A woman of global environmental impact
A pioneer in the field of sustainability and CSR, Sandra Taylor has been responsible for the development of groundbreaking global strategies and initiatives, bringing major brands, including Starbucks and Eastman Kodak, into the global sustainability realm. As an executive for Starbucks, she led the creation and launch of C.A.F.E. Practices, influencing global standards for environmental sustainability and ethics throughout the coffee industry, with major focus on equitable supply chains.
She possesses deep expertise applied to meet the growing need to balance sustainability and prudent risk management. In her corporate roles and as an entrepreneur, she has been a builder and motivator of diverse teams that transcend cultural, geographic and political barriers to achieve challenging goals and transform organizations in a competitive business climate.
From coffee to wine: A discerning palate
As an expert in coffee sustainability, Taylor has traveled the world of coffee – Central and South America, East Africa, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia – honing her palate regarding the distinct regional differences, unique flavors, acidity and varietals of coffees from around the world. Her work with coffee helped develop and expand her decades-long avocation of wine study, tasting, wine collecting and tourism. She decided to make a transition to the wine industry after completing a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the prestigious Bordeaux School of Management.
Taylor is a writer and published author. Her book: The Business of Sustainable Wine: How to Build Brand Equity in a 21st Century Wine Industry was released in July 2017. In her book, Taylor offers a new view of how the industry can be an important actor in sustainable agriculture. Like fair trade cocoa and shade grown coffee, wine must, sooner or later, meet the powerful demands of social activists and a growing consumer contingent for ethical and organic products.
