Starbucks Alumni Community

For many, the new year signals a time of transition. Whether you’re looking to make a change in your career, life, or location,?you’re not alone, there is a whole community behind you. Leverage our directory and sort via location, company, or both to catch up with old friends or forge new connections. Your community awaits, once a partner, always a partner. https://lnkd.in/eZfk-siX #Networking #CareerDevelopment?#WelcomeBack #Starbucks #StarbucksAlumni #OnceAPartnerAlwaysAPartner

The Starbucks Alumni Community is thrilled to invite members to a conversation on resilience & navigating uncertainty with alumni member, Paula Boggs. Put on by the Women’s Impact Network, learn about Paula's remarkable career spanning law, business, and music. ??? Members can register here: https://lnkd.in/dFsxTA7N #WomensHistoryMonth

Imagine having a boss so caring, that working with them inspires you to get a doctorate in leadership and head to Africa. That was exactly what happened for Debra during her time as a barista at the Pier 55 Starbucks in Seattle. Her store manager asked her a simple question: “How am I doing as a store manager?” That simple question helped Debra shift the way she thought about leadership entirely. Now earning a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Innovation at Arizona State University, Debra is taking her experiences and applying them to her own leadership style as the founder of Collab des Collines, an online and in-person tourism company dedicated to sharing the vibrant culture of Benin, West Africa, with the world. “This venture was born from my doctoral research in transformational learning through online tourism. I discovered the power of virtual experiences to inspire personal growth and global awareness. Through Collab des Collines, I guide participants on a cultural journey filled with history, traditions, and authentic connections with local communities." Debra’s work to bring people together comes directly from her experiences at Starbucks. Her favorite memory is working on the Fourth of July with just three partners and her store manager, as customers poured into the store for hours, looking for hot drinks ahead of the fireworks show. “Inside, we were all having a blast working together to get the job done...singing to the music, helping out wherever necessary, and calling out drinks like nobody's business. You would have thought at the end of the night we would have been exhausted, but we were all so pumped up, this little crew of four, that we closed and cleaned the store with smiles on our faces and a little bit of sweat on our brow." It is an excellent memory of what humans are capable of when we pull together as a team to get even the most exhausting job done.” ??? You can connect with Debra today through our website: https://lnkd.in/eZfk-siX

“Human kindness is the best pairing with my Starbucks coffee.” As a barista, Rebecca saw clearly the power of human kindness and connection. “At Starbucks, I learned that I may be only a small window of someone’s day, but that short interaction can shine a positive light for their entire day.” Now Rebecca is a teacher, bringing that same bright energy to her classroom every day. She is also a volunteer supporting the South/West Park Parent Club, an organization in Tracy, CA that supports 850 students and their families, consisting mostly of English language learners and low-income families. The South/West Park Parent Club partners with local businesses and teens in the community to put on community events that bring families together and enhance the students’ education. Thanks to Rebecca’s nomination, the South/West Park Parent Club was awarded a Neighborhood Grant from The Starbucks Foundation in 2024, which has provided more than $20 million to organizations nominated by partners and alumni across the U.S. and Canada since 2019. For Rebecca, the sparks of kindness and connection continue to drive her work as a volunteer. “It gives me great joy to see the teenagers I recruit from local high schools volunteer at all the events hosted by this nonprofit organization and watch them effortlessly take on the role of mentor to these students. It gives me pride to belong to and volunteer to support this community at South/West Park.” Ready to connect with Rebecca? Find her profile on our website: https://lnkd.in/eZfk-siX

Ready to make a change in your local community? April marks the 15th anniversary of Starbucks Global Month of Good ???? This year, alumni and partners will get together across the country to help fight hunger in their own communities. ??? See the list of participating communities here https://lnkd.in/gCuMXS7s ??? Nothing in your area? Create your own on our Opportunities page here https://lnkd.in/gYs5BQwj #ToBeAPartner #StarbucksAlumni #Volunteer

It’s 4:30am. You’re starting your shift as a barista. What’s your go-to drink to kick off the day? For Maddy Loeb, it was a tall cold brew with a shot of espresso. It was during those caffeine-fueled early hours that Maddy bonded with her partners and regulars, learning how to prioritize, solve problems and communicate effectively. She employed those skills as a participant in the Starbucks Service Fellows Pilot Program, where she was connected with local community agency where she worked part-time while still serving as a barista. That opportunity with Starbucks helped Maddy figure out her purpose. She went on to pursue and achieve a Masters in Social Work, which she uses in her current work as a Global Ambassadors Case Manager for the Partnership for the Advancement & Immersion of Refugees (PAIR) Houston. As a case manager, Maddy helps refugee students make the challenging transition from high school to college. As a Starbucks alum, Maddy nominated PAIR Houston for a Neighborhood Grant through the Starbucks Foundation in 2024. “All people are deserving of a safe place to call home, and PAIR works to ensure the most vulnerable in the community receive the support they deserve as they pursue education to expand their economic and social opportunities. This work not only uplifts youth themselves but also their families.” Get in touch with Maddy today through our website: https://lnkd.in/eZfk-siX?

