Matt Milletto has spent the past 15 years traveling to Antigua, Guatemala, where coffee is not just an export but a way of life. As a seasoned coffee educator and industry leader, he has built deep relationships with farmers, explored hidden backroads, and immersed himself in the cultural rhythms that shape one of the world’s most celebrated coffee regions. Matt has guided countless groups through origin experiences, connecting professionals and enthusiasts alike to the people, landscapes, and traditions behind the cup. His approach blends education with exploration, fostering authentic connections that go beyond coffee and into the heart of Guatemalan culture.

Estefani López Menéndez has spent over a decade immersed in the world of coffee while calling Antigua, Guatemala home. During her years with Los Volcanes Coffee, she has guided countless tours, connecting visitors to the region’s farms, producers, and traditions. A corporate lawyer by training and a passionate coffee advocate at heart, Estefani brings a rare combination of professionalism and warmth. Known as a logistics magician, she ensures every guest feels supported while experiencing the very best of Antigua’s coffee culture and vibrant local life.

Sarah is an experienced facilitator of luxury travel experiences across the globe, with a gift for fostering connection and shaping meaningful shared journeys. With a background in education, social justice organizing, and trip leading, she brings both depth and heart to every experience. She has spent two years teaching in the U.S. and Spain, three years working in racial justice and DEI, and two years leading trips both domestically and abroad.

Her work is rooted in authenticity and a deep respect for the complexity of the narratives that shape our world. Fluent in Spanish and having lived and worked in Spanish-speaking countries, Sarah has spent extensive time in Guatemala immersed in communities and homestays, learning from former coffee workers and engaging with indigenous practices.

Whether curating experiences or guiding conversations, Sarah ensures every traveler feels both welcomed and challenged to connect more deeply, with themselves, each other, and the communities they visit. When she’s not leading trips, she enjoys spending time in Michigan with her family, waterskiing, wakeboarding, hiking, and exploring new places with the same curiosity she brings to her work.

Born in Guatemala, Julio’s path to coffee began not in the fields but through environmental research as a young political science graduate. That work revealed the deep connections between human history and the plant world, sparking a lifelong fascination with how plants shape our lives and landscapes. Later, through hands-on agricultural work, he came to see plants as living, expressive beings—teaching him rhythms, moods, and lessons in resilience.

His connection to coffee deepened when he acquired land near Lake Atitlán, a region once filled with coffee but later abandoned due to volatile markets. There, he witnessed how the decline of coffee led to deforestation, as communities turned to firewood to survive. Yet he also saw the promise of specialty coffee: when grown in agroforestry systems, it could restore forests, sustain biodiversity, and provide income for rural communities.

Today Julio is the founder of Café Caracol, a project dedicated to exploring whether humans can live in balance with nature. Through cultivating coffee among native trees and companion plants, and sharing the experience through agro-tourism, Café Caracol seeks to conserve the magical biodiversity of the Atitlán valley while reimagining coffee as a bridge between people, plants, and place.

Lucia Barrios is a visionary entrepreneur and co-founder of Mr. Menu, a print magazine and groundbreaking digital platform that has revolutionized the culinary landscape in Guatemala.

Lucia also serves as the Central American Chairman for the prestigious British restaurant list called “50 Best Restaurants”. Her achievements in this role have further solidified her position as a leading figure in the culinary world in all of Latin America. Lucia's expertise and leadership have elevated her status as an advocate for the region's culinary treasures.

Furthermore, Lucia has been an instrumental force in promoting sustainable origin tourism in Guatemala, notably through her work directing La Cosecha Guatemala. This platform, which she co-created, is dedicated to showcasing the vibrant culture and sustainable practices surrounding local coffee production and positioning her home town Antigua as the “Napa Valley of Coffee”.

Ime España is based just outside of Antigua, Guatemala, where she brings her background in project management and logistics to supporting coffee travelers and guests. A dedicated mother whose children attend Antigua International School, Ime is known for her warmth, reliability, and talent for keeping every detail running smoothly. From behind-the-scenes coordination to ensuring guests feel at home, she plays an essential role in creating seamless, memorable experiences in Antigua.