Textiles Recycling Expo Europe 2026

Janell is the Director of Owned Brand Circular Design & Capabilities at Target, where she drives the integration of circular design principles across the company’s product portfolio and supply chain. Since stepping into this pioneering role in 2021, she has led efforts to embed sustainability into product development, integrate post-consumer recycled fibers into apparel products, and educate teams on circular economy practices. With over a decade of experience in retail product design, and a background in mechanical engineering, Janell brings deep technical expertise and a strategic perspective to advancing more responsible, future-focused business practices at scale.

Katherine serves as the General Manager of Sustainable Innovation at New Balance Athletics, Inc. In this role, she collaborates with talented teams to advance the company’s footwear innovation portfolio, focusing on developing new materials and processes to reduce New Balance’s environmental impact and advance circularity. Katherine is passionate about creating positive change and, via The Footwear Collective, is excited to work with others to shape a more sustainable future for the footwear industry. Prior to focusing on sustainability, Katherine led product innovation and several global business units at New Balance.

Edd Denes is the Chief Executive Officer of Accelerating Circularity, leading the organization’s work to build the systems and partnerships needed to advance textile-to-textile recycling. Having served as Board Treasurer since 2021, Edd brings deep familiarity with the organization’s mission and a strong understanding of the textile circularity landscape. With more than two decades of experience in financial services and technology transformation, Edd has led complex change programs, multi-million dollar portfolios, and international teams at organizations including JP Morgan and major UK and European banks. His work has focused on building the operational and financial structures that enable organizations to scale impact and navigate complex global environments. Based in Europe, Edd brings an international perspective and a collaborative leadership style to Accelerating Circularity, supporting the organization’s continued growth and the advancement of circular textile systems. Expertise: Edd Denes brings extensive experience in organizational leadership, financial strategy, and operational transformation. His strengths include guiding complex international teams, building resilient organizational infrastructure, and supporting mission-driven initiatives that require coordinated action across global industries.

Renee Hackenmiller-Paradis is a senior leader in sustainable chemistry, environmental health, and regulatory strategy with experience shaping enterprise programs enabling market access and advancing safer materials across global product portfolios. She currently leads Sustainable Product, Packaging, & Chemicals Management at lululemon, integrating safer chemistry, traceability, and circularity into product creation. Previously, Renee held leadership roles at Nike, driving global chemical governance, and led environmental health programs for the State of Oregon. She holds a PhD in Genetics, an MPH in Health Management & Policy, and a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology.

Carmen Gama is a New York–based designer and circularity strategist recognized for advancing innovative business models that transform how fashion systems operate and divert textile waste from landfills. As Director of Circular Design at EILEEN FISHER, she leads the integration of circular principles into design and operations, developing scalable systems that extend product life cycle, recover value and reduce environmental impact. A Parsons School of Design graduate and recipient of the EILEEN FISHER x CFDA Social Innovator Fellowship, Carmen also advises corporations, mentors emerging sustainability leaders, contributes to global dialogues on the future of fashion and has been featured in numerous podcasts and publications, including Vogue, Business of Fashion, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Harper’s Bazaar.

Haley brings her deep experience spanning high-growth technology, fashion and resale, design, venture ecosystems, and climate-aligned innovation networks to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. She works with the Foundation’s Network, aligning corporations, investors, and policymakers to help unlock capital and advance circular business models that deliver value and systemic change.

Jessica holds a Master’s in Public Policy from George Mason University and a Bachelor’s with honors from the University of Maryland. Jessica currently serves as Director of Government Affairs for the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles (SMART) Association. In this role she shapes policy agendas for textile circularity, recycling infrastructure, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Representing the industry before Congress, federal agencies, and international bodies, she consistently secures successful policy outcomes. She is a frequent speaker and media resource and has authored over 150 policy articles. With 25 years of government relations experience, she has a well-rounded understanding of the policy and environmental challenges facing the sector, having worked within both the recycled textile and nonwoven fabrics segments. Alongside her work with SMART, Jessica also serves as President of The Franken Group, a government affairs consulting firm.

