The Lounge Lecture series, hosted by the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology alongside the current exhibit, Cloth That Stretches: Weaving Community Across Time and Space, provides an opportunity to explore topics related to cloth and textiles with leading experts. Join Ashley Graham and Sumita Sarma of Fair Trade USA in conversation about the importance of economic empowerment in the apparel industry.
Ashley Graham is a Senior Brand Partnerships & Program Manager at Fair Trade USA where she is responsible for increasing positive impact on employees in manufacturing facilities by supporting brands and growing sales of Fair Trade Certified Apparel and Home Goods. Ashleys vision is to promote a model of trade that assures shared value across the supply chain for brands, factories and their employees. Previously, Ashley was an Associate Manager for Social Consciousness and Innovation at West Elm, where she supported the brands commitments to supply chain transparency, artisan sourcing, and environmental sustainability. Ashley has experience in retail operations and has worked with several social enterprises in New York, following a passion for promoting social justice through creating economic opportunities and empowerment for marginalized communities. Ashley holds a BS in International Political Economy and Sociology from Fordham University.
Sumita Sarma has been working in ethical supply chain management for over 10 years. As a Field Manager at Fair Trade USA, Sumita implements the program on the ground, advocating for workers in factories across India. Her years of expertise in working for a social auditing agency make her especially knowledgeable in social compliance.
