From Sustainable Fashion to Refugee Empowerment: Grace Zhang 25BBA on Sewing Impact into Business
This past summer, Grace Zhang 25BBA combined her passions for sustainable fashion and entrepreneurship through a Business & Society Institute Social Enterprise Fellowship. As a Digital Growth Marketing Intern with the Refugee Sewing Society, Grace supported refugee women in building financial independence while applying her marketing skills to strengthen the organization’s reach and impact. Discover more in our Q&A with Grace.
Let’s start with an introduction. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
I graduated this May from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School with a BBA in Marketing and Information Systems & Operations Management where I was a Goizueta Scholar and Business & Society Institute (BSI) Social Enterprise Fellow. Two key things I’m passionate about is sustainable fashion and supporting entrepreneurs from traditionally overlooked backgrounds – I previously founded my sustainable clothing brand, where I handmade and sold upcycled pieces (you can find examples of my work on Instagram @renouvmode), and then expanded my impact by hosting sewing workshops and clothing swaps on campus. At Emory University, I also empowered Atlanta’s minority founders with the tools to grow their small businesses through providing pro-bono consulting services with Emory Consult Your Community (CYC).
What inspired you to pursue your current internship or project this summer?
I wanted my post-grad summer to be both relaxing yet meaningful and saw an opportunity to invest all in my passion projects. When I first learned about the Refugee Sewing Society (who created our custom graduation stoles for BSI), I was immediately drawn to their mission, which aligned so closely with my own values of sustainability, empowerment, and entrepreneurship. When the Managing Director of the Business & Society Institute Brian Goebel and the BSI team opened stipend applications, I actually created this internship by pitching myself to Refugee Sewing Society (RSS). It felt like the perfect opportunity to combine my love for sewing with my marketing background to support refugee women on their journey toward financial independence.
Tell us about the organization you’re working with and your role there.
The Refugee Sewing Society is a social enterprise based in Clarkston, Georgia, that provides refugee women with a safe, welcoming community, free sewing lessons, and opportunities to earn income by selling their handmade goods. As the Digital Growth Marketing Intern, I initially set out to strengthen RSS’s digital presence and launch an e-commerce channel. Over the summer, I pivoted toward building a system to secure more group orders, since one of their biggest challenges is ensuring steady work for the women. My role ended up being equal parts long-term growth strategy and short-term social media management.
What impact are you hoping to make—or already seeing—through your work?
A big focus has been creating more consistency in branding, outreach, and operations. Beyond the digital marketing tools I created, the most meaningful part has been connecting with the women behind the work and seeing how stable orders directly impact their lives. One exciting win has been developing a strategy to connect RSS with small businesses, student groups, and event organizers for custom and group orders. This creates more reliable income streams while also expanding awareness of RSS across Georgia.
Plug: If you’re in charge of gifts for events—like weddings, bachelorette parties, or corporate employee appreciation—or if you’re a Georgia-based small business like a café, spa, or fitness studio interested in carrying RSS products, please reach out to Susie at susie@refugeesewingsociety.com!
How has Goizueta prepared you for this experience?
Goizueta gave me not only technical skills in marketing and strategy, but also the mentorship and encouragement to pursue projects at the intersection of business and social impact. Through programs like the Business & Society Institute Social Enterprise Fellowship and classes like Philanthropy Lab, I’ve had the space and support to explore how business can be used as a tool for good.
Why did you choose Goizueta, and what has the experience meant to you so far?
I chose Goizueta because I had so many different interests and appreciated that its philosophy was business and, not business or. The emphasis on social impact and community has been transformative and I’ve found mentors, peers, and opportunities that shaped both my career direction and my personal values.
What advice would you give to future students who want to pursue social impact or climate-related work?
Think global, act local. Some of the most meaningful work begins in your own community. Don’t be afraid to pitch yourself, take initiative, and carve your own path if the opportunity doesn’t exist yet. There is so much space for creative, driven students to make a difference.
What’s next for you after the internship ends?
I just moved to Boston! On weekdays, I’ll be working as a BCG consultant, and on weekends, I’m excited to explore (and hopefully eventually host my own) fashion/sewing community events.
Interested in pursuing a business degree? Learn more about the unique programs Goizueta has to offer.
