Alumni Spotlight

A Journey of Determination and Purpose

Born on Cedros Island, located in the Pacific Ocean, off the western coast of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, Laura is a proud mother of two and grandmother of two. She came to the United States at age 40, determined to build a better life for her family. Just two years later, she made a bold decision—to go back to school. “I wanted to be an example for my children,” she shared. “I wanted them to see that it’s never too late to learn, to grow, or to follow your dreams.”

Her path led her from Hartnell Community College to CSUMB, where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. Financial accessibility, proximity to Salinas, and CSUMB’s strong reputation drew her in, but what she found was something even more valuable: opportunity, belonging, and community.

“As an immigrant woman returning to school later in life, I wanted a university that would not only challenge me academically but also support me personally,” Laura said. “CSUMB provided a welcoming environment where I felt seen, valued, and inspired to pursue my goals.”

Building KAFENS Café de Olla — More Than Coffee

Today, Laura leads KAFENS Café de Olla, a company that blends tradition, purpose, and social impact. Inspired by her Mexican roots, KAFENS offers organic coffee infused with real Ceylon cinnamon and unprocessed piloncillo, capturing the essence of authentic café de olla.

But KAFENS is more than a coffee brand—it’s a movement. “At KAFENS, our mission is rooted in tradition, dignity, and making a positive impact,” Laura explained. “We proudly support pregnant women in agricultural communities by creating economic opportunities through the art of coffee.”

Laura makes good on her commitment by donating 10% of KAFENS’ proceeds to support maternal wellness and community programs for farmworkers, turning every bag of coffee into a source of empowerment and hope.

Empowering Women and Giving Back

Laura’s business is also an extension of her service. As part of a nonprofit organization that supports women entrepreneurs, she mentors others—especially those seeking to develop financial literacy and leadership skills. One of her goals is to help more women pursue official bookkeeping training, empowering them to manage and grow their own ventures.

Academic Excellence and Community Leadership

At CSUMB, Laura was deeply involved in the Accounting Society, the Spanish Club, and the Diamond Key Program. Despite working more than 40 hours a week while earning her degree, she excelled academically and received the 2021 Service Learning Award for her outstanding contributions to the community.

Her service at Dorothy’s Kitchen taught her the value of compassion and leadership—lessons that inspired her to integrate social responsibility into her business model.

“The College of Business helped me see that business is not just about profit—it’s about people,” she said. “It taught me how to use business as a tool for positive change.”

Gratitude and Lifelong Impact

Laura credits many of her professors for shaping her success, including Jennifer Kuan, Maj-Britt Kimm, Amado Mabul, Mary Ann Majadillas, Shwadhin Sharma, and Chi-Chun Chou. She also expressed gratitude to Susan Harker (Diamond Key) and Jennifer Sarhadi (Academic Counselor) for their mentorship and encouragement.

“My experience at CSUMB’s College of Business was transformative and full of meaningful connections,” Laura said. “Every class and every professor helped me become a stronger leader and a purpose-driven entrepreneur.”

More Than Coffee — Es Tradición.

 Through her leadership and vision, Laura Salgado continues to show that it’s never too late to dream big, give back, and build a better future—one cup of coffee at a time.

📧 Contact: khofipourover@gmail.com

🌐 Follow KAFENS Café de Olla on Instagram @kafens_ for updates, stories, and ways to support their mission.