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How the Higg BRM Supports CSRD Reporting Obligations
Now Available: Download our white paper on Higg BRM Alignment with CSRD. See how the tool supports companies in meeting their regulatory reporting obligations.
Step into the dawn of “a new era of unified impact” at the Cascale Annual Meeting 2024 in Munich, Germany and online. Exclusively crafted for Cascale members, this electrifying event brings together over 600+ attendees, representing a diverse mix of manufacturers, brands, retailers, academics, NGOs, government officials and service providers from all corners of the globe, both in-person and online.
Cascale Annual Meeting 2024 in Munich, Germany & Online
Join us this September in Munich for the Cascale Annual Meeting 2024, where we embark on a journey together into “a new era of unified impact”. Designed exclusively for our Cascale community, this event is a unique opportunity for more than 600 attendees from across the globe to connect. Whether you’re joining us in person or tuning in online, we’re setting the stage for manufacturers, brands, retailers, academics, NGOs, government officials, and service providers to come together in unprecedented collaboration.
The Theme: A New Era of Unified Impact
As we set forth on this path towards a more sustainable and equitable future, the theme of “A New Era of Unified Impact” reflects our commitment to community, collaboration and inclusion. It signifies a turning point in the consumer goods industry.
This theme encapsulates our belief that, by working together, we can address the most pressing challenges facing our industry and pave the way for a more equitable and restorative future. It embodies our dedication to common measurement, collective action, transparency and accountability —the cornerstones of our shared goals towards creating a consumer goods industry that serves both people and the planet.
What to Expect
Our program is intricately crafted to synchronize with Cascale’s strategic plan, emphasizing our three core pillars: combating climate change, ensuring decent work for all, and fostering a nature-positive future. Dedicated to providing exclusive updates on the Cascale Impact Programs, latest advancements in the Higg Index Suite of Tools, and more, each session is tailored to empower you to catalyze change within your organization and across the industry.
A New Chapter with Worldly
This year, we’re excited to enhance your experience by aligning with Worldly’s inaugural customer event. As our valued technology partner, Worldly is creating an engaging platform for both Cascale members and non-members. Dive into interactive sessions focused on leveraging the Higg Index effectively, using insights to drive action on GHG emissions, and preparing for upcoming regulatory changes. Stay tuned for more details on combo tickets for both events – an opportunity you won’t want to miss.
Who Attends?
The Cascale Annual Meeting is an exclusive event reserved solely for Cascale Members – it’s a moment where we come together as manufacturers, brands, retailers, academics, NGOs, government officials, and service providers to drive meaningful change.
Here is a selection of the esteemed organizations joining us at this year’s Annual Meeting.
Why Attend?
Innovation Corner
At Cascale, we understand the pivotal role of manufacturers in driving sustainability in consumer goods. We’re dedicated to supporting their efforts and promoting innovation across the value chain.
At this year’s Cascale Annual Meeting, we will create an Innovation Corner, a mini exhibition showcasing the innovative work and success stories of manufacturers. A designated area will feature visual posters, fabrics, materials, samples, product technologies,and other innovations on mannequin, elevated boxes or wooden display boards.
Networking Events
Networking opportunities at the Annual Meeting are woven into the fabric of the event, ensuring attendees have ample chances to forge meaningful connections with industry experts and like-minded peers.
Nike Wellness Sessions
Join Nike’s wellness run, yoga, and stretch breaks throughout the event to reset and connect with fellow attendees. See the program for timing and details!
Lenzing Factory Tour – Fully Booked!
The Lenzing Group specializes in sustainable, resource-preserving man-made cellulosic fiber production.
Discover 80 years of innovation at the headquarters in Lenzing, Austria, home to the largest MMCF production facility. Experience TENCEL™ lyocell, TENCEL™ modal, and ECOVERO™ viscose production.
Located in the alpine Salzkammergut region, the site is near a pristine lake. The biorefinery uses 100% of wood components for pulp, biorefinery products, and bioenergy, maintaining CO2 neutrality.
This tour is fully booked.
Join our Annual Meeting Quest
This year, we are introducing an exciting gamification feature to increase interaction amongst attendees. In this scavenger hunt, participants will complete specific tasks within a set time limit. Clues and riddles will guide them to different locations in the venue, encouraging teamwork, problem-solving, and fun! It will give you the opportunity to:
We’ll have a leaderboard showcasing your Cascale Annual Meeting 2024 Gamification score! The winner will be announced at the end of the event, winning 2 tickets to one of our Cascale Hosted Events in 2025! This year marks a new era of community building.
Relive the Experience: Explore Previous Annual Meetings
More than 500 attendees convened at the 2023 Annual Meeting. Reflecting the theme “Evolution for Impact,” the event brought together stakeholders from across the fashion and apparel value chain to discuss and explore opportunities for the industry to deepen collaborations in order to drive true and lasting impact for people and the planet.
Colin Browne is CEO of Cascale, a global nonprofit alliance catalyzing collective action toward equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. The organization spans over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, industry associations, and NGO or nonprofit affiliates. Cascale’s membership includes apparel, footwear, home furnishings, sporting and outdoor goods, and bags and luggage companies.
Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, used by 24,000 worldwide. Browne has a wealth of global experience in supply chains and both brand and factory management. Prior to joining Cascale, he was Interim CEO and Chief Operating Officer of Under Armour, a Cascale member. Browne also served on the boards of the American Apparel and Footwear Association and the World Federation of Sporting Goods Industries; he continues to serve as a board member at Worldly, the leader in environmental and social impact data for the apparel and footwear industry and the exclusive platform for Cascale’s Higg Index tools.
His business-oriented approach centers on sustainability and his focus at Cascale is scaling supplier-focused initiatives and driving accountability in the consumer goods industry. Along with his passion for supply chains, Colin is a proud husband, grandfather, and father of three children. He resides in the US though can be found internationally, visiting family in the UK, meeting the growing Cascale team and even squeezing in a triathlon.
Rick is a world renown mountaineer and explorer, honored both with National Geographic’s Lifetime Achievement in Adventure award and the Explorers Club’s highest recognition, the Explorer’s Medal. Rick is also a successful businessman, running his own company in the advertising sector, then for 15 years managing Patagonia’s global environmental and sustainability initiatives. During his tenure at Patagonia, he launched the company’s Worn Wear initiative, the celebrated Don’t Buy This Jacket ad, and co-founded the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, now known as Cascale, and its Higg Index tools for measurement and management of environmental and social justice impact across company’s value chains.
Mr. Shreyaskar Chaudhary, Managing Director of Pratibha Syntex, leads a prominent textile manufacturing company renowned for its high-quality yarns and fabrics, and its commitment to sustainability and innovation. He holds a degree in Textile Technology from UMIST, Manchester. At 23, he launched the Organic Cotton Cultivation Project “Vasudha,” now India’s largest network of organic cotton farmers with 35,000 participants, fostering self-sustaining communities. A notable figure in sustainable fashion, Shreyaskar partners with global brands and certifications on pioneering projects and is actively involved in organizations like the Textile Exchange and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. He currently serves as Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Textiles Mill Association (MPTMA).
Miran Ali (CIP), a distinguished entrepreneur in the garment sector, serves as the Managing Director of Bitopi Group, overseeing operations across five factories in Bangladesh. Under his leadership, two of these factories have achieved LEED Platinum Green status, marking them as among the highest-rated green factories globally. He is also the Vice President at BGMEA and has been contributing as a Director of BGMEA since 2015. Additionally, he has been twice recognized by the Government of Bangladesh as a commercially important person. Miran Ali also holds the position of Director at the RSC-RMG Sustainability Council, where he contributes to ensuring safety and compliance within the RMG sector in Bangladesh.
In addition to his role in sustainability, Miran Ali serves as the spokesperson for the STAR Network and STTI, advocating for better buying practices and sustainable trade initiatives in the Asian textile industry. He shares his expertise as a Practitioner-in-Residence at the Copenhagen Business School, where he lectures on the garment industry. Outside the garment sector, Miran Ali chairs Oculin Tech BD Ltd., a leading IT firm in Bangladesh specializing in providing end-to-end solutions and capability development for organizations. Furthermore, he has been serving as the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic in Bangladesh since 2012.Miran Ali’s academic journey includes a Bachelor’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, followed by a Master’s in Business Administration from the Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, Paris and the University of Bristol, UK. Miran Ali’s extensive experience, coupled with his commitment to sustainability and innovation, makes him a distinguished leader in both the garment and technology sectors.
Isabelle Kumar moderates and MCs at high level events, including the first ever EU Presidential debate, deep dives at the Davos World Economic Forum, business analysis at the Consumer Goods Forum, human rights with the UN, tech transformation at the influential HIMSS digital health conference or the latest innovations with LEAP. In addition to this she has presented award ceremonies for the UN and the European Commission as well as chairing private events for heads of state and government inlcuding with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Previously to moderating full time – she was a prime time news anchor for Euronews. She also traveled the world interviewing heads of state and government, business leaders as well a few celebrities for the show she hosted, The Global Conversation.
Tamar Hoek is Senior Policy Director Sustainable Fashion for Solidaridad. Her European and global agenda on policy influencing and market uptake focuses on influencing the private sector to commit to and implement responsible environmental management, decent work and fair value distribution within their supply chain, and the public sector to enforce national norms and regulatory frameworks for sustainability and due diligence. Important platforms for her policy influencing work are multi-stakeholder initiatives around sustainable fashion, like Cascale and the Policy Hub.
Solidaridad’s cotton and textiles programs focus on working with brands/retailers, factories, farmers and other stakeholders in the supply chain to improve the environmental and social performance of the textiles wet processing sector and the Read Made Garments (RMG) sector, and to increase the uptake of sustainable cotton.
Aaron Di Silvestro is the Director of Higg Products at Cascale, the apparel, footwear, and textile industry’s leading alliance for sustainable production. He liaises between the Higg Index subject matter experts and the Higg Co technical teams, develops roadmaps for tool integration, and eases the transition from expert insights to implementation. He works out of Portland, Oregon.
Before joining Cascale, Aaron worked for Nike’s Global Sustainability organization implementing and delivering the tools required to make more sustainable business decisions. Often working in collaboration with Cascale and Higg, Aaron managed the development of the internal Higg MSI implementations and corporate footprinting applications.
In his free time Aaron is a passionate back-country skier and an unapologetic fan of the Seattle Sounders.
