On October 24, I attended the Industry “Brunch” Bites event focused on Outdoor, Apparel, and Sustainability, hosted by Mohr Career Services in collaboration with the American Marketing Association and the Warsaw Sports Business Club.
The outdoor industry is deeply rooted in Oregon’s culture, and this event provided a unique opportunity to hear directly from professionals who are driving sustainability initiatives within leading apparel brands.
The panel included:
- Mel Shank – Environmental Impact Program Manager, Patagonia
- Kristin Summers – Talent Acquisitions, URBN Outfitters (Anthropologie, Free People)
- Julia Chan – Senior Talent Acquisitions, Columbia Sportswear
- Payton Moffenbeier – Assistant Manager, Retail Operations, adidas
- Rachel Russo – Organizational Development Manager, Benchmade
- Mayuko Suzuki – Senior Lead Talent Business Partner, Americas Retail, On Running
- Makenna Crocker – Marketing Specialist, Richardson Sports
In case you missed it, here are my biggest takeaways from the event:
The event began with a moderated Q&A session where panelists shared their career journeys and offered valuable insights into how companies are embedding sustainability into every stage of their work, from material sourcing and product design to supply chain management and corporate responsibility. The speakers emphasized that sustainability isn’t just a department, but a mindset guiding innovation and ethical decision-making across the industry.
After the panel, the professionals broke into small groups for a networking session with students. This created a relaxed, open environment where we could ask questions and learn about specific career paths within the outdoor and apparel world. These one-on-one conversations helped me see how my skills and passions align with roles focused on sustainability and product innovation.
I left the event not only inspired, but with something tangible—I found an internship opportunity through one of the professionals I spoke with that day. The connections and advice I gained have already made a lasting impact on my career journey.
If you’re interested in fashion, product development, or sustainability, I highly encourage you to attend the next Industry Bites event. You never know what opportunities might come from a single conversation!
