WORKSHOP PORTAL

Global Community

Be part of a lively global community of women working with cacao. Get to know each other through monthly workshops and active group chat via WhatsApp on all things cacao. Exchange personal stories, professional research and offerings, upcoming events, invitations for in-person meet ups, opinions on controversial subjects surrounding cacao, etc.

MONTHLY WORKSHOPS
LIVE & RECORDED

Join live or at your own pace for a 12 month exploration in niche areas of the cacao and chocolate industry. Monthly workshops are guided by both industry experts as well as wellness professionals who integrate cacao into their practice. Each month’s programming aims to balance educational and wellness oriented programming.

RESOURCE DATABASE & GLOBAL EVENT MEETUPS

Connect 1:1 with speakers and members of the community through a shared database of contacts and resources. Meet up in - person with others at one of the international events shared by the community surrounding cacao and chocolate. Get involved with and / or support each others work in the field.

What’s inSIDE?

Welcome to our world where the myths, science, history and magic of cacao unite in one lively community. We are farmers, chocolatiers, chocolate tasters, scientists, historians, wisdom keepers, ceremonialists, wellness professionals and cacao lovers. We represent 22 countries (and counting). We are Women of Cacao.

Join us for this 12 month workshop-packed membership that we have been organizing exclusively for this community since the inaugural WOC Summit in 2024! Programming aims to offer a deeper dive into some of the themes presented during the summit from research and history to chocolate making and tasting to rituals and wellness practices surrounding cacao. We look forward to sharing with you what’s waiting on the others side. See you there?

- Your hosts

  • Live monthly workshops

    20+ hours of recorded content

    Group discussions & open Q&A

  • Mini educational challenges

    New practices to integrate cacao into personal wellness routines & professional contexts

  • Lively goup chat on WhatsApp

    Post workshop group discussions (optional)

    1:1 connections

Upcoming events

  • CACAO IN PERU WITH VANADIS PHUMPIU

    3.21 2:00-3:00PM

    (Spanish/English Available)


    Take a walk in the shoes of supply chain expert and international chocolate taster, Vandals Phumpiu. She will explore cacao’s unique genetics, history and influence in Peru and why this country’s beans are some of the most sought after globally. Learn the nuances of what affects cacao flavor and quality.

    RSVP

  • APPROPRIATION, COLLABORATION AND CEREMONY

    3.21 11:30AM-12:30PM

    (Spanish/English Available)

    Join in the conversation with WOC host Fiorella Richter as she shares her recent experience growing her multi-faceted business surrounding cacao and being initiated into the ritualistic practices of her lineage. Fiorella opens the table to controversial ethics surrounding the industry of ceremony.

    RSVP

  • MYTH, HISTORY, SCIENCE AND MAGIC: AN OVERVIEW

    3.21 9:00-11:00AM

    Be the first audience to preview “CACAO: Myth, History, Science and Magic,” a publication combining extensive research with rich story telling by WOC host Ava Cacao (Ava J. Holmes). This informal book debut includes a 90 minute presentation covering the books four themes and a 30 minute group discussion / Q&A. The book will be in print later this year.

    RSVP

THE 12 MONTH workshop experience

Workshops range from 90 minutes to 3 hours.
Each featuring unique expertS in their field.

MARCH

Month 1: WHY cacao? Why WOMEN? (An all day masterclass series)

  • How cacao was uniquely handled by women healers and leaders for centuries.

  • Nuances of appropriation, health concerns (heavy metals), and what is sacred.

  • Exploring mythology, history and society through the lens of cacao.

  • Special presentation on Cacao in Peru.

APRIL

Month 2: THE RICH HISTORY of cacao through ceramics

  • Exclusive screening of the unpublished documentary on cacao and ceramics with Laura Vergara.

  • How specific cacao vessels were historically used for unique purposes.

  • How different vessel materials, tools and shapes can affect cacao.

  • Refining the “art and science” of sculpting or choosing your own cacao vessel.

