Celebrating International Women’s Day With Ash

Meet Ash. Our Marketing Manager, working across content, communications and partnerships. Her story at Coffee Supreme, though, goes well beyond a single title. Having worked across several departments over many years, Ash has seen Coffee Supreme from just about every angle. We’re proud to share a glimpse into her journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and what continues to drive and inspire her this International Women's Day.

Q: Hey Ash, first things first, what’s your coffee order
A: Currently, a coconut iced long black from our Melbourne cafe. It’s dangerously easy to drink.

Q: Can you tell us your Coffee Supreme story — how did you start here, and what’s your journey been like?
A: I’m originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, and moved to Melbourne at the end of 2014 after finishing my degree. After working in a few cafes around the city, I set my sights on joining my favourite New Zealand roaster.

I started in our Melbourne cafe and spent a year on the tools before moving into a back-of-house role looking after our online store. That role also included writing our monthly newsletters, which was my first real step into brand and communications. 

As online and social media became a bigger part of what we do, so did the need for clearer storytelling and stronger partnerships. Nearly ten years on, I’ve grown alongside the business. From pouring coffees to shaping how we show up across Australia.

Q: What’s a moment in your Coffee Supreme journey that you’re most proud of?
A: The last couple of years have been especially rewarding. I’m incredibly proud of the quality of work we produce as an in-house team. We set the bar high and keep raising it year after year.

It means a lot when people tell us our marketing stands out. Not just because it looks good, but because it genuinely reflects who we are as a coffee roaster and the community we’ve built around the brand.

There have been a few standout moments. Our partnership with Air New Zealand, led by the incredibly hard-working Nat Guest, was a big one. Seeing our coffee represented on that scale felt special. 

Our Holiday Blend campaign last year was another highlight, where we were able to lean into storytelling and creativity in a way that felt distinctly us.

And more recently, building our Suzuki Carry coffee truck with our friends at La Marzocco. It’s a fun physical expression of partnership, coffee and culture all rolled into one.

Q: Has being in the coffee world shaped your view on career, community or creativity?
A: Absolutely. I fell in love with hospitality at 18 while working part-time as a barista while studying. Coffee was never just a drink. It was connection, routine and ritual.

Coffee really is a catalyst for community and creativity, and that belief sits at the heart of Coffee Supreme. I feel very lucky to have found a career that blends storytelling, design, hospitality and people.

Q: What’s a challenge you’ve overcome or insight you’ve gained as a woman in this industry?
A: Coffee can feel male-dominated at times. But I’ve also been fortunate to work alongside a lot of talented, driven women, including in leadership roles, which makes a huge difference.

Travelling to Papua New Guinea last year on a coffee-buying trip was also a big personal moment. I was honestly nervous beforehand. It was unfamiliar and outside my comfort zone.

But once I was there, I felt safe and welcomed, and it reminded me that growth often sits just beyond fear. It gave me a lot more confidence in myself.

Q: What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?
A: For me, it’s about acknowledging progress while recognising there’s still work to do.

It’s a chance to celebrate the women around us, in our workplaces, our communities and our families, and to think about how we can create environments where more women feel supported to lead and speak up.

It’s also a reminder to back other women loudly and often, not just on one day of the year.

Q: Who inspires you, and why?
A: At Coffee Supreme, I’m inspired by the women I get to work alongside every day. They’re smart, hardworking and generous with their knowledge. Being around people who care deeply about what they do, and who genuinely back each other, makes you want to lift your own game.

And outside of work, my partner Connor is my biggest inspiration. I feel incredibly lucky to have found someone who challenges me to grow every day, who backs my ambitions and encourages me to think bigger. Having someone in your corner who believes in you makes a huge difference.

Q: What advice would you give to someone starting in coffee or business today?
A: Stay curious and say yes to opportunities that feel outside your comfort zone.

Coffee is an industry where you can move in many directions. From hospitality to sourcing, design, operations or marketing. Back yourself, ask questions, and remember that relationships matter just as much as skill. At the end of the day, the coffee world is built on connection. That’s what makes it special.

Thanks so much, Ash. We raise our mugs to you today and every day.