Elizabeth is the Chief Science Officer at Vetiera Fair Trade, which partners with farmers in rural Haiti to invest in sustainable agriculture, promote biodiversity and environmental health, and create new income opportunities in their communities. Elizabeth was one of the founding members in 2017 who traveled to Haiti to pilot initial operations, and now oversees product development and manufacturing for a growing line of Vetiera’s sustainable consumer goods. She has a degree in Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and enjoys going backpacking outside of her work.

Katherine has served as Executive Director of Chicago Fair Trade, the largest grassroots fair trade organization in the U.S., since 2014. Before working in fair trade, she worked for many years with human rights, immigrant rights, and worker rights organizations. She and her colleague Nancy Demuth recently opened the Chicago Fair Trade Museum-world’s first museum dedicated to fair trade.

Katherine got her start in fair trade by opening Greenheart, a fair trade shop, in Chicago in 2007. Before that, Katherine served as the Executive Director of ARISE Chicago, an organization that partners with low-wage immigrant workers as they organize for improvements in the workplace, with GreenWood Alliance in Honduras, was a human rights defender in Guatemala with Peace Brigades International, and worked at the Marjorie Kovler Center for the Treatment of Survivors for Torture in Chicago. She is fluent in Spanish and is the mother to two young adults, Sof and Mattie.

Karen is simply someone who cares a whole awful lot… about family, friends and community. She cares a whole awful lot about the power of imagining then acting for a better world. She is Co-Director of Crafted Fair Trade in Downtown Overland Park, Kansas. Crafted is a nonprofit, fair trade retailer whose mission is to create a global marketplace that connects people, communities and cultures through products and ideas that foster equity and compassion. Karen is a Kansas City native and graduate of Park University with a B.S. in Social Psychology. She currently serves her community outside of Crafted as a Board member of KC Farm School; an Advisory Commissioner for the City of Warrensburg Diversity & Inclusion Commission and advocate for a long list (available upon request!) of human and environmental rights organizations.

Kathy founded Himalayan Naari, a non-profit social enterprise supporting 70 women and their families in 2013.   Naari brings high-quality, Fair Trade, vibrant handknits and hand-dyed yarns from the mountains of India to the global market.  Kathy currently coordinates the US-based sales, marketing, and product development.  She is in daily contact with the Naari team and travels to India frequently to meet with them within the local community.  She is a trustee of the Himalayan Education Foundation and led its scholarship program in Chakouri from 2009-2018.

Kathy is a retired psychologist with a specialization in leadership development, especially for women, and CEO succession planning.  She trained at Harvard University and served as a teaching fellow at Harvard Medical School. She was a recipient of the Cleveland International Fellowship in Stockholm, Sweden, and the Charlotte Newcombe Fellowship for work in the areas of values and ethics.

Rosa is a global business leader with decades of experience across Microsoft, SAP, GE, PwC, and IBM, ranging from sales to delivery with focus on customer engagement. She holds a Bachelor in Business Administration and Master’s in Finance, along with certifications in sustainability, circular economy, and Lean Six Sigma.

Her expertise helped scale Blossom Inspirations to 200+ stores worldwide through an ecofriendly, fair trade purpose-driven value proposition since the foundation 2009. A committed swimmer and fundraiser for NGOs, Rosa also authored a bilingual children’s book during COVID: Cuyita wants to know the world to empower girls, support artisans, and promote biodiversity.

Julie is the founder of Deux Mains, a fair-trade fashion business that draws upon the indigenous wisdom of the Haitian people to produce luxury leather handbags and accessories for international markets, and school shoes for local children.

Under her leadership, the past decade+ has been a dramatic evolution from earthquake recovery into a fashion-forward brand garnering international partnerships with the United Nations, Kenneth Cole, Eileen Fisher, USAID, the Clinton Foundation, and most recently, Nordstroms.

Her work to generate high quality employment opportunities in Haiti has been recognized by way of: WE Empower UN SDG Challenge, (2025) global finalist, the Southern Living Beauty Award (2018), finalist in the Digicel Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2017), selection as the Martin Bell Scholar (2016), allowing her to complete her MBA from Rollins Crummer Graduate School of Business.