Abrar Sayem is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the apparel manufacturing and sourcing industry. He holds a Master’s in International Business from Macquarie University, Sydney, and is the visionary founder and CEO of Merchant Bay Inc., a digital platform connecting global design pools and fashion brands to co-create products seamlessly with Bangladesh manufacturers with enhanced collaboration and transparency tools.
In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Sayem is the founder and President of the Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Alliance, a dynamic platform that brings together over 180 next-generation entrepreneurs from the fashion manufacturing sector, fostering innovation and collaborative research. His leadership extends to his role as the youngest director on the BGMEA board, where he is a key advocate for market development, innovation, and the promotion of responsible, sustainable business practices. He is also into the advisory board of World University Bangladesh, Textile department, contributing to development of new professionals for the betterment of the textile industry.
Sayem’s commitment to advancing the industry through technology, combined with his dedication to sustainability and youth leadership, positions him to transform the global apparel supply chain. His work continues to shape the future of fashion sourcing and manufacturing in Bangladesh and beyond.
Achim Loeffler is Business Leader of the global GORE-TEX Ingredient Business at W.L. GORE & Associates.
With more than 20 years of experience in various roles at GORE, he is currently leading the transformation of the GORE-TEX brand from a performance brand to a responsible performance brand.
Prior to GORE, Achim worked for a consumer electronic company and a health service startup.
Adrián Branco is the Senior Manager of Higg Index Brand & Retail at Cascale. He ensures that the program is developed and launched successfully, and he also leads the development of strategies to increase its adoption and expansion within our industry. He also ensures that Cascale’s members are involved and coordinated through the Strategic Council and Member Expert teams. He is based in Barcelona, Spain.
Before joining Cascale, Adrian was Sourcing and Sustainability Manager at Desigual, where he worked on merging both areas to establish a common agenda aligning sourcing with sustainability, enhancing its synergies. As part of his responsibilities, he led the project that has increased the visibility of the supply chain and improved traceability, and established a new roadmap. Previously, he worked in various positions, from product health and safety technician to buyer.
Adrian holds a degree in Chemistry from the University of Santiago de Compostela and an MBA from IESIDE.
Alison Ward has over 30 years of international experience in sustainability and corporate affairs. Alison is the CEO of CottonConnect, where she leads a team of over 140 employees, impacting the lives of over 770,000 cotton farmers in India, China, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Bangladesh. Under Alison’s leadership the organization: drives supply chain transparency connecting sustainable fibres from farm to store; focuses on the rights and skills of women in supply chains through pioneering gender programmes; and continues to develop innovations at a farm level. She leads cotton strategies and programmes for global brands and retailers.
Previously Alison worked with Mondelez International and Kraft Foods and was the Global Head of Corporate Responsibility in Cadbury.
With a mission to drive scalable change, Alison served as a Member of the Sustainable Cotton Steering Committee for Textile Exchange. She sat on the Sustainability Advisory Committee for the London Olympic Games and has been a Coach and Mentor to commercial teams at WWF and the Ethical Trade Initiative. Alison is also a Life fellow of the RSA- Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
Amanda Tucker is Vice President of Responsible Sourcing & Sustainability at Target, where she oversees the global function responsible for integrating responsible sourcing practices into Target’s business operations and advancing Target’s sustainability goals.
Prior to joining Target in 2021, Amanda held a series of progressive global leadership roles over her 20 year career at Nike, most recently serving as the Vice President of Global Sourcing. In addition to her private sector experience, Amanda has served in academia as a facilitator of LEAD, Stanford’s flagship online business program; in the public sector, including working for the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland; and in independent business advocacy, as the Director of International Labor Affairs with the U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB).
Amanda has a BA from Stanford University and graduate degrees from Stanford ‘s Graduate School of Business, the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, and the Institute of Political Science in Paris, France. She currently serves on the Boards of Cascale and the Apparel Impact Institute.
As Executive Vice President, Andrew is responsible for delivering strategic and operational leadership for the organization. While continuing to oversee the Membership, Stakeholder Engagement, Collective Action, and Public Affairs teams, as second-in-command at Cascale he is responsible for driving growth of the organization to ensure it can scale impact and deliver value to members. This involves broader strategic development of the organization, including into new verticals / adjacent product categories, development of new revenue streams, and expansions of key partnerships.
Prior to joining Cascale, Andrew was at amfori, the leading business association for open and sustainable trade, where, as VP Services, he was responsible for global operational activities. In addition to a strategic role in the development of the vision and strategy of the organization, Andrew managed membership services, led the implementation of global social and environmental audit assessments, including launching a pioneering audit integrity program, and also the largest capacity building program of its kind for social and environmental performance in global supply chains.
Andrew has a degree in philosophy and theology from King’s College London, an MBA with distinction from the University of Exeter, where he was awarded ‘Dissertation most likely to change global thinking,’ and a postgraduate qualification in team coaching, from UWE, Bristol. During his extensive career, including more than 20 years in global textile manufacturing, Andrew has worked for a multi-national corporation, his own consultancy, and more recently in the education and non-profit sectors.
A highlight of his work and interest is the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, and its philosophy of Gross National Happiness, an alternative progressive values-based model for measuring and guiding economic, societal, and personal well-being. He is currently based in the seaside town of Looe in Cornwall in the Southwest of England.
Ash Hegland is the COO of Intensel Limited. In this capacity, he supports the growth and development of Intensel, one of the world’s leading climatech companies.
Over the past 25 years, most of which was based in the Asia-Pacific region, Ash has advised blue chip corporations, leading financial institutions, and governments on climate management, and ESG strategy.
Ash holds an MBA in Corporate Strategy and Sustainability Management from the Schulich School of Business (York University) in Canada.
My name is Bien, and I work for Leadership & Sustainability in Vietnam as the Regional Manager responsible for South-Eastern Asia. I hold a degree in Chemistry from Hanoi University of Science – Vietnam National University and bring 15 years of experience in environmental and chemical management to my role. Since 2019, I have been an approved Higg FEM Chemical Specialist Verifier and later also became a Higg FEM approved trainer and ZDHC trainer. Over the past few years, I have conducted over 500 Higg FEM verification and sustainability assessments across Vietnam and South-Eastern Asia. Additionally, I have delivered more than 600 hours of training to the textile, garment, and footwear industries. Since 2021, I have served as the principal Chemical Management Advisor for the Chemical Management Initiative of the FABRIC project by GIZ and have been the technical leader for the TFL program in 2022 and 2023.
Carolina van Loenen is the Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Cascale. She leads the global Stakeholder Engagement team and develops stakeholder and policy engagement strategies. Hence, she also ensures integrated and aligned strategy delivery by overseeing the implementation of related internal and external policies and processes. As a key senior stakeholder engagement contact, she fosters proactive engagement and cooperation among Cascale’s international stakeholders and represents Cascale at international external stakeholder events. Carolina is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, which is also her country of residence.
Before joining Cascale team, Carolina as Public Sector Partnerships Manager at WWF-Netherlands and contributed to realizing food, forestry and governance objectives within conservation goals by initiating and developing multi-stakeholder public sector partnerships and advising on complex frameworks, guidelines and standards. Carolina has ten years of experience managing programs and projects, complex processes and customer operations, mostly in sustainable value chains and governance at international NGOs, as well as public and private sector organizations. She holds a master’s degree in International Relations and Human Rights.
In her free time, Carolina enjoys music concerts, restaurants or cultural events in the Netherlands or when traveling abroad. She loves to explore nature by bike or foot and loves to discuss current international affairs, technology and South American culture.
Chris Marshall is the Director of the Transparency Program at Cascale, the apparel, footwear, and textile industry’s leading alliance for sustainable production. He is responsible for leading the Transparency Program, which provides a consistent way for brands, retailers, and manufacturers to share sustainability information on apparel and footwear products, across impact categories such as water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and use of fossil fuels. He is based in Amsterdam in The Netherlands.
Before joining Cascale team, Chris was the Senior Director of Merchandising, at PVH where he was tasked with leading a team developing sports performance apparel. Chris comes with 16+ years of experience in the footwear and apparel industry in companies such as Nike, Converse, Vans (VF), Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein (PVH). His functional experience ranges from planning, sourcing, vendor compliance, and product merchandising.
Chris prides himself on being a lifelong learner and he has recently finished his master’s degree in digital management. In his free time you can find him chasing the sun, wild camping throughout his multi-day hikes in the mountains.
Deepika Mishra is the Standards and Data Lead for the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, acting as a consultant for the program. As an accomplished scientist and data analytics specialist, Deepika leads on analysis of the Trust Protocol’s environmental metrics. She collaborates extensively with agricultural research institutions, conservation groups, and food and trade organizations, playing a vital role in the establishment of sustainability and social standards within the industry. Deepika earned her Ph.D. in plant and soil science from Texas Tech University, specializing in cotton breeding and genetics. With over a decade of experience, she has spearheaded diverse agricultural projects in both India and the United States, covering crops like cotton, cowpeas, castor, sesame, guar, guayule, tomato, and field pennycress (cover crop). Her contributions also include the development and release of multiple cowpea varieties in India during her M.S. studies in vegetable breeding and genetics.
Dalena has more than 20 years’ experience in clothing design, textile manufacturing, merchandising and product sourcing for fashion retail. She served as a board member of a clothing factory for 6 years, before joining the wool industry in 2008. She managed brand developments for South African Merino wool products, including styling, wool textile innovation and marketing projects with retail partners. Dalena was appointed as the Secretary General of the International Wool Textile Organisation, based in Brussels, Belgium, in June 2016.
IWTO is the recognized global authority for standards in the wool industry and has been representing the interests of the wool textile trade since 1930. IWTO Members represent 26 countries and all stages of the wool pipeline. IWTO is a registered AISBL (non-profit).
Demith Gooneratne is the Senior Manager – Higg Facility Tools at Cascale. His Key Responsibilities include; Project Management of the Higg FEM and FSLM, in collaboration with a wide variety of stakeholders, and facilitation and coordination of Cascale members’ involvement. This role also continues the development of adoption resources that support the global scaling of the Higg Facility Module and QA testing in cooperation with technical teams and coordination of communications and case studies. He is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Prior to joining Cascale team, Demith was the Senior Manager – Environmental Sustainability at Hirdaramani International Exports (Pvt) Ltd; Sri Lanka , where he was largely responsible for the development of their Environmental Sustainability Department, and managing the environmental sustainability initiatives primarily in Sri Lanka for more than a decade and overlooking strategy level implementation in Bangladesh and Vietnam. He Holds a BSc Degree in Physical Science and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science from the University of Colombo (Sri Lanka).
