AMDT Advisory Board

Our Mission

The mission of the Washington State University Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles (AMDT) Board of Advisors is to foster closer ties between the AMDT department, its alumni and the community. The Board helps shape the vision and facilitates the achievement of AMDT strategic goals by providing the guidance and assistance the members of the Board are best qualified to provide.

Advisory Board Members

Krista Schreiber

Current Chair: Krista Schreiber
Chief Operating Officer, Blacksmith International

Krista is an Apparel Executive who specializes in product creation, manufacturing, and operations. In her current role as COO at Blacksmith International, she leads the Operations of the company where the main focus is to support Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners who need help designing, sourcing, and manufacturing the consumer goods products for their Brands.  With 25 years of experience within the international brands of Nike and Lululemon Athletica, Krista leverages her purpose-driven and opportunity-oriented leadership style to drive productivity, quality results, and professional advancement of individuals.  She believes in excellent brand experiences for customers, care for our planet, and contributing to strong pipeline talent for the Industry through serving on the Advisory Board for WSU-Apparel Merchandising, Design and Textiles.

Having lived and worked for nine years in Asia, close to manufacturing, Krista values true partnerships with Suppliers that result in win-win benefits and high-performance ways of working. She has found that trust within these partnerships enables innovation and new possibility.

Krista has established and implemented international fit/size programs, digital creation processes, digital asset management systems, raw material strategies, color/print technical capabilities, Lean Manufacturing practices, quality manufacturing, and methodology for transitioning innovation from concept stage to full integration with mass market.

Krista holds a Design Degree from Bassist College, and textiles education from North Carolina State University.

Dianne Jefferies Celuch

Dianne Jefferies Celuch
CEO, Kinona

Dianne is a seasoned, innovative global business leader, with extensive and diverse executive-level experience at leading companies such as Eddie Bauer, Levi Strauss, Ann Taylor and Speedo. She has successfully expanded the profile of well-known international brands and has taken that expertise into building her own company with a co-founder.

Recognized for her diplomatic and inclusive management style, Dianne has effectively bridged cultures and cross-functional divides, finding solutions to complex business problems as a thought leader always driven by the need for results. In a previous role, Dianne led an entrepreneurial initiative within the $2 billion Ann Inc. in New York as the Senior Vice President of Product Development and Sourcing, with a critical role in launching both Ann Taylor Factory Stores and Loft Factory. She shepherded each from concept to reality, and the two quickly became the most profitable divisions in the corporation.

Following her successful six years at Ann Taylor, Dianne moved back to the west coast, joining Juicy Couture as Senior Vice President of Sourcing and Production. The experience allowed her to continue to expand her expertise in the global arena by managing retail and wholesale customers in 80 countries.

Dianne regularly shares her expertise by advising various non-profit educational and charitable organizations, as well as by mentoring up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

As Chair of the Advisory Board for Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles at Washington State University, her alma mater, she has transformed the college’s direction and structure to become a leading example of industry-relevant interaction for the school, its students and the broader community. The Board now boasts membership that includes such industry leaders as Nordstrom, Nike, R.E.I, Cotton Inc. and more.
Dianne holds a degree in Clothing and Textiles from Washington State University.

Milena Go

Milena Go
Manager of Apparel Standards: 3D Implementation, Nike

Milena is an Apparel Developer who works on product creation and development in Global Football Apparel (soccer) for Nike. Milena has helped drive all sides of the soccer apparel business through retail style development, curated athlete collections from the names of Christiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr, Team sports development of semi-professional collegiate athletes and soccer kit developments for professional federation and club Nike sponsored organizations. She has worked on many aspects of apparel development through fit, graphic development, 3D proto-typing across many silhouettes, such as men’s, women’s, youth, little kids and infants while at Nike. Milena is excited to bring her expertise from the industry and help bring her perspective to the students by serving on the Advisory Board.

Milena has lived in Portland since graduating from WSU’s AMDT program 3 years ago. She has learned to value many key components since working at Nike, all of which have played a key role in her success. These values being the importance of building relationships with over sea partners and suppliers, ability to adapting to change, and the important role that technology has and will continue to drive the future of apparel development.

Milena holds an Apparel Merchandising Design in Textiles Bachelor’s degree with a focus on Apparel Design and minor in Merchandising from Washington State University.

Peter Haney

Peter Haney
Director of Social Responsibility, Columbia Sportswear

Peter Haney is the Directory of Social Responsibility for Columbia Sportswear Company. In this role he drives strategic direction, program improvement and stakeholder engagement for Columbia’s Social Responsibility program. In his twenty years in the apparel industry, Peter’s passion has been improving how products are brought to market, while at the same time focusing on the use of sustainable materials and implementing responsible sourcing practices. This passion is the common thread throughout the many roles he has held in the apparel supply chain including those in planning, supplier management, product development, sourcing/costing, and corporate responsibility. Peter has experience in both small and large companies including Pendleton Woolen Mills, Nike Inc, and Columbia Sportswear Company.

