Our Staff

Leslie Davidson, a Fashion Design graduate from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, initially entered the industry with a primary focus on design. However, upon experiencing the realities of the field, her dedication to sustainability and deep concern for the fashion industry's negative environmental impact prompted a transformative shift toward a career aimed at catalyzing systemic change.
Since 2017, she has transformed her passion into impactful action by centering her work around advocating for eco-friendly practices and circular economies spanning agriculture, fiber, and fashion. Her commitment extends to serving on the PA Sustainable Business Network Steering Committee, actively advocating for sustainable manufacturing in Pennsylvania
Throughout her career, her proficiency in creating efficient organizational systems has led to substantial revenue growth, while her knack for brand development and marketing has been instrumental in driving success for businesses and organizations, ultimately shaping her journey to where she is today.
As the Co-Founder of Pennsylvania Fibershed and the Executive Director of All Together Now PA, Leslie envisions a future where the fashion and textile industries seamlessly integrate with nature, promoting circular economy principles and empowering local communities.

Rachel Higgins, a passionate advocate for circular fashion, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the sustainable fashion movement. Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Design & Merchandising from Drexel University and a Master's Degree of Professional Studies in Business of Fashion from LIM, she is well-prepared to drive change in the fashion industry.
Rachel's journey began with the creation and successful sale of her own children's clothing brand, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit. Her dedication to fashion education led her to a teaching position in the Design & Merchandising Program at Drexel University, where she imparts her insights and passion to the next generation of fashion professionals.
In addition to her role at Drexel, Rachel plays a crucial part in the Philadelphia fashion community. She leads the Sustainability Committee for the Philadelphia Fashion and Garments Task Force, contributing to sustainability initiatives in the local fashion industry. As a co-founder of PA Fibershed, she is instrumental in advancing sustainable and circular fashion practices, making a lasting impact on the industry and the community.

Nikki Bromberg brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, alumni engagement, and philanthropic program management to her role at Pennsylvania Fibershed. A Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate from Temple University, she has dedicated her career to building systems that strengthen communities and foster meaningful connection.
Most recently, Nikki served as Program Officer at Seed the Dream Foundation, where she supported the organization’s grant making cycles and synthesized data to inform funding strategies. Previously, at Drexel University, she directed alumni and community programs, creating collaborative initiatives and campaigns that deepened civic engagement and raised significant support for regional families in need. Earlier in her career, she led volunteer services at Philadelphia FIGHT, designing educational programs and mobilizing volunteers to address critical public health challenges.
Throughout her professional journey, Nikki has combined her expertise in relationship-building, communications, and strategic planning with a deep commitment to social good.

Robyn is an education and program development leader with a background in apparel design, community learning, and creative industry development. Her work centers on building accessible educational experiences that empower makers, students, and professionals to engage more deeply with our textile systems.
Before joining Pennsylvania Fibershed, Robyn served as Executive Director of Made Institute, an independent fashion design school in Philadelphia, where she oversaw academic programs, led curriculum development, and built partnerships across the fashion and education sectors. During her tenure, she expanded learning opportunities through both in-person and online programming, helping to make fashion education more accessible to diverse communities.
In addition, her background in design has taken her across a wide spectrum of the fashion industry; from the mass-market and lifestyle realms of QVC and Urban Outfitters to the luxury houses of Marc Jacobs, Lanvin, and Alexander McQueen. This breadth of experience has given her a unique perspective on the complex realities of clothing production: how our garments are designed, the journey they take to get to us, and what ultimately becomes of them after they enter our closets.
On top of her professional roles, Robyn mentors emerging designers and has launched community initiatives projects focused on size inclusivity and circular design. These include Sew Inclusive for plus size sewing enthusiasts and Blue Bangs Shop for reimagining vintage denim garments.
As Program Manager at Pennsylvania Fibershed, Robyn brings people together through educational programs, gatherings, and collaborative initiatives that celebrate the region’s fiber and textile community. Through her work, she is strengthening Pennsylvania’s regenerative textile future while nurturing the creativity, curiosity, and care that make this community so vibrant.

Our Board

Holly Adair supports regenerative and community-centered work through values-driven storytelling, creative collaboration, and sustainable supply chain strategy.
With a background in brand development and nonprofit consulting, she helps elevate mission-driven brands through impact partnerships, thoughtful design, and environmentally responsible practices. Her cross-sector work has spanned food, fashion, and sustainability—with a consistent focus on cultivating connection, creativity, and purpose.
Most recently, she founded Central Stem, an immersive experience that gathers people around goods that matter—spotlighting intentional artisans, seasonal ingredients, and the stories behind them.

