meet the team
Let's talk about your coffee needs and how we can help!
Annelise Scholl
CHIEF COFFEE CONNECTOR
Annelise, born in Costa Rica with Dutch heritage, is driven by a mission to serve as a vital connection for coffee farmers. Her goal is to elevate the standards of the entire coffee industry, empowering producers to enhance their crops, improve the livelihoods of their families, and conquer the international market.
Annelise envisions business models that generate collective value, prioritizing positive human evolution, happiness, wellbeing, socio-environmental balance, and strategic business articulation.
She is the visionary behind the #jointheboat campaign, a concept that unites individuals in a shared commitment to this transformative journey, a new way of doing coffee trading based on a community import.
FRED BERTOLONE
COFFEE SCOUT COLOMBIA
Fred Bertolone, through Ethical Exports, based in Colombia, is driven by a mission to create meaningful connections between coffee producers and the international market. His goal is to discover exceptional coffees while building relationships that allow producers and buyers to better understand and create value together.
He envisions relationships that go beyond transactions, prioritising trust, shared knowledge and opportunities for producers to strengthen their position in the international coffee industry.
As Grounds' connection on the ground in Colombia, Fred brings producers and roasters closer together. Through curiosity, trust and long-term relationships, he helps us discover the people and coffees that make every journey worth taking.
ERIKA ARAYA
INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADVISOR
Erika is the person behind our logistics management. She is an expert in international logistics, project management, supply chain, cost and financial analysis.
Very skilled in analytics and monitoring of projects, Erika never misses a detail and always makes sure to make the best choices to provide cost efficiency and avoid risks.
She has lots of experience in trade matters especially between Costa Rica and The Netherlands. Erika also has a keen interest in coffee as she manages her own local specialty coffee brand Café Araya. Since 2024 she's been in charge of the Middle Eastern market.
MAARTEN VAN DER JAGT
coffee curator & commercial representative
Maarten's coffee journey began as a freelance culinary writer and journalist. In 2003, he authored a pioneering espresso guide for baristas—then a little-known term.
As a sensory judge in SCA competitions and a coach for the World Barista Championships (2010–2011), he built a reputation for his refined palate. He also founded and led KoffieTcacao magazine.
In 2013, Maarten ventured into Giraffe Coffee Roasters, collaborating with Annelise where he and his team also joined Grouds on an origin trip in 2022.
In 2023, he transitioned from Giraffe Coffee Roasters to keep on writing for Gault & Millau and join our purpose-driven team as chief curator, mentor and advisor.