2021 Women of Industry Celebration

Join us as we celebrate our 2021 Women of Industry honoree

This year, we are celebrating Helen Russell, Co-founder and Executive Chair of Equator Coffee and Tea, a specialty coffee roaster based in Marin County, CA and the first certified B corporation coffee roaster. Helen is a passionate business leader and entrepreneur.  She has a genuine commitment to pushing boundaries, motivating others, and building relationships with colleagues and employees. Helen is a mentor and advocate for the inclusion of everyone in our community, especially women and girls. 

Helen has volunteered her time and business experience to local and international organizations supporting women and the environment including La Cocina Community Kitchen, the International Women in Coffee Alliance, World Bicycle Relief, and Challenged Athletes Foundation.

For the last 15 years, under Helen’s leadership, Equator has remained on The San Francisco Business Times’ list of the Top 100 Women-Owned Businesses. In 2016 Equator became the first LGBT Certified business to win the SBA Small Business of the Year for the State of California.

A portion of the event proceeds benefit the San Rafael Leadership Institute Scholarship Fund, which gives a deserving female business owner the opportunity to attend the The San Rafael Leadership Institute (a program of the San Rafael Chamber) at no cost.  For more information on the San Rafael Leadership Institute click here.