Workshop Presenter Bios (more coming soon!)
Astrid Vidalon-Shields, Associate Professor, Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising, Central Washington University
Astrid Vidalon is a professor in the Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising program at Central Washington University. Professor Vidalon has a master’s degree in Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles from Washington State University and a B.A. in Communication and Advertising. She teaches the classes Basic Sewing Techniques, Advanced Sewing Techniques, Sustainability & Us, Buying and Merchandising Math, Apparel Manufacturing, Digital Presentation Techniques, Styles Principles: Body to Store, and Merchandising Buying and Planning.
Native from Peru, she worked as Marketing and Press Director, Sales Executive and Project Coordinator, and Graphic Designer for the Peruvian branch of the world’s top-selling Spanish-speaking publishing firm. In this company, she oversaw textiles and handicraft publishing projects that triggered her passion for textiles and ethnic dress. Astrid’s creative endeavors and research interests include ethnic art, handmade textiles, and sustainability. Vidalon believes that design that values traditional art can be an excellent tool for sustainable development and social empowerment.
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Zihui Zhao, PhD Student & lecturer, Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles, Washington State University
I am a passionate fashion illustrator and educator. Throughout my career, I have taught aspiring designers the art of creating stunning fashion croquis and illustrations. My workshops blend theory with hands-on practice, helping students grasp the intricacies of fashion sketching. Whether you're a beginner or an enthusiast, I'm here to guide you on your journey to becoming a proficient fashion illustrator.
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Tammie Lenz, Lecturer, Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising, Central Washington University
Tammie Lenz is a Lecturer in the Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising program at Central Washington University, teaching Basic and Advanced Sewing. She has been teaching sewing to students in elementary through high school for over 30 years and most recently at CWU. She has experience with a variety of clothing construction techniques that she brings to the classroom.
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Sayantani Mukherjee, Professor, Marketing, Central Washington University
Dr. Sayantani Mukherjee is a Marketing Professor at CWU’s College of Business with a Ph.D. from UC Irvine. She is passionate about mentoring and teaching students while advancing her research in consumer behavior, digital marketing, and public policy. Before joining academia, she worked as a senior market research analyst at global firms such as AC Nielsen, consulting for major brands like Unilever.
She created CWU’s highly popular Digital Marketing Program, which is designed to give students hands-on, real-world skills. When she’s not teaching digital marketing and consumer behavior, she leads curriculum development projects and high-impact initiatives both on campus and in the community.
Dr. Mukherjee has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Consumer Marketing and as a board member for the Women’s University Club, Seattle. She is honored to have received the College of Business Teaching Excellence Award and Service Awards.
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Lirit Olyan Pendell, Lecturer, Theatre Arts, Central Washington University
Lirit Olyan is a draper, fabricator and costume-maker. They specialize in creating custom corsetry, armor, and leather pieces for stage and film. At CWU, Lirit teaches costume design and technology. Beyond Ellensburg, they work professionally in costume design and fabrication coast to coast, with a home base in New York and collaborators and projects in New York, California, Texas, Indiana, and Pennsylvania - just to name a few. Their work at Central includes costume design and creation for Everybody, Spring Awakening and Eurydice. Their work has also be seen on the stages of James Madison University, Earlham College, UT Austin - and in immersive gaming environments such as NY ComicCon, Dystopia Rising national events, and anywhere else that people love costumes.
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Yini Chen, Professor, Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles, Washington State University
Dr. Yini Chen holds a Ph.D. from an Individual Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program, with a research focus on omni-channel retailing in the fashion apparel industry. Through intensive education and diverse work experiences, she discovered a career path aligned with her deepest passions.
Her strengths span global sourcing, retailing, sustainability, international manufacturing management, communication, apparel and graphic design, social media marketing, and organizational leadership. Passion stands as one of Dr. Chen’s core values—an enduring force that drives her commitment to hard work, forward thinking, and lifelong learning. Her deep enthusiasm for fashion and apparel empowers her to embrace innovation, confront challenges with confidence, and seize opportunities for growth and advancement.
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Conference planning committee Bios
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Andrea Eklund, Professor and Program Director, Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising, Central Washington University
Andrea Eklund is a Professor of the Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising program at Central Washington University. She has been at CWU for 17 years and has updated the program to assure students learn a well-rounded base of knowledge about textile and apparel products, merchandising strategies, product development, production processes, trends, consumers and sustainability in smaller classes that focus on hands-on learning. Graduates work for companies such as Nordstrom, Tommy Bahama, zulily, Volcom, and Boeing, among many others.
Andrea has 20 years of apparel industry experience from retail management to design to quality assurance that she applies to the classroom. Professor Eklund’s research interests include apparel design, textiles, body image, and her present project is designing a garment that integrates leather, silk and couture pleating. She is the Student Fashion Association advisor at CWU.!
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Michelle Spenser, Family and Consumer Sciences Program Supervisor, Career & Technical Education, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Michelle Spenser serves as the Family and Consumer Sciences Program Supervisor within the Career & Technical Education division at Washington state's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). In this role, she oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of Family and Consumer Sciences programs across Washington's public schools, ensuring they meet both state standards and the evolving needs of students.
Drawing on her expertise in CTE and Family and Consumer Sciences education, Ms. Spenser works closely with educators and administrators to strengthen curriculum development, provide professional development opportunities, and foster programs that prepare students for both higher education and career success in fields such as human services, hospitality, education, and consumer services.
Tanya Knannlein, Instructor & Lead Program Coordinator, The School of Apparel Design & Development at Seattle Central
Tanya Knannlein has been teaching technology, design and textiles classes at Seattle Central College’s School of Apparel Design & Development for over 20 years. Program graduates have gone on to work as designers, technical designers, product developers, patternmakers, 3D designers, material developers and stylists at companies like Zumiez, Nordstrom, Outdoor Research, Brooks, Filson and Brain Dead. Tanya recently completed a MA in Sustainable Fashion from the University of Applied Sciences in Berlin and graduated with a BFA in Fashion Design and a BA in German from Washington University in St. Louis. She designed clothing for men, children and women for over 10 years in the Seattle fashion industry before branching into freelance textile design and computer instruction for local companies..
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Kelli Gardner-Schrand, Academic Advisor, Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles, Washington State University
Bio Coming Soon