In his free time Demith enjoys swimming, watching Sci-Fi Movies and reading articles on new technologies and research findings related to Environment, Renewable Energy and Space Science.
Dhawal is Cascale Senior Manager of Training and Verification and is based in Bangalore, India. He is responsible for building, maintaining, and improving verification and training programs for the Higg Index suite of tools and ensure that the Higg Index is a trusted and credible measure for sustainability performance and benchmarking.
Prior to joining Cascale, Dhawal worked with C&A’s sustainable chemicals management team as a senior specialist. His role involved working with manufacturers of varying complexities and building their capacity to implement environment management systems. He has worked with vertically integrated textile manufacturer Pratibha Syntex as a sustainability manager and was responsible for executing sustainability projects like GHG accounting and reporting, life cycle analysis, internal and external sustainability communications.
Dhawal has been recognized in the 2017 GreenBiz 30 Under 30 cohort of global sustainability professionals. Through Sustainability Drinks Bangalore, he convenes the city’s sustainability community for networking and collaboration opportunities.
As the lead of the central environmental sustainability team at Zalando, Elena defines corporate-wide actions and targets across climate, water and nature. She also co-leads the implementation of impact reduction strategies, including Fashion LEAP for Climate, across Zalando and together with partners. Prior to joining Zalando, Elena led global corporate engagement for the Science Based Targets Initiative, among other leadership roles in the climate field. She holds a masters degree in Environmental Protection and Management from the University of Edinburgh.
Elisabeth is the Senior Director, Public Affairs for Cascale. She is leading our global activities in public affairs, policy and advocacy, including heading and further developing the public affairs team. She is leading Cascale working engagement with the Policy Hub and other like-minded partner organizations. She is based in Brussels, Belgium.
She has more than a decade of experience in decision-making procedures and public affairs and has acquired extensive expertise in sustainability legislation. She is specialised in strategically positioning members’ interests through targeted stakeholder alliances and constant dialogue with policy makers. Before joining Cascale, Elisabeth was head of the Brussels office of a public affairs consultancy and led the sustainability department at the EU association Independent Retail Europe.
Elisabeth holds a Bachelor’s degree in European Studies from Maastricht University in the Netherlands and a Master’s in Management, Economics and International Relations, from which she graduated with distinction. In addition to her native German, she speaks English, French and Spanish. Elisabeth loves to travel and getting to know new people as well as cultures. Coming from a region close to the German alps, she also very much enjoys hiking, climbing, and skiing.
Emily is an established international speaker and Project Management thought leader. She has been leading effective and successful teams for over 15 years and has extensive experience in facilitating and moderating workshops.
Eric is an award-winning leader of global renewable energy and clean-tech initiatives at Fortune 500 companies. He started Ren after his time as Director of Renewable Energy at Nike resulted in the 2018 SCTI #1 ranking in corporate renewables (tied with Apple). Before Nike, Eric developed wind projects worldwide for Goldwind and worked on supply chain clean tech projects for Procter & Gamble focused on materials circularity.
Erwan Berthou is the Director of Membership & Corporate Engagement at Cascale. He is responsible for managing engagement strategies and protocols that enable members to achieve their impact goals and to empower his team driving overall member satisfaction.
Fiona is the global head of responsible sourcing and has worked at M&S for 26 years. She is a senior ethical, sourcing, sustainability, and technical professional with extensive experience in development programs and management within retail and supply chains. She brings a strong external perspective on global issues, stakeholder management, and an ability to manage and influence issues within the corporate framework. Having developed ethical strategies focusing on emerging social issues, Fiona aims to use this knowledge and experience to help Cascale achieve its goals and shape the future.
Franzisca Markschläger, an economist by training, has dedicated her career to the promotion of sustainable supply chains. Previously, she served as a project manager within the multi-stakeholder initiative ‘Partnership for Sustainable Textiles,’ where her role involved supporting brand members in increasing their supply chain transparency and encouraging disclosure. In her current capacity at the Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS), a project commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, she is committed to improving the conditions for credible and comparable data concerning environmental and social risks within global supply chains.
Gregg Meyer is the Chief Sustainability Officer at Steven Madden, Ltd. and President of the Steve Madden Corporate Foundation.
In his role Gregg oversees global sustainability, corporate responsibility, social mission, community engagement, charitable giving and all ESG initiatives for Steve Madden and its portfolio of brands including Betsey Johnson, Ann Klein, Blondo, Dolce Vita and BB Dakota by Steve Madden.
Prior to his current role, Gregg served as Deputy General Counsel and Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility where in addition to working on ESG matters he managed various legal issues for the company including international litigation, compliance, product safety and government relations.
Before joining Steve Madden, Gregg commuted between New York City and Burlington, Vermont where he worked in private legal practice as well as for several NGOs and local and state governments focusing on litigation, environmental law, philanthropy, public policy and legislative advocacy.
Harsh currently serves as a director on a number of boards and advises senior leaders on sustainable business, human rights, environmental practices, trade regulations, as well as innovation in supply chains. Harsh has held leadership positions in global corporations, including Nike and the Fung Group, in many parts of the world, in a career spanning corporate communications, marketing, government affairs, and pioneering corporate responsibility and sustainability.
Hilary Strickland is the Chief of Staff at Cascale, where she serves as the CEO’s right-hand in overseeing organization-wide cross-functional projects and initiatives. She manages the Cascale Board, working closely with the Chair, and leads the internal priorities of the Governance and Nominations Committee, including the annual Board elections. Hilary is deeply passionate about Cascale’s mission and its members, and she eagerly anticipates the insights to be gained from the 2024 Annual Meeting. She resides in the Washington, DC area with her husband and two daughters.
Ilishio Lovejoy is a seasoned Programme Manager specialising in labour-centred transitions across diverse industries. With a rich background spanning NGOs, academia, brands, and suppliers, she brings a board portfolio of experience to her current role at the Laudes Foundation. Previously, Ilishio served as the ESG General Manager at Simple Approach, a leading multinational apparel supplier, where she spearheaded the development of supplier-led white papers on policy and decarbonization.
Ilishio has also contributed to industry standards and transparency as the former Manager of the Research and Policy team at Fashion Revolution. In this role, she was instrumental in advancing the Fashion Transparency Index, driving industry benchmarking, and leading extensive research and advocacy on EU-level policies.
In addition to this work, Ilishio is currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Innovation at the Cambridge Judge Business School, with a focus on fair processes within industry collective action initiatives.
James previously focused on transparency and traceability initiatives at Fashion for Good’s Innovation Platform, working alongside innovators, brands, suppliers, and other ecosystem partners to guide and coordinate traceability implementation and multi-stakeholder projects.
With an academic background in supply chain sustainability, he completed his Masters in International Development Msc at the University of Amsterdam, focusing on ESG governance of agricultural commodities (focus on Cocoa in W. Africa). After, he worked for Tony’s Chocolonely’s impact team on traceability for impact-driven cocoa projects in Ghana. Then moved to PVH as a sustainability coordinator in their supply chain team, before joining Fashion for Good. His working and academic interests are in supply chain sustainability, traceability systems, circular business models, international development, and social anthropology.
James was born in Winchester, near the south coast of the UK. He enjoys great music from RnB, to jazz fusion, and loves talking sampling and production. He loves travelling and absorbing new culture, and was lucky enough to travel Russia, China, and Oceania before his masters studies. He is fascinated by how the world works, in terms of governance and how to improve the equitable development of societies. Hobbies include, piano, travelling, sports (basketball, football, ultimate frisbee), and eating lots of Syrian, Lebanese and Moroccan food in Nieuwe West – Amsterdam.
Taking the lead in collaboration of facility programmes between ZDHC and like-minded organisations and manages and accelerates the collaboration with the apparel alliance. Besides running the day-to-day operations, she is involved in developing strategies to advance the collaborations. Working closely with the rest of the team and contributors, all from varying walks of life, and from diverse backgrounds, driving the translation of the vision and strategy into concrete results. What Janne does, in research, goes into action in reality. With over a decade of experience at brands, prior to joining ZDHC, she worked at Mexx as the Quality, Trim & Colour Coordinator, G-Star RAW supporting where she supported the first Raw Organic Collections and moved later to Tommy Hilfiger (PVH) as a Quality Assurance and Technical Support Manager. Her last position before joining the team was the British Burberry, as part of Sustainable Manufacturing.
Jeremy Lardeau is the VP of the Higg Index at Cascale. As part of the leadership team, he oversees the strategic direction and development of the Higg Index suite of tools. Jeremy is based in Barcelona, Spain.
Before joining Cascale team, Jeremy was Senior Director of Sustainability Analytics, at Nike, Inc. where he led sustainability reporting, performance management, data products, and reporting. Prior to Nike, Jeremy was a manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers’ sustainability practice, successively working out of the Paris, Mexico City, and San Francisco offices.
Jeremy holds a Masters in Industrial Engineering from the Ecole Centrale Paris. In his free time he is known to love travelling, running and alpine climbing, but actually enjoys most horseplaying with his three young boys.
Dr. Jesse Daystar is the Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President of Sustainability at Cotton Incorporated and an adjunct professor at the Duke Nicholas School of the Environment. Dr. Daystar leads the cotton industry towards a more regenerative and sustainable future through supporting research and outreach programs aimed at implementing best science and practices in the soil and throughout the supply chain.
Jia Liu is a global sustainability leader specializing in Carbon and ESG business assurance practice. Her work focuses on enhancing transparency and validating companies’ progress toward achieving sustainable development goals and climate targets. With over 20 years of extensive professional experience in sustainability across Europe, the US, and China. Jia is well-equipped to assist global companies in fulfilling their sustainability reporting requirements and achieving environmental excellence from a life cycle perspective. Her technical expertise in sustainability is complemented by her strategic thinking, negotiation and communication skills, multicultural mindset, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
At TÜV Rheinland, Jia leads a team of technical experts dedicated to scaling and operationalizing global service offerings in carbon and ESG. Additionally, she is actively involved in a number of leading industry initiatives across various sectors, such as textiles and hospitality, focusing on sector specific sustainability standard-setting, data measurements and public disclosures.
Joël Mertens is the Director of Higg Product Tools at Cascale. He is responsible for managing the Higg Product Tools, including the Higg Product Module, Higg Material Sustainability Index (MSI), and MSI Contributor. He is based in British Columbia, Canada.
Before joining Cascale team, Joël was the Manager of Product Engineering and Compliance at Mountain Equipment Co-op where he worked on embedding product sustainability and product safety compliance into the development process. Among these responsibilities, he developed Preferred Fiber Strategy and Supplier Environmental Assurance programs for the MEC label. Joël holds a Master’s degree in Materials Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of British Columbia.
