YPA Panel: The Future of Ethical Fashion and Empowering Women

Free for members; $15 for non-members. Please register in advance.

Join Young Professionals of the Americas (YPA) and Mercado Global for a panel discussion on The Future of Ethical Fashion and Empowering Women. The second edition of this annual event will bring together industry pioneers and thought leaders for an insightful discussion on the role that companies and consumers play in creating a more ethically-sourced fashion industry while empowering women in the developing world. The evening will be followed by a pop-up shop and networking reception with hors d'oeuvres and wine.

*Speakers:

• Athina Garcia, CEO, No Name Just People
• Ruth de Golia, CEO and Founder, Mercado Global
• Andrea Kennedy, Professor of Sustainable Practices in Fashion at LIM College
• Kay Moini, Vice President of Retail, Peruvian Connection
• Julie Verdugo, Director of Sustainability and Social Impact at Free People
• Lee Ann Evans, Director, Individual Membership, AS/COA (moderator)

*More speakers to be confirmed.

Event and membership information: Mila Fontana | mfontana@as-coa.org | 1-212-277-8331

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About the topic:

The garment sector is the most labor-dependent global industry in the world. More than 80 percent of its workers are women. If major companies can integrate social responsibility to even a portion of their core business operations, there is a tremendous opportunity to empower impoverished communities all over the world. Mercado Global equips companies and consumers with the ability to vote with their dollar for the kind of world they want to live in, providing a triple win for companies, consumers, and producers. Mercado Global is an NGO that operates in Guatemala to provide local artisans with a unique approach to poverty alleviation. The artisans that Mercado Global works with create ethically-sourced and hand-woven accessories, which in turn provides them with the ability to purchase nutritious food for their families and send their children to school with their new income. Retail partners and consumers of Mercado Global’s products have the opportunity to support this model, the artisans, and ultimately support ethically-sourced fashion.