Director of Sustainability

• Feb 2023 - Present

In this inaugural role, I lead and manage the organization’s Sustainability mandate; collaborate and integrate successful sustainability solutions into the Museum's locations; Manage and lead the development and ongoing implementation of the organization’s sustainability strategy; Maintain and create timelines and checklists to ensure projects are on track; Lead and manage the implementation and continuous improvement of the Sustainability Strategic Plan; Report to senior museum leadership and service in a cross-departmental strategic position focused on embedding a holistic approach to sustainability in museum operations, policy, and culture; Focus on quantitative measurement and reporting to inform pieces of Annual Sustainability Report, Produce Annual Sustainability Report and maintain on website; Lead and manage the Green Team Leadership program and monthly meetings, ensuring annual goals, monthly tracking and reporting, and continuous improvements; Review, update, and create internal policies/strategies with a sustainability lens; Travel regularly to all working locations within New York to liaise with staff, note issues, progress, and goals, and as needed for external engagement opportunities related to sustainability; Work alongside the Facilities team to ensure timely and efficient implementation of environmental sustainability upgrades/strategies and engage all necessary internal and external stakeholders to facilitate applications for funding for such initiatives; Work with external stakeholders and vendors to ensure alignment of sustainability goals; Support development of internal and external communications materials, including but not limited to: materials for onboarding, intranet, toolkits, resource documents, newsletters, etc.; Support the development of staff workshops, speakers, and educational opportunities. Show less

Part-Time Faculty

• Jan 2022 - Present

I teach Business Regulations and Practices (Business Law) and Design of Business in the Parsons Strategic Design and Management BBA program with a focus on sustainable business and the apparel industry I teach Business Regulations and Practices (Business Law) and Design of Business in the Parsons Strategic Design and Management BBA program with a focus on sustainable business and the apparel industry

Co-Founder

• Jun 2018 - Present

Using a combination of environmental impact assessment data, ESG reporting standards, education, and place making strategies, we bridge gaps between the mainstream sustainability movement and targeted communities that are first and most impacted by climate crisis. We focus on fashion, wellness and agriculture industries. In addition to data capturing and developing material impact assessments for clients, we host elemental symposia, monthly volunteer days, town halls, and other community-oriented events. We are building an app called Greenish which supports our focus on the sustainability of communities of color in Brooklyn. Greenish is a place making sustainability tool and tech application that evaluates the material impacts businesses have in gentrifying communities from the perspective of consumers via the process of data capturing. I organized, managed and led a team of dynamic leaders to support the development of Greenish. We also specialize in forming impactful partnerships for our education and community work. Partners include: * Levis * CFDA * Best Buy * Mara Hoffman * Custom Collaborative * Start:Empowerment * PinkCornrows * MoCADA museum Our partnerships have not only generated increased engagement, but they have created deeper connections with our community regarding sustainability and environmental justice impact. We have consulted with our federal senator Kirsten Gillibrand on the Fabric Act and state senator Alexandra Biaggi’s Fashion Act legislation. Most recently, we launched a Summer School course series titled: Redefining Justice in the Climate Movement. This is a dynamic 6 week course that prioritized intergenerational learning and teaching and focused on indigenous communities. This course was presented in partnership with Start: Empowerment and is sponsored by Fibershed and Fashion Impact Fund. Show less

Sustainability Strategist | Educator | Consultant | Legal Advisor

• Oct 2013 - Feb 2023

Focus areas: intellectual property, fashion, music, tv/film/entertainment law; sustainability; equity; policy; education As a solo practitioner since 2013, I have negotiated deals with the following companies for my clients: Headspace; Match, Inc.; Adidas; Whitney Museum of American Art; Viacom CBS; MTV; Smithsonian; Sony; Art.sy, Inc; Disney; Warp Records; Big Deal Records; Aire; Brooklyn Museum; Brooklyn Academy of Music; Brooklyn Public Library; Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy, Inc; Spoleto Festival; Bowdoin College Museum of Art; Colby College Museum of Art; Tang Teaching Museum and Art; Gallery at Skidmore College; The Rose Art Museum at Brandeis Middlebury College Museum of Art and many more. As a consultant, I have created sustainable fashion, fashion law, and art law workshops for the following organizations: YoungArts; Made in NYC; CFDA. I have also consulted on federal legislation including: The Fabric Act, the Fashion Act and the Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act. I present keynotes on the following topics: 1. The futility of scaling sustainability 2. Redefining Sustainable Business: Why Businesses Have the Power to Truly Change the World for the Better 3. Copycat Trash: How the Appropriation of Remix Culture has Led to Fashion's Biggest Problem 4. Presenting nuanced perspectives on our current culture of shame as it relates to sustainability mobilization. Currently, as a consultant, I am developing a sustainability fellowship and pipeline program for an equity-centered, sustainable fashion non-profit. I am available for consulting in sustainable fashion (labor and environmental justice) as well as legal consulting that is based on equity, arts and entertainment, fashion law, and policy. For more info, including rates, please visit https://whitneymcguire.work/ Show less

General Counsel

• Jan 2021 - Feb 2022

Supported art museum with transition into new shared location with three other prominent cultural institutions: BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), BPL (Brooklyn Public Library), and 651 Arts. Assembled team of experts in law and equitable design/design justice to support the framework of an equitable operating agreement for all 4 cultural institutions. Advised Executive Director on legal matters pertaining to this project. Supported art museum with transition into new shared location with three other prominent cultural institutions: BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), BPL (Brooklyn Public Library), and 651 Arts. Assembled team of experts in law and equitable design/design justice to support the framework of an equitable operating agreement for all 4 cultural institutions. Advised Executive Director on legal matters pertaining to this project.

Of Counsel

• Sep 2017 - Jan 2019

Judicial Law Clerk

• Sep 2015 - Sep 2017

Design Associate

• Oct 2013 - Jul 2015

Interior Design Interior Design

General Counsel

• Apr 2014 - Jul 2014

Legal Intern

• May 2012 - Aug 2012

Legislative Assistant

• Jul 2011 - Jan 2012

Assisted lobbyist, Liz Robbins with drafting and researching key aspects of the Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act (IDPPPA) — a bill that would have provided copyright-like protection for fashion designers. Assisted lobbyist, Liz Robbins with drafting and researching key aspects of the Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act (IDPPPA) — a bill that would have provided copyright-like protection for fashion designers.

Judicial Extern

• Jun 2011 - Sep 2011

Solely drafted copyright decision that became Federal case precedent. Solely drafted copyright decision that became Federal case precedent.

Paralegal

• Feb 2009 - Jun 2010

Development Coordinator

• Jan 2009 - May 2010

Paralegal

• Sep 2008 - 2009