In his free time Joël enjoys hiking and camping in the fantastic wilderness of the Purcell and Rocky Mountains. He also spends his time gardening during the (short) summer growing season and developing his “green thumb”. Joël is involved with the East Kootenay Climate Hub, an organization focused on helping local communities take meaningful action on climate change.
Kaley Roshitsh is the first-ever editorial director at Cascale where she will be responsible for guiding the organization’s distinctive voice across content and live media operations. This includes the development and execution of the organization’s editorial strategy as well as the streamlining of existing reporting, storytelling, external communications and collaborations for a future-positive industry.
Joining Cascale’s rapidly growing communications team at a pivotal point in its evolution, Kaley is excited to leverage her journalistic expertise to do what she knows best – shine a light on progress, tell stories that matter and inspire systemic change. Prior to joining Cascale, she built the sustainability beat at WWD including the novel “Sustainability Scene” section, live sustainability summits, newsletters and the like. An activist inside and outside of the workplace, she’s written for U.N. Women USA NY, served as an advisory member for the 2023 U.N. Conscious Fashion Campaign & Lifestyle Network and shared her perspective on various media outlets (Yahoo Finance, Cheddar, The Associated Press and TEDx “Countdown,” among others). Before joining the fashion bible, she spearheaded an award-winning chapter of Her Campus Media where she led a team of 55 writers and founded an independent magazine called “ThriftEd Mag” at her alma mater Virginia Tech.
Though she’s forever indebted to a fast-paced career of purpose (and New York City for its lasting spark), her sense of equilibrium comes from the simpler things in life: gardening, running, thrifting and whatever her latest curiosity.
Katrin Perlmutter is a Senior Policy Officer in the Division for the Transformation of Global Supply Chains at the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, where she focuses on fostering circular, sustainable and fair global textile supply chains. Before joining the Ministry, Katrin worked as a Programme Officer at the United Nations Secretariat for eight years driving forward UN Reform and helping to build up data-driven decision-making for support functions in peace operations. Prior to that, she was a management consultant in the private sector at the Boston Consulting Group.
Katy is a seasoned professional with nearly two decades of experience in the outdoor industry, spanning roles in research, product development, and sustainability. Holding a BSc in Materials Science and a PhD in Textile Engineering, she combines academic rigor with hands-on expertise. For the past eight years, Katy has been a key member of the European Outdoor Group, where she now leads as the Head of CSR and Sustainability. In this role, she champions initiatives that drive brands to address the environmental and ethical complexities of the textile supply chain. Outside of work, Katy is an outdoor enthusiast who finds joy in running through forests and hiking mountains, discovering secluded lakes for a swim, and indulging in her passion for needlecraft.
Kim van der Weerd is a human rights advocate turned garment factory manager turned sustainable fashion critic. She is on a mission to shift the narrative and amplify producer perspectives on how to make fashion less unsustainable. When a t-shirt doesn’t sell, who pays for it? And is that equitable relative to the margins? This ought to be the litmus test for any intervention intended to make our industry better. Practically, this work takes many different formats: opinion essays and commissioned reports, content direction and production, speaking engagements, community building and dialogue facilitation, serving as the Intelligence Director for Transformers Foundation, hosting Manufactured Podcast, and beyond. She previously worked as General Manager of Pactics Phnom Penh, a garment factory producing for the luxury eyewear industry and as COO of Tonlé, a zero-waste brand that owned and managed its own production, both based in Cambodia. She holds a M.Sc. in human rights from the London School of Economics.
Krelyne Andrew is currently employed at Sappi Limited and is based in South Africa. She heads up the global sustainability portfolio for Verve, Sappi’s dissolving pulp product which is manufactured in South Africa and North America. Dissolving pulp is used to produce a variety of products, including fibre for textiles and apparel and microcrystalline cellulose for food and pharma applications. She has worked in various roles at Sappi, including heading up the R&D and Technical Services for Verves speciality product portfolio. When Sappi expanded its operations in 2013, she was appointed as business support manager, a role which involved working with operations to ensure that the new products were fit for purpose. In her current market facing role, she is responsible for the development of solutions to improve the sustainability footprint Verve and developing partnerships to promote the use of sustainable raw materials.
She is member of the South African Regional and Global Sustainability Councils which reports to the board accountable Social, Ethics, Transformation and Sustainability Committee. She is also a member the Global Technical Management Team (GTMT) that is responsible for the formulation and delivery of Sappi’s R&D and Innovation strategy.
Her long-standing commitment to equal partnerships and creating shared value is reflected in successful relationships with Verve’s dissolving pulp stakeholders and the implementation of multi stakeholder initiatives.
At Better Cotton, Lars serves as the Director of Impact, aiding growers in the sustainable production of cotton, a staple fibre in our everyday wardrobe. Enhancing both farmer earnings and their environmental surroundings is vital for evolving toward resilient agricultural models. With expertise in corporate finance coupled with nearly ten years in development work, Lars possesses deep insights into merging farmer financial considerations with the requisite investments for a worldwide shift to agriculturally harmonious practices with Earth.
Lena always wanted a career with purpose. As Chief Operating Officer at Better Cotton, Lena loves that she works for an organisation with a single mission and clear focus that directly benefits cotton farmers around the world. Lena has a background in sustainability and holds degrees in Politics and Geography, and Environment and Development. She is inspired by commitment and by people who follow their values and passions, even if it means taking the road less travelled.
Better Cotton brings together cotton farmer and producer organisations; textile retailers and brands; spinners, mills, gins and other companies in the cotton supply chain; and representatives of civil society, alongside governments and public authorities to help cotton production become sustainable – and so better for the environment, better for the people who depend on it and better for the sector.
Liam is Founder and CEO at RESET Carbon Ltd since 2009. RESET offers in-depth solutions to companies seeking to measure and reduce their carbon footprint with a particular focus on Asian supply chains.
Previously Liam was the Director of WWF’s International’s Asia-Pacific Climate Programme, where he built and managed a ten-country team. At WWF Liam also co-led the design and set-up of the Gold Standard, which is now a leading certification system for project level carbon offsets and other environmental and social attributes.
Liam holds a Masters of Science in Environmental Technology from Imperial College, London.
Ms. Linh Cao has a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration and an MBA in sustainable fashion management. She has 11 years of professional experience in textiles and shoes, from the quality field to sustainability. She focuses on environmental performance and circularity at ON Vietnam.
Linn Gjelsvik Rai is the Global Sourcing Manger at Varner and holds the responsibility for Varner’s Sourcing strategies and supplier portfolio. Varner is one of Scandinavia’s largest retailers, and consists of the fashion brands Dressmann, Cubus, Bik Bok, Carlings, Volt and Junkyard.
Linn has a key role in Varner’s journey towards achieving a more transparent supply chain, and strongly believes in working closer with direct and indirect suppliers to make informed and responsible purchasing decisions. Creating internal engagement and cross-function collaboration is something she considers as an enabler to drive the change needed for Varner to be a liable retailer.
Prior to Varner, Linn worked with both textile and hardware at Swix. She has also lived a few years in Nepal, following up garment suppliers on a daily basis. Linn spent her youth on the diving board and has recently transitioned to CrossFit with great enthusiasm.
Lisa Domoney is the Senior Director of Strategic Growth at Cascale. Together with her team, which includes Cascale’s member engagement, development and operations teams, she is responsible for ensuring the active engagement and overall satisfaction of members, as well as growing the organization’s corporate membership base. Lisa is based in the UK.
Prior to joining Cascale, Lisa was Director Responsible Sourcing for Walmart and Asda. She was part of the central leadership team, responsible for strategically positioning and implementing the global programme across 5 countries. She was architect for the Asda modern slavery strategy and board led steering committee and then went on to facilitate the separation from Walmart with the design of an independent responsible sourcing programme and Asda’s inaugural ESG report.
Earlier in her career, Lisa was at the forefront of social engagement projects at Sainsbury’s and Debenhams and is most proud of the accomplishment in her role on the board of the Bangladesh Accord which was instrumental to the legacy work accomplished on factory safety in Bangladesh and India.
In the last year, Lisa founded AVD Consulting, fulfilling a long-held ambition to take the expertise she developed throughout her 25 year career in global manufacturing and multinational retail, her passion for the apparel industry and support organizations to create real change.
Outside of work, Lisa spends time in the country with her dog, traveling with family, painting, and keeping fit. She is also trustee for a charity which is focused on long term care for modern slavery survivors.
Experienced professional in sustainability strategy development and management, specialising in the fashion, footwear, and Home furnishings sectors on a global scale. Background in product development, lower impact supply chain development, circularity, and data reporting. My expertise lies in crafting and executing impactful sustainability strategies that drive real action and change in the industry.
I take a multi-stakeholder and collaborative approach to strategy development, working closely with diverse teams and partners to create solutions that are both innovative and sustainable.
Lisa Süss heads the work of Fair Wear Foundation on industry alignment, forging alliances that leverage Fair Wear’s longstanding experience and expertise to transform the industry beyond its frontrunner membership. Earlier, Lisa coordinated the Sustainable Textile Initiative – Together for Change (STITCH) consortium and worked in different roles at Fair Wear Foundation and GIZ.
Magnus is the Head of Corporate Sustainability ABOUT YOU and leads the company’s sustainability work. His responsibilities include ESG reporting, due diligence work, GHG emissions reduction work and calibrating and managing ABOUT YOU’s further sustainability work in alignment with internal decision makers.
Maravillas Rodriguez Zarco is the Senior Director, Higg Index Strategy & Operations, at Cascale. As part of her role, she ensures that the Higg Index tool strategy and tool development roadmap are aligned with Cascale’s overall impact strategy and priorities, and that the different tool development roadmaps are integrated with each other and with other external programs. She also coordinates the Higg Index team’s internal operations to ensure the effective delivery of the team objectives across the different Higg Index teams. She collaborates across the organization to ensure coherent strategy execution, fostering alignment and operational effectiveness.
Before her current role, Maravillas was the Director, Higg Brand & Retail at Cascale. Her responsibilities included managing the Higg Brand and Retail Module and coordinating with Coalition members, facilities, and stakeholders to scale the implementation of this tool globally. Prior to her time at Cascale, she served for 10 years as the CSR & Sustainability Manager at Desigual, where she managed key projects aimed at minimizing the company’s environmental impact, while promoting ethical trading and human rights. This ensured the company operated responsibly across all facets. She also built strong relationships with stakeholders, fostering transparency in the company’s sustainability initiatives.
