Biography of Emily Stone: Founder & CEO of Uncommon Cacao -Entrepreneur
Biography of Emily Stone:
Emily Stone, a trailblazer in the cacao industry, is on a
mission to transform how the world sources and trades cacao. As the Founder and
CEO of Uncommon Cacao, she has built a company that leads systemic change in
the global cacao supply chain through its Transparent Trade model. This
innovative approach ensures fair pricing for smallholder farmers while
providing premium quality cacao to global chocolate makers. Over the last
decade, Uncommon Cacao has emerged as a leader in the specialty cacao market,
sourcing from over 10,000 smallholder farmers across 15+ countries and serving
hundreds of chocolate makers worldwide.
A Passion for Sustainable Development
Emily's journey began with a deep-seated passion for
sustainability and social impact. After earning a B.A. in Sociology from
Georgetown University, she worked on environmental campaigns and shareholder
advocacy, honing her skills in creating systemic change. Her early career with
Green Corps and Green Century Capital Management shaped her ability to build
alliances, advocate for environmental responsibility, and drive impactful
campaigns, setting the stage for her entrepreneurial ventures.
Pioneering Maya Mountain Cacao
In 2010, Emily co-founded Maya Mountain Cacao (MMC) in
Belize to address the challenges smallholder farmers faced in the cacao
industry. Collaborating with chocolate makers Alex Whitmore and Jeffrey Pzena,
MMC introduced a revolutionary model combining high-impact sourcing,
centralized post-harvest processing, and direct trade relationships. This
approach ensured fair compensation for farmers while maintaining top-notch
quality for chocolate makers.
Empowering Indigenous Farmers
MMC's model stood out by purchasing "wet" cacao
directly from smallholder farmers, providing them with immediate and fair
payment. This system replaced the stagnant monopoly that had dominated Belize’s
cacao trade for over 20 years. By streamlining the supply chain and ensuring
transparency, MMC empowered indigenous Maya communities, helping them access
premium markets and improve their livelihoods.
Catalyzing Change in the Cacao Industry
Through MMC, Emily brought centralized post-harvest
processing to Belize, enabling the production of high-quality cacao beans. This
innovation allowed smallholder farmers to focus on improving yields while
ensuring sustainable practices. By connecting farmers directly with premium
chocolate makers, MMC created a dynamic that spurred rapid growth in Belize’s
cacao industry, reducing deforestation risks and enhancing biodiversity.
Scaling Impact with Cacao Verapaz
In 2013, Emily expanded her impact by founding Cacao Verapaz
in Guatemala. As a sister company to MMC, Cacao Verapaz sourced premium cacao
from indigenous farmers, promoting quality, transparency, and social impact.
This venture played a pivotal role in developing a thriving cacao export
industry in Guatemala, showcasing Emily’s dedication to scaling sustainable
solutions across regions.
Building Uncommon Cacao as a Global Leader
In 2016, Emily consolidated her efforts under Uncommon
Cacao, creating a platform to manage her ventures in Belize, Guatemala, and
beyond. As a certified B Corporation and Public Benefit Corporation, Uncommon
Cacao champions ethical trade practices. It remains the only international
cacao trader to publicly disclose prices paid throughout its value chain,
setting a benchmark for transparency in the industry.
Transforming the Bean-to-Bar Market
Emily’s work has been instrumental in reshaping the
bean-to-bar chocolate sector. MMC’s cacao was used to produce the first-ever
U.S. commercial chocolate bar made entirely from Belizean cacao. This milestone
highlighted the potential of high-quality cacao sourced through transparent and
ethical means, driving growth in the premium chocolate market.
Creating a Farmer-Centric System
Emily's initiatives prioritize farmers as the protagonists
of the cacao supply chain. By fostering eye-level partnerships between farmers
and chocolate producers, she ensures their well-being extends beyond the cacao
fields. This farmer-centric approach has earned global recognition, making
Uncommon Cacao a preferred partner for chocolate makers seeking ethical and
high-quality cacao.
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Driving Environmental and Social Sustainability
Under Emily’s leadership, Uncommon Cacao’s model contributes
to environmental sustainability by promoting reforestation and agroforestry
practices. By improving productivity yields and market access, her ventures
have brought significant economic benefits to rural communities, proving that
ethical trade can drive meaningful development.
Overcoming Industry Challenges
Emily identified and addressed significant challenges in the
cacao industry, such as the lack of transparency and incentives for quality
production. Her Transparent Trade model bridges the gap between farmers and
chocolate makers, creating a win-win dynamic that fosters trust, innovation,
and mutual success.
Championing Transparent Trade Globally
Emily’s unwavering commitment to transparency has positioned
Uncommon Cacao as a global leader in ethical cacao trade. By sharing stories
and data from their sourcing relationships, the company educates buyers and
consumers, building a market that values fairness and quality.
A Vision for Producer Prosperity
At the heart of Emily’s vision is the goal of ensuring
producer prosperity. By creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports
farmers, she has redefined success in the cacao industry. Her work exemplifies
how businesses can be a force for good, combining profitability with purpose.
Inspiring the Future of Ethical Trade
Emily Stone’s journey from grassroots organizing to
pioneering Transparent Trade has redefined how the world sources cacao. Her
leadership, innovation, and dedication to creating a more equitable supply
chain inspire others to pursue sustainable and ethical practices. Through
Uncommon Cacao, she continues to drive transformative change, making
high-quality chocolate a force for good.
Timeline for story
2006: Earned B.A. in Sociology from Georgetown University.
2010: Co-founded Maya Mountain Cacao (MMC) in Belize.
2013: Founded Cacao Verapaz in Guatemala to expand sourcing
efforts.
2016: Launched Uncommon Cacao as a consolidated platform for
cacao ventures.
2018: Uncommon Cacao became a certified B Corporation and
Public Benefit Corporation.
2024: Continues driving Transparent Trade and scaling global
impact in the cacao industry.
