with everyone around you.

Brogan House (she/they) has been in coffee for about 5 years working at various little shops around town and is now the Operations Coordinator at Epoch Coffee. You can find her bouncing around the different locations of Epoch chatting with regulars, working on their computer, roasting, etc! They have a passion for working with mutual aid organisations and making coffee accessible for everyone.