Prior to her tenure at Desigual, Maravillas worked as a Sustainability & CSR consultant, and she is a professional with over 15 years of experience.
Maravillas holds a degree in Biology from University of Seville and a Masters in Environmental Impact Assessment from University of Barcelona. In her free time she enjoys combining her two favorite hobbies: traveling and trying new food from all around the world. She also teaches Sustainability classes to Business and Communication masters degree students.
Marianne has over 15 years leading food and fashion innovation companies, with a strong focus on how technology, especially traceability, can help make an impact for a sustainable tomorrow.
Mark Vaessen is a senior partner with KPMG in the Netherlands and the Global Head of Corporate & Sustainability Reporting for KPMG internationally. In that capacity he maintains the relationship with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and is a member of the Integrated Reporting and Connectivity Council, an advisory body to both the ISSB and IASB. In addition, Mark is currently the President of Accountancy Europe, a Brussels-based organization representing nearly one million professional accountants from across Europe. He previously also was a board member at the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). Mark has been a partner in KPMG’s global audit practice since 1999. He lived and worked in London for nearly 20 years, building and leading KPMG’s global international standards network as global IFRS leader. In 2017, he returned to his native the Netherlands where he was Head of Professional Practice until the end of 2022.
Markus is leading the Climate Team at Gore Fabrics where he has been privileged to work with an outstanding community of Scope 1, 2 and Scope 3 experts. He helped craft the science-aligned climate goal back in 2018, coordinates the broader climate program and recently worked with executive leadership to elevate the climate goal to one of Fabrics three 2030 aspirations, alongside Fabrics’ key financial targets. Previously, he served as a Director at the strategy and communications consultancy firm KekstCNC, focusing on the energy sector and compliance.
Minh Nguyen s an accomplished professional with 28 years of experience in operations and environmental protection, having held key roles at with industry leaders such as Hanesbrands, IKEA, and Unilever. With a master’s degree from the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand, she is committed to continuous improvement and sustainable practices in the industry. Minh Nguyen is passionate about driving initiatives that not only enhance operational efficiency but also prioritize environmental stewardship, contributing to a healthier planet for future generations.
Orine Dsouza is the Senior Manager of Higg tools for Cascale, the apparel, footwear, and textile industry’s leading alliance for sustainable production. She will be responsible for managing and improving the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM), Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (Higg FSLM) and their suite of resources. The goal of this position is to continue integrating the input of Coalition members, facilities, and stakeholders into the tools and resources through effective engagement and facilitation, in order to scale the adoption of these tools globally. She is based in Bangalore/India.
Before joining Cascale team, Orine was the Supply Chain Sustainability Manager for India and Sri Lanka at H&M. This includes setting the strategy, planning, controlling and analysis of impact for the supply chain. She has been a key contributor, providing guidance on strategy, policies, and planning for long-term sustainability. Orine was responsible for leading the team in implementing the Annual Action Plans (Validation, Program and Projects) in cooperation with the business team and suppliers. She also handled any escalation that came from the supplier level, and provided support in managing and mitigating issues.
Orine has a Master’s degree in Social Work. In her free time, Orine loves to see new places and bake/ cook new cuisine.
Patricia is CEO of Responsible Sourcing Network (RSN), a for-benefit CSO that champions human rights in the raw materials found in products we use every day.
Since 2004, Patricia has worked with civil society and shareholder communities to address labor and human rights abuses. She speaks extensively about modern slavery, due diligence, traceability, and value chains. Patricia has contributed to KnowTheChain’s benchmarking reports, OECD’s due diligence guidance, BCI’s forced labor task force, and ICCR’s Equitable Supply Chain Group. She launched RSN’s initiative, YESS: Yarn Ethically & Sustainably Sourced, which aims to mitigate forced labor in cotton production globally, and enable yarn and fabric mills to implement a risk-based due diligence approach for all of their sourcing.
Prior to RSN, Patricia managed production at Gap, Inc., encouraged equitable trade for IATP, and trained women’s artisan cooperatives. She has degrees from Fashion Institute of Technology, Cornell, and Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Patrick brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience to the table. Having founded and scaled three companies, he successfully managed two exits. Throughout his career, Patrick has excelled in diverse roles, including as a member of the executive board, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) across manufacturing, distribution, and retail sectors. His strong customer focus, commercial acumen, and proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams make him the perfect complement to the technology-focused founder of Haelixa.
Virtual Speaker
Philipp’s entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of CANO, an ethical shoe brand. His experience with CANO’s supply chain challenges inspired him to co-found Retraced, aiming to provide comprehensive supply chain traceability solutions.
Philipp’s deep understanding of product development and his passion for ethical business practices have established him as a visionary leader in the industry. His strategic insights and ability to foster collaboration make him an exceptional leader and team player at Retraced.
With his team, Philipp works to fast-track sustainable transformation in F&SG and Chemicals sector. He joined Quantis in 2021 after 16 years in the sporting goods industry in various role in product creation, sourcing and sustainability. He also served 6 years as a Board Member in the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation. He currently serves as a senior advisor to FLFC, a pre-competitive industry association decarbonizing fashion.
Rebecka Sancho is the Head of Sustainability at G-Star, where she leverages over a decade of experience in the fashion industry to drive transformative change. With a strong foundation in sustainability, reinforced by an MSc in Sustainable Development from Utrecht University, Rebecka has been instrumental in embedding sustainability into the core of globally recognized fashion brands.
Her career is marked by a commitment to integrating sustainable practices across all facets of business and supply chains, ensuring that environmental stewardship, human rights, and ethical sourcing are not just ideals, but actionable realities. A forward-thinking advocate for sustainable fashion, Rebecka is passionate about innovation and dedicated to championing responsible business practices that inspire others in the industry.
Her expertise in bridging the complexities of fashion with the urgency of environmental and social action has led to the successful implementation of on-ground strategies in ethical sourcing, gender equality, sustainable production, and waste reduction initiatives. As a respected thought leader in sustainable apparel, Rebecka continues to drive positive change, setting new standards for sustainability in the fashion industry.
With over 19 years of experience in the Spinning, Weaving, Processing, and Apparel industry, I have developed a deep expertise in sustainability and compliance. My career is marked by a strong commitment to implementing sustainable practices, including Environmental Management Systems (EMS), Energy Management Systems (EnMS), Integrated Management Systems (IMS), Water and Chemical Management, Waste Reduction, and Social Fairness.
I hold an MBA and am a certified Lead Auditor for multiple standards, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 along with certifications of ZDHC, Higg Index, and BSCI. My skills in negotiation and strategic planning have been instrumental in driving sustainability initiatives that align with both business objectives and environmental stewardship.
Holding a master’s degree in International Relations and Development Policy, Ms. Saskia Anders has been working in the field of business and sustainability for 15 years. At GIZ she held different positions related to private sector development and sustainable supply chains in Germany and abroad. In her current post she leads the Sustainable Supply Chains and Circularity team at GIZ Viet Nam.
Scott Raskin is the CEO of Worldly, where he champions the idea that impactful change springs from actionable measures. Leveraging years of leadership experience in tech companies, he steers Worldly toward sustainable growth, providing brands, manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers with solutions to enhance their positive environmental and social impact.
Scott’s commitment to results and customer satisfaction positions Worldly as an essential platform for consumer goods companies seeking to lessen their footprint, adhere to regulations, and promote transparency. His management style, deeply rooted in valuing people and culture, inspires creativity and teamwork. Guided by a firm resolve to create significant change, Scott’s leadership shapes Worldly’s contribution to a more responsible corporate world.
Scott is focused on leading the evolution and expansion of Worldly’s platform to include new capabilities, innovations, and automation to empower sustainability-minded companies to analyze, understand, report, and improve their supply chain and product impacts.
Sean Cady is Vice President, Global Sustainability, Responsibility, Trade and Government Affairs at VF Corporation. VF Corporations is a global leader in lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories. VF is the owner of 12 iconic brands, including The North Face®, Vans®, Timberland®, Dickies® and Supreme®.
Cady’s direction of VF’s global sustainability strategy has been instrumental in the implementation of the company’s comprehensive and industry-leading actions to reduce the environmental impacts of products, direct operations, and the supply chain. In leading VF’s global trade strategy, product stewardship team, government relations and global impact initiatives, Cady ensures best-in-class management of product impacts through design and manufacturing due diligence, regulatory compliance, traceability, and substantiation of raw materials, while simultaneously representing VF’s interests to eliminate barriers to free trade. Additionally, he oversees the global responsible sourcing team across VF, ensuring the nearly 1 million workers making VF products, which are sold in more than 125 countries and over 1,200 owned retail stores across the globe, are assured fair treatment and a safe workplace.
Prior to joining VF in 2010, Cady led various teams at Levi Strauss & Co. His perspectives have been shared in numerous publications and at recent events such as the Textile Exchange Sustainability Conference, the Redress Design Awards, MAGIC Las Vegas and the World Business Forum.
Cady holds an M.B.A. in International Business and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of California. He serves on the Board of Directors for Cascale and Worldy and the advisory board for the Business for Impact program in Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.
Global sales, marketing and sustainability leader with extensive experience building business with premium ingredient brands in performance fibres and textiles. High-level connections across the international value chain including manufacturers, mills, brands and retailers. Passionate about coaching, mentoring, the outdoors and surfing!
Sophie is a Principal Consultant at RESET. Based out of Hong Kong, she focuses on driving company’s carbon related strategy in the fashion and apparel practice. She also takes the lead on major client projects and strategic relationships linked to practice development.
Before joining RESET Carbon, Sophie was the Head of Sustainability & Sourcing at a French fashion company, where she led the development and execution of the brand’s sustainability and sourcing strategies. Prior to this, Sophie spent a decade at the iconic American retailer, transforming them into an industry leader. She spearheaded their public facing water strategy and played an instrumental role across their fabric development, supply chain and responsible sourcing teams.
Sophie gained both her BA (Hons) in Fashion & Textiles and her PhD degree at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Stefan Seidel has been heading Corporate Sustainability for PUMA since 2015.Stefan started his career with PUMA in 2001 as a social and environmental Auditor after which he has held various leadership positions which have included Global Team Head Environmental Affairs and Sustainability Team Lead EMEA amongst others. In his current role as Senior Director Corporate Sustainability, Stefan is responsible for all Corporate Social and Environmental issues for PUMA. Before joining PUMA, he worked at First Data Limited and Siemens.