“From Loss to Legacy,” (releasing October 28, 2025), is Julie’s memoir which depicts the revolutionary approach to disaster aid and business development that she designed in Haiti.

Sarah is the E-commerce and Seattle branch manager of Fair Trade Winds, started by her family 17 years ago. They began selling fair trade coffee & chocolate at their church and now run 3 retail stores, a growing e-commerce site, and many holiday pop-up events.

Fair Trade Winds operates as not just a place to buy fair trade goods, but hopefully, as a place for customers to engage in an active creation of a different, more just world.

When she’s not at the shop, Sarah enjoys traveling, hiking in WA State’s many forests, or trying the endless new restaurants in Seattle.

Sarah currently serves on the Fair Trade Federation Fair Trade Alliance Boards of Directors

Michael is a seasoned professional in digital marketing and publishing, currently serving as Co-Founder and COO at Apples & Oranges Analytics and Marketing. In this role, he assists small to medium-sized businesses in making informed, data-driven decisions and achieving both financial and social impact goals through comprehensive digital marketing services.

Stephanee is Vice President and Worker-Owner at Equal Exchange, a pioneer in fair trade and one of the largest worker cooperatives in the United States. Since joining the organization in 2011, she has overseen initiatives spanning sales strategy, pricing, systems implementation, product development, and operations, drawing on her deep experience in both global commodity markets and the U.S. retail sector. Her career in coffee began while studying Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she worked with the Community Agroecology Network to connect farming communities with sustainable trade. This early experience shaped her lifelong commitment to advancing agriculture rooted in equity, transparency, and justice—principles that continue to guide her leadership at Equal Exchange today.

After years working in the school system while raising her two daughters, Martha Ehlman founded Tenfold Fair Trade Collection in 2009 in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. She was inspired by the town’s rich history, notably the site of John Brown’s raid—a pivotal event leading to the Civil War and the end of slave labor. Tenfold Fair Trade honors this history by actively engaging in the preservation of Harpers Ferry’s architecture and culture.

Martha’s passion for fair trade, environmental stewardship, politics, and building a better future for the next generation is reflected in her work. She has been a dedicated member of both Green America and the Fair Trade Federation, as well as serving several years as part of an FTF Screening Committee.

Amie is the Head of Product and Supply Chain at Maggie’s Organics, a fair trade company that was founded in 1992 on the premise that producing textiles doesn’t have to be extractive to the environment, and that all people in the supply chain can be treated with dignity and respect. With a life-long background in product development and supplier relationships, Amie joined Maggie’s in 2010 and is passionate about conducting business in a fair and equitable manner with a dedication to continuous improvement. She is proud to participate in bringing Maggie’s founding vision into future generations through transitioning to employee ownership.

Kendra is a Co-Director at Crafted Fair Trade in Overland Park, KS. Active in the fair trade movement for over 15 years, she has also spent time in Ghana as a Global Mamas Intern and as a Retail Sales Manager with Ten Thousand Villages.

Zellipah Githui is the founder of Gitzell Fairtrade, a social impact brand certified WBE/MBE. She has a solid background in International Business, Quality Management Systems and several years’ experience in Agriculture, Manufacturing and Nonprofit Management. Zellipah build a career as a food scientist at Unilever and later worked 17 years for Monsanto/ Bayer.

Zellipah is a speaker who is deeply committed to enhancing local and global communities. She believes in the power of storytelling to shed light on important issues such as immigrants’ experiences, justice, diversity, equity, inclusion and entrepreneurship. She is a catalyst for positive change, inspiring others to join her in building a brighter, more equitable future for all.

In 2021, she was awarded the St. Louis Immigrant Entrepreneur award and prestigious Marquis who is who. In 2024 she was awarded Family business of the year and in 2025 African Business of the year.

Manish was struck by the material poverty of his homeland. With deep respect for the rich culture, and potential of rural Indians, he began to build a model of trade and started Matr Boomie.

He started partnering with grassroots organizations to transform unskilled women and men into master artisans. Manish established a team in India to guarantee clear, efficient communications and high-quality production. He gathered a team in Austin, Texas, to design collections that entice Western Market while honoring the culture & craft of India.

