Meet the Team
Steven Martinez
Head Roaster/Sourcing Leader - He/Him
Steven is so many things coffee, but above all, he's simply an incredible human being. His patience, passion, and unwavering commitment to quality reflect exactly what it means to be part of the KWC collective.
As one of our longest-standing team members, Steven is also one of the most experienced coffee professionals. His journey has taken him from leading barista teams in Bogotá to consulting roasters in places like Chile and Guatemala. We're incredibly honored that he continues to share his knowledge, experience, and mentorship through KWC.
If there's one thing everyone who meets Steven can agree on, it's that he's impossible not to love. He listens before he teaches, leads with humility, and never stops learning himself. No matter how much experience he gains, he remains a student of coffee first—and that's exactly what makes him such an exceptional teacher.
Sara Oliveros
Director of KWC EEU/
Head of QC - she/her
Sara is the famous face behind the "We Are the Future" hat—and no one wears it more fittingly. As a third-generation coffee producer, she truly represents the future of specialty coffee. Today, she leads the specialty coffee program at her family's farm.
Sara's passion extends beyond her family’s farm. She is dedicated to helping other producers elevate their coffees, improving quality through innovative processing methods and refined production protocols. We are incredibly grateful to have her as part of the KWC team as a leader for coffee roasters & women in coffee just like her. As a certified Q-Grader, she also plays an integral role in Know Where Coffee’s quality control process.
Maria Paulina
Pulido Zuluaga
Head of QC Colombia/ Community Manager - she/her
With more than ten years of experience in the coffee industry, she has built her career around understanding every stage of the coffee value chain. Backed by a strong foundation in hospitality and experience as a Barista Leader, she returned to Colombia in 2025 to join the KWC family, where she focuses on quality control, building national and international partnerships, and showcasing her skills as a coffee competitor. Most recently, she was a finalist in the 2025 Colombia Barista Championship, placing fourth.
For her, coffee is a way to connect people and build lasting relationships between producers and consumers. Driven by a passion for continuous learning, she has earned certifications as an SCA Q Grader, Barista Services Technician, SCA Intermediate Barista, and SCA Intermediate Brewer.
Zita Zheng
Director of Logistics/
Manager of KWC China - she/her
Zita is our operating partner, director, and trusted translator across China — a true force behind KWC Asia. With a strong background in business and sharp logistical skills, she’s the person who finds solutions and keeps everything moving forward. Although she jokes that she can’t drink much coffee, her passion for it is undeniable, and her impact goes far beyond the cupping table. From coordinating coffee competitions and events to engaging in coffee trading and leading brand planning and marketing across Asia, her career path has been both focused and impressive. Zita may not be the most experienced member of the team, but she is an outstanding entrepreneur, highly personable, and someone who always carries a learner’s mindset. Simply put, she’s our best-kept secret weapon
Sam Wen Jun
KWC Singapore - he/him
Sam is a media professional who discovered a passion for coffee a few years ago, and today he blends both worlds to help connect our coffee community across borders. Bringing his background in storytelling into the coffee space, he plays an important role in building bridges between people and communities around the globe. As our connection to Singapore — and someone who also helps us gain visibility in Indonesia and Thailand — Sam expands our reach while strengthening our relationships across the region. Now an active brewing competitor and proud coffee geek, he’s involved in sourcing with us and hosting cuppings whenever he can. We’re truly happy to have him as part of the KWC gang.