I am excited to share with you another set of conversations from Coffee Fest! This time form Los Angeles 2025!
We start with a discussion focusing on the growth of trining and education in coffee and baristas skills in underserved communities w/ LaNisa Williams of Barista Life LA
LaNisa has been in the coffee industry for a total of 20 yrs but the last 10 yr have been devoted to the specialty coffee industry. She is the owner and founder of Barista Life LA/ Hustlers Cup and Black in Brew. Barista Life LA is a full service brand providing education, private consultations, and events in Los Angeles As a veteran at the forefront of accessible coffee education and culture I believe coffee is for all. She has embraced the passion for becoming a coffee master as a way of creating a more sustainable life for for herself and making opportunities for so many others while pursuing educational opportunities and giving back to my community as well as welcoming newcomers to the coffee industry.
Link:
https://www.instagram.com/baristalifela/?hl=en
Next we get to talk all about effective management and working to serve a team of people as a leader through communication and operational excellence w/ Kat Padlan!
Kat Padlan is the Founder of KapeBayan, a coffee consultancy focused on creating equitable, human-centered café spaces, and currently serves as Operations Manager at Lucky's Coffee Roasters in Southern California.
With over a decade of experience in the specialty coffee and hospitality industry, Kat is passionate about cultivating environments that uplift both guests and teams, especially within marginalized communities. From managing café operations and building educational programming to consulting for emerging coffee businesses, her work centers around accessibility, transparency, and cultural connection. Kat believes inclusivity isn't a trend, but the backbone of a thriving coffee culture and strives to make that a reality in every space she touches.
Link:
https://www.orderluckys.coffee/
https://kapebayan.com/
We then get to chat about working to serve wholesale clients and help ensure their success through training and focus on the right things to make the biggest difference w/ Darrell Baskin!
Darrell Baskin is the has been working in the coffee industry for 14 years. He has held many roles over time including barista, manager, trainer, director, competition judge and most recently sales manager. Darrell is passionate about the sharing of knowledge and support that helps to build a stronger, more inclusive coffee industry for all.
https://www.groundworkcoffee.com/
Finally we are talking all about taking the journey of learning through competition and business and how to use that experience to deliver real value for your coffee shop customer w/ Seidy Selivanow!
Seidy Selivanow is the co-founder of Kafiex Roasters in Vancouver, Washington, where she combines her passion for coffee, community, and education. A nationally recognized competitor, she placed 7th in the 2025 U.S. Barista Championship and 8th in 2024, bringing creativity and storytelling to the stage through her signature drinks and presentations celebrating her Mexican heritage.
Beyond competition, Seidy is deeply committed to mentorship and education. She has taught classes at Coffee Fest in both English and Spanish, presented in Mexico City at Exploradores de Café, and spoken two years in a row at the Women-Powered Coffee Summit. She also volunteers regularly with Cup of Excellence Mexico and serves on the Raise the Bar Committee, supporting scholarships for the underrepresented people in coffee.
Link:
https://www.kafiex.com/
Related Episodes:
CHECK OUT FUTURE COFFEE FEST SHOWS!
WWW.COFFEEFEST.COM
