Insights from the Sourcing Journal Sustainability Summit: ISAIC CEO Jen Guarino on Ending Overproduction
ISAIC CEO Jen Guarino and ISAIC Board CEO—and Because Capital Founder—Christian Birka took the stage at the Sourcing Journal Sustainability Summit in Los Angeles for an honest, inspiring discussion on the need for transformative business models that systematically reduce gross overproduction. Their conversation underscored what may be the greatest opportunity facing our industry today: reducing waste while strengthening profitability and minimizing harm to people and the planet.
Held on November 13, 2025, the Sourcing Journal Sustainability Summit brought together leaders across fashion, textiles, and denim to examine how innovation is reshaping every aspect of the supply chain. Experts like Jen and Christian shared how they’re navigating the complex shift toward sustainable operational models. Attendees engaged in action-oriented conversations that explored everything from groundbreaking material innovations to tech-enabled efficiencies, closed-loop manufacturing, and radical transparency. The summit spotlighted the companies and ideas defining the future of responsible production.
Key Takeaways from the Conversation
The industry must adopt a model that delays ordering until true demand is clear.
Doing so dramatically reduces overproduction.
It also frees capital that is currently locked in surplus inventory.
These shifts ultimately boost net profit and open up resources for other sustainability initiatives.
The Solutions Already Exist
Advanced, responsive manufacturing capabilities positioned closer to the consumer.
Processes that have been de-risked, validated, and standardized through real-world pilot programs with professional operators.
Faster adoption and scalability through proven innovation pathways.
New approaches to training, developing, attracting, and valuing workers.
But meaningful change requires collaboration. Retail and brand C-suites (CEOs, CFOs, COOs) must partner with manufacturers and innovators to remove long-standing barriers that block progress. It demands courage—and action—from the highest levels of leadership.
At ISAIC, our mission is to build the confidence to transform through proven innovation pilots, training programs, and workforce development that enable sustainable change from the ground up. If you’re interested in continuing the dialogue or collaborating on solutions, reach out at innovation@isaic.org.
Special thanks to Sourcing Journal and ASU FIDM for hosting such an impactful event!
Want to hear more industry-shaping insights from Jen?
Read our blog: “Scaling Sustainable Innovation in Fashion: An Honest Conversation with ISAIC CEO Jen Guarino.”