Stefan represents Puma in industry-wide initiatives, such as the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action which he helped to create.
Tom is responsible for the policy and stakeholder engagement strategy at SLCP and ensuring the CAF is recognized and aligned with policy and legal developments. Tom also works closely with the data insights and communications teams in developing data-driven publications to ensure the social and labor data is shared with the industry and policymakers to drive policy decision-making. Originally from Australia, Tom has experience working in international NGOs and legal clinics, focusing on business & human rights research and labour rights in global value chains.
Veronique Rochet brings over 20 years of international sustainability experience in the apparel, footwear, and accessories industry. Currently, she serves as PUMA’s Senior Director of Sustainability. Together with her team, she has established an implementation strategy to meet the 2025 targets and is now spearheading the development and execution of PUMA’s 2030 sustainability vision and goals for the supply chain.
Mr. Vidhura Ralapanawe has over 16 years of experience in apparel sustainability and has a background in climate research, energy transition, and renewable energy. Currently, he is dedicated to shaping Epic Group’s sustainability strategy and leading implementation across manufacturing, products, and the supply chain. Previously, he worked for 12 years at MAS Intimates. He is a contributor to resource efficiency, LCAs, green buildings, and sustainable product innovation.
Discover the Power of Unified Impact Across Four Dynamic Stages
Cascale Strategic Council Meetings
Closed to Strategic Council Members
Cascale Board of Directors Q4 Meeting
Closed to Board of Directors & Cascale Executive Team
Building Trust and Equity: Responsible Purchasing as the New Norm
Hosted by The Industry We Want and Initiative for Global Solidarity, this high level event will focus on responsible purchasing practices, impactful due diligence, and the evolving legislative landscape on supply chain responsibility. By bringing together key decision makers and stakeholders from across the garment and footwear sector, we aim to deepen our understanding of the interconnected impact of purchasing practices on environmental and social topics.
Check-In
Please check in and collect your badge early at the registration desk before the cocktail reception to skip the long lines on event day.
Lobby, Hilton Munich Park Hotel
Welcome Reception
Join us as we kick off this unique event, fostering interaction and relationship-building in a relaxed and social atmosphere. Enjoy mingling and forging connections over refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.
Tivoli Restaurant, Hilton Munich Park Hotel
Nike Wellness Run: Kickoff the Cascale Annual Meeting with a Boost
Kick off our event with a refreshing 3.7 km Wellness Run, hosted by Nike! We’ll meet in the lobby of our exclusive event hotel and venue, Hilton Munich Park Hotel, and run through the beautiful English Garden and around the lake. Led by Nike Running Coach Air-Ron, this is the perfect way to energize your day and connect with fellow attendees.
Instructor: Nike Running Coach, Air-Ron
Lobby, Hilton Munich Park Hotel
Check-In
Welcome to the Cascale Annual Meeting 2024
Join us as our vibrant event emcee kicks off the day, extending a warm welcome to all attendees, both in Munich and online. She will set the stage by reemphasizing our theme, “A New Era of Unified Impact,” through a specially crafted video from our dedicated Cascale members. With enthusiasm and energy, she will guide us through the day’s agenda, encourage everyone to make the most of our official event app, and ignite excitement for the transformative journey ahead.
Main Stage
Opening Address: Introducing a New Era of Unified Impact
Our new CEO will take the stage for his inaugural address, setting the tone for this new era of unified impact. For many, this will be the first opportunity to hear directly from our CEO as he shares his vision for Cascale. He will reemphasize our crucial commitments to the industry, promising a speech that evokes excitement, inspiration, and tangible action. Don’t miss this pivotal moment as we embark on our transformative journey together.
Main Stage
Opening Keynote: Recommitting to Our Vision
Next, we will be honored to hear from one of Cascale’s original founders, Rick Ridgeway. In this powerful keynote, Rick will revisit the original vision and mission that sparked the creation of Cascale, inspiring us to recommit to our promises. With heartfelt passion and wisdom, he will highlight the critical areas where we must intensify our efforts to achieve real, transformative impact in our industry. This keynote promises to be a compelling call to action, reigniting our collective drive for change.
Main Stage
Impact at Scale: A New Era of Leadership
This session offers an exclusive opportunity to gain insights into what Cascale’s new CEO’s leadership means for you and the industry at large. First we will explore the state of the industry, diving deep into the current landscape, exploring key insights and challenges, and building on the powerful points introduced in the opening address. Then we will hear about the new strategy he plans to implement. Discovering the fresh direction Cascale is taking—a renewed commitment to creating tangible impact and a strategic realignment that will propel us into a new era of leadership and innovation.
Main Stage
Climate Action: A Theory of Change to Accelerate Industry Decarbonization
How can fashion and consumer goods overcome the challenges of stagnating emissions and drive impactful climate action? In this session, Cascale, Aii, and RESET Carbon will explore the principles of a Theory of Change on Climate Action, focusing on how common measurement frameworks, shared goals, and collective action can accelerate decarbonization efforts across the industry. We’ll delve into how data-driven insights and strategic partnerships are essential to translating ambitious sustainability goals into tangible outcomes. Join us to discover how the Theory of Change not only guides our approach but also empowers brands, retailers, and manufacturers to align with global regulatory demands and lead the way in reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.
Main Stage
Coffee & Networking
Welcome Back to the Main Stage
As we return from our morning break, our emcee Isabelle Kumar will briefly outline what’s next. This is a quick transition to get everyone ready for the upcoming main stage plenary sessions. Stay tuned for what’s ahead!
Main Stage
Beyond Apparel
In this session, we will explore how our tools can be utilized beyond the apparel sector, encouraging multi-category members to adopt these tools more broadly within their organizations. Discover how extending the use of our tools can amplify positive impacts on both the planet and people. We will delve into the purpose behind our efforts, showcasing the broader scope and potential for wider adoption. Join us to learn how expanding our focus can drive greater sustainability across all categories.
Main Stage
Welcome to the Impact Stage
Welcome to the Impact Stage! Our Impact Stage host, Emily Luijbregts, will introduce the workshops and set the stage for meaningful discussions. Dive into sessions on Higg Index Tools, Cascale Programs, and industry standards, designed to provide actionable insights for real change in your organization.
Impact Stage
Navigating Legislation & the Higg Index Tools
As part of our ongoing “Navigating Legislation & the Higg Tools” webinar series, we are excited to present a live roundtable panel format. With two out of four webinars already completed, this session will feature one technical expert per Higg tool, joined by a Public Affairs Team member, our Higg Index Directors, and a representative from Worldly. They will provide a concise overview of the completed work and upcoming tool updates. Following the presentations, we will dedicate ample time for an interactive Q&A session. This format aims to address member concerns regarding upcoming legislation and demonstrate how the Higg Index tools equip them to navigate current and future legislation and reporting requirements effectively. Join us to stay informed and prepared for the evolving regulatory landscape.
Impact Stage
Welcome to the Connections Stage
Welcome to the Connections Stage! Hosted by Kara Valikai, Senior Director of Sustainable Business and Impact at Lululemon, this stage is your space to share and learn from each other’s sustainability journeys. Tailored to the topics our members have requested, these sessions ensure discussions are highly relevant and valuable to everyone.
Connections Stage
Higg FEM & Verification Evolution: Member Consultation Insights
Join us for an insightful workshop where we share the outcomes of our ongoing consultation process with members regarding the evolution of the Higg FEM tool. We will present valuable feedback gathered, highlight key insights, and demonstrate our plans for implementing these suggestions moving forward. This session will be divided into two parts: the first part will focus on updates and plans for 2024, including our enhanced verification process. We will delve into the expanded scope, enhanced quantitative metrics verification, and strengthened quality assurance processes, ensuring greater accuracy and reliability in sustainability reporting. The second part will look ahead to 2025, giving members ample time to inform the tool’s development. Engage with us as we discuss the next steps, reaffirm our commitment to collaborative progress, and continue the conversation on what we couldn’t achieve and how we aim to evolve. This is an opportunity to see how your input is shaping the future of the Higg FEM tool, ensuring it continues to meet the needs of our community and supports your organization’s sustainability goals.
Connections Stage
Lunch & Networking
Speed Networking Lunch: Connect, Engage, Inspire
Get ready for a lively and engaging Speed Networking Lunch! In this in-person session, you’ll sit at tables where you’ll draw questions from a hat to spark meaningful conversations. Each interaction is timed, giving everyone a chance to connect and share their insights. After the session, we’ll reveal the unique categories that represent what your table learned about you. It’s a fun, fast-paced way to bridge the gap between seasoned members and new faces while enjoying a delicious lunch and building valuable connections across our community.
Connections Stage
Speed Networking Carousel
Get ready for a dynamic Speed Networking Carousel during lunch! Connect with members and staff from around the globe in timed, fast-paced interactions. This is your chance to expand your network and share ideas with industry professionals in an exciting, high-energy format. Don’t miss out!
Virtual Stage
Voices of Change: Amplifying Workers’ Influence on Industry Standards
In a world that is rapidly transforming, the necessity for a unified approach to industry standards and decent work has never been more urgent. This session, aligned with our theme “A New Era of Unified Impact,” delves into how evolving membership requirements and sustainability practices are not just enhancing business operations but also significantly impacting the lives of workers globally.
Join us as we bring together a diverse panel of experts from key organizations to discuss the convergence of industry standards and the critical role of worker voices in this transformation. This discussion will explore how our strategic plan, especially our commitment to decent work for all, is being actualized through new policies and collaborative efforts.
Main Stage
Decarbonization Program Workshop
Join us for a full update on Cascale’s Decarbonization efforts and as well as the opportunity to inform how we strategically engage the value chain to accelerate and scale climate action. In the first part of the session, Cascale staff will present overall program updates, from our recent advancements in collective decarbonization efforts including SBT peer to peer learning groups, to the GIZ PDP rooftop solar projects and our Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP). We will be joined by Ashely Hegland, COO of Intensel, to showcase how the climate risk factsheet and heatmap can help manufacturers with physical climate risk assessment. In collaboration with aii and Reset Carbon, we will be sharing the preliminary outcome of this industry alignment roadmap project with industry strategic suppliers (ISS). The second part of the session will be a workshop seeking all participants’ contribution, as we explore potential engagement models and what types of enablers might accelerate the pace of action, in a roundtable setting. Using the CrowdComms app, members are invited to submit their feedback and engage in dialogue with other members to co-create solutions that address our collective challenges and propel our decarbonization initiatives forward.
