Dear Fashion: Let’s Step Up and Get Aligned
In a recent opinion editorial with WWD, CEO Colin Browne argues fashion needs to take more serious and coordinated action on sustainability. Read the highlights here!
Annual Meeting 2024
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.
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Date & Time
September 09 2024 | 17:00 - September 11 2024 | 23:00 (CEST)
Location
Munich, Germany
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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.
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.
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:
- Connect with new professionals both in-person and online
- Earn points for participating in polls and workshop shares
- Snap photos and upload them to the app
- And more!
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.
Speakers
Colin Browne
CEO, Cascale
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 Ridgeway
Author, Adventurer & Cascale Co-founder
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.
Andrew Martin
Executive Vice President, Cascale
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.
Aaron Di Silvestro
Director, Higg Products, Cascale
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.
Adrián Branco
Senior Manager, Higg Index Brand & Retail, Cascale
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
CEO, CottonConnect
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
Carolina van Loenen
Director, Stakeholder Engagement, Cascale
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
Director, Transparency Program, Cascale
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.
Demith Gooneratne
Senior Manager, Higg Facility Tools, Cascale
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 Mane
Director, Training and Verification, Cascale
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.
Elisabeth von Reitzenstein
Senior Director, Public Affairs, Cascale
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 Luijbregts
Director, Project Management Office (PMO), Cascale
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.
Erwan Berthou
Director, Membership & Corporate Engagement, Cascale
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.
Hilary Strickland
Chief of Staff, Cascale
Hilary Strickland is Chief of Staff at Cascale. She reports to the CEO and is their right-hand in managing the Board, and organization-wide projects, and initiatives, such as the strategic plan. In addition, she serves as a thought partner to the executive team. Hilary is based in the US in the Washington, DC area.
Prior to joining Cascale, Hilary was VP and Chief of Staff for the March of Dimes President and CEO for more than five years. In this role she served as a strategic executive advisor, managed the Board, and oversaw the strategic plan, and many other projects and initiatives. Before this role, she held various roles touching on internal communications and change management, as well as advocacy positions focused on maternal child health and early childhood education policy issues.
Hilary is mother to two amazing daughters, who make sure there is never a dull moment for her and her husband, Erik. When not running her daughters around, she enjoys audible books, walking, gardening, cooking, and any opportunity for live theater.
Isabelle Kumar
Award Winning Journalist, Presenter, Moderator, former News Anchor
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.
Jeremy Lardeau
Vice President, Higg Index, Cascale
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.
Joël Mertens
Director, Higg Product Tools, Cascale
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.
J.R. Siegel
Vice President, Sustainability, Worldly
Kaley Roshitsh
Director, Editorial, Cascale
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.
Krishna Manda
Vice President of Corporate Sustainability, Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
Lena Staafgard
Chief Operating Officer, Better Cotton
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.
Maravillas Rodriguez Zarco
Senior Director, Higg Index Strategy & Operations, Cascale
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.
Orine Dsouza
Senior Manager, Higg Facility Tools, Cascale
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.
Paul Polman
Co-Founder, Fashion Pact
Virtual Speaker
Philipp Meister
Global Lead Fashion & Sporting Goods, Quantis
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.
Rudiger Fox
CEO, Sympatex
Scott Raskin
CEO, Worldly
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.
Tom Mason
Senior Manager, Public Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement, SLCP
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.
Discover the Power of Unified Impact Across Four Dynamic Stages
- September 9, 2024
- September 10, 2024
- September 11, 2024
- September 12, 2024
- September 13, 2024
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cascale Strategic Council Meetings
Closed to Strategic Council Members
Cascale Board of Directors Q4 Meeting
Closed to Board of Directors & Cascale Executive Team
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Building Trust and Equity: Responsible Purchasing as the New Norm
Hosted by The Industry We Want and Initiative for Global Solidarity, this event will focus on responsible purchasing practices, impactful due diligence, and the evolving legislative landscape on supply chain responsibility. By bringing together key 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.
Invitation only
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
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.
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Check-In
9:00 am - 9:10 am
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
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Isabelle Kumar, Award Winning Journalist, Presenter, Moderator, former News AnchorIsabelle 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.
9:10 am - 9:25 am
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
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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.
9:25 am - 9:55 am
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
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Rick Ridgeway, Author, Adventurer & Cascale Co-founderRick 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.
9:55 am - 11:20 am
Impact at Scale: A New Era of Leadership
During this hour we will hear from Cascale’s new CEO to better understand what members can expect from his leadership.
1. State of the Industry: A deeper dive into where we are today; building on some of the points mentioned in the opening address.
