Functional Fabric Fair - Portland 2027 Exhibitor List

Stewart brings an extensive background developing and implementing sustainability programmes within the apparel & footwear industry both at Worldly and at the SAC, while working for WL Gore on sustainable products & innovation, as an independent consultant working on sustainability topics in ski resorts, and as an LCA practitioner for outdoor sports brands. He is committed to enabling the apparel and footwear industry to address critical challenges in reporting, disclosure, and environmental impact reduction. He played a key role in shaping industry frameworks, including the EU PEF, France’s footwear durability labeling, and the Higg MSI. An experienced facilitator and product innovator, he has led cross-sector collaboration with multiple stakeholders and delivered high-impact sustainability initiatives at Gore-Tex. In his spare time, Stewart is a level III PSIA certified ski instructor and enjoys freeride skiing, open water swimming and surfing. He is also the father of a 10 year-old boy & and 7 year-old girl.

After her studies at the renowned Deutsche Meisterschule für Mode in Munich (Germany), Nora immersed herself deeply into the world of sport and design. For many years she has been committed to develop sportswear collections. Working for many well-known international brands in the fields of ski, golf, tennis, soccer, swimwear and fitness has always been both challenge and inspiration. Entering the stages of major trade fairs (like OutDoor show, ISPO Munich and PERFORMANCE DAYS) to deliver trend speeches meant the thrilling start of a new phase in her professional career. Today Nora’s scope of work is mainly centred around trend forecasting and creative consultancy. She describes herself as a collector, observer and storyteller, reframing the way we live, produce and use by thinking beyond the conventional. Excited by shaping the future and sharing knowledge, she founded the international SPORTS . DESIGN . Masterclass project in 2015. A workshop project for students from all around the globe, dedicated to fresh and and innovative design concepts.

Lucas Tyson is a Senior Business Developer at Hologenix, assisting North American brand partners with the integration of CELLIANT® into their textile-based products, partnering throughout the product development and sell-through process. Lucas has over 15 years of experience in the apparel, footwear, and fiber advocacy spaces with a particular affinity for trend analysis, sportswear, retail, and inventory management. Prior to Hologenix, Lucas was instrumental in increasing The Woolmark Company's account base as he initiated key account partnerships that included high-caliber luxury and heritage retail brands. He has authored content for Inside Outdoor Magazine, Retail TouchPoints, Small Business CEO, and has showcased technical expertise as a keynote speaker for the Advanced Textiles Conference, Southern Textile Research Conference and more.

Nikki Huffman is an award-winning innovator with 25 years of experience in textiles, fashion and materials development. She leads the brand partnership team for Acteev, an odor-fighting technology, working with brands to develop yarns and fabrics that meet sustainability goals without sacrificing performance.

Joe Walkuski is the Founder and CEO of Texbase, a leading provider of cloud software to the consumer products industry. With a career spanning over four decades, Joe has established himself as a prominent figure in the textile, apparel, and software sectors. Joe's journey began in the mid-80s, and for thirteen years, he held the position of Director of Textile Research & Development at Patagonia. In 1997, he played a pivotal role as a founding member of Patagonia's Advanced Concept Development Center in Bozeman, Montana. During his tenure at Patagonia, Joe's innovative spirit led to numerous breakthroughs in the textile industry. Notable achievements include establishing the first global supply chain for organic cotton and pioneering the conversion of recycled PET bottles into polyester fabrics. In 2002, Joe leveraged his extensive expertise and entrepreneurial drive to establish Texbase. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services in materials, testing, color management, compliance, and supply chain collaboration, all delivered through their Software as a Service platform. Texbase has emerged as a trusted solution for the consumer products industry, enabling businesses to streamline their operations and enhance the value of their brands. Joe's educational background includes graduating from the esteemed Fashion Institute of Technology. His contributions to the industry have been recognized with various accolades and awards, showcasing his dedication and impact. Beyond his professional endeavors, Joe is an avid outdoorsman who appreciates the beauty of Southwest Montana. He takes full advantage of the region's natural wonders alongside his wife and family, finding solace and inspiration in the great outdoors.