Impact Stage
Elevating Environmental Practices Through Data
Join this sessions to learn how to utilize data for due diligence, focusing on factory improvement pathways and corporate membership requirements. This session will explore the links to foundational Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and how data can drive meaningful improvements. Learn how to leverage data to meet corporate membership standards and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
This interactive session is designed to engage participants actively. Our experts will provide practical insights and tools to help you navigate the complexities of due diligence, followed by collaborative discussions and hands-on activities. Attendees will have the opportunity to share experiences, ask questions, and work together on real-world scenarios to ensure their organizations are well-equipped for success.
Connections Stage
Gamification Challenge: Level Up Your Cascale Annual Meeting Experience!
During this transition, take a moment to explore our event app’s gamification feature! Earn points for your engagement and climb the leaderboard for a chance to win 2 tickets to the Cascale Annual Meeting 2025. Keep participating and stay ahead in the game!
Main Stage
Connection Stage Reflections with Q&A
Join us for reflections from the connection stage thus far where our stage host will engage with the audience and share her thoughts on what’s to come.
Connections Stage
Advancing Traceability: Insights from Cascale’s Intelligence HUB
Discover key challenges and effective approaches for traceability to meet policy requirements, and enable effective human rights and environmental due diligence. This segment will be based on research insights from Cascale’s Traceability Intelligence HUB, which will drive the panel discussion content with traceability experts.
Main Stage
Deep Dive on CSRD Assurance
Overview of the reporting landscape and deep dive on CSRD assurance – with KPMG and the Higg Index team experts.
Connections Stage
Traceability in Focus: Digital & Physical Technologies
This session will shed light on emerging trends, innovations, and the broader impact of traceability on supply chains. Join us for an engaging conversation that uncovers the opportunities and challenges in enhancing transparency and accountability, providing insights for industry leaders and decision-makers.
Main Stage
Coffee & Networking
Virtual Exhibitors Showcase
Discover the diverse exhibitions featured at this year’s Cascale Annual Meeting through our virtual showcase. If something catches your eye, you can easily schedule an appointment directly with the exhibitors using the Cascale Annual Meeting Event App. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and learn more!
Virtual Stage
Manufacturer’s Innovation Corner
Introducing the Innovation Corner at the Cascale Annual Meeting, a dedicated space designed to elevate manufacturers’ engagement and participation. This dynamic area will amplify their contributions to sustainability and innovation, offering a platform to showcase their groundbreaking work and demonstrate how they are facilitating positive change in the industry. Take this opportunity to head over to the innovation corner and engage with our expert manufacturer members – all while enjoy your coffee break.
Mezzanine
Fair Process as a Prerequisite for Collective Action
Discover how the principles of fair process can transform employee trust and engagement in knowledge-based organizations. Through a compelling case study, learn how involving employees in decision-making, providing clear explanations, and setting transparent expectations can lead to voluntary cooperation, driving high performance and innovation even in challenging environments. This session will offer practical insights into applying fair process to achieve better outcomes and build a more committed workforce.
Main Stage
Social Justice Through Fair Process – Can We Find Equity?
Join our Board of Directors as they delve into the key learnings from the fair process case study and discuss how these insights will influence their strategic decisions. In this panel, they will share their perspectives on the importance of trust and engagement in the workplace, and outline their plans for implementing systemic changes across the organization to foster a more transparent and collaborative culture. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from leadership on how they intend to turn theory into action.
Main Stage
Closing Keynote – 36th July: Lessons of the Revolution
Miran Ali, Vice President of BGMEA, will share key lessons from Bangladesh’s recent 36th July Revolution, highlighting how courage, vision, and collaboration can drive transformative change. Drawing on this powerful local experience, he will discuss the global relevance of these lessons for industries and communities worldwide. Miran will also explore practical tools like the Higg Index and STTI, illustrating how global cooperation can help address today’s challenges and foster a more sustainable future.
Main Stage
Closing Remarks
As the day draws to a close, our event emcee will deliver the final remarks, encapsulating the essence of the day’s discussions. She will provide a thoughtful recap and reflections, breaking down the key takeaways and tying them back to our event theme, “A New Era of Unified Impact.” This session will ensure that the insights and lessons learned are clearly understood, leaving attendees inspired and equipped to drive meaningful change. Join us for this closing moment to reflect on our journey together and look forward to the impactful days ahead.
Main Stage
Nike Wellness Yoga: Morning Reset
Start your day right with a revitalizing Yoga class on the second day, sponsored by Nike, at the Pavillon of the Hilton Munich Park Hotel, our exclusive event venue. Enjoy the serene views of the English Garden and the Eisbach River as you move through your practice. Mats will be provided, and the session will be led by Lea Hauss, a Yoga & Wellness Teacher for Nike Well Collective. It’s the ideal way to energize your morning and set a positive tone for the day ahead.
Instructor: Lea Hauss, Yoga & Wellness Teacher for Nike
Pavilion at the Hilton Munich Park Hotel
Check-In
Day 2 Kickoff: Embracing a Unified Impact
As we begin Day 2, our event emcee will reflect on the insights and highlights from Day 1, emphasizing our theme, “A New Era of Unified Impact.” Get ready to be engaged!
Keynote: From Siberia to South Africa
In this thought-provoking keynote, a leading manufacturer member will draw parallels between the epic journey of migratory birds and the ongoing challenges in the textiles and apparel industry. Despite years of effort, we have much ground left to cover in aligning our goals with the realities on the ground. This session will challenge us to reflect on our collective journey toward sustainability, addressing key questions about global perspectives, local needs, and how we can truly work together to achieve our shared objectives. As we look ahead to 2030, the speaker will offer insights into what it will take to bridge the gap between vision and action.
Main Stage
Is Value Chain Inequity Hindering Climate Action?
This session aims to explore whether industry consensus exists on why climate action is falling short – because a shared understanding of the problem is critical to effective solutions. Specifically, we will look at the terms “climate action” and “inequity.” Do we define these terms in the same way? Do we understand their relationship to each other in the same way? What are the implications for collective action and shared responsibility?
Main Stage
Fiber Forward: Collaborating for a Sustainable Future
Participants will share their industry’s efforts in in reducing carbon footprints and addressing environmental issues, across fiber types, exploring collective opportunities, emphasizing cooperative strategies that promote a greener industry. Join us for an insightful discussion on the innovative practices that are shaping a sustainable future for all fibers.
Main Stage
Coffee & Networking
Virtual Coffee with our CEO
Join Cascale’s new CEO, Coline Browne for a virtual coffee. Use this time to ask him anything and get to know his vision for Cascale & the industry.
Virtual Stage
Nike Stretch & Mindfulness Break: Refresh and Refocus
Take a moment to refresh and refocus with our Stretch & Mindfulness session during the coffee break. Led by Nike Wellness Instructor Lea Hauss, this quick session will help you release tension, stretch out, and center your mind, ensuring you’re ready to dive back into the day’s activities with renewed energy and clarity. Perfect for a mid-day reset in the same serene setting of the Hilton Munich Park Hotel Pavilion. Come as you are! Yoga mats will be provided, no need to change or bring anything extra. We encourage you to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Instructor: Lea Hauss, Yoga & Wellness Teacher for Nike
Pavilion at the Hilton Munich Park Hotel
Welcome Back to the Main Stage Day 2
As we return from our morning break, our emcee Isabelle Kumar will briefly outline what’s next. This is a quick transition to get everyone ready for the upcoming main stage plenary sessions. Stay tuned for what’s ahead!
Main Stage
Global Energy Trends: a Focus on Renewable Energy
Join us for an engaging workshop on global energy trends with a focus on renewable energy. The session will start with a panel discussion on macro-level trends and how the Higg FEM has highlighted opportunities in renewable energy, featuring insights from industry leaders. Next, participate in an interactive workshop where you’ll discuss best practices for switching to renewable energy, how tools like the Higg FEM identify these opportunities, and key stakeholders involved. Groups will share their insights and action pledges to drive forward renewable energy initiatives in the supply chain.
Main Stage
Welcome to the Impact Stage Day 2
Welcome to the Impact Stage! Our Impact Stage host, Emily Luijbregts, will introduce the workshops and set the stage for meaningful discussions. Dive into sessions on Higg Index Tools, Cascale Programs, and industry standards, designed to provide actionable insights for real change in your organization.
Impact Stage
Improving Higg FEM Foundational Performance
Join us for an interactive Workshop focused on enhancing the Higg FEM Foundational Performance Start with a presentation on aggregated data from FEM 2023, highlighting key insights. Engage in a dynamic workshop to collaboratively address the top issues, and define how our industry will evaluate foundational environmental performance. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this community, share experiences, brainstorm solutions, and help shape industry-wide strategies that will enable us to drive accountability.
Impact Stage
Welcome to the Connections Stage Day 2
Welcome to the Connections Stage! Hosted by Erwan Berthou, this stage is your space to share and learn from each other’s sustainability journeys. Tailored to the topics our members have requested, these sessions ensure discussions are highly relevant and valuable to everyone.
Connections Stage
Industry Aligned Cotton LCA Methodology
In this session, Cascale and members of our Cotton Expert Team will present for the first time the new approach and LCA methodology for cotton datasets in the Higg MSI. Over the past 3 years, the group defined LCA data source requirements and modeling approaches to reduce reliance on costly full LCA reports, and expand cotton program data within the Higg MSI. Attendees will gain insights into how the data collection and modeling approaches will provide more up to date LCA data for cotton to drive more informed sourcing and sustainability decisions.
Connections Stage
Lunch & Networking
Nike Mindfulness Lunch Break: Reconnect and Reset
Step away from the midday rush and join us for a Nike Mindfulness Lunch Break, led by Wellness Instructor Lea Hauss. This 15-minute session offers a gentle stretch and meditation to help you release tension and reset your focus. It’s the perfect way to refresh your body and mind before diving back into the day. Meet us in the serene Pavilion of the Hilton Munich Park Hotel. Come as you are! Yoga mats will be provided, no need to change or bring anything extra. We encourage you to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Instructor: Lea Hauss, Yoga & Wellness Teacher for Nike
Pavilion at the Hilton Munich Park Hotel
Board Caucus Lunch Meetings: Connect with Your Elected Directors Speakers
Affiliate Board Caucus Lunch Meeting
Harsh Saini, Tamar Hoek, Lena Staafgard
Renoir
Brand & Retail Board Caucus Lunch Meeting
Fiona Sadler, Sean Cady, Pascal Brun
Renoir
Manufacturer Board Caucus Lunch Meeting
Delman Lee, Vidhura Ralapanawe, Krishna Manda
Picasso
Take advantage of this special opportunity to meet with the board directors elected to represent your member types during our Board Caucus Lunch Meeting. This session provides a unique platform for members to engage directly with their representatives, share their perspectives, and discuss key issues impacting their sectors. Join us for an interactive and productive lunch hour where you can voice your concerns, offer feedback, and collaborate with board directors to shape the future direction of our organization. Don’t miss this chance to connect, communicate, and contribute to the governance of Cascale.
