August 26, 2025 – Collins Mugabi is Senior Solutions Manager, Farmer Engagement & Sustainability, at Sucafina and a recent graduate of our Spark Program. This three-year leadership development program equips high-potential employees with management and leadership skills to help them take on new challenges. We spoke to Collins to find out how the Spark Program has supported his career development and enhanced his role at the intersection of sustainability and IT.
1. When did you join Sucafina and in what role? What are your main responsibilities in your current role?
I joined Sucafina in March 2019 as IT Business Analyst. My main responsibility was supporting our legacy system, which was used to register farmers, record coffee purchases at the farm gate, process documents at washing stations and track farmer trainings.
Today, as Senior Solutions Manager, Farmer Engagement & Sustainability, I work closely with our Sustainability and IT teams, supporting the design and implementation of IT solutions that advance our sustainability and business goals. I am also Co-Project Manager for ROOTS, our new farmer engagement platform. ROOTS is designed to offer better usability, real-time insights and long-term farmer traceability while supporting EUDR compliance and other reporting needs.
2. You recently graduated from the Spark Program. What motivated you to apply, and what did you hope to gain from the experience?
I applied for the Spark Program because I wanted to grow into a more strategic leadership role. I realized that I needed to strengthen my abilities in areas like project management, stakeholder engagement, strategic thinking and communication. The program seemed like the perfect opportunity to gain those skills while learning from others across the organization.
3. How did the program challenge you to think or work differently?
The program shifted my mindset from focusing purely on execution to thinking more strategically about the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind initiatives. It challenged me to define clear objectives, identify competitive advantages and set the scope before jumping into implementation. I also became more intentional about communication: learning to blend data with storytelling to influence and lead more effectively.
4. Was there a particular project that significantly shaped your professional or personal development?
The project management course was especially impactful. I applied it directly to the ROOTS farmer engagement project, where we’re rolling out the tool across 10 origins to replace our previous system. It helped me to manage the project in a structured way. Also, the case study on managing difficult interactions pushed me to reflect on how I approach change management and resistance, which has been valuable in real-life project settings.
5. How are you applying what you’ve learned in your current role?
I’m applying Spark learnings daily, from strategic planning and stakeholder alignment to better communication and team engagement. In the ROOTS roll-out, for example, I’ve used strategy frameworks to guide decisions, persuasion techniques to secure buy-in and leadership tools to mentor and guide cross-functional teams. The program didn’t just teach theory; it gave me practical tools that are helping me to lead digital transformation in a way that supports our long-term business and sustainability goals.
Read Sucafina's 2024 Sustainability Report to learn more about how we’re turning ambition into action as we embed sustainability deeper into our operations and scale up our IMPACT Program.