Our D+I Committee members share why they aspire to serve as representatives of their fellow employees.
Name: Julie Verdugo (she/her)
Role: Director of Sustainability + Social Impact
Why join the D+I Committee?
Ever since joining FP, I’ve been motivated to do the work to contribute to inclusive representation across our brand. Partly because of my background (I’m a first-generation, dual citizen Chilean-American), partly because I see so much potential across our internal community to drive change and challenge ourselves to drive inclusivity, and mostly because of the inspiring BIPOC community leaders, small business owners, and nonprofits whose voices I’m excited to amplify through our brand and its reach.
Name: Hillary Mendes (she/her)
Role: Buyer, Beauty + Wellness
Why join the D+I Committee?
I am passionate that many voices help to create a more cohesive world and we need to lift up different points of view in order to see the whole picture. I recognize that while Free People has many strengths, there is still work to be done to help raise up the voices and talents of the BIPOC, LGTBQ+ and other minorities.
Name: Norrina Brown (she/her)
Role: FP Operations Manager
Why join the D+I Committee?
Having spent most of my career with Free People, I could not pass up the opportunity to impact change in the place that I have called my “work home” for the past several years. I have watched FP grow over the years in such dynamic ways and I, in turn, have grown with it. However, there is more work to be done as it relates to the BIPOC community and I innately desire to use my voice to positively influence that change.
Name: Kate Chase-Lansdale (she/her)
Role: GM Wholesale Sales
Why join the D+I Committee?
As a wholesale community leader, I believe we all need different experiences, points of view, strategies and personal histories to truly make a strong and successful team. We have the opportunity to be more inclusive in all aspects of wholesale. Our wholesale partners serve an extremely diverse and inclusive community, and I am passionate about reflecting that within our organization.
Name: Rachel Powell (she/her)
Role: Designer, FP Movement
Why join the D+I Committee?
Following the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder and the consequent protests that erupted throughout our country, I felt motivated to speak up and challenge the FP community to do more to show its support of its BIPOC community. I’m extremely excited to be part of a group that values the importance of creating an inclusive environment for all FP employees and its larger community, and can’t wait to see how we come together to make this goal a reality.
Name: Quoc Nguyen (he/him)
Role: Creative Tech Director
Why join the D+I Committee?
I immigrated to the US during the Vietnam War when I was just 3. I have experienced a lot of prejudices against the Asian community from that young age. Recently, I adopted two Cambodian children. I have watched my son experience the same racial slurs I endured. I now find myself in a position where I can be a good role model for him and help others understand our culture. Something that wasn’t done for me when I was his age.
Having experienced hatred for being part of the Asian & LGBTQ+ communities, I welcome the opportunity to be a voice for all minority communities here at Free People. I would like to help create an inclusive and well-represented community, and to make our committee a safe place for someone to voice their concerns.
Name: Ebony Francis (she/her)
Role: Creative Brand Manager, Wholesale International (UK)
Why join the D+I Committee?
Having dedicated over 7 years to the company, I am motivated by a reset and a new chapter within this business. I am inspired to use my voice as a Black woman working at FP to share my experiences and in hopes of a better future. I am overjoyed to be given the responsibility to represent the wider FP community in shaping our core values and ethics so that future positive change can be implemented.
Name: Vanessa Lew (she/her)
Role: Associate Store Design Director
Why join the D+I Committee?
Learning and education play such a huge part in growing and evolving not just as individuals, but as a community. I believe we can learn so much from each other when we are open, with every individual offering a different point of view. It is something I feel strongly about and am excited to be on a committee that strives to make this a priority. There is definitely work to be done and am grateful to be a part of it.
Name: Mia Fiorentino (she/her)
Role: Display Assistant
Why join the D+I Committee?
I am passionate about D+I because much of my career with FP has been spent working in our stores in various markets. I have interfaced with customers and employees with wide-ranging identities, and I know the power of representation and empathy to create a welcoming environment for all.
Today, people expect the brands they support to recognize their flaws and blind spots surrounding issues of race, gender, sexuality, ability, class, religion, etc. We must then take steps to repair and build a more safe and equitable space within our offices, store locations, and beyond. I am excited to be part of a group that challenges our brand to grow and be better for our community!
Name: Caelyn Owens (she/her)
Role: Marketing Coordinator
Why join the D+I Committee?
I am passionate about educating myself and my community on social issues to enhance our communication skills, improve our actions, and share knowledge amongst each other. As a woman in the LGBTQIA+ community, who is Black and plus size, I’ve grown aware that my intersectionality creates a unique experience in the way I share the world. Being involved in the D+I Committee at FP makes me more than happy to participate in collaborative conversations about evolving the brand and expanding into a more diverse and inclusive community. I’m looking forward most to the improvements that are soon to come through the initiatives we plan together.
Name: Carrie Yotter (she/her)
Role: Associate Editorial Director
Why join the D+I Committee?
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I was obliged, after many years of feeling shame and confusion about my sexuality, to stand up for those whose love ventures outside of what was considered a “normal” or “acceptable” realm. We are very fortunate to work within a community who is very tolerant and accepting, but there is always work to be done. There are always opportunities to challenge ideas of old, and forge new ways of seeing, communicating, sharing, and collaborating.
