Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference USA

3rd - 4th June 2026

New York City, USA

Jo Maiden

Founder and CEO

SOKO Kenya

Jo Maiden is an inspirational force in the world of sustainable and ethical fashion manufacturing. She is the founder and CEO of SOKO Kenya, a sustainable and ethical clothing manufacturer in Kenya.

In 2009, driven by her belief in fashion’s power to bring about positive change, she established SOKO Kenya with a vision to create a factory that prioritises social and environmental responsibility.

At the core of Jo’s vision is the commitment to fair wages, employment opportunities, and making a meaningful difference in the local community.

Today, SOKO Kenya embodies this vision, employing 150 local workers and producing garments for international fashion brands. With unwavering dedication, Jo has transformed her passion for fashion into a force for good, inspiring others to embrace ethical practices and sustainable production.

Jo Maiden's sessionsView full agenda

Day 0

Time
Session title
Session type
Day 1

Time
Session title
Session type
10:00 - 10:40
Plenary
10:40 - 11:20
11:20 - 12:00
Collapsing the E and S in ESG: Protecting workers’ rights in the push to net-zero 
Sourcing Journal | Global Labor Institute, Cornell University ILR School | Fair Labor Association
Case study
12:30 - 13:30
13:30 - 14:15
14:15 - 15:00
15:00 - 15:45
16:15 - 17:00
17:00 - 18:00
Day 2

Time
Session title
Session type
10:00 - 10:45
The reality of resale, repair, rental: Can circular business models actually scale to compete with the linear system? 
Nuuly | Tersus Solutions | GUESS inc. | Yale University | Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Plenary
10:45 - 11:15
11:15 - 12:00
Plenary
12:00 - 12:30
Regenerative cotton: If it really is a win-win for all, why is it not more widespread? 
Spruell Farms | Victoria's Secret & Co | COTTON USA™ and U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
Case study
12:30 - 13:30
13:30 - 15:00
15:00 - 15:30
Key takeaways and closing remarks 
Parsons School of Design