Jeanne Lurvey is a leader and fierce advocate for farmers in her role at Pasa Sustainable Agriculture as the Associate Director for the Climate-Smart Program.
Her passion in food and fiber systems led her to pursue a Master’s in Sustainability & Environmental Management to improve the health of our society and planet after working as an art director, a visual storyteller for cooking shows in New York City for over 15 years.
Developing strong relationships and building connections is the foundation of Jeanne’s work approached with optimism, warmth, pragmatism, and agility.

Carly Kusy is an educator, fashion designer, and sustainability advocate whose work bridges creative practice, industry innovation, and higher education. She holds a B.S. in Fashion Design from Philadelphia University and an M.S. in Global Fashion Enterprise from Thomas Jefferson University. Since 2006, she has founded and operated multiple sustainability-focused ventures, including a women’s wear brand, a vintage clothing boutique, and her eponymous slow fashion line centered on zero-waste handwoven textiles and apparel.
With over 16 years in higher education at Thomas Jefferson University (formerly Philadelphia University), Kusy has advanced a forward-thinking approach to fashion education that prioritizes circularity, diversity and inclusivity, and real-world application.
As Program Director of the undergraduate and graduate Fashion Design programs at TJU, she leads curriculum development that integrates interdisciplinary collaboration, industry engagement, and innovation-driven learning. Her work is grounded in the belief that fashion can serve as a force for good, and she finds deep joy and purpose in empowering the next generation of fashion designers to drive positive systemic chang for people and planet.

Board Chair
Jen Rhodes, a textile designer and handweaver, has been a part of the textile industry for nearly thirty years. Commercially, her focus has been on woven textile design, product development, and color and trend direction within the Contract, Automotive, Home Textiles, and Sleep Products markets.
As a Textile Design faculty member at Thomas Jefferson University, she shares with her students her technical knowledge and passion for color and design.
In the studio, Jen is most inspired by the colors, textures, and fibers of the natural world around her. An award-winning designer, with a BS and MS in Textile Design, Jen consistently pushes herself to innovate through creativity and her curiosity drives her to always keep learning.

Secretary
Vinti Singh is the Vice President of Marketing at CurveBeam AI, where she leads strategic initiatives to elevate the company’s global presence in orthopedic imaging technology.
As a board member of the PA Fibershed, she brings her expertise in brand development, community engagement, and navigating regulatory landscapes for new systems and technologies—paired with a passion for environmental sustainability—to support the organization’s mission of building regenerative, local textile systems.

When Abigail looks around at the geographical, historical, and cultural landscape of Pennsylvania, she sees the connecting threads. Abigail is passionate about strengthening the circular bond between rural and urban through fiber agriculture. She is devoted to deep, healthy human connectedness to the natural environment and to each other.
A fiber and grain crop farmer, Abigail has over 30 years of experience in agriculture, conservation, education, social and environmental justice, and fiber arts. On her central Pennsylvania farm, she maintains a flock of Shetland sheep, grows fiber flax, hay, and grain crops, and stewards the forest and land with the past and the future in mind.

Ashlei Tracy (she/her) is a nonprofit leader, policy strategist, and environmentalist.
Her work focuses on advancing the Pennsylvania Environmental Rights Amendment through place-based education and sustainable urban design. Outside of work, Ashlei enjoys baking, Pilates, and spending time with her husband and two cats. She is passionate about shaping healthier, more equitable futures at both the neighborhood and state level.

Barbara Vance, PhD, CRA is a strategic and operational leader in the biomedical sciences, currently serving as Director for Strategy and Business Development for the Cytokine Storm Treatment and Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania.
Her scientific and administrative expertise supports PA Fibershed’s efforts in grants, education, and research. With a lifelong passion for the fiber arts and a strong background in science and leadership, her goal is to bridge the full life cycle of textiles—advancing research programs that connect sustainability, innovation, and community impact.

Emeritus Board Member
Judy Wicks is a celebrated entrepreneur, author, and activist known for founding the White Dog Cafe and advancing a sustainable local economy. She co-founded the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) and founded the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia. Judy also launched All Together Now, a community initiative supporting local wool and fiber systems that laid the groundwork for the PA Fibershed. She serves as an Emeritus Board Member with a deep dedication to regenerative systems and grassroots change.