James McLaughlin

James McLaughlin is the CEO and President of Intelligentsia Coffee. James worked as a lawyer and a coffee farmer before joining Intelligentsia. He works to grow the brand while remaining true to the company’s core values: directly sourcing quality coffee, building partnerships with farmers, and delivering exceptional coffee.

If you could recommend 3 books to anyone, what would they be?

The Republic by Plato

I read this in college and Plato's Allegory of the Cave, presented in this book, had a lasting influence on me. We cannot allow others to create our reality. We must be curious and constantly learning to ensure that we are seeing more than shadows on the wall.

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

Anyone who loves fiction and rich storytelling will devour Atwood's novel that has several layers and stories.

The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giano

This short story is perfect for 2020! It speaks to how a seemingly small act, repeated regularly and with a purpose, can have a transformative effect on the world.

What are you reading now?

Drawdown The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed To Reverse Global Warming, Edited by Paul Hawken

Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ by Giulia Enders

Whose reading list are you most curious about?

“Frank Gehry.”

— James McLaughlin