2. The New Strategy: A look into where Cascale is today and where it’s heading; a renewed commitment to impact; a realignment of priorities.
3. Forging Industry Decarbonization: Our strategic partners will join the stage with Cascale’s CEO to discuss our collaborative decarbonization efforts.
Main Stage
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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.
11:20 am - 12:05 pm
Coffee & Networking
12:05 pm - 1:05 pm
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
12:05 pm - 1:05 pm
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 PA Team member 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 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
12:05 pm - 1:25 pm
Higg FEM & Verifcation Evolution: Member Consultation Insights
Join us for an insightful 80-minute sessionwhere 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
1:05 pm - 2:35 pm
Lunch & Networking
1:35 pm - 2:35 pm
Speed Networking Lunch: Connect, Engage, Inspire
Get ready for an exciting and dynamic networking experience with our Speed Networking Lunch! This session is designed to connect our seasoned members with new faces and bridge the gap between different member types. Structured like a speed dating event, this lunchtime gathering will provide a unique opportunity to make meaningful connections in a fun and fast-paced environment.
During this lively session, you’ll have the chance to engage in quick, impactful conversations, exchange ideas, and build relationships with fellow members. Whether you’re a long-time participant or a new addition to our community, this is your moment to expand your network, share your experiences, and get inspired by the diverse perspectives within our membership.
Enjoy a delicious lunch while meeting a variety of members in short, timed interactions. It’s the perfect way to maximize your networking opportunities and ensure you leave with valuable new connections.
Connections Stage
2:35 pm - 3:20 pm
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
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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
2:35 pm - 4:05 pm
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
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Joyce Tsoi is the Senior Director, Decarbonization Programs, Cascale. She leads Cascale’s Decarbonization programs and activities. She works closely with Cascale members and ecosystem partners to integrate sustainability into their business strategies, prioritize actions on climate change, accelerate sustainable environmental and social impacts and transform our industry into one that gives more than it takes- to the people and the planet.
She brings over 17 years of diverse global industry experience, leading global supply chain sustainability program for multinational companies, driving key corporate and industry-wide sustainability strategies and efforts through the adoption and verification of Higg tools, water and wastewater compliance program, Science Based Targets (SBTs), energy efficiency and renewable energy program across multiple industry sectors including apparel and footwear, electronics, hardgoods, home goods, food and beverage, home goods and toys industries globally. She is also a Honorary Senior Lecturer of the Sustainability Leadership and Governance Program at the University of Hong Kong.
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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.
2:35 pm - 3:20 pm
Data for Due Diligence
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
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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.
3:20 pm - 4:05 pm
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
3:20 pm - 4:05 pm
CSRD with KPMG
More details coming soon!
Connections Stage
4:05 pm - 4:50 pm
Coffee & Networking
4:05 pm - 4:50 pm
Coffee & Networking 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.
Innovation Corner
4:50 pm - 5:25 pm
Board Q&A
We will welcome a few of our Board Directors to the stage to join the discussion to look at membership, with a specific focus on equity and procedural justice.
5:25 pm - 5:50 pm
Closing Keynote
Join us for an inspiring closing keynote by the BGMEA President, highlighting the critical need for a united industry and collective action. As we enter a new era of unified impact, discover how holistic solutions can drive us toward our industry goals.
Main Stage
5:50 pm - 6:00 pm
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
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Isabelle Kumar, Award Winning Journalist, Presenter, Moderator, former News Anchor
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.
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Check-In
9:00 am - 9:10 am
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.” To ensure our members feel engaged and included in the process, we will open a live poll for the audience to share their feedback and what they learned from the previous day.
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Isabelle Kumar, Award Winning Journalist, Presenter, Moderator, former News Anchor
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.
9:10 am - 9:40 am
Opening Keynote
Main Stage
9:40 am - 10:40 am
Manufacturers at the Forefront: Driving Climate Action and Equity
Join us for an honest, disruptive, and courageous panel discussion where leading manufacturers will address what concretely needs to happen to drive effective progress toward climate targets and create equitable supply chains. This session will delve into the real-world challenges and bold strategies required to meet these critical goals. Hear firsthand from industry experts as they share actionable insights, innovative solutions, and the tough decisions necessary to transform sustainability commitments into reality. Be part of a pivotal conversation that charts a clear path forward for achieving our collective ambitions in climate action and equity.
