Meet the Team

Kate Cavallin

General Manager

London, England

14 years in industry, since 2007

Favorite Bean:

Mono Bravo, because of its chocolate nutty goodness.

Favorite Way to Eat Chocolate:

Brownies baked with the excess cacao leftover from the labs.

Favorite Field Memory:

Riding horseback to visit the picturesque cacao cooperatives on her first day with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic.

Team Superpower:

Making lists, checking things off, and persevering through obstacles to turn dreams into reality.

Justine Chesnoy

Commercial Manager - Europe

Marseille, France

15 Years in Industry, since 2006

Favorite Bean:

Piura Blanco, because of its sharp and surprising acidulé.

Favorite Way to Eat Chocolate:

Spooning it from a mélange on the farm that harvested the beans.

Favorite Field Memory:

Experiencing the breathtaking landscapes of the Dominican Republic and soaking up the positive energy of our partner farmers.

Team Superpower:

A relentless can-do attitude and endless energy to get things done (powered by chocolate, of course).

Jamie Paradise

US Head of Sales

New York, NY

< 1 year in industry

Favorite Bean:

Palo Santo because of its balance

Favorite Way to Eat Chocolate:

In freshly baked cookies

Team Superpower:

Analysis and adaptability while employing a "get it done" mentality.

Rich Falotico

Commercial Advisor

New York, New York

16 years in industry

Favorite Bean:

Mexican fermented, because of its strong pungent acidity.

Favorite Way to Eat Chocolate:

Dark nibs paired with a great up of coffee.

Favorite Field Memory:

Visiting the mountain gorillas with a partner chocolate maker in the Congo’s Virunga National Park.

Team Superpower:

Bringing experience, wisdom, and perspective when navigating the complex landscape of the cacao market.

Jose Altamirano

Trade & Logistics Coordinator

Guayaquil, Ecuador

5 years in industry

Favorite Bean:

Zorzal, because of its mix of citrus and chocolate flavors.

Favorite Way to Eat Chocolate:

Melted on bread.

Favorite Field Memory:

Venturing deep into the Ecuadorian jungle to observe the operations and traditions of a remote community of cacao farmers.

Team Superpower:

Providing rapid and reliable support on all things exporting with a “no task is too small” attitude.

Valentina Bosia

Quality Specialist And Sales Representative

Amsterdam, Netherlands

7 years, 2016

Favorite Bean:

Zorzal, I've fallen for its fresh complexity.

Favorite Way to Eat Chocolate:

I love a cup of hot chocolate on a winter night

Favorite Field Memory:

Bringing chocolate that I have made to the farmers who grew the cacao. Tasting it together and discussing their impressions felt like a long journey coming full circle.

Team Superpower:

Sensory analysis and bean-to-bar making experience. Once a chocolate maker, always a chocolate maker!

Tara Durieux

Transparency Coordinator

Delft, The Netherlands

Two internships in Indonesia and Colombia in 2015 and 2017, and from 2022 full-time.

Favorite Bean:

Piura Blanco.

Favorite Way to Eat Chocolate:

To eat the sweet pulp around the cocoa beans directly from the pod.

Favorite Field Memory:

Racing through the mountains and the forest on our journey to meet with Indonesian cocoa farmers in Sulawesi.

Team Superpower:

A blend of being well-organized, boundless adaptability, and always being up for a good laugh :)

Olwyn Hayes

Accounting Manager

London, United Kingdom

Entered the cocoa industry in 2021.

Favorite Way to Eat Chocolate:

In the evening with a hot drink when relaxing.

Paula Navarrete

Cocoa Quality & Masterclass Manager USA

I am based in New York City, USA.

10+ years as an ingredient, 3 years fully diving into just cocoa.

Favorite Bean:

Cuencas del Huallaga – it reminds me of pineapple and panela. Not only is it delicious, but it makes me wish it was a perfume!

Favorite Way to Eat Chocolate:

As a Colombian, in a hot chocolate with lots of cheese.

Favorite Field Memory:

Eating fresh fruit in Oahu Hawaii, learning about all the varieties, and tasting cocoa straight from the pod as the sun set.

Team Superpower:

A passion for food, and love for exploring complex flavors. I enjoy building systems and keeping things organized.

Melanie Boty

Europe Sales

Marseille, France

2019 as pastry chef

Favorite Bean:

Peru Chuncho Occobomba, a surprising explosion of aromas.

Favorite Way to Eat Chocolate:

Only dark chocolate, around 11.30 in the morning, when I start to get hungry.

Favorite Field Memory:

Really excited to go to origin one day!

Team Superpower:

Organisational skills and responsiveness, as well as a real understanding of the use of cocoa in pastry-making.

Cristina Nuno

Logistics Coordinator

London, United Kingdom

I returned to working with cocoa beans in 2023, building on my experience in the industry from many years ago.

Favorite Bean:

Still on my journey to discover my favorite bean.

Favorite Way to Eat Chocolate:

Any time, everywhere.

Favorite Field Memory:

No favorite field memory... yet!

Team Superpower:

Proactive mindset and attention to detail to help meet customer needs and deadlines.

Meet the Team

Kate Cavallin

Justine Chesnoy

Jamie Paradise

Rich Falotico

Jose Altamirano

Valentina Bosia

Tara Durieux

Olwyn Hayes

Paula Navarrete

Melanie Boty

Cristina Nuno

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