Join the Textile Exchange governance board: Applications are now open
Shape the future of the fashion, textile, and apparel industry
Textile Exchange is excited to announce that applications are now open for its governance board. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of an organization dedicated to leading the industry towards meaningful action. By joining our governance board, you will play a crucial role in guiding Textile Exchange in its mission and vision, and in driving impactful change in the industry.
About Textile Exchange
Textile Exchange is a global non-profit driving beneficial outcomes for climate and nature across the fashion, textile, and apparel industry. We guide a growing community of brands, manufacturers, and farmers towards more purposeful production, right from the start of the supply chain.
Why join us?
Serving on the Textile Exchange governance board offers a unique opportunity to help shape programs and initiatives that address the critical challenges the industry is currently facing. Your contributions will support our efforts to make sure the production of materials enriches both landscapes and communities while creating lasting value. We are looking for individuals who bring diverse skills and experiences to help us build a robust and dynamic ecosystem, ensuring long-term organizational stability and driving transformative change.
What we are looking for
We are recruiting two board members:
· One individual to fill a vacant board seat for a term starting from January 1, 2025. Once elected, we would ask the successful candidate to begin onboarding and fulfilling their duties with immediate effect. For this position, we are seeking individuals with expertise in animal fibers/materials. Ideal candidates will have deep, practical knowledge of the challenges faced by animal fiber producers on the ground, including the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of production. At the same time, they should bring understanding and a global perspective on how animal materials fit within the broader raw material landscape, market dynamics, and sustainability expectations across the value chain. Experience working directly with producers or producer organizations is a strong asset.
· One individual to begin their term on January 1, 2026. For this position, we are seeking more of a generalist with a background in working with or for a global non-profit in a leadership capacity.
Both individuals will be well-rounded, and someone who can frame sector-wide issues, shape the agenda, and keep us focused on our mission. Ideally, candidates will have a deep understanding of the fashion and textile industry, along with knowledge from outside our specific field. Familiarity with standards and certification, a strong connection to Textile Exchange, and a passion for our mission and work are essential. Additionally, a comprehensive understanding of raw materials and the realities faced in tier 4 of the supply chain is highly desirable.
Candidates should also bring senior-level experience and a strategic mindset, preferably with prior governance or board service. We value those who can think systemically, collaborate across sectors, and help guide our work with a forward-looking, mission-aligned approach.
Responsibilities of the Governance Board
If successful in your application, you will be expected to:
· Provide active governance oversight by ensuring that the board’s fiscal, strategic, and legal responsibilities are carried out, as defined by the by-laws.
· Prepare for, attend, and constructively participate in all meetings of the governance board and the annual conference.
· Attend special events and regional meetings as able.
· Commit to supporting the organization’s strategic objectives, mission, and vision.
· Ensure the ethical integrity and accountability of the governance board and the organization, always operating for public benefit.
· Consider yourself a “trustee” of the organization, ensuring it is well-maintained, financially secure, growing, and operating in the best interests of those it serves.
· Stay informed about the organization’s activities.
· Interpret the organization’s work and values to the community, represent the organization, and act as a spokesperson.
· Actively promote and encourage the highest level of integrity within the textile industry.
· Stay well-informed about developments relevant to issues that may come before the board and bring to the board’s attention any issues that may adversely affect the organization or its stakeholders.
· Work in good faith with staff and other board members as partners toward the achievement of our goals.
· Listen carefully to and respect the opinions of fellow board members and support the majority decisions of the board.
The governance board is responsible for good governance, financial management, strategy, and the appointment and remuneration of the CEO. In undertaking this role, the Governance Board’s overriding duty is to advance the mission, vision, and purpose of Textile Exchange.
Running the day-to-day business of Textile Exchange is the responsibility of the management team, led by the CEO.
What commitment is required?
Governance board meetings are quarterly; with two virtual and two in-person meetings annually. One of the in-person meetings is organized to coincide with our annual conference which board members are also expected to attend in full.
In addition, we encourage board members to sit on at least one sub-committee. Committee meetings occur quarterly, with the exact timing depending on the committee.
All meeting materials are shared one week prior to the meeting date, and we ask for board members to commit to reading material in advance, so they are well-prepared for the meeting.
Nominations to serve on the governance board
Expressions of interest must be submitted by May 31, 2025, with the election to be held in June 2025.
The 2025 seat is open for a three-year term starting on January 1, 2025. Please note, this is to fill a vacant board seat, therefore the term start date is January 1, 2025. Once elected, we would ask the successful candidate to begin onboarding and fulfilling their duties with immediate effect.
The 2026 seat is open for a three-year term starting on January 1, 2026. We will begin onboarding in 2025, but official duties will commence on the term start date.
Board members are eligible to serve up to three terms, totaling nine years. The current governance board votes to elect new board members and re-elects current board members at the end of their terms.
New board members are requested to attend the in-person meeting held in conjunction with our annual conference in Lisbon, Portugal in October 2025, as part of their orientation. Further induction meetings will be held to help successful applicants onboard to the governance board.
Our commitment to diversity
Textile Exchange is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.
How to apply
Please send a letter of interest, along with your resume or CV, a brief biography, and a letter of recommendation from another representative of the member community. In your letter, please address the following:
· Whether you are interested in the 2025 or 2026 board seat.
· How do your personal and professional values align with the mission, vision, and goals of Textile Exchange?
· How might you help the organization accomplish its mission to inspire and equip people to accelerate sustainable practices in the textile value chain?
· Can you describe your previous experience serving on a governance board? What were your primary responsibilities and contributions?
· How do you approach strategic planning and long-term visioning for an organization?
· What do you see as the key priorities for Textile Exchange over the next five years, especially in achieving our Climate+ goals?
· How familiar are you with the realities faced in tier 4 of the supply chain, and how do you propose addressing these challenges?
· What motivates you to support our efforts to create a sustainable and equitable future for the fashion and textile industry?
· How will you balance your time and resources to commit to being an active member of the governance board?
· If applying for the 2025 board seat, please share details of your experience as it relates to animal fibers/materials.
The deadline for applications is May 31, 2025. Please email your application to Emma Slade at emma@textileexchange.org.
We look forward to your applications and the unique perspectives you can bring to our governance board. Together, we can lead meaningful contributions to the textile sector.
Please note, as a non-profit, our board members are all committed to serving for the good of the cause – we do not offer remuneration for serving on our board.
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