The Outdoor Apparel Revolution: Breaking Barriers and Advocating for All Body Types

In this episode of "The Fire Inside Her" podcast, host Diane Schroeder invites Andrea Kelly, a trailblazer in the outdoor apparel industry, to share her inspiring journey towards inclusivity. Andrea's story takes us from her role at Columbia Sportswear, where she spearheaded the creation of an inclusive sizes business unit, to the founding of her own organization, Make Plus Equal, dedicated to changing the industry from within. We'll learn a lot as we take this journey with her; you may be surprised to learn how many individuals in the US are considered "plus" size by modern sizing standards. Along the way, Andrea overcame challenges, championed body positivity, and saw the impact of her voice in helping all bodies feel valued and represented in stores. From breaking barriers to finding self-acceptance, this conversation dives deep into the importance of embracing individuality and building a more inclusive world. Don't miss out on this empowering episode.

Voted by Outside Business Journal as one of 2022's Twenty Most Influential People in the Outdoor Industry, Andrea Kelly has been championing Size Inclusion in the apparel industry for 12 years.

Her efforts, expertise, and experience not only doubled the revenue for the Inclusive Sizes program at her former employer, but has also positioned her to serve on various industry panels, keynotes, podcasts, and magazine articles. In May of this year, she launched an advising consultancy, Make Plus Equal, to help outdoor apparel brands become more size-inclusive in their product offerings and media representation.

She is mom to an 18-year-old son who's heading off to college in the fall and has lived in Portland, Oregon over 30 years.