Director, Sustainability Standards Development for Cotton Incorporated
For twenty-two years, Michele Wallace conducted textile chemistry research in the Product Development and Implementation division at Cotton Incorporated and participated in standards development to support the company’s research. During this time, Michele led the Analytical Services Lab and was the Chemical Safety Officer. She became engaged with life cycle assessment (LCA) in 2010 when Cotton Incorporated carried out the first global LCA of cotton fiber and fabric. In 2021, Michele transferred to the Sustainability Division to focus on sustainability standards and life cycle assessments. As Director, Sustainability Standards Development, she represents Cotton Incorporated in various industry-related sustainability groups and standards organizations, such as Apparel & Footwear Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Technical Secretariat in the EU, ASTM International, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Michele earned two Bachelor of Science degrees, in Chemistry and Textile Chemistry, and a Master of Science degree in Textile Chemistry from North Carolina State University. She attained her certification as a life cycle assessment professional (LCACP) in 2013. ASTM Committee D13 awarded Michele a certificate of appreciation in 2016 for her leadership in the subcommittee on textile sustainability. In 2022, Michele was recognized with the Corporate Leadership in LCA Award by ACLCA.
