Rene Gauthier

Building Clothing Manufacturing Ecosystems

United States

About

I’ve spent my career pushing back against a legacy industry that forgot how to do things right—onshoring production, reviving local manufacturing systems, and giving a damn about the talented people behind the clothes we wear. As CEO and board member of Sitka, Ecologyst, Frankie, and now AmericaMade Holdings, I’ve led companies committed to creating better systems—ones that prioritize thoughtful production, reduce waste, and leave the planet less f’d. I’ve navigated growth, transformation, and plenty of failure—turning ideas into brands and brands into movements. I thrive at the intersection of business strategy and creative problem-solving, especially when it means proving the status quo wrong. I love demonstrating that doing good in the world and making money can co-exist. I love supporting other entrepreneurs in doing the same.

Experience

  • Founder and Director at AmericaMade holdings
    Aug 2024 - Present · 1 yr 11 mos

  • Director at Frankie Collective
    Aug 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 11 mos

  • Ecologyst (BC, Canada)
    • Director
      Jan 2019 - Present · 7 yrs 6 mos

    • CEO
      Jan 2019 - Feb 2025 · 6 yrs 2 mos

  • Co-Founder at Sitka
    Jan 2004 - Dec 2018 · 15 yrs

    Sitka was a lifestyle brand that produced and sold clothing and surfboards with a Pacific North West aesthetic and triple bottom line approach to business.