A decade and half later, that little company has grown into a leading fair trade wholesaler and innovator in ethical, sustainable business. Manish is also actively involved in creating opportunities for at-risk communities and fighting homelessness in Austin, TX

Jillian is Owner of Kizuri, a retail store selling fair trade, sustainable, and local items in Spokane, WA. At Kizuri, they delight in bringing customers quality items that represent the cultural richness of over 40 countries as well as maintaining a deep commitment to the artisans who have handcrafted these items.

Madeline leads Mayan Hands, a non-profit social enterprise with offices in Albany and Guatemala, which partners with Maya women artisans to bring top-quality handmade baskets, home textiles, and more to an international market. Madeline is passionate about the transformative potential of art and craft, and has extensive experience in artisan education, collaborative product design, and grassroots economic development. She is also a former Fair Trade Federation staff member! Madeline has lived in Guatemala and Haiti and speaks Spanish and Haitian Kreyòl. She was a 2010-2011 Watson Fellow and has a B.A. in Latin American history and sculpture. Madeline enjoys bike touring, digital illustration, and walks with her Guatemalan rescue dog.

Kennedy has always been passionate about women’s rights and independence. She connected this passion with Latin America at a young age, when she went on a school trip to Ollantaytambo, Peru – where Awamaki is now based – in 2001. That trip inspired her interest in Latin America and international development, and set her path to Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. There, she studied Latin America and economic development. After graduating, she moved to Ollantaytambo to work as a volunteer for a local Peruvian weaving non-profit, and ended up founding Awamaki with her colleagues and the weavers from that project. After four years in Peru, Kennedy left to pursue a Masters in Public Administration, specializing in non-profit management, at the University of Washington, and thereafter split her time between the Pacific Northwest and Peru. She now lives on Vashon Island in Washington State.

Jenni proudly serves as Bunyaad’s Executive Sherpa & Director of Fun and Mess Making (and sometimes Director of Operations). Passionate about women’s rights, Jenni is energized by how fair trade empowers women and transforms communities.

Since 1996, she’s traveled to Pakistan over 30 times, visiting artisan families and seeing firsthand the power of a fair wage. Her Urdu? She understands most of what’s said—and is fluent with three-year-olds.

She’s also married to her co-worker, Yousaf (yes, they tied the knot). Their son Nouraiz, fluent in Urdu, has been attending fair trade events since age four and loves teasing his mom’s pronunciation.

Whether leading seminars or flipping rugs, Jenni brings deep knowledge, heart, and a sense of humor to every conversation. She holds an M.A. in English and Women’s Studies from West Chester University. Her latest obsession? Perfecting homemade sourdough bread.

Banker-turned-social-entrepreneur, Nathalie founded LIKHA in 2018 to empower Filipino artisan communities by reimagining time-honored local craft for the global market. Today, this self-funded social enterprise partners with master artisans across the Philippines to create home décor and fashion accessories that blend heritage craftsmanship with modern, joyful design. LIKHA now works with 700+ retailers across the U.S. – including Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and HomeGoods – and has been featured on Martha Stewart, The Today Show, and Oprah Magazine.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Nathalie holds an MSc in International Development from the University of Birmingham (UK) and has lived in three continents and four countries – bringing a truly global perspective to her work. She is a Vital Voices Fellow, a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow, serves on the Miller Center for Global Impact Alumni Advisory Council, and is a Top 5 Finalist of the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards.

Taylor is passionate about facilitating the crafted goods and apparel life cycle with brands, designers, and makers who all value healthy long-term business relationships. A commitment to the centrality of collaboration is integral to the way she approaches her work. She has done this while at Mata Traders from 2010 – 2018, then through her own product development & management firm Small Shop LLC, and now as the new owner of Mata Traders. She’s taught After School Matters cohorts about building equitable brands and currently serves on the board of Chicago Fair Trade.

Mac McCoy is the founder and CEO of dZi Handmade, celebrating 35 years of working with Tibetan refugee families and other native artisans in India and Nepal. dZi is a founding member of FTF and Mac was on the team that helped launch the organization in 1994. Mac recently finished a term on the FTF board, and previously served on the board of Aid to Artisans. Prior to starting dZi, Mac was the director of a renewable energy and conservation product catalog that eventually morphed into the Seventh Generation company.

