Who we are

In 1995 we had a big idea: make people’s lives better through coffee. Thanks to our community of producers, roasters, baristas and supporters, that idea has become reality in the two decades since.

BROOKE
MCDONNELL

Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer

HELEN RUSSELL

Co-Founder & Executive Chair

MAUREEN MCHUGH

Executive Vice President

JP LACHANCE

Chief Executive Officer

Coffee Can Be Better

That realization inspired our founders to roast and sell coffee themselves from a Marin County garage in 1995. Coffee can be roasted better, brewed better and, most importantly, it can be sourced in a way that makes lives better. That garage became Equator Coffees and marked the beginning of a high-impact coffee company focused on quality, sustainability and social responsibility. Long before anyone thought coffee could embody any of those qualities.

After two decades, nine cafes and thousands of cups served, our impact has grown but our values remain the same.

1995In The Garage

Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell found Equator Estate Coffees & Teas in a garage in Marin County, CA. Maureen McHugh becomes Equator’s first employee soon after.

1997First Trip to Origin

Brooke embarks to Guatemala for her first trip to origin to study coffee production firsthand at the Chipicay Cooperative.

"The first visit to see the land and the people who grow coffee filled me with a sense of wonder, gratitude and privilege to be a small part of the coffee world," said Brooke.

1999Fair Trade Certified

Equator becomes an early partner of Fair Trade USA, buying coffee from the Soppexcca Cooperative in Nicaragua. It is the beginning of a decades-long relationship with Fair Trade.

2003Expansion

Equator purchases and opens our Jordan Street Roastery in San Rafael. It has housed our main roasting operations ever since.

2008A Farm of Our Own

Equator partners with world-renowned coffee expert Willem Boot to found Finca Sophia, our very own coffee farm in Volcán, Panamá.

2011B Corp. Certified

Equator becomes the first coffee roaster in California to become a Certified B. Corp. The company is a demonstrative leader in using business as a force for good.

2013Our First Cafe

Our first cafe opens at the Proof Lab campus in Mill Valley.

"Where everybody knows your name," said Helen.

2016Business of the Year

Equator wins National Small Business of the Year by the Small Business Administration. It is the first Certified LGBTQ-owned business to win.

2020NEW WORLD RECORD

In August 2020, Finca Sophia was recognized as the 2020 Panama Cup winner, winning 1st place in the washed gesha category aqnd 2nd place in the natural gesha category.

In September, that same coffee set a new world record for coffee sold at an auction.

2021ROUND HOUSE AT THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

Our ninth retail location opens at one of the most iconic crossroads in the world. First opened in 1937 this Art Deco perch with a near-360 degree view of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area offers a coffee experience like no other.

Sip, sit and take in the wonder of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

On any day of the week, you can catch Monica at one of our cafes running shop and cracking jokes. She’s a true people person and loves that coffee has the power to bring people together. Monica joined Equator as GM of the Sausalito cafe and was recently promoted to district Manager. She’s been in the coffee industry for 15+ years and finds escape as a self proclaimed “Gangster Gardener”, growing tomatoes, strawberries, onions, and peppers in her community garden.

Give Monica a wave next time you see her out and about or taking a break to enjoy her favorite drink, an Oatmilk Cortado!

Work at Equator

Team Spotlight

Monica Stahl

District Manager | Equator Cafes