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Staff Bios

Sarah Kear, Program Director

Besides a stint as a grade 7 & 8 sewing teacher, donning her mom's up-cycled gown at her own wedding and a long-held fascination with the big ideas of design, Sarah is thrilled to add her passion for positive change, and her skills as an educator, writer and manager to the Fashion Takes Action team.

Sarah brings over a decade of Canadian and international training and experience in the sustainability, education and social enterprise sectors to her big but fun responsibility at FTA: rolling out Studio learning events and resources that grow knowledge, business savvy, and leadership confidence in our members.

Because FTA members span across Canada and the United States, and soon to be Europe, the UK and Australia, video conferencing and webinars will play a key role in our programming. However we understand the value of in person workshops, thus Sarah is working to develop a comprehensive and easily accessible program that can be packaged and repeated for members in cities around the world.

Sarah can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jill Balser, Membership & Events

Thoughtful and enthusiastic, Jill brings a positive energy to the Fashion Takes Action team as Membership Coordinator, guiding new members through the enrollment process and providing service with a smile!

As the Events Coordinator Jill is also responsible for planning various FTA activities, including the launch of our annual award, FTA Design Forward.

Jill has always carried a passion for the environment and the opportunity to learn. Her environmental roots date back to her high school days and became her main focus of study at the University of New Brunswick Saint John. In 2009 she left the comforts of the East Coast to take on the fast paced city of Toronto and the Sport and Event Marketing program at George Brown College. With this perfect mix, FTA lucked out when Jill became a member of the team in January 2010.

Jill can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sarah Jay, Fashion Director

Sarah Jay is FTA's curator and stylist for our Green Gala events. Well known under the moniker Sarah The Stylist, her close relationships within the design community, keen eye for detail and progressive aesthetic have been integral in making FTA events as stylish as their high-carbon counterparts.

With a philosophy that emphasizes individuality, humour and health, Sarah brings with her years of experience in all areas of styling and fashion production, from live runway to commercial advertising. Her work has been published internationally in Harper's Bazaar, In Style, Style Monte Carlo and BMM Italy. You can watch her fashion in action on Season 2 of Project Runway Canada, Cosmopolitan TV and on the new hit show Eat Yourself Sexy with fellow organic-enthusiast, Gillian McKeith. Celebrity clients include Fergie, Adam Levine and Penelope Cruz.

Sarah Jay can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it