Eliana Cossio
VP R&D, Westrock Coffee Company
Professional Overview
Eliana Cossio is an accomplished coffee industry executive with extensive experience in research and development, scientific analysis, and academic instruction. As the Vice President of R&D at Westrock Coffee Company, she leverages her deep technical expertise and collaborative leadership to drive innovation and enhance the company's coffee portfolio.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the VP of R&D at Westrock Coffee Company, Eliana is responsible for leading the company's research and development efforts. She oversees a team of scientists and technicians, guiding the development of new coffee products and solutions that cater to evolving consumer preferences. Eliana's focus on leveraging cutting-edge research and data-driven insights has helped Westrock maintain its position as a leading innovator in the coffee industry.
Career Progression
Eliana's career spans over two decades in the coffee industry, with a strong track record of success in both academic and corporate settings. Prior to her current role, she served as the Director of R&D Coffee at Trilliant Food & Nutrition, LLC, where she led the company's coffee research and development initiatives. Earlier in her career, Eliana held positions as a Coffee Lead and Principal Scientist at Kraft Heinz, as well as a Coffee Technical Manager at GreenTide GmbH.
Eliana's academic background is equally impressive, with a Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology from the Università degli Studi di Udine and a Master's degree in Food Science and Technology from Wageningen University. She has also held several prestigious academic appointments, including serving as a Professor at the Master in "Coffee Economics and Science Ernesto Illy" at Fondazione Ernesto Illy and as a Professor of Coffee Science at Università Ca' Foscari Venezia.
Areas of Expertise
- Coffee research and development
- Sensory analysis and quality control
- Innovative product development
- Food science and technology
- Academic instruction and curriculum development
- Collaborative leadership and team management
Professional Impact
Eliana's contributions to the coffee industry are highly regarded, as evidenced by her extensive experience as an advisor and expert for organizations such as InnoFood Solutions and GreenTide GmbH. She has also served as a Quality Manager and Head of Sensory and Analytical Lab at Bahia Cafes in Spain, where she honed her expertise in quality assurance and sensory evaluation.
Throughout her career, Eliana has demonstrated a commitment to advancing the coffee industry through her research, teaching, and industry collaborations. Her work has been instrumental in developing new coffee products and solutions that cater to the evolving needs of consumers and the industry as a whole.
Conclusion
Eliana Cossio's extensive experience, deep technical expertise, and collaborative leadership make her a valuable asset to Westrock Coffee Company. As the VP of R&D, she is well-positioned to guide the company's innovation efforts, leverage cutting-edge research, and drive the development of innovative coffee products that will continue to shape the industry's future.
