Emcee: Tina VanSteenbergen

Tina has been speaking professionally since 2013 with a fairly simple message: women need women. To be successful in the workplace. To feel understood. To feel less alone in the world… women need women. And that’s the message she flies thousands of miles to spread. Her speaking style gives women permission to open up, have honest conversations, and connect. With a combination of authenticity, storytelling, and humor, she’s been able to help hundreds of thousands of women tear down the walls we’ve built between us. Together with her audience, she helps women build relationships with one another, believe in themselves, and take up space at companies, campuses, and organizations. Her work sets her soul on fire. So does a good nap. An excellent pour of bourbon. A beautiful snow. A peaceful and reflective sunset flight. A well-written West Wing quote. Her husband, her son, her dog, and a Minnesotan accent, of course.

Jasmine Cox-Wade

Executive Director, Textile Technology Center at Gaston College

Jasmine Cox- Wade serves as the Executive Director of the Textile Technology Center at Gaston College in Belmont, NC. Prior to her role as Executive Director, Jasmine has served in various roles including director of Textile Technology Programs, Physical Testing Laboratory Technician, and Process Coordinator. Originally, from Raleigh, NC Jasmine obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Textile Technology from the NC State Wilson College of Textiles. She is currently pursuing her doctoral studies in Textile Technology Management at the NC State Wilson College of Textiles.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Jasmine is actively involved in leadership roles and volunteerism within the textile community, serving on various boards and councils.

Claire Crunk

Founder/CEO, Trace Femcare, Inc.

Claire Crunk is founder and CEO of Trace Femcare, Inc, a US-based manufacturer and first-to-market brand using regenerative cotton and hemp fibers for absorbent hygiene. Focused on protecting human health and safety with the industry’s only farm-to-flow supply chain, Claire draws upon her 10-year experience as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and her beliefs in autonomy and reciprocity with nature to create products that honor women’s bodies and provide ecological benefit. Claire leads diverse industries in regenerative fiber ecosystems, bio-based purification methods, and supply chain innovation development.

Deidre Goodwin

Founder/CFO, HALTZGLOVES

Deidre Goodwin is the Founder and CFO of HALTZGLOVES, a high-visibility reflective apparel company. Deidre leveraged her experience working in government to build a product with government agencies as its primary customers. After being struck by a car while directing traffic, Deidre transformed that incident into a worldwide safety product. Her innovation has led to government contracts, a partnership with Susan G. Komen, and international recognition within five years, positioning the brand as #1 in the industry. As a speaker and instructor, Deidre shares practical insights on entrepreneurship, manufacturing, and innovation, drawing from real-world experience navigating a male-dominated profession.

Tonya Inthavong

Senior Warp Knit Technician, Apex Mills

With over 20 years at Apex Mills, Tonya began her career as a second-shift patroller and progressed to become one of the company’s leading Warp Knit Technicians. Tonya now trains new employees sharing her deep technical expertise. In this session, she will discuss her professional journey and demonstrate the evolution of warp knit structures through hands-on examples.

Amy Jenkins

Regional President (Americas), Teijin Aramid

Amy Jenkins brings two decades of experience and a deep passion for advanced materials to her role as Regional President of the Americas at Teijin Aramid. While at Teijin, she has held various customer supports roles from sales engineer to sales account manager. A Georgia native and Georgia Tech alum, Amy has spent her career helping customers solve complex challenges through strong relationships and technical expertise. She also contributes her time and leadership to the Cordage Institute as a member of its Board of Directors, supporting the rope industry’s commitment to safety, quality, and innovation.

Jennifer Knight

President, Orient Point Strategic Advisors, LLC

Jennifer Knight is a seasoned textile executive and board director with more than 20 years of leadership experience across U.S.-based textile and materials manufacturing. She has served as CEO, President, and COO of multiple companies, including Georgia Narrow Fabrics, Premier Narrow Fabrics, and American Woolen Company, where she led operational turnarounds, mill modernization, and development of performance-driven fabric programs supporting U.S. military customers.

In addition to her operating roles, she currently serves on the board of Mills Manufacturing and previously served on the board of National Spinning, bringing a governance perspective to complex manufacturing businesses. She also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles, Consumer Goods, Materials, Critical Minerals & Metals at the U.S. Department of Commerce. A long-time advocate for leadership development, she is committed to expanding opportunities for women in the textile industry and strengthening the next generation of industry leaders.

Heather Meitl

Sales Account Manager, Beverly Knits Inc.

Heather Meitl is a Sales Account Manager specializing in Made-in-USA circular knit fabrics, with a focus on clothing for military, defense, and workwear applications. She works closely with procurement teams, product developers, and manufacturers to provide high-performance domestic textiles that meet strict compliance requirements.

Her career journey has included stops in the textiles, millwork, finance, and healthcare industries—and she still jokes that she isn’t entirely sure what she wants to be when she grows up. Heather holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Paige Mullis

Senior Sales Executive, MMI

Paige is a creative leader who thrives on forging connections between talented designers, engineers, technologists and well-known brands. Together, complex challenges are tackled through experimentation and innovation. Her leadership approach emphasizes flexibility and empathy, fostering an environment where unique ideas flourish and translate into tangible solutions. With over 30 years of experience in textile design and development and a skilled communicator, she has developed impactful programs and forged strong partnerships around the world. She is the immediate past President of the Emerging Technologies Council of the Advanced Technology Association, served as Vice President of the Marine Leadership Alliance, served as Chairperson of the White Oak Legacy Foundation “Denim 101” activation, is a member of the Fulbright Specialist roster, serves on the advisory board of the Doherty Center of Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship at Elon University and provides mentorship to international students of SKEMA Business School.

Jenny Nichols

Marketing Director, XACT Engineered Manufacturing Solutions and Matrix Technology

Jenny Nichols is a B2B marketing leader specializing in growth strategy within complex, engineering-driven industries. She currently serves as Marketing Director for XACT Engineered Manufacturing Solutions and Matrix Technology, supporting aerospace, defense, energy, and industrial OEMs that rely on rugged custom cable assemblies, electromechanical systems, and precision-converted material solutions. In her role, she leads strategic demand generation, CRM architecture and optimization, and enterprise-wide AI initiatives that enhance marketing performance and sales effectiveness.

Throughout her career, Jenny has worked across textiles and advanced manufacturing, including nearly a decade in the engineered fabrics sector, where she led global marketing strategy, commercialization efforts, and digital transformation initiatives. She holds an MBA from Clemson University with a concentration in Digital Brand Communications.

Donna Norris

Logistics Manager, Apex Mills

Donna’s 39-year career at Apex Mills began as a patroller before advancing to a threader and later being promoted into management due to her outstanding leadership. As the company’s long-standing Logistics Manager, Donna offers a unique perspective on career development and operational excellence. In this presentation, she will share her story as an inspiration.