Peter most recently served as a member of the Advisory Board of the Sustainability Working Group of the Outdoor Industry Association. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of San Francisco and a Master’s Degree in International Economic Policy from American University.

Dana Honn

Dana Honn
Network Strategy Program Director, Nike

Dana is a Supply Chain professional who has worked at Nike for 14 years, she leverages her broad supply chain expertise to drive the supply chain strategy for North America. She is passionate about understanding the root
cause of issues and driving action-oriented solutions to improve operations today and tomorrow. Dana believes it is crucial to keep the broader picture in mind and think end to end. She has held roles across Nike’s supply chain
supporting Global, European and North American Operations, including Technology, Fulfillment, Marketplace Operations, Replenishment & Supply Chain Innovation. She leverages her experience with Customers, Factories,
Partners and internal experts to drive positive change across the supply chain.

Dana Honn holds a BA in Management, MIS & Decision Science from Washington State University and a Masters in International Management from Portland State University.

Denise Junell-Johnson

Denise Junell-Johnson
VP Divisional Merchandise Manager, Nordstrom

Denise Junell Johnson is a 19-year Nordstrom retail veteran. Her passion is curating a differentiated and inspirational offer for the customer. With experience across numerous Women’s categories, her expertise lies in Accessories and Footwear.

Denise strives to cultivate an environment where others thrive using both professional and personal lived experiences. She believes creating connections and mentorship are instrumental in supporting our next generation of leaders.

Denise holds a BA in Apparel, Merchandising & Textiles from Washington State University.

Dianne LaMont

Dianne LaMont
Technical Design Director, Nike

Dianne is a compassionate Apparel Leader who
specializes in product creation, process, calendar and
managing people. With 35 years of experience with
global brands of Nike, Levi Strauss & Co, Pacific Trail &
UNIONBAY Sportswear.
25 years of Nike apparel experience with Global inline product for
Kids, Elite Athlete product for professional, Collegiate and Olympic
sports. Recognized for expertise in developing market-right
product, commercialization, manufacturing, fabric & finishknowledge
and craftsmanship. Experience traveling globally to work
with material + trim vendors; cut/sew factories and liaison offices.
She believes in doing the right thing for the employee, the product
and the consumer. She is passionate about guiding talent from a
university setting into the apparel industry.

Dianne holds a BA in AMDT from Washington State University.

Scott Meden

Scott Meden
Retired Chief Marketing Officer, Nordstrom

Scott Meden is a retail executive with 37 years of experience across merchandising, business unit leadership and marketing. He was named to his Chief Marketing Officer role in July 2016 and retired in February of 2023. In his CMO role, Scott supported all marketing functions for the company including strategy, branding, advertising, creative, communications and events.
Prior to his role as CMO, Scott had served as executive vice president and general merchandise manager of the shoe division from 2010 to 2016.

Scott joined the company in 1985. He began his career in the shoe department at the Nordstrom Rack. He went on to hold various management and buying positions with the company. In 1999, Scott was the Northwest divisional merchandise manager before being named financial manager for women’s shoes from 2001 to 2002. From 2002 to 2006 Scott served as the west coast divisional merchandise manager for women’s shoes and was then promoted to president of Nordstrom Rack from 2006 to 2010 before leading the shoe division.

Thomas Meister

Thomas Meister
CEO, Konjo Fashion Brands

Thomas Meister is a CEO who specializes in capacity building in the sustainable fashion sector. With 18 years at Konjo Fashion Brands, designing, producing, and marketing fashion accessories that are Made in Africa, Thomas has seen the transformation of LDC’S into thriving economies. Thomas focuses on social and cultural issues in global sourcing, the diversity of the global environment, and negotiating in cross cultural situations. He believes in healthy and safe workplaces, fair wages for employees, and extreme-poverty reduction through gender equality and inclusivity. 

Thomas knows firsthand the positive differences gender equality in the fashion space makes. He has worked in East Africa for 18 years and has seen life expectancy increase by more than 20%. Formally marginalized groups are now realizing their entrepreneurial dreams. Thomas has seen the daughter of an employee go to primary school, graduate high school, and begin her own fashion production company, becoming one of the first female fashion entrepreneurs in East Africa! 

Thomas is honored and privileged to serve on the WSU AMDT Industry Advisory Board. 

Thomas holds an Anthropology degree from Washington State University.

Theresa C. Mercado

Theresa C. Mercado
VP of Product Development for Hot Topic Inc. (Hot Topic, Box Lunch & Her Universe)

Theresa Mercado partners with the cross functional teams at Hot Topic, Box Lunch and Her Universe and leads a team that designs, creates and delivers exclusive items for both licensed and fashion apparel. Theresa has worked in apparel and supply chain for over 25 years and has travelled the world many times over finding the right partners to produce amazing items. In her current role, Theresa has been able to merge her experience in fashion with her love of all things pop culture and is a true geek at heart!

