On this CEO Exclusive we talk with Tom Matthesen and David Paparelli with Thrive Farmers International, a coffee farm, about trends happening in the world of coffee and tea. We also discuss how they utilize the power of their business to make a social impact while still meeting the needs of stakeholders and shareholders.
About Thrive Farmers
We are in the business of impact. It is the most important thing we strive to make. From the start of a customer’s morning to the end of a farmer’s day, this is how we are measured.
Our farmers aren’t suppliers — they’re people. And what they cultivate isn’t a commodity — it’s a livelihood. It’s not just a supply chain, it’s a chain of values that guides everything we do. Integrity leads to transparency. Transparency to prosperity. And prosperity to quality. It’s a purposefully crafted product and process where all of us — from farmer to customer — thrive.
Tom Matthesen is a seasoned entrepreneur who has not only founded, built and sold several companies, but has also spent over 25 years financing and advising both development stage and more mature growth companies in a wide range of industries. He served as the founding Chairman of the Board for Thrive Farmers and took on the role of President in 2016. Since its inception, Matthesen has worked alongside the founders in the development of the company’s vision, strategic execution and capital formation strategies. Matthesen is passionate about helping businesses build purpose into their beverage programs and empowering the talented men and women who are responsible for growing world-class coffee – the individual farmers.
David Paparelli is Head of Product Development at Thrive Farmers International, where he builds innovative beverage solutions that give farmers the opportunity to earn more. Before his work at Thrive, David spent several years working with nonprofits in East Africa and Central America focused on economic development initiatives. He has a passion for helping entrepreneurs in the
developing world access new markets to better support their families and communities.