Maud joined Aid to Artisans in 2007 and has over 18 years of experience designing and managing economic empowerment and development projects for the artisan sector across the globe. She has supported over 8,000 artisan businesses, connecting them to local, regional, and international markets, and has successfully managed multi-year programs funded by USAID, MCC, The World Bank, foundations and other organizations. As Director, Maud leads the strategic vision of HANDMADE to MARKET (formerly Aid to Artisans) and partnership development. She is an expert in organizing artisan capacity building workshops, one-on-one coaching, tradeshow preparation, export readiness training, and marketing events targeted for expats, tourism, local and international markets. Fluent in French, English, and Spanish, she holds a Master’s in International Development and Social Change from Clark University.

Carly is a longtime friend of Imani Collective and former Director of Partnerships & Community Engagement. She has partnered with fair trade enterprises across East Africa to develop holistic artisan workforce, product development, and sales operations. During her tenure with Imani Collective, she lived and worked alongside the team in Mombasa, Kenya, supporting custom collaborations, production optimization, and strategic development. Most recently, Carly’s passion for building sustainable market access and ethical trade ecosystems led her to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she is pursuing her MBA as an Edwardson Civic Scholar focused on Business, Society, and Sustainability.

Campbell studied Biology and Environmental Studies at the Univ. of Pennsylvania and worked on the “save the whales” campaign with Greenpeace and other groups for 13 years. He founded the Tropical Ecosystem Research and Rescue Alliance and led Greenpeace’s first Tropical Forest Campaign. He earned a PhD in Ecology from Penn State Univ. studying non-timber forest products with the Tembé Indians in the Brazilian Amazon. He did investigations with Amazon Watch and the Environmental Investigation Agency in Peru, Indonesia and Honduras.

Campbell founded Amazon Ecology in 2006 which helps native artisans from the Peruvian Amazon make and market innovative fair-trade handicrafts, strengthen communities and support forest conservation. Campbell is a Quaker who facilitated Alternatives to Violence Project workshops in U.S. prisons and launched an AVP program in Peru to help Amazon Ecology partner communities improve their communication, cooperation and conflict resolution skills.

Ashleyn is the Fair Trade Federation’s Membership and Engagement Manager, bringing a decade of experience in the nonprofit and social enterprise sectors. She is a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps, an ambassador for Remake Our World, and an alumna of the Global Shapers Community, where she led the Shaping Fashion project, a global initiative involving over 60 young leaders in enacting change within the fashion system.

Previously, Ashleyn worked with the Social Enterprise Alliance in Minneapolis-St. Paul as the Community Manager, where she built and strengthened the local social enterprise network and supported its members. Her passion for ethical fashion led her to Fashion Revolution USA, where she served as the Director of Operations and Community, building a community program from the ground up that advocates for transparency and accountability in the fashion industry. She continues to serve on the Advisory Board for Fashion Revolution USA and supports its mission for a just, fair and sustainable fashion sector.

In addition, Ashleyn runs her own social enterprise event company, leveraging over eight years of experience in sustainable design, social impact, and community engagement. Ashleyn holds a BS in Communications Studies with an emphasis on Social Advocacy and studied Sustainable Design through the Master’s program at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Jessica is President of GOEX Apparel, a social enterprise dedicated to ethical & sustainable apparel manufacturing. GOEX specifically focuses on job creation and community development through fair wage practices in the US and Haiti, demonstrating how ethical commerce can foster global change.

Prior to GOEX, Jessica had 15 years of diverse experience across nonprofit, retail, and manufacturing. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing & Communication from Greenville University where she now serves now serves on the Board of Trustees. Jessica is the current Chair of the Board of the FTF.

Nicholas Ruffalo is a textile designer with over 15 years of experience in ethical fashion. He began working with Global Mamas in Ghana in 2010 as an intern, later living in Ghana for 8 years leading batik development and photography. He currently works from the Global Mamas U.S. office, continuing to collaboratively shape the brand’s visual and product identity.

