I am proud to support the Material Innovation Initiative (MII), a nonprofit that has made meaningful strides toward creating a more sustainable, humane, and beautiful world. MII envisions a world where the materials we interact with every day—from our clothes and shoes to our sofas and car seats—are produced in a way that enables animals, the planet, and future generations to thrive.
MII collaborates with brands, investors, innovators, scientists, academics, the media, and other partners to help next-gen products scale and reach the mass market. It is the only organization that elevates all stakeholders across the industry and operates at the center of the next-gen materials ecosystem as a knowledge partner, ideas generator, facilitator, and connector.
MII was introduced to me while I led sustainability innovation programs at an institutional brand within apparel and footwear. They were immediately a relevant group at the table of next-gen materials insight and with respect to strategic partnership solutions. My team then, and my company now can rely on them for having their pulse on the industry.
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I spoke to MII months after they first founded the company and spent a lunchtime learning about their value proposition to the apparel and footwear industry in which I work. Nicole Rawlings, one of the co-founders, made it easy to understand how MII would provide value to the advancement of sustainable materials. As a technical project manager in sustainable innovation, I was compelled to dive deeper. I learned that MII could be the extra set of hands our industry and other parallel materials-based industries (basically all industries) needed to add value in finding, developing, and, in-effect, scaling low-impact alternatives to our high-impact materials. This first meeting was the beginning of what has since been a year-long relationship and belief in MII. They're organized to help accelerate plant-based alternatives at the intersection of product, science, and business, connecting key players to work together to accomplish industry climate goals. I look forward to seeing what MII helps to do for the industries it serves. --Chase Kahmann, www.ISRDconsulting.com
The Material Innovation Initiative is doing important work in the next-gen material space, and I admire the diversity of thought and scientific rigour on their team. I had the most pleasant and enjoyable experience with the Material Innovation Initiative both as an intern starting out in the material space, and later, having Dr. Sydney Gladman as a technical advisor for a global initiative targeting post-consumer textiles led by the Biomimicry Institute.
Over the past few years, MII has graciously taken me on as a high school intern. I initially started off as the only high schooler in the internship program. I found myself among a community of those eager to mentor me and teach me in science and technology. Dr. Gladman and other employees at MII fostered an environment that promoted hard work and dedication as well as fun and learning. I was immersed in a world of research and real-life aspects of business in a way that inspired me. I could not thank MII and specifically Dr. Gladman enough for helping me to where I am in Columbia today by promoting inclusivity and guiding me through the intricacies of the industry. It was an honor to be part of this company and community that so highly values their mission and morals to advance good within the fashion industry.
The Material Innovation Initiative is an outstanding nonprofit doing unique and pioneering work in the field of animal advocacy and sustainability in the materials industry. Everyone working there is notably dedicated to the cause and is seeking and upholding excellence in their work. Strategic decision making to make the biggest impact possible is a clear modus operandi, along with high integrity. The culture within the organisation is excellent.
If you want to make a big difference to animals used needlessly for materials and the horrendous and far-reaching ecological effects of this, you must support MII to continue doing their pioneering work so they can grow and thrive. They're filling a hole no-one else is, forging a path not yet trodden!
The group at Mii, specifically Sydney and Thomasine have been enormously helpful in our product roadmap. Great to work with a firm that will be so imperative in the long run for next gen materials.
I interned with MII a few years ago while in college. I learned so much from the leadership team and was inspired by their commitment to doing good and day-to-day impact within the sustainable materials space. I have nothing but praise for MII and would love to see them continue to get the recognition they deserve!
The team has consistently researched and prepared thorough and informative reports to guide the field of sustainable materials. These documents provide key information to the field and foundational resource materials.
MII is a fantastic organization leading the way for next-gen materials. Their resources and insights are so valuable to all the stakeholders across the ecosystem.
The MII was incredibly helpful for us as an emerging biomaterials company to find our place in an industry that is so very different to navigate than any other industry.