Main Stage
10:40 am - 11:10 am
How Fibers are Decarbonizing the Industry
Main Stage
11:10 am - 11:55 am
Coffee & Networking
11:55 am - 12:55 pm
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
11:55 am - 12:55 pm
Improving Higg FEM Foundational Requirements
Join us for an interactive Workshop focused on enhancing the Higg FEM Foundation Requirements. Start with a presentation on aggregated data from FEM 2023, highlighting key performance insights and areas for improvement. Engage in a dynamic roundtable to collaboratively address the top issues for 2024-2025. Share experiences, brainstorm solutions, and help shape industry-wide strategies. Don’t miss this chance to contribute to meaningful change and connect with fellow members. Foundational Requirements – how do we turn this into a dashboard. New usecase of the FEM which is driving environmental performance. Another dashboard is noncompliance. Looking at all of the compliances areas that are within foundation.
Impact Stage
11:55 am - 12:55 pm
Industry Aligned Cotton LCA
Connections Stage
12:55 pm - 2:25 pm
Lunch & Networking
12:55 pm - 1:55 pm
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
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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.
2:25 pm - 3:25 pm
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
2:25 pm - 3:55 pm
BRM and CSRD: Simplifying Your Reporting Journey
In this session, we will provide a comprehensive overview on the latest updates to our reporting publications and how the Brand & Retail Module (BRM) of the Higg Index can support members in meeting their reporting obligations. Following the presentation, we will host interactive roundtable discussions where members can share and discuss their pain points and challenges related to reporting obligations under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This is an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning, with a few members sharing their firsthand experiences and solutions. Join us to gain practical insights and collaborate on overcoming reporting challenges.
Impact Stage
2:25 pm - 3:10 pm
To the Finish Line of Higg FEM
Explore how the “To the Finish Line of Higg FEM (TFL)” program enhances environmental performance in Vietnam’s textile supply chains. Learn to use FEM data for continuous environmental management and understand its link to local regulations. Convened by GIZ, TFL has engaged over 630 factories and trained 1900 practitioners in 2023. Gain practical insights and tools to drive sustainability in your organization.
Connections Stage
3:10 pm - 3:55 pm
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
3:25 pm - 3:55 pm
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
3:55 pm - 4:25 pm
Coffee & Networking
4:25 pm - 4:35 pm
Leading the Charge: A Message from Paul Polman
Main Stage
4:35 pm - 5:05 pm
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
5:05 pm - 5:35 pm
Friends in a Biergarten: Cascale Annual Meeting Reflections
Main Stage
5:30 pm - 5:35 pm
Farewell
Main Stage
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Isabelle Kumar, Award Winning Journalist, Presenter, Moderator, former News Anchor
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.
7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
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.
8:00 am - 7:30 pm
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!
7:00 am - 5:30 pm
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. As part of our event, we have secured discounted rates for your hotel stay:
- €165/night single occupancy
- €180/night double occupancy
Reserve a room here.
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:
- Amsterdam to Munich can be done by rail during the day using the ICE International train plus a change to a domestic German ICE service. Or take the direct NightJet service overnight.
- Paris to Munich can be easily done by rail with more than 12 trips a day scheduled. The total travel time is around 5 hours departing from PARIS EST and arriving at MUENCHEN HBF.
- Berlin to Munich can take as little as four and a half hours on Germany’s high-speed InterCity Express (ICE) train. Depart from Berlin Central Train Station and arrive at MUENCHEN HBF.
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.
Why Sponsor?
Increased Brand Visibility
- Boost brand image and create value through dynamic promotion.
- Increase social media reach and expand follower base for heightened brand exposure.
- Showcase your commitment to sustainability and gain exposure to a dedicated audience.
Accelerated Lead Generation
- Achieve meaningful results and gain valuable returns on investment.
- Meet potential customers, future partners, and high-level decision-makers.
- Engage your target audience meaningfully to meet your objectives.
Thought Leadership
- Showcase your sustainability leadership and innovative solutions.
- Collaboratively shape impactful sponsorship activities.
- Shape the future of sustainability by influencing industry norms through innovation.
Who Are the Attendees?
The Cascale Annual Meeting is an exclusive gathering dedicated to Cascale Members. It’s a pivotal occasion where manufacturers, brands, retailers, academics, NGOs, government officials, and service providers unite to spearhead significant change.
Sponsorship Packages
Exclusive Opportunity – Sponsor Spotlight Session on our Impact Stages
Take the stage during one of our pre-scheduled sponsor spotlight sessions. These sessions will be held on the impact stage most relevant to your sessions’ topic! Here you can share your company’s sustainability journey, impact, case studies and more!
Reach out to our events team to learn more about the details and how we can customize the spotlight to fit your preferences and requirements.
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
Ticket Overview
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.
How to Register
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.
- Combo tickets are only available for in-person attendees. There is no virtual option for the Worldly Customer Forum.
- The complimentary member ticket to the Cascale Annual Meeting does not cover the cost of Worldly Customer Forum.
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.
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