Rachel Kibbe is the founder and CEO of American Circular Textiles (AMCIRC), a leading U.S. coalition of brands, recyclers, resale platforms, nonprofits, and service providers working to build a circular, resilient textile economy. With a background in entrepreneurship and policy advocacy, Rachel has spent over a decade operating and advising reuse and recycling businesses, giving her firsthand insight into the structural and economic challenges facing textile circularity. AMCIRC includes leading organizations such as Goodwill Industries International, eBay, and thredUP, alongside brands, sorters and recyclers across the textile value chain. Under her leadership, AMCIRC has become a trusted convener and policy partner on issues ranging from extended producer responsibility and recycling infrastructure to domestic manufacturing and trade. Rachel is frequently sought out by industry leaders and policymakers for her practical, systems-level approach to circular economy solutions. Her work and perspective have been featured in Politico, Vogue Business, The New York Times, Forbes, The Guardian, and The Business of Fashion. She was named a 2025 Top Women in Power honoree by WWD and Penske Media.

Heather leads a cross-organizational team tasked with the strategic plan to help the City of Charlotte become a zero-carbon city by 2050. Recent highlights include negotiating a green tariff for an 80-MW solar energy project, which is anticipated to offset 100% of carbon emissions from electricity used by city-owned buildings. She has a Bachelor of Science from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master of Science in Environmental Systems Analysis from UNC-Charlotte. Heather has received the following certifications: Professional Energy Manager, BPI Building Analyst & Envelope Professional and LEED AP.

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.

Camille brings her deep history in the world of design and fashion to her work as Co-Founder of FABSCRAP. She spent her early career as an eveningwear designer for renowned New York City design houses, with creations that sold in major retailers and graced the red carpet. It was through her work as a designer that Tagle witnessed just how much fabric, especially reusable yardage, went to landfill after each collection. Moved by the issue and concerned about the environmental impact, she created her own reuse system to get these fabrics into the hands of those who could use them. Tagle co-founded FABSCRAP in 2017, adding new and creative outlets for fabric redistribution alongside FABSCRAP's textile recycling service, solidifying FABSCRAP as an acclaimed materials resource, and engaging the community in reuse. Tagle is also especially passionate about continuing to strengthen FABSCRAP’s relationships with industry partners throughout the country, believing that sustainability must become a key component in the education of today’s designers to better shape tomorrow’s design practices.

David is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Goodwill Industries International, supporting Goodwill’s nearly $9-billion local network. His career spans Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies, and private-equity firms serving as COO at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and as Vice President for Finance, Recycling, and Energy Services at Waste Management. He also directed turnaround work in private-equity–owned companies and supported federal agency reforms and presidential transitions across multiple administrations. David holds a master’s degree from Harvard University and a finance degree from the University of Alabama.

Meredith is Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer at UNIFI®. Meredith joined UNIFI in 2007 and has held several roles instrumental in the organization’s growth. In her role as Senior Vice President, Sustainability, Technology, & Innovation, she led the launch of product and capability differentiation through the lenses of sustainability and performance. As Vice President of Brand Sales, she drove strategic solutions for brand and retail customers worldwide. In heading the Global Business Development group, she focused on capability expansion, technology transfer, and strategic cooperative ventures. Meredith is an authority in the fields of textile chemistry, recycling, and scaling sustainable technology, speaking regularly at consortiums worldwide. Meredith sits on the Board of Directors for the Synthetic Yarn and Fabric Association (SYFA) and the Textile Technology Center (TTC) Advisory Council.

Raymond is the Sr. Manager of Textile Recycling at WM, and is responsible for strategy, integration, and supply chain engagements that will ultimately help shift the textile industry towards greater circularity. With over twenty-five years of solid waste and recycling experience, he has provided a wide range of services to a diverse set of clients including Fortune 100 companies, NGOs and non-profit organizations, as well as city, county and state government agencies. Raymond graduated from Geneva College with a BS in Business Administration and a BS in Management Science. He earned an MBA from University of Florida.

Morgan is the Program Manager at The Footwear Collective (TFC), a nonprofit uniting the footwear industry to accelerate circularity. At TFC, she oversees member engagement and drives collaborative projects that advance circular solutions across the value chain. She brings experience in textile circularity and sustainability strategy, including work with Goodwill Industries International to develop pathways for non-reusable textiles. Morgan’s work is rooted in a commitment to building systems that reduce environmental impact and create more resilient, responsible industry practices. She holds a Master’s in Sustainable Fashion from GCNYC.

Diane is Global Head of Sales and Business Development at Reju. Diane has 25+ years of experience in the footwear and apparel industry and helping brands to become more profitable by finding inefficiencies and opportunities in business operations, finding new sales paths, and leveraging infrastructure to create new businesses. Diane strongly believes that having solid plans and processes governing your business will free the brand to grow and thrive. She is passionate about people, culture, and creating an impactful brand.