New Leadership Added to Arizona Apparel Foundation Amid Fashion Incubator Pivot to PPE Manufacturing

TEMPE, Ariz. - EntSun -- The Arizona Apparel Foundation (AAF), the nonprofit arm of FABRIC, announces the election of a multi-talented crew of five new members to its Board of Directors effective August 1, 2020. The newly elected Board members are Stephanie Pierotti, Heather Ross, Amy Amideo, Jasmine Andrews-Colibri and Melissa Farley.

"At a critical time in our growth and the demand to pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are thrilled to welcome an amazing group of diverse community leaders, many of whom are already familiar with our work. They'll be joining the hands-on board that has been leading this foundation through this challenging time," shared Rhonda Bannard, board chair of the AAF Board of Directors. "The energy and talent they add ranges from fashion and brand licensing, to story-telling, legal and financial depth, and even pandemic response efforts." Bannard noted she is thrilled with the combination of strategic thinkers and talent that will help guide the organization to build out an Arizona-based footprint for this $2.3T global industry.

New board members include:

Stephanie Pierotti is a creative brand licensing, strategic partnership and brand extension professional with diverse experience developing, executing and managing programs in the home goods, entertainment, fashion and publishing industries. Most recently, Stephanie ran the licensing department at The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, managing a global network of 49 licensees and developing revenue generating opportunities utilizing Wright's vast portfolio of work. Stephanie has managed a number of efforts for the well-known HGTV's Property Brothers, has been honored for her success in revenue generation for nonprofits, and was an adjunct instructor at The Art Institute teaching product development and marketing to future creative pros.

Heather M. Ross, PhD, DNP is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Arizona State University and Policy Fellow in the office of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. Dr. Ross holds a joint appointment between the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Her research focuses broadly on the use of technology to impact health using implementation science approaches. During the COVID-19 crisis, she has been actively engaged with pandemic response efforts for Arizona, including epidemiological modeling and contact tracing. As a policy fellow in the office of Mayor Kate Gallego, Dr. Ross's work focuses on multidisciplinary approaches to address the complex challenges associated with behavioral health and public safety, and strategies to make Phoenix a dementia-capable city to meet population needs across the lifespan, among other efforts. She is the co-director of SolarSPELL Health (SolarSPELL.org) with ongoing projects in several other countries, and maintains an active clinical practice as a nurse practitioner in cardiac electrophysiology with Arizona Arrhythmia Consultants. Heather is the national chair of the American College of Cardiology Cardiovascular Team Advocacy committee, and the American College of Cardiology Arizona Chapter advocacy chair, and is active in legislative advocacy with the Arizona Nurses Association. Dr. Ross' education is extensive, including an M.S. in Nursing from Boston College, a Doctorate of Nursing Practice and a PhD in Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology from ASU.

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Amy Amideo began her career in the legal field as a paralegal and then a litigation consultant. Amy and her husband developed and ran their own audio/video contracting company for more than a decade. She then went on to pursue a career in the financial world holding a variety of positions including business manager, operations manager and licensed financial professional. In 2020, Amy began Azimuth Strategy Group specializing in succession planning. Amy is also the interim Executive Director of Arizona Self-Storage Association (AZSA), is an active volunteer and sits on several committees with HD South, the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and has already been supporting the AAF Designer in residence program teaching up and coming fashion designers the ins and outs of business and finance.

Jasmine Andrews-Colibri is an Arizona native with a passion for building sustainable communities through cultural and fine arts. Founder of Colibri House of Culture (2008), Jasmine is a community curator, practicing Holistic Business Administration, while managing, leading & supporting independent creatives. In addition to a lifetime of Philanthropy and Community Development, Jasmine has successfully produced Academic Symposiums, Theatrical and Cinematic festivals and Fine Art shows in Phoenix, Atlanta, Dallas, Ghana, Poland and around the world. Jasmine has been a Senior Project Management Consultant in Banking & FinTech for over 20 yrs, specializing in Digital Transformation, Financial Transaction Systems and Identity Access Management. In 2014 Jasmine became a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner (CHHP) and Herbalist. In April 2018, she launched the ApøtheKarí | A Holistic Health Practice, Natural Health and Wellness Boutique.

Melissa Farley has been a dynamo in the media and entertainment industry. She's managed large teams and multiple publications and social media brand strategies for THE USA TODAY NETWORK, has conducted interviews with noteworthy celebrities including Martha Stewart to Mario Lopez, hosted and produced live events and shows and implemented in-community touch points for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. She also served on the paper's Season for Sharing grant committee for several years. Melissa recently left corporate journalism to start her own businesses Stronger Today, a community, blog and podcast about how to live stronger and happier today than yesterday and Inspired By, an online marketplace telling the stories of southwestern creators and artists through stunning multimedia presentations, powerful interviews and digital storytelling all while offering a seamless shopping experience. She also co-owns Patty Melt Studios and has been an actress for 12 years. Melissa is passionate about being involved with her local community and serves as a mentor with New Pathways for Youth and an educational host at IFP Phoenix.

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The Arizona Apparel Foundation's current board includes:

Board Members and Officers:
Rhonda Bannard - Board Chair, Inspired Connections; Thom Brodeur – Board Vice Chair, Brodeur-Kazanjian Beauty & Fashion; Eva Louis – Secretary, Chronic Behavior LLC and Salt River Project; Julie Fletcher – Treasurer, Enterprise Bank & Trust; Marshall Shore, Arizona's Hip Historian; Kate Janson, Janson Enterprises; Paula Palosika, Salt River Project.

The five new board members join with the current board in August and will serve two (2) year terms.

About Arizona Apparel Foundation

ARIZONA APPAREL FOUNDATION is a non-profit 501(c)(3) with the mission to provide Arizona's emerging designers and brands with innovative, small batch manufacturing and strategic business resources, so they can build sustainable fashion businesses locally. Founded by Sherri Berry and Angela Johnson to work in tandem with FABRIC Inc, the groups have rallied the help of more than 600 fashion community volunteers and served more than 450 fashion brands and businesses. AAF provides a comprehensive Designer in Residence scholarship program, classes, events, and vocational training for disadvantaged workers, along with many fashion related programs and services to the community. For more information on Arizona Apparel Foundation visit: https://www.azapparelfoundation.org