Operationalizing Sustainability Workshop
The landscape for sustainability teams is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Sustainability is no longer just a nice-to-have; it’s a crucial business necessity. But how are members keeping up with these rapid changes? How should they communicate their efforts effectively? What’s on the horizon, and how can they prepare? Join us for a dynamic workshop designed to address these pressing questions. This session will delve into the operational aspects of sustainability, offering practical insights on structuring your team, communicating with stakeholders, and managing internal communications. Learn the best ways to present Higg data and program results internally, and understand your responsibilities in compliance reporting. Participants will explore real operational challenges and engage in discussions that provide actionable tips, useful tools, and valuable resources. This workshop offers a dedicated space for members to share their experiences, ask questions, and find solutions to their most pressing concerns.
Impact Stage
Nike Mindfulness Lunch Break: Cultivate Community and Unity
Join us for a Nike Mindfulness Lunch Break that focuses on cultivating a sense of community and unity. Led by Wellness Instructor Lea Hauss, this 15-minute session will guide you through gentle stretches and a shared meditation practice, fostering connection and collective calm. It’s a perfect opportunity to reconnect not just with yourself, but with those around you. Gather in the tranquil Pavilion of the Hilton Munich Park Hotel to refresh together before the afternoon sessions. Come as you are! Yoga mats will be provided, no need to change or bring anything extra. We encourage you to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Instructor: Lea Hauss, Yoga & Wellness Teacher for Nike
Pavilion at the Hilton Munich Park Hotel
The Member Analytics Portal (MAP): Higg Index Tool Intelligence to Help Guide Your Sustainability Strategies
During this session, we will showcase our aspirations for data transparency and introduce the comprehensive framework our team has developed to achieve this goal. Following this, we will reintroduce the Member Analytics Portal (MAP), explaining its purpose and significance, particularly for those who may be unfamiliar with it.
Next, we will present some new climate views, offering fresh perspectives and insights that can inform and enhance our sustainability strategies. Finally, we will highlight the NEW Foundational Environmental Performance View, a cutting-edge tool designed to redefine and elevate our approach to measuring and improving environmental performance.
Main Stage
BRM and CSRD: Simplifying Your Reporting Journey
This workshop is designed for companies that have completed the Brand & Retail Module (BRM) and are seeking to navigate their reporting obligations under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). In this session, we will provide an in-depth overview of the latest updates to our reporting publications and demonstrate how the Higg Index’s BRM can support you in meeting these requirements.
Following the presentation, participants will engage in interactive roundtable discussions, sharing and exploring common challenges and pain points related to BRM and CSRD. This peer-to-peer learning opportunity will feature insights from members who will share their experiences and practical solutions. Join us to gain valuable knowledge and collaborate on overcoming the complexities of sustainability reporting.
Impact Stage
Scaling Collective Action for Environmental Performance
Discover how collective action is transforming environmental performance in Vietnam’s textile supply chains. This session will explore the “To the Finish Line of Higg FEM (TFL)” program, which has significantly scaled efforts by engaging over 630 factories and training 1,900 practitioners in 2023. Learn how to leverage FEM data for continuous environmental management and align with local regulations. Gain practical insights to drive sustainability within your organization, and see how collaborative initiatives like TFL can lead to impactful, industry-wide progress.
Connections Stage
Gamification Challenge: Status Check-In
During this transition, take a moment to explore our event app’s gamification feature! Earn points for your engagement and climb the leaderboard for a chance to win 2 tickets to the Cascale Annual Meeting 2025. Keep participating and stay ahead in the game!
Main Stage
Higg FSLM Zero Tolerance Improvement Workshop
We’ll begin with a presentation that provides a comprehensive overview of industry-aggregated data on FSLM Zero Tolerance performance. Gain valuable insights into current trends and key areas needing attention. Following the presentation, we’ll engage in a collaborative roundtable discussion to collectively address the top three to five issues identified for 2024-2025. This session will focus on developing actionable strategies and solutions to enhance Zero Tolerance performance across the industry.
Main Stage
FASHION LEAP FOR CLIMATE
Join us for an exciting announcement and deep dive into “FASHION LEAP FOR CLIMATE”, a groundbreaking program dedicated to advancing climate action within the fashion industry. “FASHION LEAP FOR CLIMATE” is built around an advanced learning journey designed to assist brands at various stages of their climate journeys in setting Science-Based Targets (SBTs). This comprehensive program is informed by the experiences of fashion companies that have successfully navigated the complexities of setting and achieving SBTs. The program’s hands-on approach ensures that the learning process is both efficient and effective, making the subject matter accessible and manageable for all participants.
Connections Stage
Coffee & Networking
Cascale Membership Team Office Hours
Join us at the Cascale Hub in the exhibition center for exclusive office hours with our Cascale Membership Team. You can ask them for support on topics such as membership requirements, future events, tool adoption and more!
Cascale Hub (Exhibitors Area)
Celebrating Our Collective Achievements: A Year in Review
Join us for a special session dedicated to celebrating the remarkable achievements of the past year. We’ll highlight the incredible work that our team and members have collectively accomplished, showing our deep appreciation for their dedication and hard work. This is our moment to reflect on the progress made in 2023, showcasing how we’ve advanced our initiatives and moved closer to our strategic goals. Let’s take this opportunity to honor our journey together and look ahead with renewed inspiration and commitment.
Main Stage
Leading the Charge: A Message from Paul Polman
A virtual message from Paul Polman, Co-Founder of the Fashion Pact, delivers a compelling message on the urgent need for leadership in the consumer goods industry. Highlighting the critical role of industry partnerships, he takes a bold and direct stance, urging leaders across the supply chain to step up. Polman emphasizes the interconnectedness of climate change and industry practices, noting that while the fashion industry has made strides in addressing climate issues, there is still much to be done. This session will provide insights into the challenges and solutions, urging the fashion industry and the greater consumer goods industries to take meaningful steps towards sustainability and a leadership-driven future.
Main Stage
Friends in a Biergarten: Cascale Annual Meeting Reflections
Join us as leaders from Cascale, Worldly, and Sympatex take the stage to reflect on the past two days. We’ll also reveal the exciting location for 2025 and celebrate what’s to come. Don’t miss this memorable session!
Main Stage
Farewell
As we wrap up, our emcee will guide you on the next steps for heading to the dinner reception. Get ready to enjoy an evening of great food, conversation, and continued networking!
Main Stage
Dinner Reception
Taking place at Augustiner-Keller, an iconic beer garden, our much-anticipated networking dinner offers attendees the chance to enjoy delicious local cuisine in a lively and convivial atmosphere following an enjoyable party. It’s a perfect opportunity to exchange impressions and stories from the last few days.
Worldly Customer Forum
Join Worldly for a day of inspiring stories, practical insights, and meaningful connections, designed to bring us together to drive action towards our common goal — ensuring a more sustainable future.
The highly interactive agenda is focused on translating new ideas into tangible action. Engage with some of the world’s most innovative companies and forward-thinking practitioners, as we explore how to navigate the rapidly evolving sustainability landscape, get the most out of the Higg Index, reduce GHG emissions, prepare for sustainability regulations, and much more!
Lenzing Factory Tour
The Lenzing Group specializes in sustainable, resource-preserving man-made cellulosic fiber production.
Discover 80 years of innovation at the headquarters in Lenzing, Austria, home to the largest MMCF production facility. Experience TENCEL™ lyocell, TENCEL™ modal, and ECOVERO™ viscose production.
Located in the alpine Salzkammergut region, the site is near a pristine lake. The biorefinery uses 100% of wood components for pulp, biorefinery products, and bioenergy, maintaining CO2 neutrality.
Join us for a day of factory visits. Limited spaces available.
All details can be found here. Sign up here.
Sustainability Highlights
Efforts are being made to create a sustainable event with a positive, lasting impact!
Venue
📍Am Tucherpark 7, 80538 Munich, Germany
This year our event will take place at the Hilton Munich Park. Beside the Eisbach River, this hotel is inside the beautiful English Garden. Please note that our hotel room block is full. Please book your room directly with the hotel. All rooms are subject to availability and current rates.
Travel & Transportation
We encourage attendees who can travel to Munich by public transportation to do so.
Arrival by Train
Where possible, we highly encourage attendees to utilize public transportation options. For your convenience, we have included travel information for main cities:
Arrival by Plane
Once in Munich, we encourage the use of the impressive public transportation options from the airport. The Munich commuter train—the S-Bahn—shuttles passengers from the Munich Airport directly to the city center. Take the S-8 to Munich East and board the 54 Bus to the Hilton Munich Park.
Sponsors and Exhibitors
Our flagship event offers a unique platform for leaders to drive meaningful change across the consumer goods industry. As a sponsor, you’ll have the opportunity to demonstrate your unwavering commitment to sustainability and drive real impact. Your support not only contributes to the event’s growth and reach but also aligns your brand with our mission and values. By sponsoring, you will gain invaluable exposure, forge connections with industry leaders, and leave a lasting impression on our community.
Explore our sponsorship opportunities.
Confirmed Sponsors
Do you have any questions?
Our dedicated team is always available to meet with you to discuss and explore together which opportunities best suit your company to maximize your impact and gain the exposure it deserves.
Registration
Join us at the Cascale Annual Meeting in-person or virtually! Purchase a combo ticket to attend the Cascale Annual Meeting and Worldly’s Customer Forum.
All Cascale members will receive one complimentary ticket to attend the Cascale Annual Meeting. If you need your code, please contact our events team.
Please note that there are two different code types: one if you are registering for the Cascale Annual Meeting alone, and another if you are registering for a combo ticket to attend the Worldly Customer Forum as well.
For group discounts, the 20% discount will automatically be applied after you add 3 or more tickets to your cart; no additional code needed.
Attending in person? Book your room with our discounted rates.
If you have any questions, please contact our events team.
Hong Kong’s best attended and most ambitious business event for sustainable development.
Join us on December 4-5 in Brussels, Belgium for the unique opportunity to connect with EU policymakers and industry leaders, and explore the future of sustainability in the consumer goods industry.