Serena has led SERRV International as its CEO/President since January 2025. Serena discovered the wonderful world of fair trade while living in Tokyo in 1997, joining People Tree Japan for five years. Upon returning to the US, she filled various roles throughout her 20+ years at SERRV, most recently as Sales Director. She’s overseen catalog production and mail strategies, managed budgets and outreach for multiple sales channels and partnerships, facilitated digital marketing initiatives, lead inventory planning, and more. She also served on the Fair Trade Federation Board as member and President, and has visited SERRV’s artisan and farmer partners in several countries ranging from Peru to Nepal.

In her free time, Serena enjoys hiking, biking, reading, learning, voter activism, and spending time with friends and family. She currently serves as Board President for her cohousing community in Madison, WI, where she resides with her husband, one son (her other son attends UW–Milwaukee), and their rescue dog.

Nour is co-founder of Dandarah, a Canadian social enterprise that partners with artisans in Egypt and Haiti to offer ethically handmade home décor and fashion accessories to retailers in North America. Dandarah donates 1% of its annual sales to support nonprofit organizations focused on the environment, and another 1% to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada.

Prior to becoming fully engaged with Dandarah’s operations in 2024, and for over 25 years, Nour held progressively senior roles in the financial services industry, with a focus on wealth management, asset management and private equity, across North America, EMEA, the Caribbean, and Central America. In her last corporate role, Nour was senior vice president with Citi Private Bank.

Nour has an MBA in International Business, a BSc in Management Sciences, and certifications in alternative investments and sustainable investing. Nour is currently serving on the FTF board.

Katie founded Passion Lilie, a sustainable and fair trade fashion brand, in 2013. With over a decade of ethical fashion experience, she brings professional expertise and firsthand knowledge to the industry. Katie discovered her passion for sewing at the age of 7, and that passion led her to pursue a degree in costume design at the UC Irvine and a master’s degree in Luxury and Fashion Management from SKEMA Business School in France. It was during this time that Katie became aware of the profound social impact businesses can have. After gaining experience managing a fair trade organization, Katie launched Passion Lilie in 2013, driven by a mission to create stylish, well-fitting, and affordable fair trade clothing. Under her leadership, Passion Lilie has been recognized by NPR, Forbes, and the New Orleans Museum of Art. Katie’s commitment to sustainability has been further validated through awards from Gambit and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation.

As co-founder and COO of Apples & Oranges Analytics and Marketing, Noor brings over a decade of experience leading a digital marketing agency supporting clients across North America. Their team develops integrated and scalable marketing solutions, helping organizations enhance their financial and social impact. Noor’s expertise lies in digital strategy, marketing communications, and strategic storytelling, enabling businesses to thrive in competitive markets.

Michael with his wife Amy are the co-founders of Women of the Cloud Forest. They started their fair trade project in 2000 in the mountains of Costa Rica. They have since expanded their work to partner directly with artisans in Nicaragua and Nepal.

Working for over 30 years in sustainability, environmental justice, and non-profit management. Michael got his start working in Central America in National Park Management with the Peace Corps in Honduras. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Michael has worked with Venture Outdoors as their Communications and Operations Director. He also worked with Green Building Alliance as their VP of the Knowledge Network, managing their communications, membership, programming, and international outreach with Russia.

Michael’s passions are brainstorming, strategic planning, operations, and amusing/annoying his two daughters with one too many puns. ​​

Chris has dedicated his career to strengthening fair trade businesses and advancing the goals of the larger fair trade movement. As Executive Director, Chris leads the strategic, administrative, and programmatic aspects of the Fair Trade Federation. Prior to joining the FTF in 2016, Chris spent ten years with Ten Thousand Villages US, focused on sales training, event facilitation, and board development.

He has served on the WFTO Global Board of Directors since 2019 as the Pacific Representative. In 2024 he was reelected to a second term, and was then elected by the board to serve as Vice President.  Chris has a BA in Social Science from Cleveland State University, and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University.

Hannah began working at Lucia’s World Emporium in 2010, when her friend’s Mom (Teresa Hendricks) hired her after she showed interest in one day owning a small business. It only took a few shifts before she quickly fell in love with the mission of Fair Trade, the stories behind the beautiful products, & the lovely value-driven customers she had the privilege of interacting with every day.

