Meet Our Team

Our team is dedicated to social change through chocolate and coffee. We do this by ethically sourcing coffee and cacao, offering training programs on our Cameroon farm, and planting a tree for every product sold.

Cameroon Team

Edwin Ngong
Even before Edwin was officially on staff with Moka, he served as a valuable resource to our project by offering guidance, honest feedback, and demonstrating unbiased leadership qualities. Edwin was born in Meluf Village in NW Cameroon and is one of 8 siblings. After graduating with a degree in Life Sciences, Edwin directed his focus towards sustainable agriculture as a means of community upliftment. Edwin helps Moka deploy agriculture partnerships in some of Cameroon's most vulnerable communities.
Edwin Ngong
Cameroon Country Director
Nyuytari Evolette
We are so excited to introduce Evolette as the newest member of the Moka Origins team in Cameroon. Evolette serves as our Tree Nursery Manager. Her passion for agriculture and positive energy go towards supporting our Moka Tree Coop where we distribute seedlings and provide technical support to hundreds of regional famers. She is also in charge of handling our inventory, community food gardens and helps keep a pulse on staff scheduling.
Nyuytari Evolette
Cameroon Tree Nursery Manager
Blaise Fonyuy
Blaise joined Moka at the onset of our farm launch in 2015. Energized by the idea of innovation reaching his village and the opportunity that may lay ahead, Blaise and his late Father Fabian were the first members to officially join the Moka Origins full time farm team in Cameroon. Blaise never completed school and was continuously searching for some sort of occupational training. With an eagerness to create an identity for himself in the workplace, Blaise found his match as our first agricultural technician and has since become the assistant manager of Moka Origins Farm.
Blaise Fonyuy
Cameroon Agricultural Technician
Vanilla Sendze Tomla
Hardworking and patient, Vanilla loves to work as a part of a team and collaborate with others. She has a degree in business management and worked for several financial institutions before landing on accounting for Moka Farm Cameroon. Vanilla is dedicated to the growth of Moka Farm and wants to see that it expands to help even more farmers earn a living through cacao and other fruits.
Vanilla Sendze Tomla
Cameroon Administrator

USA Team

Jeff Abella
Jeff is driven by his unwavering passions: exceptional coffee, ethical chocolate, adventure travel, and empowering communities.

His journey began in 2007 when he co-founded health and education initiatives in Cameroon, igniting a deep commitment to sustainable humanitarian projects. This dedication led him to social entrepreneurship, with impactful ventures across West Africa, North India, and Central Mexico.

In 2014, Jeff co-founded a cacao and coffee outreach project in Cameroon, which grew into Moka Origins, a distinguished craft chocolate and coffee roasting enterprise based in Pennsylvania. He now serves as the Managing Director of the Himalayan Institute Cameroon Not-for-Profit and CEO of Moka Origins, where he emphasizes reciprocity and catalyzing social impact at the origin of each product. Jeff also coaches startup CPG founders, helping them build ethical supply chains and succeed in retail.

As a board member of the FedEx Entrepreneur Advisory Board and the Communications Chair for the Fine Chocolate Industry Association, Jeff shares his expertise widely. He passionately speaks on social entrepreneurship, small business growth, and the power of business to drive positive global change.

Recent articles and keynote addresses include prestigious platforms like Facebook, the United Nations, New York Times, Yale, United Against Human Trafficking, Camp IHC, Malvern Prep, Penn State University, and Howard University.

