Origin Stories

celebrating transformational leadership

Origin Stories is a series exploring the journeys of visionaries — artists, business leaders, designers, and social entrepreneurs — who have reimagined the world around us. Through candid conversations and immersive retail experiences, we’ll uncover the pivotal moments that shaped their leadership, the unexpected outcomes of their work, and how creativity and purpose can drive meaningful change.

This year, meet Adam Thatcher, Nasreen Sheikh, and Jennifer Stucko in a discussion moderated by Karen Kariuki, Grace Farms Managing Director, Strategic Initiatives.

Grace Farms Tea & Coffee

Saturday, September 27, 2025 | 3 pm

Grace Farms Foundation’s Origin Stories series kicks off with Adam Thatcher, Co-Founder and CEO of Grace Farms Teas & Coffees, sharing the journey behind this mission-driven initiative. As a certified B Corp, it prioritizes ethical sourcing, sustainability, and partnerships with women-owned collectives, with 100% of profits supporting the Foundation’s humanitarian work to end forced labor. Voices from the field will highlight how purpose-driven leadership creates lasting impact across industries and communities.

About Adam Thatcher 

Adam Thatcher is co-founder and CEO of Grace Farms Tea & Coffee. He envisioned the model of a nonprofit-owned business after learning about the innovative social enterprise structures possible under the IRS code while getting his MBA at NYU.

Prior to Grace Farms Tea & Coffee, Adam served as the Director of Operations and Sustainability for Grace Farms Foundation from 2015 – 2020. With a passion for ethical and environmental sustainability efforts, Adam led Grace Farms’ LEED Silver Certification for Operations + Maintenance. Before joining Grace Farms, Adam served as the Director of Food and Beverage at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows ski resorts in Lake Tahoe, California. In 2014 Adam was named of the 10 most impactful leaders in the ski industry under the age of 30.

The Empowerment Collective

Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 11 am

Nasreen Sheikh’s transformative journey from modern slavery survivor to advocate is driving change in the fight against modern slavery. As the founder of the Empowerment Collective and Local Women’s Handicrafts in Nepal, and creator of TransparaTrade, she empowers marginalized women and promotes ethical business practices across global supply chains. Discover how her work is inspiring a movement toward a world free from modern slavery.

About Nasreen Sheikh

Nasreen Sheikh is a survivor of Modern Slavery, and a visionary leader committed to ending modern slavery through survivor-led initiatives. Her profound journey interwoven with her roles as the founder of the Empowerment Collective Foundation, an organization dedicated to ending modern slavery, and Local Women’s Handicrafts (LWH), a women’s social business venture in Nepal. Her emphasis on a transparent global economic system, and supply chain transparency, corporate engagement, and modern slavery legislation, these are important steps toward ending modern slavery.

Nasreen’s life story embodies courage and hope, having emerged from the harrowing shadows of modern slavery. Her personal history illuminates the urgency to solve this complex issue, motivating her to take a transformative stand. Empowerment Collective, recognizing the power of survivors in leading the solution with a profound belief in their strength and resilience, Nasreen envisioned an organization that places survivors at the forefront of innovative solutions to this global crisis. Nasreen establishment of Local Women’s Handicrafts,The Social business venture provided a platform for marginalized women, fostering economic independence through traditional craftsmanship. Nasreen’s belief in the potential of women, coupled with her unwavering commitment to preserving cultural heritage, shaped LWH into a thriving safe space for women artisans.

Nasreen’s philosophy advocacy revolves around empowering survivors and individuals with lived experiences of modern slavery to take autonomous roles in leading solutions and spreading awareness. She firmly believes that their firsthand knowledge and resilience are indispensable in crafting effective strategies and initiating societal change.

Prota Fiori

Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 11 am

Jennifer Stucko is the founder of Prota Fiori, a sustainable luxury shoe brand redefining fashion through innovation and responsible design. Inspired by Italy’s rich shoemaking heritage and the urgent need for environmental change, she launched Prota Fiori to merge craftsmanship with sustainability, using upcycled materials to create elegant, eco-conscious premium quality footwear made in Italy. Learn more as Jennifer shares her journey of transforming the luxury fashion industry with a commitment to circularity and ethical production.

Following the conversation, enjoy a curated retail experience featuring Prota Fiori.

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