Helen Russell

Helen Russell is the Co-founder and Executive Chair of Equator Coffees, a specialty coffee roaster based in Marin County, CA. Under her leadership 30 plus years, Equator has grown from a small roaster and wholesale supplier into a national brand known for its values-driven approach, award-winning coffee, and impactful action around issues of environmental sustainability, female empowerment, and economic empowerment. Helen led Equator to become California’s first Certified B Corporation coffee roaster. Equator has an industry-wide reputation as an early champion Fair Trade practices and pioneered direct relationships with coffee farmers. For the last 15 years Equator has remained on The San Francisco Business Times’ list of the Top 100 Women-Owned Businesses. In 2016 Equator became the first LGBT Certified business to win the SBA Small Business of the Year for the State of California. Helen’s constant innovation and Equator’s focus on quality and culinary complexity has attracted the partnership of prominent chefs and bakers including Dominique Crenn, Thomas Keller, Traci Des Jardins, Suzanne Goin, and Tyler Florence. In addition to Helen’s focus on Equator’s success, she has volunteered her time and business experience to local and international organizations supporting women and the environment including La Cocina Community Kitchen, the International Women in Coffee Alliance, World Bicycle Relief, and Challenged Athletes Foundation.