About Me: La Rhea Pepper is the Managing Director and a co-founder of the global non-profit Textile Exchange and an advocate for more sustainable practices in the apparel and textile industry. For 15 years, Textile Exchange has been at the forefront of driving meaningful change towards preferred fibers. After spearheading the successful growth of the organic cotton market from below $300 million in 2002 to over $15 billion in 2016, Textile Exchange (formerly Organic Exchange) has expanded to include industry standards for recycled rPET, responsible down and responsible wool in addition to developing material snapshots of most of the leading and innovative fibers used in the industry.

A 5th generation farmer and the co-founder of two successful organic cotton businesses, Ms. Pepper’s unique perspective helps her lead Textile Exchange along with its pioneering Members to create preferred fiber and material strategies, strengthen integrity in the market place through the adoption of standards and promoting deeper engagement within the supply network.

Prior to Textile Exchange, Ms. Pepper and her late husband, Terry, were founding members of the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative (TOCMC) in 1993. Today, TOCMC is the largest organic cotton cooperative in the United States. Together, they built and demonstrated a sustainable business model for farmers creating strategic partnerships with various manufacturers and “value-added” programs including Cotton Plus (organic fabric) and Organic Essentials (organic personal care products).