JULY

MONTH 5: WHO DID IT? looking through the lens of MEDIA history

  • Understanding cacao’s unprecedented influence in ancient, colonial and modern societies: similarities and differences.

  • Who crafted the industry? Cacao through the lens of popular media, key influencers, and big business over time.

  • Writing your own story of cacao-influence (optional: share your story at the summit!)

NOVEMBER

month 8: FOR THE MASSES: SUPPLY CHAIN

  • Top cacao-producing countries and their economic impact over time and

  • How big chocolate corporations control pricing and demand.

  • How environmental and political landscapes are changing the cacao economy.

  • How to best support small scale farmers without compromising quality/consistency.

MAY

Month 3: Cacao for Hormonal Balance & ENERGY

  • How cacao supports hormonal cycles, PMS relief, and adrenal health.

  • How cacao optimally boosts iron levels, magnesium intake, and overall vitality.

  • Female empowerment via menstruation wisdom and optimizing hormonal health.

  • Creating hormone-balancing cacao elixirs.

JUNE

MONTH 4: underneath the surface - soil science & new research

  • The relationship between soil health and cacao quality.

  • How soil composition impacts flavor profiles & nutrient density.

  • Newest research on genetics, soil, carbon sequestration and tree health.

  • New challenges that farmers are facing on the grounds with cacao in different regions.

AUGUST

Month 6: EMPOWERING Self-Love & CONNECTION in partnership

  • The science: what is happening to our mental, physical and emotional body: How cacao promotes emotional healing, stress relief, connection and confidence.

  • Practices for self-compassion, stress relief, and nourishment: rituals and recipes.

  • Workshop on self-love, intimacy and authentic relating in partnership with cacao.

SEPTEMBER

Month 7: WOC Cacao SUMMIT 2025

  • Invite to VIP DAY including exclusive all -day workshops and speaker meet & greet.

  • Access to all recordings & bonus content (included with membership).

ALL WORKSHOPS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN TOPIC, PRESENTER AND ORDER.

DECEMBER

Month 9: Cacao IN EMBODIED LEADERSHIP

  • How women are using cacao in coaching, leadership, and business development.

  • Attracting clients and visibility in your niche field through the cacao community.

  • Perspectives on ethics and responsibility when working commercially with cacao.

  • Designing your personal practice for embodied leadership with cacao.

FAQs

  • THE WOC SUMMIT IS A ONCE A YEAR FREE LIVE EVENT THAT SHARES KEYNOTES, PANELS AND WORKSHOPS FROM VARIOUS EXPERTS IN THEIR FEILD. THIS MEMBERSHIP OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO DEEPER WITH WOC PRESENTERS AND THEIR EXPERTISE THROUGH INTIMATE AND INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS. SESSIONS ARE SPREAD OUT OVER A 12 MONTH PERIOD TO JOIN, RE-WATCH AND INTEGRATE AT YOUR OWN PACE. PRESENTERS IN THE MEMBERSHIP SERIES ARE PAID TO SHARE THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE WHEREAS THE SUMMIT FOCUSES ON SUMMARIZING AND PREVIEWING THEIR MAIN BODIES OF WORK. NEED MORE INFO? DON’T HESITATE TO REACH OUT!

  • ABSOLUTELY NOT, YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN, WATCH, AND INTEGRATE AT YOUR OWN PACE. WE MAINTAIN AN ACTIVE WHATSAPP GROUP AND ARE ATTENTIVE TO 1:1 INQUIRIES SO THAT YOUR EXPERIENCE REMAINS AS INTERACTIVE AS DESIRED.

  • YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZOOM LINK FOR EACH WORKSHOP SESSION. JOIN US LIVE OR WATCH THE REPLAYS.

  • WE BELIEVE YOU WILL KNOW IF THIS COMMUNITY IS FOR YOU! DO YOU HAVE MORE TO LEARN ABOUT THE RICH HISTORY, FASCINATING MYTHS, CULTURAL INFLUENCE, PERSONAL PRACTICES AND NEWEST SCIENCE SURROUNDING CACAO? DON’T WE ALL!