{"id":26085,"date":"2025-06-13T16:53:49","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T23:53:49","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-06-16T09:54:29","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T16:54:29","slug":"starbucks-leadership-experience-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/historias.starbucks.com\/en-es\/stories\/2025\/starbucks-leadership-experience-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Starbucks Leadership Experience 2025: Starbucks Hosts First-Ever Global Barista Championships and Rallies 14,000 North America Coffeehouse Leaders to Accelerate its \u2018Back to Starbucks\u2019 Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"

A celebration of milestones\u2014and a renewed call to be the place where human connection thrives.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

LAS VEGAS, June 13, 2025.-<\/strong> More than 14,000 coffeehouse leaders from across North America came together this week for a high-energy, three-day rally designed to build on the momentum of the company\u2019s \u201cBack to Starbucks\u201d strategy. The company also hosted the first-ever Global Barista Championship, with partner Sebastian representing Latin America and the Caribbean<\/a> during the week\u2019s competition.<\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n

Here are 7 key highlights that inspired us in Latin America and the Caribbean:<\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n

    \n
  1. Connection is the way Back to Starbucks<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/body>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

    At the heart of LE25 was a simple yet powerful message: getting \u201cBack to Starbucks\u201d means getting back to connection.<\/strong> From the very first moment, partners were reminded that Starbucks has always been more than a coffee company\u2014it is a space where human connection flourishes.<\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n

    This theme was brought to life in an unforgettable way when ceo Brian Niccol <\/strong>surprised the audience<\/strong>\n\t<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/a> with a guest appearance by Starbucks founder Howard Schultz<\/strong>. Greeted by a standing ovation, Schultz spoke\n\t<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/a> passionately about the enduring relevance of the Third Place. He shared that, people are \u201clonging for human connection<\/em>,\u201d and Starbucks is uniquely positioned to meet that need. \u201cWe are a company steeped in humanity<\/em>,\u201d he affirmed.<\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n

    Schultz praised the \u201cBack to Starbucks\u201d strategy as exactly what the company needs today, emphasizing that coffee craftsmanship and the customer experience must remain at the core<\/strong>. He called on leaders to uphold the highest standards, saying every decision should be made with \u201ctwo chairs in the room\u201d\u2014one for the partner and one for the customer.<\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n

    This renewed focus took physical form during the largest coffee tasting in Starbucks history, <\/strong>where over14,000 coffehouse leaders gathered with Michelle Burns, Starbucks global head of coffee, to share the first sip of the new Starbucks 1971 Roast\u2122 coffee. Thedark roast coffee set to launch in JanuarySide by side, partners from every corner of North America experienced the coffee together\u2014a moment of deep connection, joy, and pride in the craft.<\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

    As Starbucks enters a new chapter, it does so by reigniting the soul of the Third Place<\/strong>, with its partners at the heart of every meaningful connection.<\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n

    2. The Art of Coffee – and Latin America- on the Global Stage<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

    LE25 was also the setting for the first-ever <\/strong>Starbucks Global Barista Championship<\/strong>\n\t<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/a>, a celebration of craft and connection featuring 12 baristas from Starbucks five global regions\u2014narrowed down from over 84,000. Representing Latin America and the Caribbean, Sebastian<\/strong> took the stage with pride, showcasing the artistry, skill and warmth that defines the green and black apron baristas of our region.<\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n

    Just before announcing the four finalists, The Starbucks Foundation shared that it would award $10,000 grants to nonprofits in each finalist\u2019s region<\/strong>, extending the championship\u2019s impact far beyond the event itself.<\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n

    Nobuki representing Japan, earned the title\n\t<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/a> of Starbucks Global Barista Champion and will have the opportunity to co-create a beverage that will be served in Starbucks coffeehouses in North America.<\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

    3. A Milestone for the Future of Coffee<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

    At LE25, Starbucks announced that it has fulfilled its $100 million commitment to the Global Farmer Fund<\/strong>, reaching its 2025 goal months early. This financing has enabled thousands of smallholder farmers to invest in new trees, infrastructure and climate-resilient practices, ensuring the future of high-quality arabica coffee for generations to come.<\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n

    This milestone underscores Starbucks deep-rooted coffee heritage in Latin America and the Caribbean<\/strong>, where more than half of the company\u2019s coffee is sourced each year.<\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n

    4. Ensuring Coffee\u2019s Future and Innovation \u2013 New Coffee Farms in Latin America<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

    Two new Starbucks coffee innovation farms\n\t<\/path>\n<\/svg><\/a> were officially named during LE25:<\/p>\n<\/body>\n\n