Role: Director of Sustainability + Social Impact
Why join the D+I Committee?
Ever since joining FP, I’ve been motivated to do the work to contribute to inclusive representation across our brand. Partly because of my background (I’m a first-generation, dual citizen Chilean-American), partly because I see so much potential across our internal community to drive change and challenge ourselves to drive inclusivity, and mostly because of the inspiring BIPOC community leaders, small business owners, and nonprofits whose voices I’m excited to amplify through our brand and its reach.
Name: Hillary Mendes (she/her)
Role: Buyer, Beauty + Wellness
Why join the D+I Committee?
I am passionate that many voices help to create a more cohesive world and we need to lift up different points of view in order to see the whole picture. I recognize that while Free People has many strengths, there is still work to be done to help raise up the voices and talents of the BIPOC, LGTBQ+ and other minorities.
Name: Norrina Brown (she/her)
Role: FP Operations Manager
Why join the D+I Committee?
Having spent most of my career with Free People, I could not pass up the opportunity to impact change in the place that I have called my “work home” for the past several years. I have watched FP grow over the years in such dynamic ways and I, in turn, have grown with it. However, there is more work to be done as it relates to the BIPOC community and I innately desire to use my voice to positively influence that change.
Name: Kate Chase-Lansdale (she/her)
Role: GM Wholesale Sales
Why join the D+I Committee?
As a wholesale community leader, I believe we all need different experiences, points of view, strategies and personal histories to truly make a strong and successful team. We have the opportunity to be more inclusive in all aspects of wholesale. Our wholesale partners serve an extremely diverse and inclusive community, and I am passionate about reflecting that within our organization.
Name: Rachel Powell (she/her)
Role: Designer, FP Movement
Why join the D+I Committee?
Following the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder and the consequent protests that erupted throughout our country, I felt motivated to speak up and challenge the FP community to do more to show its support of its BIPOC community. I’m extremely excited to be part of a group that values the importance of creating an inclusive environment for all FP employees and its larger community, and can’t wait to see how we come together to make this goal a reality.
Name: Quoc Nguyen (he/him)
Role: Creative Tech Director
Why join the D+I Committee?
I immigrated to the US during the Vietnam War when I was just 3. I have experienced a lot of prejudices against the Asian community from that young age. Recently, I adopted two Cambodian children. I have watched my son experience the same racial slurs I endured. I now find myself in a position where I can be a good role model for him and help others understand our culture. Something that wasn’t done for me when I was his age.
Having experienced hatred for being part of the Asian & LGBTQ+ communities, I welcome the opportunity to be a voice for all minority communities here at Free People. I would like to help create an inclusive and well-represented community, and to make our committee a safe place for someone to voice their concerns.
Name: Ebony Francis (she/her)
Role: Creative Brand Manager, Wholesale International (UK)
Why join the D+I Committee?
Having dedicated over 7 years to the company, I am motivated by a reset and a new chapter within this business. I am inspired to use my voice as a Black woman working at FP to share my experiences and in hopes of a better future. I am overjoyed to be given the responsibility to represent the wider FP community in shaping our core values and ethics so that future positive change can be implemented.
Name: Vanessa Lew (she/her)
Role: Associate Store Design Director
Why join the D+I Committee?
Learning and education play such a huge part in growing and evolving not just as individuals, but as a community. I believe we can learn so much from each other when we are open, with every individual offering a different point of view. It is something I feel strongly about and am excited to be on a committee that strives to make this a priority. There is definitely work to be done and am grateful to be a part of it.
Name: Mia Fiorentino (she/her)
Role: Display Assistant
Why join the D+I Committee?
I am passionate about D+I because much of my career with FP has been spent working in our stores in various markets. I have interfaced with customers and employees with wide-ranging identities, and I know the power of representation and empathy to create a welcoming environment for all.
Today, people expect the brands they support to recognize their flaws and blind spots surrounding issues of race, gender, sexuality, ability, class, religion, etc. We must then take steps to repair and build a more safe and equitable space within our offices, store locations, and beyond. I am excited to be part of a group that challenges our brand to grow and be better for our community!
Name: Caelyn Owens (she/her)
Role: Marketing Coordinator
Why join the D+I Committee?
I am passionate about educating myself and my community on social issues to enhance our communication skills, improve our actions, and share knowledge amongst each other. As a woman in the LGBTQIA+ community, who is Black and plus size, I’ve grown aware that my intersectionality creates a unique experience in the way I share the world. Being involved in the D+I Committee at FP makes me more than happy to participate in collaborative conversations about evolving the brand and expanding into a more diverse and inclusive community. I’m looking forward most to the improvements that are soon to come through the initiatives we plan together.
Name: Carrie Yotter (she/her)
Role: Associate Editorial Director
Why join the D+I Committee?
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I was obliged, after many years of feeling shame and confusion about my sexuality, to stand up for those whose love ventures outside of what was considered a “normal” or “acceptable” realm. We are very fortunate to work within a community who is very tolerant and accepting, but there is always work to be done. There are always opportunities to challenge ideas of old, and forge new ways of seeing, communicating, sharing, and collaborating.