{"id":41487,"date":"2023-02-06T13:18:01","date_gmt":"2023-02-06T18:18:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/?p=41487"},"modified":"2023-03-10T18:18:23","modified_gmt":"2023-03-10T23:18:23","slug":"monica-warsaw-12-named-a-2023-distinguished-young-alumni-award-recipient","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/2023\/02\/monica-warsaw-12-named-a-2023-distinguished-young-alumni-award-recipient\/","title":{"rendered":"Monica Warsaw ’12 Named a Distinguished Young Alumni Award Recipient"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Kamilah Heslop<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, when Monica Warsaw was asked to define herself in four words, she thoughtfully chose the following: innovator, woman, mother and leader. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One meaningful way that she\u2019s leading within the textile industry is through her dedication to the establishment of a critical work-life balance for working parents. The mother of one\u2019s advocacy, which centers on promoting paid parental leave, is encouraging a change in the landscape for leaders with children who come after her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFinding a balance between parenting and working can be difficult for female leaders,\u201d Warsaw says. \u201cWhen an organization is able to connect you with an opportunity that you love along with a positive work-life balance, it creates a space for you to be the most successful version of yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She credits her world-class education from the Wilson College of Textiles<\/a> and experience as president of the Phi Psi Textile Fraternity<\/a> for giving her a strong foundation to now lead with integrity, empathy and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognized for her leadership and textiles expertise<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Today, she is proud to serve as the senior technical developer at Lunya, a rest wear company. On a mission to elevate rest, Lunya makes considered rest wear that feels as good in bed as it looks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love our washable silk products, and I\u2019m inspired creatively in this role,\u201d Warsaw shares. \u201cLunya is aligned with my personal values and ethos. It’s nice to see all of the pieces fall into place. I have the technical knowledge to be successful and the drive to become even more passionate about what the brand is creating.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One area within the textile industry that especially interests Warsaw is the integration of technology into the apparel creation process. Her technical design and product construction expertise have empowered her to further her exploration of the 3D garment simulation and automation space. This will lead to significant financial gains and a time reduction in the clothing development process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recognition of Warsaw\u2019s professional achievements, community involvement and alignment with the college\u2019s core values, she was named the recipient of a Wilson College of Textiles 2023 Distinguished Young Alumni Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Established by the Dean\u2019s Young Alumni Leadership Council (DYALC)<\/a>, the Distinguished Young Alumni Awards program<\/a> recognizes graduates under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to the textile industry and their communities. The DYALC works to promote the Wilson College of Textiles and the college\u2019s fundraising arm, the North Carolina Textile Foundation<\/a>, and foster engagement among young alumni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Committed to Wilson for life<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Warsaw\u2019s journey to the Wilson College of Textiles began in 2008 when she became one of only ten students selected to receive a Centennial Scholarship<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The college\u2019s top scholarship, valued at up to $95,500, provided her with full-tuition assistance and allowed her to focus solely on her educational pursuits. During Warsaw\u2019s junior year, she used her Centennial Scholarship\u2019s enrichment funding to study abroad at the University of Manchester. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While at NC State, Warsaw immediately connected with the college\u2019s faculty members, especially Distinguished Professor Cynthia Istook<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe will always have a special place in my heart,\u201d Warsaw says. \u201cThis wasn\u2019t just a job for Dr. Istook. She was instrumental in inspiring students, myself included, to create and design. She did so much more than her job description entailed to make our experience memorable.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2012, Warsaw crossed the stage to earn her bachelor\u2019s degree in fashion and textile management<\/a> with a concentration in fashion development and product design<\/a>. From there, she took her talents to Ventura, California, to work as a product developer at Patagonia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, her connection to the Wilson College of Textiles didn\u2019t end when she left Raleigh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warsaw became an inaugural member of the Dean\u2019s Young Alumni Leadership Council<\/a> (DYALC) in 2017. Since then, she\u2019s helped encourage recent graduates to maintain and strengthen their connection with the Wilson College of Textiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe realized that alumni who have been in the workplace a relatively short time would have a critical perspective on how their college could be improved to support future young alumni like them,\u201d David Hinks, dean of the Wilson College of Textiles, says. \u201cThe DYALC\u2019s establishment was inspired by the positive energy of recent graduates, like Monica, and their interest in staying engaged with our college.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dean\u2019s
Five years ago, Monica Warsaw (first row, second from right) joined 11 other proud Wilson College graduates to form the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Within her three years on council, Warsaw was proud to see the DYALC expand from only 12 members to 23, including two student representatives. Her leadership within the DYALC also connected Warsaw to the North Carolina Textile Foundation<\/a>, which serves as the philanthropic arm of the college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extraordinarily, the DYALC has helped the foundation increase its under-40 donors by 80 percent through annual support of the university\u2019s Day of Giving<\/a> and endowed gifts. In turn, Warsaw and her husband have also chosen to provide support for the Wilson College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy going through the Centennial Scholarship process, I understand the value and impact of this incredible award,\u201d she explains. \u201cWhen I had the financial means to give back, I chose to do so because the Centennial Scholarship program will always be important to me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warsaw is inspired by the gifts that fellow members of the Wilson College community have made as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s exciting to see how much our college has blossomed, especially with the transformational gift from the Wilson family<\/a> and so many other donations from supporters.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the pride she feels when witnessing the college\u2019s growth, Warsaw is in awe of the next generation of textile leaders who call the Wilson College of Textiles home. When asked her advice for current students, she shared this critical nugget: \u201cDon\u2019t pigeonhole yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile in school, it\u2019s easy to have your eye on a specific goal or one type of company,\u201d she explains. \u201cBefore working for Patagonia, I wouldn\u2019t have imagined that it would be the organization that set my career up for success or allow me to work with some of the top factories in the world. From there, I was able to grow in my career and land a unique position at Lunya. I hope students will open themselves up to all professional experiences, even if those roles don\u2019t necessarily meet their ideal job descriptions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n