Denise Madiro, from Zambia is a trainer and advisor to local communities and farmers, on best practices for beekeeping, and apiary management is recognized across sub-Saharan Africa for her passion and professionalism gained through her entrepreneurial successes and community development initiatives.
Denise advises Nzatu’s farmer networks and biodiversity & conservation partners on apiary management, harvest training, field operations and quality control.
Nzatu’s Coffee Specialists
came out of an idea that reflects the culture of our past, of a land steeped in tradition and art, of a life experience and passion for our work. We judged our coffee like exacting and stringent art critics, bringing to life a product that does justice to a city that is as beautiful as it is demanding, and that gazes on Europe with taste and refinement. Artcafé coffee is not only an exceptionally high-quality product, but it is also the result of a long experience in the world of coffee and of an innovative choice in taste and quality.
All the blends are my creations. I conceived them, realized them, and roasted them and they are the fruit of all my years of passion and experience in the world of coffee. They are the result of my in-depth knowledge and study of the subject: from the plant to the harvesting of the fruit, to the type of processing. My ongoing personal challenge is to obtain the best from every batch of coffee and bring out the real character of every bean. It is only when I achieve this goal that I can define my blends as “special”.
Luca Montagna
Founder and CEO, Artcafè
Founding Team
Denise Madiro
An entreprenuer with enterprise development experience within the Southern African region, in particular Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Focuses on the capacity development to enhance skills of small and medium enterprises.
Gwen Jones
Over 25 years of global entrepreneurial experience.
Advisory board member of the World Food Bank, and Resolve NGO.
Namwala Ila Tribal Council member, collaborates with Tribal Chief to sustain social and cultural heritage.
Michele Sofisti
Founder and President of SOFOS Management.
International expertise in strategic consulting for the entertainment, food, automobile, fashion, outdoor industries. Including marketing, branding, business development, management and distribution.
Prithvi Naik
Climate economist, with expertise in plastics and chemicals in a circular economy, sustainability and climate policy.
Experienced in the petrochemicals industry and related global associations and non-profit industry.
Andrea Chiesi
Head of Special Projects, Chiesi Pharmaceuticals.
Chairman of the board of Confindustria, Emilia Romagna.
Advisors to the board
Ameenah G. Fakim
Biodiversity scientist, entrepreneur, author and 6th President, Republic of Mauritius. Founding Member of the Pan African Association of African Medicinal Plants. Awarded L’Oreal-UNESCO Prize for Women in Science. 2016 Forbes List of 100 “Most Powerful Women in the World”. 1st of Forbes Top 100 Women in Africa 2017, 2019.
Krithi Karanth
Chief Conservation Scientist & Executive Director at the Centre for Wildlife Studies.
Rolex Laureate, National Geographic Explorer.
Terry D. Garcia
President, Exploration Ventures.
Ex-Chief Science and Exploration Officer, National Geographic Society.
Ex-deputy Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Giuseppe Mistretta
Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Deputy Director-General for Global Affairs.
Gloria B. Herndon
Author and accomplished musician. Founder, Small Business Administration’s (SBA) program.
Ex-member, Council on Foreign Relations at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Active on the Smithsonian, National HeadStart Ass., NAFEO, and US Angola Chamber of Commerce.
Duccio Berzi
Founder, Canislupus Italia (CLI). Italian Pronatura Federation.
Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri
Tribeca award-winning Disruptive Innovator, director, photographer, and movement marketer, mobilizing millions for good.
Princeton-trained anthropologist, BIPOC LGBT+ neurodiversity advocate for equality, education, ecosystem regeneration, indigenous and women empowerment.
Keegan Goudiss
Keegan Goudiss is a communications strategist renowned for his expertise in digital media and political campaigns. He has played a pivotal role in leveraging online platforms for progressive causes, most notably with Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.
