Meet Heather

A native of Northern Virginia, Heather Thornton is a communications strategist, public service professional, and a certified Tea Sommelier through the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada.

Heather’s love of tea is deeply rooted in her rich experiences at home and abroad. Some of her fondest moments include sipping her grandmother’s sweet tea during scorching summers in the South, savoring countless cups of masala chai as a student in India, and experimenting with cocoa tea in the beautiful Spice Isle of Grenada.

Her professional journey spans seven countries, with work across government, education, and the arts. From serving as a U.S. diplomat, to an elected school board member, to a Peace Corps Volunteer, Heather has always been drawn to the power of service and meaningful connection. To her, tea, is one of the most elegant forms of both.

Through the UppiTea Experience, LLC, Heather invites others to be a little uppity and reclaim tea as an act of intentional living and self-worth. She sees tea as a way to slow down, explore culture, and celebrate one’s elevated self. She’s passionate about sharing tea knowledge, curating memorable experiences, and spotlighting ethical, responsible brands that are reshaping the tea industry for the better.

A woman with curly hair wearing a yellow top holding a white tea cup, smiling, against a plain gray background.

UppiTea Experience, LLC Founder Heather Thornton

Exterior of a grocery store with large windows displaying fruits, vegetables, tea, and bottled drinks, decorated with blue and white patterned tiles, with a person sitting on the sidewalk and another walking by.
Woman smiling at a table with multiple cups of tea, some with tea leaves and some with toppings, in a room with brick walls.
Close-up of green tea plant leaves with a small white growth.

VISION

To encourage tea consumers to have a healthy sense of an elevated self through the art of tea.

MISSION

To introduce consumers to new tea knowledge and experiences, and to spotlight responsible brands that are helping the tea industry to become more ethical and resilient.

Words to cherish.

“Make a ritual out of drinking your tea. Stop work and look deeply into your tea to see everything that went into making it: the clouds and the rain, the tea plantations and the workers harvesting the tea. Cultivate your gratitude by appreciating all the love and hard work that went into bringing your tea to you. Savor this moment of enjoying your tea.”

-Thích Nhất Hạnh, Vietnamese monk and peace activist