Kevin Lardner
Are you looking for a thoughtful, data-driven partner to help your coffee business navigate complex challenges? Whether you’re developing a new product strategy, sourcing sustainable green coffee, or figuring out how to comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation, I’d love to help.
I’m a strategic sales leader with global coffee experience and a Master’s degree from the UK. My work has taken me across Europe, Latin America, and the US, and I’ve spent the past several years leading client partnerships at Rainforest Alliance. I know certification inside and out—how it works on the ground, what it means in the market, and how to make it matter for your business.
If you’re looking for someone who understands both the bigger picture and the fine print, let’s talk. You can also scroll down for more on my background and experience.
Currently:
Based in: Denver, CO
Working for: The Rainforest Alliance
Volunteering at: Oak Park Tennis and Fitness
Drinking: Colombia Los Rosales
Experience
Current:
- Senior Relationship Manager, LATAM & Coffee Trade at Rainforest Alliance (2025 - Present)
- Strategy Consultant at Kevin Lardner Consulting (2015 - Present)
Previous:
- Key Account Manager, Coffee Trade at Rainforest Alliance (2023 - 2025)
- National Sales Manager at Intelligentsia Coffee (2020 - 2023)
- Green Coffee Buyer at Intelligentsia Coffee (2021 - 2023)
- Business Development Manager Central Region, Intelligentsia Coffee (2018 - 2020)
- Customer Experience Manager Wholesale, Intelligentsia Coffee (2017 - 2018)
- Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Purple Llama Coffee (2015 - 2017)
- Account Manager, Dimension Design (2015 - 2016)
Education
SOAS University of London Department of Politics and International Studies & Centre for Comparative Political Thought
Master of Science, International Relations | 2015
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Bachelor of Arts, History and Political Science | 2013
Read / Listen
- Podcast Interview for Coffee People Podcast on my background and my work in sustainability
- Interview for Mongabay on the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the role that International NGOs such as the Rainforest Alliance play in supporting companies and farmers in compliance, 2024
- White Paper for South Pole regarding the role of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) in supporting companies and farmers with EUDR compliance.
- Interview for the Chicago Tribune concerning Intelligentsia Coffee new product innovation in speciality coffee, 2018
- Interview with Misfits Market on national partnership with Intelligentsia Coffee and sustainable coffee sourcing, 2022
- Panel discussion with Imperfect Foods concerning national partnership with Intelligentsia Coffee and the most acute threats to sustainable coffee production, 2020
- Article for Sprudge about Purple Llama Coffee, 2018
Last updated 12.30.24