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Our team

SYDNEY,

CEO + CO-FOUNDER

Sydney photo Before starting The Etho, Sydney built and ran a small business that linked administrative assistants with local start-ups, nonprofits and other clients in the Austin, Texas area. Before that, Sydney worked for a small advertising company, and ran Monty & Joie, a dress company she started in college. Sydney has volunteered doing environmental/wildlife conservation in Cambodia, and throughout Texas, with organizations like Refugee Services of Texas. She also mentored high school girls through ChickTech, an Austin non-profit dedicated to retaining women in the technology workforce and increasing the number of women and girls pursuing technology-based careers. Sydney earned her BS in Advertising and Business Foundations at UT-Austin, and studied Media and Global Change at the Salzburg Academy in Austria. She earned her MBA from the Acton School of Business.

Favorite Texas Food: Tex Mex. I dream about it.

Book currently on your nightstand: Complete Harry Potter series in Spanish, several historical fiction books, business books and books on how I can be a better person.

Who or what are you a fan of? Cate Blanchett's wardrobe in Ocean's 8! I also like Stella McCartney as a fashion designer and I really love ethical fashion. My heroes are usually people I know really well, I don't necessarily idolize people I don't know. Seeing people overcome difficulties in their life is inspiring to me, no matter what they are. I am a big fan of my family and friends more than anyone else.

It's Saturday and you have no plans or responsibilities; how do you spend your day? Picking up a new sport and if there's snow, I'm snowboarding.

What's your purpose? Help eradicate extreme poverty by humanizing the issues surrounding it.

TERRELL,

PRESIDENT + CO-FOUNDER

Sydney photo Terrell and her husband started their first company at the age of 24, a construction and design studio. Soon after, they went into real estate development in the Houston area. Over the ensuing decades, they have built, purchased, and sold over 50 businesses. Their companies have spanned industries including, but not limited to: craft spirits, American and European real estate, technology, and even a restaurant in Paris. She has also served on the Boards of Austin Recovery, Teen and Family Services-Houston, and has been involved with numerous other boards and committees in the Houston and Austin-area communities. When Sydney asked her to come on board at The Etho, she knew very quickly that The Etho's vision spoke to her background in business and advocacy.

Favorite Texas Food: Tex Mex, always.

Book currently on your nightstand: "Shoe Dog" and "The Hard Things about The Hard Things"

Who or what are you a fan of? Bill and Melinda Gates for using their success to make the world a better place! Also, my dog Sampson.

It's Saturday and you have no plans or responsibilities; how do you spend your day? I never have nothing to do, but if that happened... I would have a spa day, got to the movie, eat lots of popcorn and top it off with a cupcake.

What's your purpose? My family, The Etho, and giving back to the world both financially and through volunteer work.

HEIDI,

VERIFICATION SPECIALIST

Sydney photo Heidi is The Etho's Verification Specialist, based in Delhi, India. In this role, she wears many hats from communications to supporting The Etho's sellers and leading the development of The Etho's Ethical Production Verification Process. She also plays a key role in the development of the tools through which we apply our Core Ethical Standards in building The Etho's marketplace. She is also developing Impact reporting for The Etho. Heidi is an expert on development project management as well as sustainable development. Her specialties include poverty reduction, small and micro enterprise development, and education. She has 15+ years of experience in Fair Trade, as well as organic farming and sustainable value chains, both from private and INGO sectors in both Asia and Africa. As an entrepreneur, she also managed an online shop and a Fair Trade importing business for 9 years. She holds Masters degrees in both Environmental Social Sciences and Education.

Favorite Texas Food: I've never been to Texas! My favorite food is Finnish salmon soup.

Book currently on your nightstand: Elizabeth Gilbert's "Big Magic".

Who or what are you a fan of? Barack Obama & Hans Rosling - They are/were intelligent, world-changing persons with brilliant senses of humour.

It's Saturday and you have no plans or responsibilities; how do you spend your day? Go visit a museum or check if there's a concert or a dance performance (or go and dance myself). Follow it up with some good stuff to eat and a glass of wine at a nice relaxed place.

What's your purpose? Creating opportunities for people in weaker positions and increasing equality in this world.

MACI,

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Sydney photo After graduating with a degree in Psychology and Art, Maci worked in Public Relations, Social Media Management and Wardrobe Styling. Her belief in advocating for at-risk communities led her to Chiang Mai, Thailand, where she volunteered with various anti-human trafficking organizations, as well as the local level, for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Texas. She also has experience in fashion design--having learned how to sew from her Mom at an early age--and was even able to learn under professional tailors while in Thailand. At one point, Maci even ran her own Etsy shop, featuring her own handmade designs. She has a knack for storytelling and content creation and oversees both The Etho’s creative direction and marketing efforts. Before joining the The Etho Team, Maci was The Digital Coordinator at a San Antonio Public Relations Firm.

Favorite Texas Food: Tex Mex all the way!

Book currently on your nightstand: "I'll Drink to That" by Betty Halbreich and "The One Thing" by Jay Papasan and Gary Keller. Also, anything true crime!

Who or what are you a fan of? Good branding, fashion, wine, podcasts and sunshine!

It's Saturday and you have no plans or responsibilities; how do you spend your day? I'm outside enjoying the sunshine with friends and I'm topping it off with a good meal and a glass of wine.

What's your purpose? To help make the world beautiful!