To book a talk with Jeff, reach out at jeff@mokaorigins.com, or connect on LinkedIn.
Jeff Abella
CEO and Co-Founder
Ishan Tigunait
For over a decade, Ishan has led a range of agricultural and emerging market social ventures. He jumped into the world of international development in 2005, when he began working in the emerging field of energy farming. Ishan has a led numerous international development and humanitarian projects across the world, including in Mexico, India, and the Tibetan refugee communities. He is Chairman and a founding director of Himalayan Institute Cameroon, a leading humanitarian NGO in northwest Cameroon, and serves as CEO of Himalayan Institute International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy of the USA.
Ishan Tigunait
Co-Founder
Chelsea Abella
Chelsea has been leading international group travel for 15 years, while also working on numerous humanitarian initiatives in Cameroon, Mexico and India. Chelsea graduated from UW Madison with a degree in Interior Design and has a passion for design, aesthetic and branding, which she has applied to our Moka brand since 2015.

Chelsea finds great joy in curating group travel experiences, spending time her two kids and creating culinary experiences.
Chelsea Abella
Retail & Travel Designer
Beth Dawson
Beth loves taking something simple and making it shine.
She ran a permaculture market farm when her kids were young, grazing grass-fed beef cattle and raising produce and pastured chickens for local co-ops and restaurants.
After working as a farm-to-table chef at the Highlights retreat center it was a natural pivot to Moka, where the farm may be thousands of miles away, but the goal is the same: to bring appreciation for sustainable farming practices and produce by using the raw materials to create gourmet food.  

Beth is our lead chocolatier, crafting chocolate and discovering the subtle flavors of single-origin cacao. She loves researching and developing our original limited batch bars each month for Moka Box subscribers and friends.


