Reto Aschwanden, Managing Director of Label STEP, announced the appointment of Carol Sebert, President of Toronto-based Creative Matters, to the honorary position of Ambassador this week. The appointment was the first of its kind by the non-governmental organization which has been working for the betterment of carpet industry artisans and the environment since 1995.
“This appointment reflects our appreciation of Carol’s longstanding support for STEP and her firm’s ongoing commitment to fair trade practices within the carpet industry. It also formalizes the important voluntary role she will continue to play with STEP as we seek to increase international awareness of our work in Southeast Asia, Afghanistan and Turkey,” said Aschwanden.
Creative Matters became the first North American STEP licensee in 2011. Since that time, Sebert and her team of 10 designers have whole-heartedly supported the charity – both financially and through public awareness efforts, site visits, educational programs and fundraising initiatives. As a STEP Ambassador, Sebert will draw on her industry knowledge, professional network and enthusiasm for ethical production to further STEP’s mission and raise awareness among North American designers, architects and consumers.
“I am honoured to have been appointed a STEP Ambassador and feel fortunate to have the full support of my talented team,” said Sebert. “The work STEP does to ensure ethical practices in the carpet industry is critically important. A growing number of consumers want assurances that goods are produced under socially responsible, fair trade conditions. For businesses wanting to meet this demand (and do the right thing), supporting an organization like STEP makes tremendous sense.”
