Meet the Team

  • πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­ Matt Ashwood

    An Anglo-Filipino who earned his US citizenship in 2011. Matt co-founded Bendecido with the dream of elevating Tampa’s coffee culture and connecting unique communities.

  • πŸ‡¨πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Nataly Ashwood

    As a cuban co-founder of Bendecido, Nataly loves making every individual feel special. And when that’s not with handcrafted coffee, it’s as a writer or a counselor.

  • πŸ‡΅πŸ‡·πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Robert Bradley

    A devoted father with Puerto Rican roots. Robert has a soft spot for animal documentaries and soulful 90s R&B.

  • πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡¨πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­ Kim Soria

    Proudly identifying as an Ecuadorian-Filipina, Kim brings a unique blend of cultures to her role as a young mother, violinist, and preschool teacher.

  • πŸ‡΅πŸ‡·πŸ‡¨πŸ‡Ί Julio "Jay" Suarez

    A future dermatologist with a sweet tooth. When Jay’s not day trading or perfecting his microfoam, this Cuban-Puerto Rican can be found reeling in his next big fish.

  • πŸ‡―πŸ‡²πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Victoria

    Proudly American with Jamaican roots, Victoria was once a coffee skeptic but now considers herself a connoisseur. You can find her immersed in music, breaking a sweat with exercise, or expressing herself through dance.

  • πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈπŸ‡΅πŸ‡· Jackie Ellis

    A Boricua at heart that’s been mainlining coffee since toddlerhood. When not behind the bar, she channels her creative talents through a camera lens, grooving on her six-string or chasing after her feline companions.