Our People

Team

  • Jacinta FitzGerald - Chief Executive

    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 Bruce - Operations and Membership Coordinator

    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.

Board of Directors

The MFNZ Board oversees the strategic direction of the organisation. The Board is made up of a diverse and influential group of individuals from both inside and outside the fashion and textiles industry who share a common purpose and commitment for a sustainable and thriving future for our industry.
  • Juliette Hogan - MFNZ Chair; Founder and Owner, Juliette Hogan

    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 - Director, JWC | Sustainability Strategy Consultant

    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.
  • Emily Miller-Sharma - Co Founder, Mindful Fashion | General Manager, Ruby

    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.
  • Kate Sylvester - Co Founder, Mindful Fashion | Designer and Founder, Kate Sylvester

    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 - Director Hawes and Freer

    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.
  • Louina Fifita - Freelance Fashion Industry and Education Consultant at Attic Attire

    Louina is a freelance fashion industry consultant. Louina has worked within the NZ fashion industry for over 20 years. Her work experiences include fashion/costume design, sourcing, sampling, production here in NZ and bulk production in China.
  • Dan Ahwa - Fashion Director, Viva Magazine | Style Editor, Canvas Magazine

    Dan Ahwa is a respected New Zealand-based journalist and stylist with over 10 years of experience. Dan is also the fashion & creative director for award-winning magazines Viva, and Canvas Magazine, published by The New Zealand Herald.
  • Emma Wallace - Managing Director, Kowtow

    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.
  • Matt Junge - GM Albion Clothing & Cactus Outdoor

    Mat has a background in retail having worked with Bunnings Warehouse for 15 years and Kathmandu for 3.5 years prior to becoming General Manager at Christchurch based Cactus Outdoor and Albion Clothing. Albion Clothing is widely considered to be New Zealand's largest on-shore manufacturer.