Day: March 4, 2026

2026 WITA Academy: Pathways – Careers in Trade, Fashion & Apparel

The Washington International Trade Association (WITA) Academy Pathways program aims to expose students to exciting career opportunities in the textile and apparel trade, sourcing, supply chain, trade policy, compliance, sustainability, and more. The event is hosted in partnership with the University of Delaware, Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, and the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Registration is free for students and faculty – must use university email to register (click here). [Note: Registration is NOT required for students enrolled in FASH455 this spring semester. We will participate in the event from the classroom.]

Agenda:

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

2:30 – 2:35 PM – Welcome & Opening Remarks

  • Kenneth Levinson, Chief Executive Officer, WITA – The International Trade Membership Association
  • Diego Anez, WITA Academy Executive Director, WITA Managing Director, WITA – The International Trade Membership Association

2:35 – 2:55 PM – One-on-One Career Conversation

  • Stephen Lamar, President & CEO, American Apparel & Footwear Association
  • Moderator: Kenneth Levinson, Chief Executive Officer, WITA – The International Trade Membership Association

2:55 – 3:45 PM – Panel 1: How Trade Shapes the Fashion & Apparel Industry

  • Yusra Siddique, Attorney, ArentFox Schiff
  • Julia Hughes, President, United States Fashion Industry Association
  • Katherine Stubblefield, Acting Division Chief, Chemicals and Textiles, Office of Industries and Competitiveness Analysis, U.S. International Trade Commission
  • Moderator: Alyson Demirdjian, International Trade Specialist, International Trade Administration, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce (Note: M.S. in Fashion and Apparel Studies, University of Delaware) 

3:45 – 3:55 PM – Break

3:55 – 4:15 PM – One-on-One Career Conversation

  • Katie Tangman, Director, Global Customs and Trade, Columbia Sportswear
  • Moderator: Nicole Bivens Collinson, Managing Principal, Operating Committee, International Trade & Government Relations Practice Leader, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.

4:15 – 5:00 PM – Panel 2: Careers in Fashion, Trade & Policy 

  • Frank Chioccola, Vice President, Global Trade, Customs & Product Compliance, Tapestry
  • Erin Ickes, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Human Resources, American Textile Company
  • Marin Weaver, Chief of the Services Division, Office of Industry and Competitiveness Analysis, U.S. International Trade Commission
  • Moderator: Sheng Lu, Professor and Graduate Director, Fashion and Apparel Studies, University of Delaware