MEAGHAN FLAHERTY,

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Sydney photo Meaghan is the Regional Director at The Etho. In this role, she communicates with our sellers and facilitates an efficient, pleasant onboarding process while providing ongoing support.  Before joining The Etho, Meaghan worked as an educator. In this capacity, she worked diligently to provide effective, innovative learning experiences for all of her students. Meaghan has a Masters of Education with a focus in literacy and a degree in Communication with a minor in Spanish.  Meaghan enjoys learning about and experiencing new cultures.  She spent time in Costa Rica, Chile, and Peru studying Spanish, volunteering, and tutoring at local schools.  Meaghan believes in taking risks, making big things happen, and pursuing your dreams, even if others doubt you, and encourages others to do the same. She’s currently living a nomadic lifestyle, living in and traveling the country in an RV. She’s passionate about social justice and advocating for others.  When the opportunity at The Etho appeared, she couldn’t wait to get started so she could help connect sellers to conscious consumers.

Favorite Texas Food: Tex Mex - specifically queso and breakfast tacos.

Book currently on your nightstand: "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath, several Angela Davis books, "Sailing Made Easy" (I'm in the process of learning to sail), and "In The Woods" by Tana French.  I'm a huge book worm and always have at least one book with me.

Who or what are you a fan of? My family and friends, minimalism and zero-waste life styles, cheese pizza, fun nail art, aerial silks, and my Boston Terrier, Gizmo.

It's Saturday and you have no plans or responsibilities; how do you spend your day? Exploring new places, hiking or snowshoeing if there’s snow, reading, knitting, and maybe practicing aerial silks if I can find a nearby studio!

What's your purpose? To empower others to create positive change and equitable experiences for all.

HALEY,

SOCIAL MEDIA + CONTENT MANAGER

Sydney photo Haley is a core member of The Etho's marketing team. She specializes in written content, managing The Etho's social media, as well as our online publication. Before The Etho, Haley studied marketing and maintained several related side-hustles doing social media, blogging, and event planning. For a time, she also blogged on a personal account about thrifted fashion (so sustainable). Haley is also driven by the pursuit of social justice and strives to live purposefully and spread her values to others in her community. The first time she stumbled across The Etho, she knew that she had to get involved.

Favorite Texas Food: Blue Bell Ice cream

Book currently on your nightstand: 1Q84, a very long dystopian novel by my favorite author, Haruki Murakami.

Who or what are you a fan of? Anyone who knows me knows that I am in love with my bearded dragon, Knives.

It's Saturday and you have no plans or responsibilities; how do you spend your day? I love to walk around town with my buds (and my lizard), visiting coffee shops and catching local music.

What's your purpose? Make the world a better, happier place. I fulfill this by connecting with others to share ideas of healthy living and consumerism that are mindful and caring of people and the planet.

ELIZABETH,

ADVISOR

Sydney photo Elizabeth Priestman is an entrepreneurial leader with global experience building and leading successful businesses. In 1994, Elizabeth founded a digital application company serving Canadian and US clients in automotive, banking, CPG, entertainment and insurance. As a digital specialist, her firm developed web-based loyalty systems, CRM platforms, and data-driven marketing programs for some of the world's leading brands. As technology evolved, she expanded her company's capabilities into social media, mobile and branded games. Elizabeth is a graduate of British Columbia Institute of Technology, a past member of the Young Entrepreneurs' Organization and student of Harvard Business School's Digital Marketing Executive Education Program. She is a popular speaker on digital marketing and driving success in the mobile industry. Most recently, Elizabeth served as a founding member of Fuse Powered's team, leading sales, marketing and customer success from start-up to a successful acquisition by Upsight after scaling to 950M mobile devices.

STEVE,

ADVISOR

Sydney photo Steve Hicks is a veteran entrepreneur and business owner. He bought his first radio station at the age of twenty-nine, and served as CEO of GulfStar Communications, Inc., from July 1987 to January 1997. Over the next 14 years, he acquired stations in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, and South Carolina. He also co-founded and served as CEO of SFX Broadcasting, Inc., from November 1993 to May 1996, including the initial public offering of the stock in 1993. In 1997, Hicks was named the Radio Executive of the Year and was ranked one of the 10 most Powerful People In Radio By Radio Ink. In 1996, Ernst & Young named him Entrepreneur of the Year and he was recognized as Broadcaster of the Year by the Texas Association of Broadcasters. Later, he founded and served as chief executive officer of Capstar Broadcasting Corporation, which he also took public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1998. In 1999, Capstar Broadcasting merged with Chancellor Media Corp to form AMFM Inc. Hicks served as vice-chairman and chief executive officer of the new media division of AMFM. In 2000, AMFM was bought by radio station Behemoth Clear Channel Communications. In December 2002, Hicks was appointed to the board of directors of XM. On February 2, 2005, Hicks was appointed to the board of directors of sound equipment maker SLS International, Inc., a publicly traded company.

CHRISTINA,

ADVISOR

Sydney photo A licensed attorney since 2004, Christina is the owner of Wisdom Law, PLLC in Austin, Texas. Her practice is primarily focused on providing strategic legal guidance for clients on legislative and regulatory matters--mostly in the realm of environmental and natural resources law. She also represents clients on various businesses and operational matters and consults with clients on project development. Prior to starting her own firm in 2014, Christina worked at large law firms, a statewide trade association, and in the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C. For two semesters, she taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School Law. In addition to managing a full-time law practice, Christina is also pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Spiritual Formation at the Seminary of the Southwest, and she volunteers with Truth Be Told, a program that works with incarcerated women in Texas prisons, teaching them how to write and tell their stories. Christina's unique insight enables her to offer sound legal advice, strategic counseling, and deep knowledge of the power of authenticity, vulnerability and spirituality to her clients. Christina earned her BA from Southwestern University and her JD from the University of Texas School of Law.