Stefan Vermeulen's Story - Nespresso Oceania

Over International Women’s Day, Nespresso reached out to Two Good Co about an incredible campaign that harnessed the power of giving back…all through a cup of coffee. Inspired by the Caffé Sospeso tradition, Nespresso decided that for every sleeve of Napoli individually sold on IWD, they would donate the value of that sleeve to Two Good, to support Australian women with lived experienced of homelessness, domestic violence and complex trauma.

Running for its second year in a row, the IWD 2025 Caffé Sospesso campaign saw Nespresso’s community of coffee lovers help donate the value of 3,633 sleeves to the Two Good Foundation - a total of $33,423.60. A huge thank you for joining us in raising a cup of Napoli!

In celebration of this wonderful initiative, we spoke to Stefan Vermeulen, Managing Director of Nespresso Oceania, about how the Nespresso team are using coffee as a force for good, and why they are committed to taking a stand against gender inequity.

THE CAFFE SOSPESO CAMPAIGN.

"A cup of coffee can definitely be an act of love – whether it’s a moment of quiet self-reflection, or you choose to share it with someone else, coffee is an important daily ritual for most of us. It speaks to the senses and allows the chance to pause and connect.

Here in Australia, coffee is part of our social fabric. And throughout history, coffee has been bringing people together. My favourite tradition is the Caffé Sospeso – the suspended coffee – which is believed to have begun in Naples. Someone experiencing good fortune would order and pay for two coffees, one for themselves and another for a stranger less fortunate to enjoy in the future.

It's a simple gesture of kindness which, for generations, has helped create a culture of support and inclusion. I’ve really come to understand that true happiness lies in the act of giving – a lesson learned through my daughter, Mia. When she was born, my entire focus shifted from myself to this new little life. And while I love both my children equally, Mia has a way of captivating me with her vibrant presence, boundless positivity, and zest for life. She serves as a constant source of inspiration and motivation for me. She really has given my life purpose and meaning…and I’m grateful for the lessons she teaches me every day.

CHANGE-MAKERS.

As someone who firmly believes in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, I’m proud to add my voice to Two Good Co’s call for action against domestic violence – an issue that affects millions of people in Australia, the majority of which are women. It has to change, and we all must play a role.

“I believe we all can - and should - be Change-Makers. ”

Whether it’s in my organisation or at home, it’s my responsibility to ensure the people in my community – my colleagues, my family, my friends - feel safe. That means condemning unacceptable behaviour - which can happen through policy as well as conversation. It also means talking openly about these issues, to let people know this is a place of understanding and support, so they feel comfortable to reach out for help if they need it.

To reach a state of equal outcome, we must first recognise and address the many different challenges facing women within our workplaces and community. The challenges are wide-ranging - unconscious bias, financial disparity, the imbalance of parental responsibilities, higher cases of experienced domestic violence.

At Nespresso, we’re committed to identifying and removing these barriers so that we can unlock the full potential of our workforce and make a positive impact in our society. We all have a responsibility to support and empower vulnerable people, and I’m proud to be part of a business that recognises community support as a moral imperative.

One of the ways we action this at Nespresso is through a structured volunteering program - which I’m pleased to say, will soon also involve more of our team in the work of Two Good Co. We already have a lot of eager team members with their hands up!

THE PARTNERSHIP.

As a B Corp, Nespresso is committed to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. While we have done much work in our coffee farms and within our business to tackle inequality, we wanted to extend that effort into our local community, too.

We were truly inspired by Two Good Co’s mission and innovative spirit, empowering women through employment and the creation of high-quality products and services. By their design, we saw many avenues to work together in meaningful ways to help fuel their impact - from investing in their products and services, to raising awareness of their Foundation through our own channels.

Two Good Co have created something very special. There is value in every aspect of their work: the impact they have on the shelters they serve; the important messages they promote outside of their community; the meaningful employment they provide; and the quality products and services they create, which fuels it all.

“I am proud Nespresso can use our coffee to play a supporting role in their journey.”

DO GOOD WITH TWO GOOD.

Committed to purpose-driven leadership, Vermeulen’s vision is focused on delivering exceptional coffee experiences, innovative products and services, and using coffee as a force for good. He has led many local sustainability initiatives to support the business on its journey towards net zero, including driving participation in Nespresso’s recycling program, the repurposing of coffee grounds into compost and bioenergy, reforestation projects and supporting educational programs around the circular economy.

As a signatory of the UN Women and UN Global Compact Women’s Empowerment Principles, he is also a passionate advocate for gender equality and promoting a culture of inclusion both within the Nespresso business and in the broader community.

We are so grateful for partners like Stefan and the Nespresso team, who are truly inspired to #DoGood in the world around them.