Over the course of her career, Theresa has been in leadership positions at Fortune 500 companies like WalMart and Gap Inc. She has helped start-up companies like Old Navy (launching the adults/baby and dog lines!) and worked at millennial-led ecommerce / disruptor businesses like Nasty Gal and Loot Crate and has consulted for emerging businesses like theblacktux.com and crypttv.com.

Theresa appreciates the fact that this industry is one of the few that continually supports diversity in the workplace and in particular, women in key leadership roles.

Mark Messura

Mark Messura
Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain Marketing, Cotton Incorporated

Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain Marketing, Cotton Incorporated.

Mark Messura is the Senior Vice President for Global supply Chain Marketing at Cotton Incorporated. In this position, Mark works with retailers, brands and manufacturers in more than 20 countries to bring innovative and quality cotton products to market. He oversees the company’s supply chain marketing efforts in technology marketing, fashion marketing, nonwovens marketing, trade advertising, and technical education and training through the CottonWorks.com platform.

With a commitment to promoting the world’s number one natural fiber, Mark believes that his work with companies leads to higher quality cotton products that are responsibly sourced and manufactured. As an active speaker and leader on global issues affecting cotton, Mark works in the sustainability of cotton and cotton sourcing where his efforts through the international Cotton LEADS™ program reach more than 650 global partners in more than 30 countries.

Mark holds a B.A. in economics from the University of Michigan and a M.A. in policy analysis from Duke University.

Irene Taira

Irene Taira
Senior Manager, BDA

Irene Taira is an Apparel Design Manager who works at BDA to design all Orange Theory Fitness custom designed apparel products as well as guide the creative team to develop fabrics, trims & graphics that reflect the Brand persona. With over 20 years of international design experience at companies such as Eddie Bauer & Outdoor Research, her desire is to share her experiences and offer mentorship to students while serving on the Advisory Board for WSU Apparel Merchandising Design and Textiles.

Irene believes in taking risks and that the evolution as creative people have a direct impact in how design is expressed and where growth as an individual and professional is possible. She challenges her teams to try new ways to envision a season to protect the business, and express a fresh perspective for each client that would bring in newness.

Due to COVID-19 and the temporary closures of many fitness studios, Irene was recently laid off from BDA and immediately re-claimed her position by pitching a private label brand business proposal to the CEO where she was hired back.

Irene holds a Bachelor of Arts in Apparel, Merchandising, Design & Textiles from Washington State University.

Karolina Tekiela

Karolina Tekiela
Principal Product Manager, Amazon

From buying to machine learning, Karolina has spent most of her career at the intersection of retail and tech. She brings experience from Old Navy, Piperlime, Gap, ModCloth, Polyvore, and Amazon…with a few startup experiments in between. She is currently at Amazon, where she is most proud of launching the “Fashion Science Team,” a team of developers, data scientists, and fashion experts who support machine learning initiatives for Amazon Fashion. She continues to work on various machine learning programs across Amazon business lines.

Karolina studied Political Science and Chinese at UC Berkeley, and completed Gap Inc’s Retail Management Program.

Krissy Ozaki.

Krissy Ozaki
Senior Product Marketing Manager, Amazon

Krissy Ozaki is a Senior Product Marketing Manager who specializes in harmonizing creativity and analytics to create compelling product narratives. This unique blend of skills allows her to captivate audiences and drive success in a data-driven world. In her current role at Amazon, Krissy works with a team of data scientists and engineers to create automated collections of cross-category products and effectively market them to customers.

In 2020, Krissy founded the Young Professionals of the American Cancer Society Board in Seattle. Today, the board boasts a dedicated membership of over 30 individuals. Together, they’ve orchestrated the launch of a signature event, Brave Benefit, and set an ambitious goal of raising $100,000 to support a cause they hold close to their hearts. Beyond professional pursuits, Krissy derives great satisfaction from mentoring students and recent graduates, guiding them through the post-graduation maze and illuminating the diverse career avenues that await.

Krissy graduated from WSU’s Honors College with dual degrees in AMDT and Business Management and Operations.

Jill Crawley.

Jill Price-Crawley, Founder of Swirl Vintage

Knowing that design was her career goal, Jill started as the first intern at Breezin’ Skiwear, which lead to positions at Roffe, Pacific Trail, K2 and JD Sun Valley designing Ski and Snowboard apparel, luggage and accessories.  Later at UnionBay, Jill designed Young Men’s sportswear, outerwear, making incredible connections for a lifetime.  Traveling to Asia, Europe and Canada coordinating manufacturing, collecting sourcing ideas, trends and inspirations for future lines gave her the full scope to pull aspects of the industry together.  The past four years, and since retiring from a few years of teaching, Jill has started SWIRL VINTAGE, a line of clothing for women utilizing vintage quilts and repurposing them into coats, totes, pillow covers, headbands, clutches and wine bags.  She is able to bundle her years of experience, networking and tricks of the trade to successfully own, operate and manage her own company.

Jill holds a BA in Apparel, Merchandising, Design & Textiles from Washington State University.