Our Purpose
As a regional catalyst for global innovation, The Textile Innovation Engine collaborates with supply chain, market, education, and government leaders. Together, we accelerate research, commercialization, manufacturing, and workforce readiness.
The Textile Innovation Engine will be the US center for textile innovation, grounded in regenerative materials and circularity.
Our ecosystem strengthens rural communities, creates quality jobs, and safeguards the fabric of our nation.
We are committed to honoring our textile legacy and the people and places that move our industry forward.
Our Roots
Powered by The Industrial Commons, a nonprofit recognized as a regional, rural innovation hub with deep textile expertise and strong relationships across local, national, and industry networks.
Leadership Team
Anne Wiper
CEO
Anne Wiper
CEO
Anne Wiper is the CEO of the NSF funded North Carolina Textile Innovation Engine, where she leads efforts to strengthen the U.S. textile industry through cutting‑edge research, commercialization of circular and regenerative materials, and workforce development. Her work centers on advancing innovation, resilience, and collaboration within the domestic textile supply chain.
Anne brings decades of industry experience to the Engine, drawing on her previous roles as Vice President of Product for Smartwool and Icebreaker, brands under VF Corporation, as well as leadership positions at Salomon Sports and Nike across the U.S. and Europe. In addition, Anne has been a faculty lecturer in the University of Colorado Masters of the Environment program since 2022.
Anne holds an MBA from the University of Denver and has dedicated her career to the intersection of product creation and sustainability. She helped launch Smartwool’s Second Cut program, a pioneering circularity initiative that repurposes old socks into new products. Known for her passion for sustainable innovation and regenerative business models, Anne continues to drive meaningful change across the textile industry.
Anne brings decades of industry experience to the Engine, drawing on her previous roles as Vice President of Product for Smartwool and Icebreaker, brands under VF Corporation, as well as leadership positions at Salomon Sports and Nike across the U.S. and Europe. In addition, Anne has been a faculty lecturer in the University of Colorado Masters of the Environment program since 2022.
Anne holds an MBA from the University of Denver and has dedicated her career to the intersection of product creation and sustainability. She helped launch Smartwool’s Second Cut program, a pioneering circularity initiative that repurposes old socks into new products. Known for her passion for sustainable innovation and regenerative business models, Anne continues to drive meaningful change across the textile industry.
Molly Hemstreet
Deputy CEO
Molly Hemstreet
Deputy CEO
Molly is Co‑Founder and Co‑Executive Director of The Industrial Commons, as well as Co‑Deputy CEO of the North Carolina Textile Innovation Engine. She co‑founded The Industrial Commons in 2015 to support industrial workers across her region and continues to drive collaborative solutions.
A native of Morganton, NC, Molly remains deeply rooted in her hometown, where she lives, works, and raises her family. After attending Duke University, Molly returned to Morganton to teach in the public school system before joining the Center for Participatory Change. There, she organized economic development initiatives across rural Western North Carolina to address the growing need for fair and sustainable livelihoods. In 2008, she founded Opportunity Threads, which has grown into the largest U.S.‑based worker‑owned cut‑and‑sew facility. Building on that momentum, she co‑founded the Carolina Textile District in 2013, a strategic value chain focused on revitalizing textile manufacturing across the Carolinas.
Under her leadership, The Industrial Commons was awarded a National Science Foundation Innovation Engine in 2024. Molly has also contributed her leadership at the state and national levels, serving on boards to promote rural development. Molly is an Ashoka Fellow, a TED Fellow, and an Emerson Collective Fellow. Beyond her professional commitments, she cherishes time with her family and being in the woods.
A native of Morganton, NC, Molly remains deeply rooted in her hometown, where she lives, works, and raises her family. After attending Duke University, Molly returned to Morganton to teach in the public school system before joining the Center for Participatory Change. There, she organized economic development initiatives across rural Western North Carolina to address the growing need for fair and sustainable livelihoods. In 2008, she founded Opportunity Threads, which has grown into the largest U.S.‑based worker‑owned cut‑and‑sew facility. Building on that momentum, she co‑founded the Carolina Textile District in 2013, a strategic value chain focused on revitalizing textile manufacturing across the Carolinas.
