About

NYFIC Director
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Ken is Director of NYFIC and an Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Economics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with expertise in technology and industries. He helps ensure NYFIC meets its goals and addresses New York State priorities for innovation and sustainability.

NYFIC Associate Director
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Dan is a Professor of mechanical engineering who specializes in advanced manufacturing. He supports NYFIC’s technical prototyping capabilities, particularly around bast fiber processing innovation. Dan also chairs the NYFIC Grant Committee, which advances promising sustainable textile projects.

NYFIC Associate Director
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Helen is a scientist and educator specializing in biomaterials. She contributes research expertise to NYFIC’s work on next-generation materials and fiber innovation. Helen supports grantees exploring novel approaches to sustainable fabric development and material science.

NYFIC Product & Marketing Director
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

With a background in design, brand strategy, and sustainable fashion entrepreneurship, Susan sets the strategic direction for NYFIC’s product development, storytelling, and outreach. She connects New York-grown fibers to designers, brands, and the public while building meaningful supply chain relationships.

NYFIC Program Manager
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Peter brings strategic insight and operational leadership to NYFIC, overseeing program management and coordination across the consortium. He ensures alignment with NYFIC’s goals and state reporting requirements. Peter supports the smooth execution of grants, events, and statewide initiatives.

NYFIC Laboratory Manager
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Clyde manages day-to-day operations at the NYFIC Lab, supporting fiber processing and prototyping efforts. He maintains equipment, coordinates lab access, and ensures smooth technical operations across NYFIC’s growing slate of material innovation projects.

NYFIC Economic & Industry Analyst
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Yushuo is NYFIC’s economic and industry analyst, supporting strategy and impact measurement. His work identifies market gaps, tracks progress across the ecosystem, and informs statewide planning to help grow a resilient and competitive sustainable textile sector.

NYFIC Outreach and Education
Hudson Valley Textile Project

Abby leads outreach and education for NYFIC through the Hudson Valley Textile Project. She works closely with farmers, processors, and educators to connect supply chain partners and support New York-grown fiber sourcing through the Northeast Fiber Exchange.

NEFX Business Development and Operations Manager
Hudson Valley Textile Project

Shannon oversees business development and operations for the Northeast Fiber Exchange (NEFX). She supports project execution, partnerships, and daily functions that advance primary processing and market access for New York’s fiber producers and textile entrepreneurs.

Consortium Partner
Fashion Institute of Technology

Andrea is an assistant professor at FIT with a focus on sustainable fashion design and soft wovens. Through NYFIC, she mentors grantees and students developing climate-conscious products and helps build stronger links between education and industry.

Consortium Partner
Made X Hudson

Eric co-leads Made X Hudson, where he supports NYFIC’s accelerator and business strategy programming. He advises grantees on concept development, brand positioning, and scaling sustainable production using New York-grown and low-impact materials.

Consortium Partner
Made X Hudson

As Head of Development & Production at Made X Hudson, Sergio brings deep experience in ethical fashion. He works with NYFIC to support design development, sample production, and sustainable material adoption within New York’s emerging supply chain.

Consortium Partner
The Field to Fiber Company

Tim is a co-owner of Battenkill Valley Fibers, Inc. and the operations manager of Field to Fiber. Tim supports NYFIC’s efforts to support bast fiber textile production by providing expert advising based on direct processing experience of long staple hemp and wool blends.

Consortium Partner
SUNY Morrisville

Jennifer is an associate professor of agricultural science at SUNY Morrisville, specializing in hemp and sustainable crop systems. She leads NYFIC’s bast fiber farming and processing efforts, helping connect growers to the evolving textile industry.

Consortium Partner
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Eric is Director of RPI’s Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship and a Professor of Practice in the Lally School of Management. He co-leads NYFIC’s accelerator program and advises grantees on product, business development, and go-to-market strategy.

Consortium Partner
FIT

As Dean of the School of Business and Technology at FIT, Shannon provides leadership across NYFIC’s interiors integration. She helps shape academic-industry collaborations to support future-facing careers in sustainable fashion and textiles.

Consortium Partner
FIT

Kathryn manages FIT’s knit lab, where she supports NYFIC partners with sample development and technical expertise in knitting. She provides hands-on support for prototyping and student education in sustainable fiber applications.

Consortium Partner
Hudson Valley Textile Project

Lilly is a weaver and designer with expertise in wool processing and woven textile production. Through NYFIC and HVTP, she helps farmers and makers transform New York-grown wool into premium home and fashion products.

Consortium Partner
Hudson Valley Textile Project

Mary Jeanne co-founded HVTP and leads Battenkill Fibers and Field to Fiber. A pioneer in local fiber processing in the US, she supports NYFIC’s efforts to scale New York-grown wool and bast fiber textile production through expert advising and infrastructure development.

Consortium Partner
Hudson Valley Textile Project

Gail is co-founder of HVTP and owner of Cornwall Yarn Shop. In addition to her retail and outreach work, she specializes in needle felting. Gail helps bridge local fiber production with creative end uses, strengthening connections between makers, materials, and the public.

Consortium Partner
Hudson Valley Textile Project

Mimi is a designer and founder of MIMI PROBER, known for using local fibers and historic techniques. Through her present affiliation with NYFIC and HVTP, she continues to promote regenerative fashion and helps mentor designers exploring New York-grown and naturally dyed materials.

Consortium Partner
FuzeHub

Patty manages the Innovation Fund at FuzeHub, a key NYFIC partner organization. She connects startups to grant funding and technical support, helping NYFIC grantees access broader resources for growth and commercialization.

Consortium Partner
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Johnson is a professor at RPI specializing in manufacturing and mechanical systems. He supports NYFIC’s research and innovation infrastructure, particularly around materials processing, testing, and prototyping at scale.

Consortium Partner
Fashion Institute of Technology

Theanne Schiros is a materials scientist and educator, with expertise in biofabricated and regenerative materials. She contributes to NYFIC’s work on next-generation biomaterials, and life cycle impact assessment (LCA) of New York-grown textiles to inform regional sustainability strategies.

Consortium Partner
Hudson Valley Textile Project

Jeffrey is a board partner at HVTP and former Chair of Textile Development and Marketing at FIT. He brings decades of global textile experience, industry consulting, and education. He also grows indigo on his farm, supporting regional efforts in natural dye production.

Consortium Partner
FIT

Asta Skocir is a professor in FIT’s Fashion Design Department, with expertise in knitwear and sustainable design. She mentors NYFIC grantees and students while researching alternative materials for the fashion industry and systems thinking to advance sustainability.

Consortium Partner
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Randy is Associate Director of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship and a serial entrepreneur. He is a commercialization expert and he supports NYFIC’s accelerator and business strategy programming with a focus on entrepreneurship and strategy.