Thank you MII
As a longstanding executive within the fashion industry, I have worked with a lot of non-profits. MII is among the top in my experience. The entire team consistently surpasses any expectations and their depth of knowledge and care with which they operate is incredible. I am always inspired by my dealings with the MII team, by their passion, dedication and willingness to better the world through their work. I also think that their unique approach balancing industry expertise with a globally relevant network really positions them for future success and needed change within the industry. Overall, could not recommend them highly enough.
MII is an absolutely game-changing organisation! Nicole is one of the most inspiring leaders I have ever had the pleasure to work with and the whole team is so kind, smart, passionate and ambitious in their work. MII’s mission is so incredibly important and they manage to connect with THE most influential people and companies in the fashion industry. Working to influence the influencer, Nicole’s motto of progress not perfection is exactly what this industry needs to innovate and move towards next gen materials. This is how real change happens.
The work that MII are doing to make advances in the space is second to none. Run by an incredible group of passionate people - MII is truly a catalyst for innovation.
First of all, there is no other pioneer in the world that gathers both brands, investors, academicians, innovators and press together and creates an impact like MII does. For this reason, we sponsored and participated in the conference organized by MII in May as an innovator. In this way, we both gained more awareness and met with global major brands. In addition, after the conference ended, the MII team continued to introduce us to different investors and brands, which is really admirable. As an early stage start-up, these developments have really helped us a lot. I am sure that in the future when next-gen material dominates the world, MII's efforts and vision will be one of the reasons. Also everyone working in the organization, especially Anastasia, is always very kind, helpful and quick to contact you if you need anything. Thank you very much for everything. We are very happy to change the world with you MII TEAM!
The Material Innovation Initiative consists of an inspiring group of individuals who play a pivotal role as a thought leaders and collaborators with their stakeholders. As a general public member turned once-in-a-while contractor for various short term projects, I have been eager to learn from the team and engage with their mission in productive and inspiring ways. Nowhere else was I able to learn so much about the state of the emerging movement towards next gen materials.
MII is doing important work in a high-impact, tractable, and neglected area. Creating better materials using more efficient technologies is a key part of driving positive change for the climate, animal health, biodiversity, public health, and economic development.
Material Innovation Initiative brings the industry together at a very high level perspective to accelerate industry change! Without their support & network from a personal perspective my company wouldn't have been able to reach certain milestones. They have expedited some our goals with the work they are doing! We are forever grateful for what MII did for us in our early years of growth!
I believe so strongly in MII--they are truly Mover and Shakers! Their primary goal isn't only people and the planet, it is also towards the well-being of animals by working with alternative materials. What I am mainly impressed by is their passion for every part of making these changes---from helping the producers of materials to get these products to market, to the retailer experimenting with new products, to the media to promote honest information about these new materials and ultimately to the consumer who will be using them. They are helping everyone. Very impressive.
After 30+ years working in the sports broadcasting industry, I was looking for a way to donate time and resources toward sustainability of the planet. I could not have found a better place to fulfill that wish. MII has achieved so much in so little time. They have established themselves as a true leader in this incredibly important effort to create an ecosystem of non-animal based materials, while simultaneously assembling a phenomenal team of dedicated and brilliant people. When they asked me to join the board of directors, I could not say yes fast enough. MII will be a game changer for the world, and I feel so lucky to be part of the effort.
After learning about the organization and its potential impact, I did not hesitate to join the board. Nicole Rawling has assembled an amazing team of people who are experts in their areas and all driven to have a positive impact on the world. In a short period of time, the team at MII has already connected the major players in the next-gen materials space. Accelerating the development and scaling of these products requires collaboration amongst all of the stakeholders: scientists, investors, entrepreneurs, policy makers and brands. This a huge undertaking so it is exciting to see MII's progress there has been already. This is just the beginning - great work MII!
