At Craghoppers, we work with many strong, amazing women every day – in the workplace, through our partnerships and our Ambassadors. We are truly inspired.
This International Women’s Day, we would like to share with you a snapshot into the lives of 5 of them. These women are each making their mark in the world – in Business, The Arts, Outdoors and Conservation – some in more male dominated environments. So, we asked them, “How do we encourage our next generation of female leaders?”
We have been working with Jaine Green, Head of Content and Acquisitions at discover.film, since 2018 when we started Craghoppers Film Prize with them and have been celebrating some amazing short film makers ever since. With COVID striking, the Film Prize and annual Discover Film Awards had to be cancelled in 2020 but its back and raring to go for Autumn 2021.
Jaine has more than 25 years of experience as an award-winning documentary filmmaker and television exec working across many shows in the UK and US. Her passion for short film led her in 2016 to launch the Discover Film Awards and discover.film which is the global platform for quality short form entertainment.
“Surround yourself with really hardworking talented people. Always say thank you and mean it and above all have fun!”
Frit Sarita Tam is amazing adventure filmmaker and photographer who blew us away last month when she took over our Instagram and educated the Craghoppers audience on accessibility in the outdoors for all! Frit herself is an LGBTQ+ Chinese adventurer who loves exploring the outdoors in as many ways as possible, whether that is climbing, hiking, skiing, cycling, paddle boarding and now rollerblading – she does them all! She has a mission that as part of her film studio, Passion Fruit Pictures, she wants to add diversity and colour to the adventure industry through filmmaking.
“Nature doesn’t judge you. The outdoors truly is for every skin colour, every ability, every body size, every sexual orientation and it most certainly is for every woman.”
Back in 2013, we started our partnership with The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and have been supporting the amazing work of Dr Tara Stoinski and her team in the Karisoke Research Centre ever since. We provide the rangers who look after the gorillas in the mountains with essential clothing and accessories.
Tara had been working for the Fossey Fund in a scientific capacity for 13 years before she took on the role of CEO in 2014. For over 2 decades, she has been studying gorillas and she has written over 100 scientific publications and books. It is this amazing depth of knowledge and experience which has led Tara to hold leadership positions within the conservation, primate and academic communities.
“Women are incredible changemakers in the world. It is our job (as female leaders) to ensure that women continue to act as catalysts across the globe.”
Hannah Emde is a busy vet, author and founder of Nepada Wildlife – a conservation organisation. From an early age, she has always been fascinated by nature and animals and as a vet she specialises in many different animal species from orangutans to bull sharks.
At Nepada Wildlife, Hannah supports conservation projects across the world with donations, education and veterinary expertise. It is her goal to investigate ways to work together for the benefit of our environment and against climate change and habitat destruction.
“You don’t have to be a vet to help animals. You can start right on your own doorstep. We can shop more consciously, minimise waste, volunteer, protect turtles or count birds. We all have a responsibility for our forests, oceans, and animals. And you can stand up for their protection right now.”
Our very own Joanne Black is an inspiration across the business and in the Outdoors Industry.
Joanne joined the family business in 1990 and has been leading our product innovation ever since. She juggles her busy roles as Craghoppers Director of Product and MD of Group Retail, managing the many retail stores and concessions we have across Europe, all whilst spearheading the Group’s CSR programme. She has been instrumental and passionate about Craghoppers’ own sustainability journey.
“Be true to yourself. Be authentic. Live your values. Be optimistic. Be kind to others and yourself. And my top tip is never be afraid to confirm a no is really a no!”