Sharyn Johnston

Sharyn Johnston, renowned as an international tea educator and the CEO/founder of Australian Tea Masters, spearheads one of the foremost organizations for global tea training and education. She pioneered the Australian International Tea Expo, marking a significant milestone in Australia's tea culture, alongside the inception of the prestigious Golden Leaf Awards, the sole international tea competition in the country.

Sharyn is a highly respected expert in tea blending, known globally. She serves as a judge at tea competitions and holds prominent roles like Advisory Board member at Tea Masters Cup International. Additionally, she is the Head of Education at the World Tea Academy and sits at the Chinese Tea Experts Committee. Sharyn was recognized by the Myung Won Cultural Foundation for her contributions to Korean tea culture and is a founding member of the European Specialty Tea Association.

Driven by a passion to uplift small-scale tea farmers globally, Sharyn actively supports projects aimed at enhancing their livelihoods and raising awareness about the merits of quality tea through education initiatives. Her passion for sharing authentic knowledge with her students takes her on extensive travels, where she specializes in tea and herbal blending training, as well as blend development. Regular teaching engagements in Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, USA and China underscore her dedication to imparting genuine insights and fostering appreciation for tea worldwide.

Grayson Bain

Grayson Bain is an entrepreneur with over 45 years of experience. He's best known for co-founding Rocky Mountain Bicycles, a leading Canadian manufacturer, and creating the first mountain bike in Canada. He's also the founder of Race Face, a popular brand for bike parts and clothing.

Grayson's journey includes both successes and failures. He built a profitable fair-trade tea company, JusTea which sources tea from Kenya. He also learned valuable lessons from launching two tech startups, RevClick and Vukani, that didn't succeed.

Grayson currently runs Reconcile Business Solutions. There, he draws on his experience as the CEO of over 15 companies to help other entrepreneurs. He advises them to look beyond daily tasks and focus on the bigger picture of their business. He helps them develop effective strategies and systems to achieve high growth. By listening carefully, Grayson gets to the root of problems and creates solutions to propel businesses forward.

Deeply involved in the community, Grayson has directed charities and boards such as More Than Gold, Every Nation Vancouver, Impact Nations, and Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries.

Nathan Johnston

Nathan Johnston is the founder and CEO of Cartel Roasters Australia.

Nathan has made significant contributions to the coffee world through his work as an award-winning coffee roaster, industry leader, and advocate for specialty coffee.

Nathan has been instrumental in shaping Australia's thriving coffee culture and is recognized globally for his specialty coffee knowledge and understanding of the coffee industry.

Through his commitment to the appreciation of quality single-origin beans and his work directly with small farmers he has developed trade partnerships with farmers and producers in countries such as Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, India, Colombia, Mexico, Nepal, and Indonesia. These partnerships have not only ensured fair profits for coffee growers but have also given Australian coffee enthusiasts access to some of the world's finest beans.

He has worked in all facets of coffee production from seed to consumer and has educated farmers on how to transform poor quality production methods to reach high quality specialty coffee. He has also dedicated an extensive amount of time to learn and understand tea farming and tea production.

He has served as a judge in various coffee and tea competitions globally, including the prestigious Tea Masters Cup, where he has helped evaluate and recognize the best talent in the tea industry.

Nathan aims to create unique experiences that showcase the complementary nature of these two beloveds to bridge the gap between tea and coffee. This innovative approach demonstrates Nathan's commitment to pushing boundaries and expanding the horizons of the specialty beverage industry.

Through his tireless efforts to promote quality, sustainability, and education, Nathan Johnston has become a driving force in the global coffee scene. His contributions as a coffee roaster, industry leader, and advocate for both specialty coffee and tea have helped shape the way people experience and appreciate these beverages.

Bernadine Tay

Bernadine Tay is not just a master blender and visionary tea consultant; she's a trailblazer on a mission to redefine the role of tea in the culinary landscape. With a keen eye for innovation and a taste for excellence, she designs bespoke concepts and tea products for hospitality clients, empowering them to offer unparalleled consumer experiences with a distinct competitive edge.

As the founder and creative force behind Quinteassential, an esteemed artisanal wellness tea company based in the UK, Bernadine is at the forefront of tea culture. Her influence extends even further as the pioneering mind behind the European Speciality Tea Association, an organization dedicated to elevating the standards of specialty tea through education and innovation.

Drawing from her background in Biomedical Science and fueled by her passions for culture, travel, and wellness, Bernadine expertly combines scientific precision with creative flair to craft exquisite tea and botanical blends. Her award-winning creations grace the tables of Michelin-starred restaurants such as The Hakkasan Group, savoured at exclusive resorts and spas like The One & Only Group, and adorn the shelves of the heritage of luxury British establishments including Wedgewood and the British Royal Palaces.

Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Bernadine's commitment to advancing the world of specialty tea knows no bounds. Through her work with the European Speciality Tea Association, she champions producers worldwide, fosters skill development within the barista community, and spearheads collaborative research and product development initiatives.

In her relentless pursuit of tea excellence, Bernadine extends her reach to the digital realm, sharing her expertise and passion through her own YouTube channel. Here, she invites tea enthusiasts to embark on a journey of discovery, nurturing a deeper appreciation for this captivating beverage and its rich cultural heritage. Bernadine Tay is not just shaping the future of tea; she's inviting the world to savour every sip of its boundless potential.