Sophie Schackman is the co-founder and co-managing director of Five Elephant, overseeing cafe operations, bakery, HR, and strategy. Originally from Vienna, the city often credited with shaping Europe’s coffeehouse culture, she began her career as a stylist and now brings structure, style, and a deep appreciation for hospitality to the world of specialty coffee.

Kris Schackman is co-founder and Co-CEO, with a background in film and advertising. He leads sourcing and strategy with a focus on traceability, quality, and long-term producer relationships. Kris brings a detail-oriented approach to green coffee and works closely with partners at origin to support consistency, transparency, and the pursuit of truly exceptional coffees.

I like my coffee light and my music dark.

Born and raised in Spain among citrus groves, Humberto grew up knowing the difference between a good orange and a great one. These days, he applies that same discerning eye to coffee—and occasionally to bicycles. As with coffee, Humberto believes bikes are best when shared, preferably after a lengthy debate about fermentation and a perfectly pulled shot.

Once the temperature is higher than 10 degrees Celsius, I believe in two things and two things only: Cold Brew and Shorts.

Obsessed with organisation and yellow sticky notes. A passionate marketing enthusiast who keeps herself motivated with post-work yoga. Her greatest fear? A lonely lunch. Luckily, her colleagues never let her face her sandwich alone. She thrives on community and connection, that’s why she’s always excited to visit our wholesale partners, whether it’s for a coffee or just a good chat.

She runs the bagging area, making sure every product is packed correctly, efficiently, and on time. With a focus on accuracy, speed, and a clean, organized workspace, she works independently and stays fully concentrated without distractions.

A warm and generous presence in the team, our Greek colleague splits his time between leading the shop in Kreuzberg and roasting coffee with care and focus. When he is not dialing in or roasting, you might find him lifting something heavy, usually on purpose.

You’ll usually find Guy at our Mitte shop, brewing with care and chatting about coffee with anyone curious enough to ask. From green beans to the final cup, he’s all in, which is why he also assists in the roastery. A fan of hardcore punk with the sweetest soul on our team, Guy brings energy, depth, and warmth to the bar. His go-to origins? El Salvador and Kenya, with a special love for the SL28 variety.