OIA recognizes three experts for sustainable initiatives

Cara Chacon and Mary Bean were recognized for their dedication to the outdoor industry’s social responsibility efforts, while Steve Richardson was also recognized for his ongoing contribution to the Materials Traceability Working Group (MTWG).

Mary Bean, Columbia is the current chair of the OIA Social Responsibility Working Group.  She was instrumental in developing the OIA SWG’s Social Responsibility Toolkit in 2013, playing a key leadership role in developing the structure and content for this important outdoor industry tool – despite being based overseas for much of the year.

“The collaboration that is happening within the OIA SWG is extraordinary and I am honored to be a part of it,” said Bean.  “Broad adoption of the tools and resources we are developing would be the greatest reward for all of our hard work. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.”

Cara Chacon, Patagonia also demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to the OIA Social Responsibility Working Group in 2013.  In particular, Cara spearheaded the development of much of the SRWG’s educational programming for the year, providing guidance for the industry around best practices in social responsibility and fair labor as well as around how to implement social responsibility programs within companies.

"The work this group is doing is so important for the outdoor industry,” said Chacon. “It means a lot to me to receive this recognition! Thank you OIA!”

Steve Richardson has served as the chair of the Materials Traceability Working Group since its inception in January 2012.  In 2013, he spent many hours helping guide the development of the draft Materials Traceability Framework, a tool which will provide a common set of best practices, along a continuum of performance, to guide outdoor industry companies' materials traceability programs and practices. 

The Materials Traceability Framework will be structured similarly to the Chemicals Management Module of the Higg Index also developed collaboratively by the OIA SWG.

“This award is really the result of the work of an amazing group of people that have contributed their time, experience, and passion to the MTWG,” said Richardson.   “The Materials Traceability Framework will provide stakeholders with the tools necessary to gain more knowledge and understanding about their products, materials and supply chains. 

"It will also compliment other OIA SWG tools including the Content Claim Standard, the Higg Index, the Chemicals Management Module, and the Social Responsibility Toolkit, and will allow new brands to join these efforts with some common language and methodologies.  I look forward to our next steps to help the industry improve supply chain traceability.”