Beth Dawson
Chocolatier & Bar Production Manager
Dana Wolfenberg
Dana joined the Moka Origins team in 2022, drawn by the dynamic essence of a small team and the invigorating startup vibe. Being at the heart of her beloved coffee and chocolate source, with a mission centered on global betterment, was an irresistible pull. Now an invaluable part of our Moka Origins management team, Dana manages our factory café and retail operations while also strengthening our financial administration team. She brings a robust skill set honed through years of project management and guiding and nurturing teams, seamlessly integrating these proficiencies into her daily responsibilities and interactions with customers, business affiliates, and colleagues. With a background in social work, Dana leads by example, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages teamwork and success. Her core strengths include adaptability, resilience, and authenticity, which she embodies in both her professional and personal life. Outside of work, Dana is a devoted yoga practitioner and teacher with nearly two decades of experience. She leads a weekly yoga session for the team, supporting everyone’s physical and mental well-being and fostering a nurturing and harmonious work environment.
Dana Wolfenberg
Retail Manager & Administration
Grace Olver
Grace is our lead barista, full of energy and bringing her fun personality and passion for craft coffee to the factory café every day. A seasoned coffee professional, she thrives on delivering exceptional customer experiences, leading engaging factory tours, and taking pride in every cup she serves. Outside of coffee, Grace has a unique background as a trained exotic wildlife caretaker, with a special fondness for the Moluccan Cockatoo. Her latte art has even gone viral on TikTok, setting the bar high and putting the rest of the team’s attempts to shame! Grace’s vibrant energy and love for her craft make her an irreplaceable part of our café experience.
Grace Olver
Lead Barista & Tours
Mark Larson
Mark has been involved in Humanitarian work ever since traveling to Cameroon in 2010 as part of the Himalayan Institute's Eco-Service Excursions. He first started helping Co-Founder Jeff Abella with The Himalayan Institute's health and public library initiatives while growing his knowledge of the farm and humanitarian sides of Moka. Following his sweet tooth and a passion for uplifting communities, Mark joined Moka Origins in a full time capacity and is now managing the administration and operations.
Mark Larson
Director of Operations
Joe Kennedy
Joe joined Moka in 2017 excited to put his B.S. in Management Science to work for a cause he believes in. His long-time collaboration with the Himalayan Institute made him aware of the farming project in Cameroon that was growing into a thriving business in Moka. While completing his Masters of Fine Arts, Joe worked full time roasting coffee and cocoa, making and tempering chocolate, and wrapping bars. As the business and team have grown, that early hands-on development of technique transitioned into his current role as Production Manager. Joe is an enthusiastic manager and educator and has trained the full production team to make some of the best chocolate and coffee in the country. As much as he loves coffee and chocolate, his real passion is art, and his portraits of farming partners from our origins around the world (found inside each bar of chocolate) help tell the story of Moka's core goal - to connect consumers with the talented, hard-working farmers who grow the coffee and cacao that make the products we are so proud of.
Joe Kennedy
Cacao & Coffee Production Manager
Prashant Dault
Prashant is a social entrepreneur at heart and learned more by starting his own businesses than through being in school. His passion lies in photography and graphic design as he creates beautiful works of art and applies it to marketing pieces and brand development. He joined Moka Origins in early 2020 as our Marketing Manager and is driven by social impact and creating better lives for farmers in other parts of the world. Most of all, his playful outlook on life shows through in everything he does, from his previous colorful bamboo sock company, unique artistic perspectives, and his relentless smile and untamed hair. You'll see his work by scrolling through the Moka Origins website and watching for our newest sales emails.
Prashant Dault
Marketing Manager
Bart Thol
Bart is our logistics magician and the anchor of our sales team, processing thousands of orders each week with remarkable precision. From individual bars to full pallets, Bart ensures every order is carefully managed and swiftly shipped, supporting our mission to get quality products into the hands of our customers. When he’s not orchestrating logistics or sipping on a fresh brew, you can find Bart hiking trails or kayaking in the great outdoors. With a background in entrepreneurship, Bart initially pursued a career in adventure travel and also spent time in the coffee industry, making him a perfect fit for our team. He’s thrilled to be part of a startup dedicated to a worthy cause, where his unique skills and passion for both adventure and logistics come together seamlessly.
Bart Thol
Logistics Manager
Ashely Smith
Ashley is our enthusiastic Assistant Chocolatier, bringing a blend of food service experience and a love for her hometown of Honesdale to Moka Origins. Her eagerness to learn and knack for problem-solving are invaluable in the delicate process of tempering chocolate! Known for her “yes” attitude, Ashley steps in wherever she’s needed most, embodying a true team spirit. Joining us at a pivotal time in our growth, Ashley has quickly become an essential part of our team, and we’re excited to have her with us on this journey.
Ashley Smith
Chocolatier
Josh Diaz
Josh is our Head Roaster and a cornerstone of Moka Origins, having been with us on and off since day one. He started alongside our founder, roasting coffee on a humble 1-pound home roaster, and now operates one of the largest roasters in Northeastern PA, processing thousands of pounds of coffee and cacao beans each week. For Josh, roasting is both a science and an art, and he approaches his craft with unwavering dedication and precision. His favorite coffee? Our Single Origin from Mt. Elgon, Uganda—a true reflection of his passion for rich, distinctive flavors.

When he’s not roasting, you’ll find Josh working on maintenance, handling mechanics, and expertly sharpening knives—a skill the entire team now relies on him for! His commitment to quality and hands-on expertise make him an irreplaceable part of Moka Origins and a true artist in the world of coffee roasting.
Josh Diaz
Head Roaster
Steven Odnoha
Steven has been a part of the Himalayan Institute and Moka team since 2010. He is involved with all things technical, from teaching electrical training courses to lab setup and solar power installations. Steven received his professional education from Central Texas College and the U.S. Army. He also worked for the semiconductor giant Intel for over 10 years as a maintenance technician, where he learned to apply attention to detail in all facets of his work.
Steven Odnoha
Technical Engineer
AJ McCloskey
AJ is one of our dedicated Production Associates at Moka Origins, playing a crucial role in our chocolate bar manufacturing team. Every bar of chocolate at Moka Origins is hand-wrapped, and AJ is an essential part of ensuring that each one meets the highest standards of quality. With a keen eye for detail, AJ not only manages the packaging line but also keeps a close watch on inventory and packaging quality, serving as a valuable last line of defense to maintain excellence in every product.