I founded MII two years ago when I saw the need for more sustainable and animal-free materials in the fashion industry. I could not be more pleased and proud of how well the team has grown and how effective they are in advancing our mission. As the board chair, I have weekly meetings with the CEO where she is very transparent about what is going on within the organization. We also have quarterly board meetings and meet with the entire staff at least once a year. The team is extremely well qualified and experts in their fields. Everyone also seems extremely happy which I know makes them more productive. I could not be prouder of the organization I founded.
I have never worked at a more collaborative, supportive, kind, and inspirational organization. The entire staff is encouraged to share ideas and strategies, and all perspectives and opinions are equally considered. This has created a powerful organization committed to the cause and the team. The culture trickles down from the CEO, Nicole Rawling, who inspires us daily to think outside of the box and has hired a team of experts who will be instrumental in galvanizing the ecosystem of next-gen materials. I could not be more proud to work here!!
MII is effectively creating paradigm shift to remove animals from the supply chain in the fashion, home goods, and automotive industry. I currently work at MII and love its theory of change, vision, and culture! Completely concur with what's been said in another review, this is a team culture of transparency, creativity, integrity, and wellness - proud and honoured to be a part of this exceptional team!
I currently work at MII and love this organization and team! The work culture at MII is by far the best I have ever experienced, with kind, respectful coworkers that value efficiency and honesty. The mission of MII and the work we do to make an impact in sustainable material innovation is so amazing to be a part of. Nicole, our fearless leader, is a fantastic supervisor and provides a great balance of hands-on guidance with plenty of autonomy for department heads. I can't wait to see how we will grow and continue to serve the next-gen material ecosystem! Sydney Gladman
I've been volunteering with MII for over 1 month now, but I've been following their work since the beginning. How could I not!? MII is leading the charge in a nascent industry with a super exciting theory of change, under the guidance of inspirational leadership. I've worked with co-founder Nicole Rawling since 2018. Nicole's commitment to creating a team culture of transparency, creativity, integrity, and wellness really sets a standard—and I feel proud and honored to be a part of this exceptional team.
I met and started working with MII in 2019. Since that time the founders worked tirelessly to create positive planetary change in the materials world and animal agriculture. We seek out innovators and entrepreneurs and sometimes they find us. We work with them to supply them with industry data, scientific data as well as what brands are looking for in materials. Nicole Rawling has built an environment of trust and empathy mixed with high intelligence and endless curiosity. She has assembled a group of experts in their fields to work together on accelerating sustainable change in the materials world. Innovators we work with (pro bono) sometimes ask me "What's the catch? Why are you doing this?" The internal culture is kind and energetic at the same time. This group of people wants to bring sustainable materials to the fashion, home and auto industries. We actively reach out to brands from various industries to participate in the next generation of sustainable, animal free materials.
I started with MII 8 months ago and couldn't be happier! Having worked as a development professional for over 25 years, I was eager to dive in and assist in growing this nonprofit, building out the development department for such an important and bold mission for the sake of animals and the environment.
Nicole is simply the best supervisor I've ever had. Her leadership style, based on her decades of experience, provides the perfect balance of her drive and determination combined with the knowledge to allow autonomy where it's deserved and scrutiny when it's warranted. Having worked in other nonprofits where leaders allow and/or even directly perpetuate passive aggressive or outright aggressive behaviors which yields low morale and high turnover, working at MII I can honestly say is a true family of co-workers trying to make a difference together and leaving their drama at the door. So grateful! Not to mention, our dev team is the best and I've made some lifelong friends.
I volunteer my time with Material Innovation Initiative because of the people and the mission.
Nicole, Stephanie, and the folks here are truly passionate about revolutionizing the materials industry (fashion, home goods, automotive) by replacing animal-based materials. Hand in glove with that is MII's aim to shrink the environmental footprint of synthetic fibers. The upshot is a more humane, sustainable, and thriving industry that produces better, more innovative products for consumers. Who wouldn’t be thrilled to be a part of that?!
