The "Alumni in Conversation" series is proudly presented by The School of General Studies at Columbia University. Learn how the Model Alliance is working to create safe and equitable work conditions in the modeling and fashion industries. Join the Model Alliance’s founder and executive director, Sara Ziff ‘11GS, leadership council member Nathalia Novaes ’22JRN, and legal intern Olivia Hunter ‘22LAW for a conversation about their transitions from modeling to advocacy, and how they are working to create meaningful change. The conversation will be moderated by GS alumna and founder of Fashion Girls for Humanity, Kikka Hanazawa '00GS.

This event is open to all members of the Columbia University community.

Registered guests will receive a link 24 hours prior to event time.

Speakers:

Sara Ziff '11GS

Sara is the Founder and Executive Director of the Model Alliance. She has worked as a model for over two decades and produced the feature documentary Picture Me, which chronicles her and other models’ experiences of their industry. Sara spearheaded and oversaw efforts to pass the Child Model Act in New York State and the Talent Protections Act in California. She also helped to draft and introduce legislation that would create the first federal protections for child performers. She has worked to develop and introduce the RESPECT Program, which invites companies in the fashion industry to make an enforceable commitment to stop harassment and other forms of abuse. Sara is the recipient of the National Organization for Women's Susan B. Anthony Award and was named one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in 2018. Sara received her B.A. from Columbia University and her M.P.A. from Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Kikka Hanazawa '00GS

Kikka Hanazawa is a fashion investor and non-profit founder. Her investment includes VPL, a sustainable fashion brand, and she is founder of Fashion Girls for Humanity, an award-winning nonprofit. Ms. Hanazawa became the first Japanese woman to be selected as a Forbes 48 Heroes of Philanthropy. She has made, and continues to make, a global social impact through these business and nonprofit ventures, and she has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, The New York Times, Vogue, BBC, and Reuters. She is a regular speaker at conferences and panels, including Google, Yale Center for Business and the Environment, Harvard Business School, and New York City Economic Department Corporation (NYCEDC)'s fashion incubator program. She served on The Council of Fashion Designers of America's finance committee. She currently serves on the Board of Visitors at Columbia University’s School of General Studies and advises various fashion sustainability initiatives. Born in Tokyo, Ms. Hanazawa received a Bachelor of Arts in art history from Columbia University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Nathalia Novaes '22JRN

Originally from Brazil, Nathalia Novaes has been a model for over 10 years. She worked with clients including Elle, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Clinique and Estee Lauder. A summa cum laude graduate of Fordham University, she completed a double major in Communications and Women, Gender & Sexuality studies. She is currently a graduate student at Columbia Journalism School.

Olivia Hunter '22LAW

Olivia Hunter, originally from Indiana, graduated top of her class from Earlham College. She modeled for three years after undergrad, working in London, Shanghai, and New York for clients such as Bare Minerals, Bergdorf Goodman's, Nylon Magazine, and Proenza Schouler. She is currently in her second year of Columbia's JD program, and spent the summer working with the Model Alliance researching labor protections available to models under federal and New York State laws.

Alumni in Conversation: Sara Ziff '11GS and the Model Alliance