Kathleen FinnCorporate Communications
Kathleen Finn dons the Corporate Communications hat at Portland Roasting. Wielding a pen or keyboard, she crafts, and then trumpets the company story, always on the lookout for just the right word or turn of phrase that will deftly do the trick.
Kathleen has had a lifelong love affair with words, and after earning two degrees in journalism, she figured it was time to start working for pay. Her first gig as a reporter in the natural health industry in Boulder, Colo., gave her a taste for the published word. When she landed in Portland, she parlayed her writing skills into marketing and public relations positions where she counts herself lucky to have collaborated with clients whose missions reached beyond the bottom line.
Portland Roasting was one of those clients, and Kathleen has worked with the company for several years, helping them tell their story and share their victories and explain the company's simple, yet powerful philosophy -- that all can prosper if they receive their fair share.
When not parsing words, you can find Kathleen out on the Ultimate Frisbee field indulging in her latest passion or on the yoga mat, catching her breath and teaching others to do the same. The mountains call in summer for long hikes and in the winter, skiing beckons. Her 9-year-old daughter is a fellow intrepid adventurer.
Eric Mwarabu
Intern/Project Management
Eric Mwarabu is Portland Roasting’s new intern, stepping in to help promote the Walk For Water, our second annual World Water Day event held in March. Eric will reach out to schools, non-profits and other partners in order to increase registration numbers and engage the community in this combination fundraiser and educational event. Eric is also soaking up all the coffee knowledge he can by joining in trainings and cuppings and shadowing employees in different departments.
Eric comes to Portland Roasting from
Chato, Tanzania, a small town located near the banks of Lake Victoria. The
oldest of 6 kids, Eric will share his salary with his big family, helping
his brothers and sisters pay their school fees.
Eric’s trip to Portland is also his first outside of Tanzania. Everything is new, he says. He is happily surprised by the “friendliness of the city where everything runs perfectly, there are no mosquitoes and tap water is drinkable.” He likens his apartment to that of a 3-star hotel in his country and is amazed at the wealth of opportunities available. He is adjusting to cooking for himself, not a skill that he learned at home where that was a decidedly a female domain.
With a degree in economics from the University of Dar es salaam and a year-long internship at Portland Roasting, Eric plans to build a career in the coffee industry.
Follow Eric’s year at Portland
Roasting on our blog.