In 2015, Hannah joined Americorps, which led her to a library in Iowa where she created and implemented programming for underprivileged children. Her past employment also includes 10 years of freelance writing and 2 years in digital marketing. In 2020, she returned home to Kentucky and soon became Lucia’s store manager. Since that time, she has been dedicated to growing Lucia’s customer base through community-driven messaging and engagement with local non-profits. Hannah has a BA in English from the University of Kentucky and enjoys volunteering with her local branch of Friends of the Library.

Matthew spent the first part of his career as an independent filmmaker, driven by a belief that stories carry impact. With that same belief, he joined Ecodunia with the aim of making an impact by amplifying the real-life, everyday stories of Kenyans who are co-creating dignified work spaces.

Meet Tekia, the passionate Sales & Community Outreach Manager for Global Mamas and part-time staff partner at Crafted Fair Trade in Kansas City. In her role with Global Mamas, she works towards the mission of creating sustainable income opportunities for women in Ghana through developing and implementing wholesale/retail sales strategies. At Crafted Fair Trade, you’ll find her greeting customers and building community by sharing the stories of global artisan partners through sustainable products. She’s in her happy place when teaming up with retail partners to expand their fair trade presence, especially in the apparel sector. She’s looking forward to working together to develop new and intentional ways to strengthen your fair trade fashion inventory.

Chris is the CFO of Nest, a nonprofit supporting the responsible growth and creative engagement of the artisan and maker economy to build a world of greater gender equity and economic inclusion. He helped spearhead Nest’s revolutionary compliance program for homework production and oversees Nest’s programming which includes partnerships with pioneering brands from luxury fashion houses to $100B+ retail operations, as well as Nest’s business training and mentorship of over 2,000+ artisan businesses across 120 countries, and strategic initiatives to solve universal sector challenges. In addition, Chris is an Adjunct Professor at the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at NYU and a lecturer and consultant around the country, teaching coursework on Social Impact & Sustainability in Business as well as Nonprofit Operations & Finance. In 2023 he released Certifiable: How Businesses Operationalize Responsible Sourcing through the publisher John Wiley & Sons.

LynAnne has 15 years of experience in fair trade enterprises, both internationally in Cambodia and in her native California. Since 2013, she has managed HumanKind Fair Trade, a nonprofit retail shop in San Luis Obispo, California.

Lindsay founded Maraluna, consciously curated neighborhood shop in Oakwood, Ohio, in 2015.

A member of the Fair Trade Federation board of directors, Lindsay is a Wearer of All Hats, small business hypewoman, weaver, yogi, board game enthusiast, and would rather be in the kitchen making something delicious for you.

Alisa has been working with artisans and the Fair Trade movement for over 20 years. She first discovered her passion for weaving traditions and women’s empowerment as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia. After returning to the U.S., she owned and operated a fair trade retail store before beginning her long-standing work with UPAVIM Crafts, a women’s cooperative in Guatemala.

Alisa holds a Master’s degree in Latin American Studies and is fluent in Spanish. Her career reflects a deep commitment to supporting artisan communities, sustainable trade, and women’s leadership across Latin America.

Andrea is a farm kid Agricultural Economist who makes coffee at the source in Nicaragua. After serving in the USDA and the United Nations, Andrea founded Twin Engine Coffee in 2013 as one of the first 100% Made At the Source specialty coffees available in the U.S. market.

Andrea was born in the Missouri Bootheel as the last generation of a sharecropping farm family. She went on to earn her Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics at the University of Missouri. Her work as an economist in global food systems – from farm to consumer – took her to many developing countries, learning firsthand why adding value at the source is crucial to poverty reduction and sustainability.

Andrea and her husband and partner, Colin Ganley, live in Nicaragua with their daughter, Lucille, and their two Great Danes.

Julio is the founder and owner of Zee Bee Market, a fair trade retail operation based in St. Louis, MO. Julio launched Zee Bee Market in 2012 with a website and off-site sales. He opened his first brick and mortar store in 2014, and later expanded into a second location in 2018. Julio held various positions in retail and wholesale working for two large corporations prior to becoming self employed.