What does being a barista have in common with being an emergency room doctor? Former Starbucks barista Jimmy Truong shares, “I work in high-stakes situations that require effective communication, collaboration, and adaptability. Whether serving a customer their favorite beverage or a patient in need, both experiences demand empathy, leadership, and a commitment to delivering excellence under challenging conditions.” This commitment to serving people with empathy extends to Jimmy’s volunteer work with? the Columbia Care Access Project, a harm reduction organization run by medical students at the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. “We serve members of the Washington Heights community who are experiencing housing insecurity or who use drugs. We are proud to treat many people who have faced stigma within the medical system in the past, and seek to provide essential services for those who do not feel comfortable receiving care elsewhere.” Jimmy successfully nominated the Columbia Care Access Project for a Neighborhood Grant from the Starbucks Foundation in 2024, further cementing his commitment to care in his community.? For Jimmy, serving as an emergency room physician directly draws on his experience as a barista. “One of my favorite Starbucks memories was when Frappuccinos first rolled out. I was working at the Rockefeller Center location, and the buzz we had created brought in such an overwhelming crowd that we actually ran out of supplies. I vividly remember climbing onto the counter to get everyone’s attention, redirecting traffic for customers not ordering Frappuccinos, and announcing that we had run out. It was chaotic yet exhilarating, and it taught me valuable lessons in quick thinking and crowd management.” ??? Connect with Jimmy today on our website: https://lnkd.in/eZfk-siX?

What do making delicious coffee and spinning records have in common? ???? For Frank Alvarado, both helped him find his joy, passion and career.? As a Starbucks barista, Francisco made lifelong friends as he tried to navigate the entertainment industry. After spending over a decade as an actor, he discovered a true passion for music while he was serving customers alongside his Starbucks partners. “Starbucks had a big impact in my life, and kept me financially stable while I created music on the side. I always looked forward to creating special memories with my colleagues who are now my family and big supporters.” Francisco found his love for music at the Dance Music Initiative, a nonprofit organization that teaches youth how to read music, mix sounds and use DJ equipment. To help support the organization and reach more students, Francisco nominated Dance Music Initiative for a Neighborhood Grant from The Starbucks Foundation? in 2024. The Starbucks Foundation invites Starbucks partners and Starbucks Alumni to nominate local grassroots, community-led nonprofit organizations in their community to receive grants. “Ever since I have been part of this organization, I have found my true passion and I can proudly say because of the tools and skills I’ve learned, I have been working as a DJ with a steady source of income.” Interested in connecting with Francisco? Reach out to him directly on our website. https://lnkd.in/g9Fsfw6w

Collegiate Hall of Fame athlete. Successful entrepreneur running two businesses. What’s the key to this kind of success? For Jasmine, it’s all about enjoying the journey. As a barista, shift supervisor and store manager at Starbucks, every day was an opportunity to uplift customers and partners and strive for great customer service. “Every day I focused on making connections with every customer and always providing a great beverage. Doing that made every stranger feel like a friend. Starbucks enhanced my skills to multi-task, focus on goals, set high standards, focus on craft, have limitless dreams and possibilities and show our love of quality coffee.” The drive to succeed has always been part of Jasmine’s journey. During her college years at the University of Rhode Island, she became the first Division 1 All-American athlete in the university’s women's track & field program history. To add to her many other accomplishments during her collegiate career, in 2025 the University of Rhode Island will honor Jasmine by inducting her into its Hall of Fame. Now Jasmine is using all the skills she learned as an athlete and at Starbucks to run two successful businesses. “I am the owner of Arnaz BBQ, Seafood & more. Arnaz means "Purely Graceful" and that is the type of service we provide. It's a food trailer that just moved into a brick & mortar location in Brenham, TX. Our specialty is BBQ ribs, brisket and cajun seafood. I’m also the co-founder of I Am Wo Shi. It’s a clothing line that makes t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and sneakers for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Wo Shi means "I Am." Muhammad Ali would say "I am the greatest, I am pretty, and if it's good, I am that, too.” Wo Shi represents the best of yourself. We all have greatness in us. My Starbucks experience taught me how to run a successful business. I learned that the investment of time and a focus of training people are the most important. I use those skills to run my businesses every day.” Connect with Jasmine today via our website! https://lnkd.in/eZfk-siX??

Natalie Lumpkin-Brown, PCC on the importance of seeing people that look like you in the workplace Natalie is a Starbucks alum who led the Black Partner Network and worked to launch the Starbucks Rewards Program. During her time leading BPN, Natalie was involved in developing the Starbucks Student Academy, which connects high school students with leaders in the community. Natalie is proud to have left a lasting legacy during her time at Starbucks: “I still hear from students who were positively impacted by that year.” Currently, Natalie is focused on creating safe spaces for Black women focusing on rest and connection. “My time leading the Black Partner Network was critical to the work I am doing now for the Black community. Being supported by a company that encouraged community work, development for students and youth, and allowed us to bring in speakers for our partners set me up to continue this work on a personal level beyond Starbucks.” In addition to coaching and creating spaces for Black women, Natalie works at Apple, managing privacy and compliance for global marketing. ??? To connect with Natalie, reach out to her through our website. https://lnkd.in/eZfk-siX? #BlackHistoryMonth #Mentorship