KENNEBUNK, Maine, Jan. 4, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- Tom's of Maine today announced the five winning members
of the 2022 Tom's of Maine Incubator, including Aliyah Collins (24), Wawa Gatheru (24), Alexia Leclercq (22), Bodhi Patil (20), and Sanjana Paul (25).
Each recipient has been awarded $20,000 in funding to help support their work,
plus access to expert mentors and opportunities to collaborate with
and receive support from Tom's of Maine in amplifying their work in
sustainability.
"The Tom's of Maine Incubator was created to elevate the next
generation of BIPOC climate leaders who are rarely reflected or
engaged in finding climate change solutions. Each of our winners
have already accomplished so much, and we are honored to work with
them toward even more impact," said Cristiane Martini, General Manager, Tom's of
Maine. "With the additional
funding and mentorship our Incubator provides, Tom's of
Maine looks forward
to helping our Incubator members drive environmental solutions
and empower others to make a positive impact."
"The Incubator showcases the brand's priorities of doing good
for people and the planet. Doing good isn't new—it's been a part of
who we are since 1970. And it's been just as important for the
brand to continuously evolve and do better," says Michelle Theodat Waring, Steward for
Sustainability and Everyday Good, Tom's of Maine. "So, to
advance the brand's sustainability commitment, we also revisited
our goals this year and refined them to guide further efforts. The
result is the Tom's of Maine
2022 Goodness Report."
The 2022 Goodness Report surfaces how Tom's
commitment to the planet, people, and health intersects with their
mission to create a healthy future for all people. And it shows up
in everything they do. Climate change will ultimately impact
everyone, but communities of color and those with less economic
advantages are likely to bear the biggest burden. Tom's wants to
address the intersection of diversity and equity with climate
change and the environment, and the Incubator is a component of
that work.
The Tom's of Maine Incubator is a seven-month program designed
to propel the next generation of BIPOC leaders driving
environmental solutions. The program provides funding, mentorship,
amplification, and support to young changemakers, helping them Do
Good. For Real. Throughout the winter and spring, the members will
participate in multiple virtual workshops and trainings, plus
one-on-one meetings with their mentors to continue collaboration
and amplification efforts, all designed to propel their work.
Incubator members are also invited to the Tom's of Maine
Incubator In-Person Summit in Kennebunk, Maine this spring. The three-day
event will provide one-on-one interactions with mentors and Tom's
leadership as well as an opportunity to workshop each member's
vision and action plan for creating impact.
Meet the 2022 Tom's of Maine Incubator members:
Name: Aliyah
Collins
Age: 24
City: Somerville, MA
Bio: Aliyah has worked with communities in Nashville, Chicago and Boston, connecting environmental justice to
spiritual care.
Name: Wawa Gatheru
Age:
24
City: Pomfret Center, CT
Bio: Founder of Black Girl Environmentalist and Narrative Fellow at
the All We Can Save Project, Wanjiku "Wawa" Gatheru is a
Kenyan-American storyteller whose work exists at the intersections
of climate, culture and policy.
Name: Alexia
Leclercq
Age: 22
City: Austin, TX
Bio: Alexia is the co-founder of the Colorado River
Conservancy and Start: Empowerment and has led dozens of
environmental justice campaigns.
Name: Bodhi Patil
Age:
20
City: Arlington, VA
Bio: As the founder of Inner Light and co-creator of @oceanuprise,
Bodhi believes in the power that young people have to create impact
at scale.
Name: Sanjana Paul
Age:
25
City: Cambridge, MA
Bio: Sanjana Paul is the executive
director and co-founder of The Earth Hacks Foundation and
holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and
physics.
The mentors working with these Tom's of Maine Incubator members
include:
- Ciara Imani May - CEO and
founder of Rebundle, a beauty company that is revolutionizing hair
extensions with more comfort and less waste.
- Kristy Drutman – Climate
activist and co-founder of Green Jobs Board, a job site made for
those looking for sustainability and environmental careers.
- Lizzie Horvitz - CEO and
founder of Finch, a company that incentivizes consumers to make
better purchasing decisions by rating products based on their
environmental footprint.
- Isaias Hernandez –
Environmental educator and creator of QueerBrownVegan where he
creates introductory forms of environmentalism through colorful
graphics, illustrations, and videos.
- Michelle Theodat Waring –
Steward for Sustainability and Everyday Good at Tom's of
Maine where she helps ensure the
brand stays true to sustainability commitments, from ingredient
sourcing to community engagement. Michelle formerly led
Communications Partnerships for the Natural Resources Defense
Council.
To learn more about the Tom's of Maine Incubator, members and
more, visit https://www.tomsofmaine.com/incubator.
About Tom's of Maine
Tom's of Maine,
Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL) company, has been making natural,
safe, and effective personal care products for 50 years. It all
began when Tom and Kate Chappell moved to Maine in
1968 looking for a healthier, simpler life for their growing
family. And when they couldn't find personal care products that
were free from artificial flavors, fragrances, sweeteners, colors
and preservatives, they decided to make their own. Tom's
of Maine products – including toothpaste, deodorant,
mouthwash, bar soap, body wash, dental floss, and toothbrushes –
are made from naturally sourced and naturally derived ingredients
and never tested on animals. A Certified B Corporation, Tom's of
Maine is committed to upholding a
purpose-driven business and has a long-standing commitment to
supporting nature and healthy families. Tom's
of Maine has supported hundreds of nonprofits by giving
back 10% of its profits, and employees are encouraged to use 5% of
their paid time (12 days) volunteering for causes they are
passionate about. All of Tom's products are cruelty-free and most
products are vegan, kosher, halal-certified and
gluten-free. Visit us online
at http://www.tomsofmaine.com/ or
at http://www.facebook.com/TomsofMaine.
Media Contact
Alejandra
Arias – Alejandra.Arias@bcw-global.com -
212.601.3011
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SOURCE Tom's of Maine