Jacinta is the Chief Executive of Mindful Fashion. An experienced sustainability strategist, Jacinta brings more than 20 years of experience in the clothing and textiles industry to her role. Alongside her work with Mindful Fashion Jacinta runs MakeGood, a consultancy that works with innovative apparel sector brands in NZ and globally to put circular and regenerative practices at their core.

Saïda is supporting Jacinta on membership, events and project delivery for Mindful Fashion. She moved to New Zealand from London in 2019, with a depth of experience in project and partnership management in education and sustainability for the fashion and textiles industries. Alongside working with Mindful Fashion Saïda works with the Waiheke Collective, a community-led project with a shared vision of a flourishing natural environment for Waiheke Island.

Juliette founded Juliette Hogan 18 years ago and now has five NZ stores and multiple stockists across the country with a growing team of 34. The brand recently won the Supreme Business Excellence Award at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2021.

James Walker runs his own sustainability, strategy, and advocacy consultancy, JWC. He works with businesses, not-for-profits, and government agencies. Previously, James has held executive leadership roles at the Ministry for the Environment and Countdown supermarkets. In these jobs, he has been involved in leading some nationally significant sustainability activities, such as the phase-out of plastic bags and the public engagement that led to the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Act.

General Manager at RUBY, and designer of the company’s Liam label. Emily has worked at RUBY for 11 years, and founded Mindful Fashion New Zealand alongside Kate Sylvester and Wayne Conway.

Designer and Director of Kate Sylvester, Kate has been committed to designing timeless, considered pieces since the brand’s inception in 1993. Kate co-founded Mindful Fashion New Zealand with Emily Miller Sharma and partner Wayne Conway.

Trevor Hookway has been working in the clothing industry for 50 years, initially in manufacturing then since 1985 with his own company Hawes and Freer. Over this time he has seen the industry undergo many upheavals which have required changes to the way companies operate. He believes the move to sustainability is one of the urgent challenges the industry needs to address, as is support for the local garment manufacturers.

With a 25 year background in the industry, 10 years ago Emma joined Kowtow and alongside founder Gosia Piatek and the team, has grown the Wellington clothing brand internationally whilst ensuring sustainable and positive impacts are the priority. In 2019 she stepped into the role of Managing Director.

Sandra is an award-winning fashion and costume designer. Her brand Flying Fox Clothing specialises in artisan pieces, small capsule collections and costume design and showed at NZFW in 2023. Alongside her brand, Sandra works in tertiary fashion education part-time at AUT - Auckland University of Technology.

Pam is an experienced pattern maker, sample machinist and production manager. Pam has worked at Wellington brand Nisa since 2018 and became CEO in 2023. With a passion for sustainability, Pam wants to support New Zealand's apparel manufacturing sector.