Sarah has spent the last decade plus creating successful sustainability programs from the ground up and has shared her deep knowledge of supply chain sustainability, claims and labeling, and nonprofit entrepreneurship with diverse audiences worldwide. She brings this experience to her role as the Director of Operations and Special Projects at Accelerating Circularity, supporting all aspects of Accelerating Circularity’s programs and leading its work on Spent Textile Feedstock development in the US. She holds a BFA in Art History from the University of Kansas and a MS in Sustainability Management from Columbia University in the City of New York.

Active Sports Designer & Consultant Expert in Performance Sports Clothing and Workwear Design with over 20 years of experience in the apparel industry and design agency, curator of functional fabrics for over 14 years for Performance Days and for over 5 years for Functional Fabric Fair, lecturer. She has an extensive network of leading experts as well as personal connections to relevant collaborators and supporters that are profitable for her clients and the textile industry.

Maria C. Thiry has been with AATCC since May of 2000. She is the current Communications and Membership Director of the Association, responsible for membership support as well as the Association’s bimonthly magazine, AATCC Review, bimonthly peer-reviewed journal, AATCC Journal of Research, and twice-monthly newsletter, AATCC News. AATCC Review and AATCC News have won multiple awards for their feature articles, and AATCC Review was listed as one of the “Top 25” business-to-business publications in English by TABPI (Trade Association Business Publications International).

Jaime Griggs serves as Senior Sales Executive for Hohenstein Institute America. In this role, she focuses on building quality, chemical and performance testing programs through collaborative relationships with U.S. brands and retailers and their suppliers. Prior to joining Hohenstein in 2021, Jaime worked for 10 years in product management at Geneva Watch Group, managing design, production, and quality programs throughout numerous product lifecycles. She brings the unique experience of once managing her own fashion quality programs, to now helping retailers and brands in managing their own. Jaime holds a B.S. in Fashion Marketing & Merchandising from the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (LIM College).

Andrea Ferris is co-inventor of CiCLO technology and CEO of Intrinsic Advanced Materials (IAM), a joint venture with Parkdale Mills, the world's leading manufacturer of spun yarns. Throughout her decade-long journey from co-inventor to CEO, she has experienced firsthand the challenges and triumphs of commercializing a scientific technology in the often misunderstood industry of biodegradable plastics. She has been involved in many areas of the business including product development, testing, manufacturing, sales and marketing, but most enjoys the role of educating on the issue of microfiber pollution and biodegradation as one solution.

Will is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP and the Head of Consumer Markets, US and Co-Lead for ESG and Human Rights, US. He concentrates his practice on product safety and compliance, ESG, and market access for the US and California. Will's expertise includes product recalls, incident evaluation, and regulatory compliance for consumer products, food, cosmetics, and automotive parts; ESG issues in transactions, supply chain dynamics, modern slavery and human rights, and greenwashing, brand, and advertising; and compliance and enforcement for chemicals and pesticides, including Proposition 65 and PFAS substances.

Caitlyn LaCorata-Smith is an experienced sustainability manager, with a background in textiles and production. She currently manages global sustainability programming for PVH and is focused on scaling environmental efficiencies across the apparel product lifecycle.

Ana Kristiansson is a dynamic orator with a wealth of experience in the apparel industry, having spent over 20 years in the field. As the founder and creative director of desinder.com, a holistic creative agency for sports and lifestyle brands. Ana and her team are on a mission to build the most purposeful creative agency supporting brands though longterm brand strategy, purposeful branding and sustainable design solutions. Ana is also a successful podcaster and author, known for her ability to connect with audiences and share practical insights. As the founder of the online educational platform Apparel Entrepreneurship, she is committed to helping entrepreneurs start and run sustainable apparel businesses. Her passion for education and entrepreneurship shines through in her speaking engagements. Whether discussing the latest trends in the industry or sharing her own personal experiences, Ana Kristiansson is a captivating and inspiring speaker who leaves a lasting impact on her audiences.