Speakers

Apurba Banerjee is a Textile Research Scientist at Standard Textile Corporation (STC) in Cincinnati, Ohio. At STC, she is part of the Innovation Group that helps bring sustainable, value-added products to market in the field of Hospitality, Healthcare, and Interiors. Prior to STC, Apurba has had a diverse career in Sourcing, Product Development, Polymer Research while leading projects at companies such as Glowforge, Milwaukee Tool and brrr˚Inc. Outside of work, Apurba volunteers in leadership positions of many international standards organizations such as AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists) and ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials

She is a 2017 graduate of the PhD program of Polymer, Fiber, and Textile Science from the University of Georgia and a 2013 graduate of the master’s program of Apparel and Merchandising at Colorado State University. For fun, Apurba loves to explore new areas to hike with her dog (she just completed the 2023 Mammoth Challenge that is hiking 43 miles of the Ice Age Trail!), review restaurants on Yelp (Yelp Elite Status-Unlocked!) and hosts a Wisconsin based Travel TV Show- Discover Wisconsin.

As a product designer and Chief Design Strategist with over 30 years of experience, Mary Holt is passionate about solution-driven design and ethical and sustainable product development. Bringing a unique design perspective to the leadership team at Carnegie, Mary has helped guide product strategy at the firm with a commitment to continuous innovation and meeting evolving market needs. She is particularly passionate about sustainability and has written and spoken extensively about responsible materials selection for publications like AD Pro, i+s, and InspireDesign.

Since 1999, Mary has enjoyed collaborating on designing sustainable futures with creative professionals worldwide, working on hospitality, healthcare, and corporate interiors. In 2013, she helped Carnegie pursue and achieve B-Corp certification - a first in the commercial textile industry. In her approach to product design, she pursues aggressive sustainability standards through rigorous testing and third party certifications, and pushes the boundaries of alternative source materials like post-consumer recycled plastic. She’s received several recognitions, including Best of NeoCon, MetropolisLikes, and Interior Design's HiP awards, and is a sought after contributor at conferences, panels, and podcasts that cover sustainability-related topics.

Terry Kelm is the President of Sunbelt Business Broker’s Re-sales program. That program is specifically geared toward assisting business owners with their transition at the end of their life cycle. Terry started with the division in 2003 and became President in 2014. Sunbelt’s Re-sales program works with over 110 franchise, associations and name brand concepts, and has been a part of well over 500 transactions during Terry’s tenure.

In 2020, Terry was recognized with the Career Achievement Award in Dealmaking by the industry publication Franchise Times. Terry is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and along with his wife and 3 daughters, lives in St. Paul Minnesota.

Internationally trained, Ms Holly Morris holds dual professional accreditation across the surgical and textile industries.

Working as a hand surgeon, Holly has a special interest in the management of paediatric and congenital hand differences. Holly trained in Trauma and Orthopaedic surgery, spending time in her training working at the internationally renowned Pulvertaft Hand Centre. In her clinical practice, she has a keen involvement with the utilisation of a circular economy model of medical textiles and has previously sat as a member of the environmental committee of her hospital. Nationally, she has previously advised the Royal College of Surgeons Sustainability group, contributing guidance on textile use in surgery for the Green Surgery Report. In addition, Holly sits on the Technical Textile and Sustainability Special Interest Groups of the Textile Institute and the medical textile working group of the European Division of Health Care Without Harm.

Holly is widely published in her field, including the textbook "Medical Textiles" for the Textile Institute Professional Publications Series. She has been involved for some years with research within her fields and spoken internationally on both surgical and textiles matters relevant to her expertise. In addition, Holly has experience mentoring students in medicine and supervising Masters and PhD students in medical device engineering. Previously Chief Medical Officer for Revolution-ZERO, Holly has a working knowledge of medical device regulations.

Erin is a Ph.D. student in the Textile Technology Management program at North Carolina State University. She began her research career at Mississippi State University, where she worked to create wearable devices and e-textiles and helped start Humo, a human performance company focused on helping golfers improve their game. Her entrepreneurial pursuits sparked an interest in Technology Transfer. She is excited to return to ATA to present her newest work.

Jeff Post has spent the majority of his career building businesses that involve vinyl and other chemical coated fabrics. He is currently the Vice President and General Manager for Enduratex. Jeff is responsible for the P&L for CGPCA for North America, South America, Europe, Australia and Puerto Rico.

A leader in his industry, Jeff has been the recipient of numerous awards and commendations including: The Circle of Excellence Award which he earned during his time with Uniroyal; an Outstanding Young Men of America commendation; and he has served as a member of the Leadership Council.

Jeff is a current board member and past president of the Chemical Coated Fabrics & Film Association, as well as a board member of the AAIA Upholstery and Trim International segment, and an active member of NADFD and on the BD Advisory Board.

Prateeti Ugale is a doctoral student in the Fiber and Polymer Science program at North Carolina State University. She holds a B.Tech. in Fibers and Textile Processing Technology from the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, and a Master's in Textile Engineering from North Carolina State University. With a keen focus on electronic textiles (e-textiles) and wearable connections, she brings a wealth of expertise to her current doctoral studies. With three years of industry experience in research and development, she has worked with sustainable scaffolds and implantable medical textile devices, showcasing her commitment to innovation in the field of textiles and materials science.

Krissy Zegers is a dynamic force for positive change, blending corporate expertise with approachable charm to inspire growth. Her academic journey served as the cornerstone for her diverse career, earning both a Bachelor's and Master's of Science, With two decades of experience spanning corporate and wellness realms, Krissy impacts thousands of lives annually, employing a holistic approach that unlocks untapped potential. As the visionary behind a thriving coaching, consulting, and wellness business, she excels in navigating clients through challenges, fostering collaborations, and championing authenticity whether leading in business or life. Krissy is a certified coach, DiSC facilitator, and skilled in a spectrum of wellness modalities, each bringing a unique blend of creativity and humor, propelling her clients to unprecedented heights.

Krissy hails from the Midwest, where she resides with her husband, two sons, and two furry friends. Catch her outdoors, scouring the forest for cool stones or embarking on treasure hunts with her adventurous sons.