Rayane Estefane Goncalves de Morais grew up on a coffee farm and turned that early connection with the land into a career focused on quality and impact. At Sancoffee, she works closely with small producers and supports sustainability efforts in the field.
What drives you as a person?
What motivates me is the chance to help others - whether by sharing knowledge, offering support, or contributing to the growth of those around me. I believe that small actions can make a big difference in people’s lives, and that inspires me every day to keep learning and becoming a better version of myself. Finding purpose in my work and seeing the positive impact it brings keeps me moving forward.
What's your background?
I’m from Bom Sucesso, and my journey started in a rural setting - my father is a coffee grower, so I’ve always been connected to agriculture. I studied at public schools, many of them in my rural community, and graduated with a technical degree in Environmental Management from the Federal Institute of Southeast Minas Gerais. Later, I earned my degree in Agronomy from the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA). During my studies, I took part in research groups, training programs, and hands-on activities that really shaped my growth. I started as an intern at Sancoffee in March 2024, and by August I officially joined the team.
What do you do at Sancoffee?
At Sancoffee, I work on the Plantando a Diferença and Beyond Borders projects. My role involves helping with the recovery of degraded areas, taking care of the planted seedlings, and supporting small producers with coffee quality improvements. I guide them in improving their production and making sure their coffees reach their full potential. My work combines technical support and human connection - linking sustainability, quality, and the appreciation of fieldwork.
Image: Rayane in the fields working on Bio Recovery project
What does impact mean to you?
For me, impact is about making a real difference in people’s lives. It’s about creating meaningful connections and driving positive change - not just short-term results, but a cycle of shared growth and purpose over time.
How do you like your coffee?
I love coffee with essence and meaning. For me, it’s more than flavor—it’s about the story, the dedication, and the connection behind every cup. I prefer freshly brewed specialty coffee that brings out sweet notes like caramel, chocolate, and rapadura. I enjoy savoring it slowly, in the moment—either on my own or during a good conversation.
Image: Rayane and the team working of coffee quality assessment
What do you love most about your job?
What I love most is meeting producers from all walks of life and hearing their stories. I also enjoy the variety in my work—there’s always something new to learn and do. At Sancoffee, we care not just about producing excellent coffees, but also about making a social and environmental difference in our communities. In times of climate change, producing great coffee is important, but so is taking care of our springs, our soil, and finding ways to reduce the damage these changes are causing. I believe it’s essential to take a big-picture view, so our work and our planet can thrive long term.
Image: Rayane and her father at their family farm Sitio 5 Estrelas
What’s your passion or hobby outside of work?
My happy place is the countryside—I love spending time on my family’s farm, soaking in the peace and quiet that only nature can bring. It’s how I unwind and recharge. I also enjoy indulging in sweets, burgers, and pizza on weekends, and I like watching series to relax.
What do you feel most excited about 2025?
Even with all the climate challenges producers faced in 2024, I’m feeling optimistic about 2025. I believe we’ll be able to focus even more on coffee quality and support small producers in creating outstanding lots. We’ll also keep pushing forward with sustainability—protecting the soil, the springs, and finding new ways to care for the environment. I’m confident that, with teamwork and the knowledge we’ve gained, we’ll overcome the challenges and see great results in both quality and sustainability.
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