Beyond his work at Moka, AJ is a talented computer engineer who enjoys building apps and games—a creative and technical skillset that showcases his versatility. His attention to detail, combined with his passion for tech, makes him an incredible asset to our team and a standout contributor to Moka’s commitment to quality.
AJ McCloskey
Production Associate
Maxx Wolfenberg
Maxx is a dedicated mid-tenure team member at Moka Origins who joined us while still in school. Now studying business and supply chain management at Penn State University, he has developed a deep love for coffee, chocolate and ethical sourcing. Originally focused on production, Maxx has since expanded his role to include retail duties and sales logistics, reflecting his versatility and commitment. Known as a music lover and a sports encyclopedia, Maxx brings both passion for Moka’s mission and a fun, knowledgeable presence to the team.

Maxx Wolfenberg

Sales and Production Associate
Laura Curtis
Laura is one of our skilled Production Associates at Moka Origins, specializing in wrapping chocolate bars with unmatched speed and precision. Known as the fastest wrapper on the team, she credits her school running career for her perfect pacing—a skill she applies daily on the packaging line. Laura is also an audiobook enthusiast, often finishing entire books while working.

Outside of Moka, she has three athletic, artistic kids who keep her on her toes, and she serves on the Wayne County Arts Alliance board, blending her love for arts and community.

Laura’s dedication, rhythm, and creativity make her an invaluable part of the Moka family.
Laura Curtis
Production Associate
Cate Smith
Cate is a dedicated Production Associate at Moka Origins, focusing on cleaning, organization, and packaging. A recent graduate of Honesdale High School, Cate brings a fresh perspective and strong work ethic to our team. Having supported Moka in various roles over the years, we were thrilled to welcome her in a more permanent capacity after graduation to help support our growing business. Cate recently traveled to Greece, where she gained unforgettable experiences, enriching her adventurous spirit. Her commitment to keeping everything running smoothly and efficiently makes her a valuable asset to the Moka family.

Cate Smith

Production Associate
Jonell Watson
Jonell is our Marketing and Retail Associate at Moka Origins, supporting the team with her expertise in product photography, set design, social media content creation, and retail café leadership. She’s a talented barista who also manages organizational tasks and leads tours, bringing stability and efficiency to every area she touches.

With her background as a freelance photographer, Jonell brings both artistic and technical skills to Moka’s visual storytelling. Her experience running a family business has honed her organizational and reliability skills, making her an indispensable asset to our team.

Outside of work, Jonell is completed by her four sweet and talented children, who bring even more joy and inspiration into her life.
Jonell Watson
Marketing and Retail Associate
Jason Demers
Jason Demers is our dedicated Customer Support Specialist, managing everything from customer equipment installation and maintenance to weekly coffee deliveries for local businesses. A true multitasker, Jason also supports our shipping team and handles a wide range of sales logistics, ensuring smooth operations for our team. 

A graduate of Ithaca University with a degree in biochemistry, Jason brings a unique perspective (and precision!) to our coffee and chocolate business—skills we joke are perfectly suited for our world of flavor and craftsmanship.

When he’s not providing top-notch support to Moka customers, you can find Jason playing tennis, indulging in his love for sushi, or carving down the slopes on his snowboard. His enthusiasm and commitment make him an invaluable asset to our team and a joy to work with!

Jason Demers
Customer Support Specialist

Farming Partners

Meet our Farming Partners from around the globe.
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Cameroon
Sanaga River
moka-team-farmers-dominican-republic
Dominican Republic
Reserva Zorzal
Three_M
Ghana
Three Mountains Cacao
moka-team-farmers-sierra-leone
Sierra Leone
Gola Rainforest
moka-team-farmers-tanzania
Tanzania
Kokoa Kamili
moka-team-farmers-uganda
Uganda
Semuliki Forest

Join Our Team

Explore our current employment opportunities and discover how your talents can positively impact the world.