My personal interest in volunteering with MII is first and foremost in support of animal welfare. But it’s also been hugely rewarding see the sheer creativity and innovation of the companies that MII is tapping into. It gives me great hope for the future, especially one rocked by Covid-19 and a year of tragic natural disasters.
MII is full of hard-working, intelligent, kind and passionate people. They all strive for ending sustainability issues and animal welfare concerns using recent technological breakthroughs. Nicole is one of the kindest and most educated people on this topic and truly is passionate about this cause
MII is a forward-looking and ambitious innovator impacting several major industries. Nicole is a wonderful fit as leader of the MII team bringing both patience yet aggressive passion to new thinking and to the education of diverse involved parties. This includes researchers, customers, invested partners, and existing industrial companies. MII intends to revolutionize multiple industries in a direction that will make a sustainable impact on the future of our environment. Nicole is also positioning MII by gathering young and innovative talent to participate in building a more sustainable future .
JoAnn J.
As an intern for MII, I learned so much about the fashion industry, from knowing nothing. I made connections through the leadership in MII that will help me in every aspect of my life. The people at MII not only care about the future of the world, but about the people who care to change it too. I was given the opportunity to be seen as an equal, to some well respected people in the industry already. I had to prove my ability, but the opportunities were endless. I believe that MII is bringing to light a much needed direction that the fashion, home and automotive industries need to move towards. Through MII, I found different career paths that will help me utilize my passion for a sustainable world through materials. Thank you MII for the opportunity during the crazy times that were Summer 2020, and for everything else since then.
This non profit is filling the need of a nascent innovation effort, and they will lead the way to animal-free materials for many industries.
Nicole & team are fervently driving toward net-positive impact through all of the work they're doing at MII. The ecosystem of brands, innovators, investors, technical experts, and industry know-how they're building is invaluable to the industry's progress at large. They're deep thinkers & reliable executors who are finding synergies between brand needs, technological developments, and planetary boundaries. They're great to work with (incredibly responsive, agile, and informative) and are absolutely a trusted source of information. On a personal note, they're kind, fair, and an all-around stellar cast of human beings who are trying to demystify the complexities of the next-generation materials market so we can all experience a fruitful world for generations to come.
I currently work at the Material Innovation Initiative and I love it! I am really impressed with the whole team. They are hardworking, passionate, very smart, critical thinkers, and dedicated to the mission. People seem very comfortable offering their opinions and challenging current thought or the organization's direction which leads to very interesting and exciting debates, further refining our work and effectiveness. I have been very impressed with everyone's contributions to the strategic plan, objectives and key results, and work product. Our mission is critical and this team is perfect to accomplish our goals.
I absolutely loved working for MII this summer — everyone is super hardworking, supportive, and extremely passionate about MII's mission. Nicole and Anne created the space and gave me the knowledge I needed to grow, both in terms of my project as well as in terms of professional/networking skills. They also really go out of their way to support the intern team and are always happy to answer questions, offer thoughtful advice, or just chat to get to know you better. They made it really easy to learn through their detailed schedules and thoughtful projects, and are quick repliers!
I have never worked with more organized employers who put so much thought and care into their work, they really set the bar high. Excited to see what they accomplish in the future!
I was fortunate enough to be part of the MII's summer remotely ran intern programme amongst many other passionate students from across the globe. A programme which was well-organised and highly adapted to the current pandemic at a time where many student opportunities are few and far between. The MII provided weekly 121 and group support sessions both for our specific research projects and wider career skills including networking opportunties and reporting/ written support. MII also gave us the freedom to research a topic which interested us most and if we wished, complimented our education studies/ projects whilst ensuring the the research carried was beneficial for the MII going forward. I wish the MII all the best in the future and hope our paths will cross again. Thank you for the opportunity.