Under her leadership, The Industrial Commons was awarded a National Science Foundation Innovation Engine in 2024. Molly has also contributed her leadership at the state and national levels, serving on boards to promote rural development. Molly is an Ashoka Fellow, a TED Fellow, and an Emerson Collective Fellow. Beyond her professional commitments, she cherishes time with her family and being in the woods.
Melissa Sharp
Deputy CEO
Melissa Sharp
Deputy CEO
As Deputy CEO of R&D at The North Carolina Textile Innovation Engine, Melissa brings over a decade of expertise in chemistry, biochemistry, and textile innovation to her role. Her primary focus is on reducing the environmental impact of the textile industry, utilizing advanced biotechnology and chemistry to foster sustainable practices, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the entire supply chain.
In her leadership of R&D initiatives, Melissa works closely with multidisciplinary teams to tackle the environmental challenges facing the textile sector. She is dedicated to ensuring that the organization’s technical solutions are not only effective but also align with broader sustainability goals. Her approach is centered on creating practical and scalable solutions that have a tangible impact on reducing waste and improving efficiency across the industry.Through her strategic vision and commitment to innovation, Melissa empowers The Textile Innovation Engine to lead the charge in revolutionizing sustainability practices within the textile industry. Her efforts drive growth by implementing innovation-driven strategies that support the long-term viability and resilience of the supply chain while simultaneously advancing the organization’s mission to create a more sustainable future.
In her leadership of R&D initiatives, Melissa works closely with multidisciplinary teams to tackle the environmental challenges facing the textile sector. She is dedicated to ensuring that the organization’s technical solutions are not only effective but also align with broader sustainability goals. Her approach is centered on creating practical and scalable solutions that have a tangible impact on reducing waste and improving efficiency across the industry.Through her strategic vision and commitment to innovation, Melissa empowers The Textile Innovation Engine to lead the charge in revolutionizing sustainability practices within the textile industry. Her efforts drive growth by implementing innovation-driven strategies that support the long-term viability and resilience of the supply chain while simultaneously advancing the organization’s mission to create a more sustainable future.
Our Team
Rachel Raineri
Research Project Manager
Rachel Raineri
Research Project Manager
Rachel Raineri is a two-time graduate of the Wilson College of Textiles with her B.S. and M.S. in Textile Engineering. Within textiles, she has had roles in research, engineering, product development, journalism, conference facilitation, and project management, though her background is diverse – spanning language teaching, hospitality, manual labor, and art. Rachel is a lover of nature and human connection. Her current role as R&D project manager for the Textile Innovation Engine fulfills her passion for innovation, collaboration, and circularity.
Erin Schotte
Finance and Compliance Manager
Erin Schotte
Finance and Compliance Manager
Erin Schotte leads financial oversight and regulatory compliance for the Textile Innovation Engine, ensuring that its groundbreaking initiatives align with federal regulations and industry best practices. She manages subawards and contracts, and serves as the primary liaison with The Industrial Commons’ Finance Department, supporting the Engine’s mission through strategic and responsible stewardship.
With a strong foundation in grant management, Erin brings extensive experience spanning infrastructure construction, parkland acquisition and development, and Brownfield redevelopment. Prior to joining the Engine, she spent nearly a decade at the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, where she secured and administered state, federal, and private grants for local governments.
Erin holds a BS in Land Use Planning from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. She is personally and professionally committed to improving her community and to creating a more equitable and sustainable world for her daughter to inherit.
With a strong foundation in grant management, Erin brings extensive experience spanning infrastructure construction, parkland acquisition and development, and Brownfield redevelopment. Prior to joining the Engine, she spent nearly a decade at the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, where she secured and administered state, federal, and private grants for local governments.
Erin holds a BS in Land Use Planning from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. She is personally and professionally committed to improving her community and to creating a more equitable and sustainable world for her daughter to inherit.
Claire Henson
Textile Testbed Program Manager
Claire Henson
Textile Testbed Program Manager
Claire Henson is a passionate environmental steward who, outside of textiles, spends her time traveling, singing, hiking, snowboarding, and meeting as many dogs as she can. She is a two-time graduate of the Wilson College of Textiles with her B.S. and M.S. in Textile Engineering.
