Shabnam Weber

Shabnam Weber is a lifelong advocate for tea and the people who cultivate it. For nearly two decades, she owned one of Toronto’s pioneering specialty tea companies. During this time, she also served as a director on the board of the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada (THAC), where she authored the Tea Sommelier® program, now the cornerstone of tea education in Canada and beyond.

Since becoming President of THAC in 2018, Shabnam has transformed the organisation into a globally engaged leader in advocacy, education, and sustainability. She represents Canada at the United Nations FAO Intergovernmental Group on Tea, serving as Vice-Chair, and co-chairs several working groups focused on health, smallholders, and global advocacy.

As co-founder of the International Alliance for Women in Tea (IAWT), she champions inclusion, mentorship, and structural change across the tea value chain. Named one of CEO Magazine’s Top 50 Women Over 50, Shabnam brings a global perspective and deep industry insight to every facet of her work, celebrating the diversity, resilience, and humanity that define tea.