Christa Marie Clark is a designer with a decade of experience crafting software solutions for Fortune 500s, social impact NGOs, and climate startups. After recognizing that technology alone isn’t enough, in 2024, Christa founded Material Union, a textile recycling company in Austin, Texas. Once the worker-owned facility is fully operational, Material Union aims to intercept millions of pounds of discarded clothing, transforming textile waste into eco-friendly products like furniture stuffing and LEED-certified insulation.

Also a self-taught seamstress, Christa upcycles garments into bespoke fashion pieces and fosters community through workshops, events, and a free food fridge she hosts in partnership with ATX Free Fridge.