International Women's Day Interview: Dulce Barrera

Personal Journey

Can you share your journey into the coffee industry? What inspired you to pursue this path?

My journey began on January 4, 2002, when I went for a job interview for an administrative assistant position. The person who interviewed me was my current boss, Luis Pedro Zelaya. It was also his first time hiring someone for the company. Since then, I have been working at the company, and from the very first day, I loved my job.

I started by attending to the network of coffee producers we worked with, managing records of coffee income, yields, and all administrative matters related to coffee farms. After five years, a small cupping lab was opened. To be honest, I had no idea what coffee cupping was, but I started learning from the lead cupper and from buyers who visited us.

In 2014, the previous cupper resigned, and my boss gave me the opportunity to become a cupper. I was very nervous about not doing a good job. In 2015, I took an introductory coffee course—up until then, I had never taken one. I had already learned a lot on my own, but the course helped me understand the SCA format better. Then, in 2016, I became certified as a Q Grader.

That same year, I competed for the first time in Guatemala’s national coffee cupping championship. I won that year, and I went on to win the following three years in a row—2017, 2018, and 2019. I learned to communicate better with others, speak in public, and share my knowledge. Those years were full of learning and international competitions: Budapest in 2017, Brazil in 2018, and Germany in 2019, where I placed 4th in the world. That was one of the best experiences of my life.

After four years, I won the championship again in 2024, and in June 2025, I will be competing in Geneva, Switzerland.

What inspired me to continue in the coffee industry was my family, especially my daughter. As a woman and a mother, I had a respectable job that allowed me to support my family and my daughter. Plus, what I was doing wasn’t difficult for me—on the contrary, I enjoyed it every day. I truly love what I do.

What achievements are you most proud of in your career?

I am very proud to have learned to cup coffee and to continue learning more about it. Winning the national coffee cupping championship for three consecutive years was a great joy, but experiencing four years of losses afterward was a learning experience. Now, after four years, I have won the championship again, and I am incredibly happy and proud to represent Guatemala in Switzerland in 2025.

Empowerment and Inspiration

What advice would you give to women aspiring to enter the coffee industry?

I would tell women that if they dream of working in the coffee industry, they should go for it—don’t be afraid. As a woman and mother, it hasn’t been easy, but I’ve made it. There will always be difficult moments along the way, but with hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Don’t stop dreaming—make it a reality.

Is there a woman who has inspired you in your career, and how has her influence shaped your journey?

I have met many admirable women in the coffee industry. However, the person who has truly supported and encouraged me is my boss, Luis Pedro Zelaya. He has taught me the value of honesty, hard work, and perseverance. He has always reminded me to never give up on my dreams and to share what I learn with others. That’s why I admire him so much.

Industry and Progress

How do you see the role of women evolving in the coffee industry?

The coffee industry has evolved significantly in recent decades, but there is still a long way to go. Historically, women have played a crucial role in coffee production, particularly in cultivation, harvesting, and processing. However, their work has often been overlooked and less recognized compared to men’s.

Today, there has been important progress in recognizing women as producers, entrepreneurs, and leaders within the industry. Women-led cooperatives, financing programs, and certifications highlighting coffee produced by women have emerged.

What progress do you think still needs to be made to create more opportunities for women in coffee? What steps can the coffee industry take to better support and empower women?

Despite the progress, there are still several challenges to overcome to create more opportunities for women in the coffee industry. Key areas for improvement include:

Access to land ownership and financial resources – In many coffee-growing regions, women have limited access to land ownership, which affects their decision-making power and ability to secure financing.
Training and education – More programs are needed to help women develop technical and leadership skills.
Equal pay and fair working conditions – Wage gaps still exist, and working conditions should be improved.
Greater representation in leadership positions – More women need to be in decision-making roles in the industry.

Empowering women in the coffee industry is not just a matter of justice—it is also essential for sustainability and economic growth.

Celebrating International Women’s Day

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

To me, it is a day of reflection, struggle, and recognition. It’s a time to shed light on the inequalities and violence that women still face around the world. But it’s also a moment to celebrate women’s achievements and their ongoing fight for gender equality, which remains necessary.

If you could share one message with women around the world today, what would it be?

I would tell them:

Your voice, your work, and your dreams matter.

Every step you take, no matter how small, paves the way for you and for those who follow. You have the power to transform your communities, the industry, and the world with your talent, passion, and determination.

Never let anyone make you doubt your potential.

Fight for your rights, support one another, and move forward with courage. When one woman rises, we all rise together.

Reflection

If you could give advice to your younger self, what would you say?

Don’t let fear hold you back. Keep going, even when the path is uncertain. Surround yourself with people who support you and distance yourself from those who doubt your potential.

Learn to say ‘no’ without guilt and ‘yes’ without fear. And most importantly, enjoy the process. Life is not just about reaching the goal—it’s about everything you learn along the way, the people who walk with you, and the person you become through the journey.

What’s next for you in your journey, and how do you plan to continue making progress?

The most immediate goal is my competition in Geneva, Switzerland, in June 2025. I am preparing to win.

I want to become a certified quality control instructor, a Q Arabica Grader instructor, and an SCA instructor. It’s a long road, but I’m working on it.

I also want to learn more about coffee processing. I designed a coffee defect kit, which I’ve started selling.

One of my dreams is to travel to Ethiopia, Colombia, Panama, and Brazil for coffee research. I still don’t know what else the future holds, but I know there is a long road ahead.