After leaving NC State, Claire worked as a Material Developer for Under Armour developing valuable skills such as cross-functional collaboration, project management, and innovation translation. She is delighted to be back at Wilson College as a project manager for the Textile Innovation Engine as this opportunity perfectly integrates her background in industry with her passion for circularity in the textile industry.
After leaving NC State, Claire worked as a Material Developer for Under Armour developing valuable skills such as cross-functional collaboration, project management, and innovation translation. She is delighted to be back at Wilson College as a project manager for the Textile Innovation Engine as this opportunity perfectly integrates her background in industry with her passion for circularity in the textile industry.
Emily Balog
Executive Operations and Project Manager
Emily Balog
Executive Operations and Project Manager
Emily is passionate about public service and building strong communities, with a career shaped by teaching, diplomacy, and hands-on leadership. As a Fulbright U.S. Student in eastern Latvia, she taught 200 students daily and worked closely with local leaders to support Ukrainian refugee families settling into the community.
A summa cum laude graduate of Colgate University with a degree in Environmental Geography, she is well-versed in the intersection of place-based politics and circularity. Emily is excited to support the Textile Innovation Engine’s community development programs in her capacity as Executive Operations and Project Manager. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and hiking.
A summa cum laude graduate of Colgate University with a degree in Environmental Geography, she is well-versed in the intersection of place-based politics and circularity. Emily is excited to support the Textile Innovation Engine’s community development programs in her capacity as Executive Operations and Project Manager. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and hiking.
Josh Lawrence
Business Solutions Architect
Josh Lawrence
Business Solutions Architect
Josh Lawrence specializes in project management system architecture, workflow automation, and project leadership. Working at the intersection of technical infrastructure and strategic execution, Josh designs scalable digital ecosystems, streamlines cross-institutional collaboration, and ensures rigorous compliance tracking. Backed by a strong foundation in change management, he brings a hands-on, pragmatic approach to operational transformation—delivering intuitive, high-impact systems that eliminate bottlenecks and drive sustained organizational performance.
Sare Seifert
Communications Consultant
Sare Seifert
Communications Consultant
Sare Seifert is a communications and digital marketing strategist with more than 25 years of experience building brands, growing audiences, and translating complex ideas into clear, engaging stories.
As a communications consultant for the Textile Innovation Engine, Sare supports the Engine’s storytelling, digital communications, content strategy, and audience development, helping bring greater visibility to its work across textile innovation, advanced manufacturing, workforce development, circularity, and emerging technologies.
Her background spans ecommerce, digital marketing, brand strategy, and communications, with leadership experience across consumer brands and the outdoor and apparel industries. She is also the founder of Send Snacks Digital, where she works with organizations and brands on growth strategy, digital marketing, ecommerce, and communications.
As a communications consultant for the Textile Innovation Engine, Sare supports the Engine’s storytelling, digital communications, content strategy, and audience development, helping bring greater visibility to its work across textile innovation, advanced manufacturing, workforce development, circularity, and emerging technologies.
Her background spans ecommerce, digital marketing, brand strategy, and communications, with leadership experience across consumer brands and the outdoor and apparel industries. She is also the founder of Send Snacks Digital, where she works with organizations and brands on growth strategy, digital marketing, ecommerce, and communications.
Our Governance Board
Debbie Sigmon
VP of Human Resources & Safety
Board Chair for The Industrial Commons Meridian Specialty Yarn Group
Board Chair for The Industrial Commons Meridian Specialty Yarn Group
Our Advisory Board
The Textile Innovation Engine’s Advisory Board unites leaders from diverse industry sectors that are shaping a thriving and resilient future for textiles.
Engine Contributors
Our Strategic Plan
This abridged plan sets out the priorities The Textile Innovation Engine of North Carolina developed for Years 3 to 5 of its NSF award, and the vision behind them. It captures our direction at a point in time.
The work itself keeps moving through research, manufacturing, workforce development, and ecosystem building. View the plan for the original framework, or sign up for our newsletter to see where the work is now.
The Emergent Phase Strategic and Implementation Plan for the Textile Innovation Engine of North Carolina (Years 3-5)
