Maude Fodor, founder of PachaMama
In 2005, after completing my studies in international relations and law, I traveled to Peru for the first time to get involved in two cooperation projects (with CRÉDIL and CECI). It was then that I met the knitters of Arte-Aymara, our main partner. The connection I formed with these women would change my life! The determination of these artisans to promote their knitwear in the fair-trade market resonated deeply with me. My entrepreneurial spirit then took over. A few months later, PachaMama was born.
My work aligns so well with my passions and values. Before studying international relations, I worked in the agricultural sector, both in vegetable farming and dairy. Working in Peru with alpaca breeders and artisans from rural regions fuels this passion. Most of our clients are also alpaca breeders, and it is always a pleasure to talk with them about their herds.
Diane Gagnon, quality and orders assistant
This is Diane, an exceptional woman who has devoted over 50 years of her life to helping people as a social worker.
In our very early days, Diane even volunteered. Her contribution to the development and sustainability of the company is immense. She knows almost every corner of PachaMama and has even had the chance to travel to Peru twice to knit alongside the artisans!
Do you think she looks a bit like Maude? Indeed–Diane is Maude’s mother ♥
Diane Touchette, quality and orders assistant
After working at PachaMama for three years from 2016 to 2019, Diane returned to the rescue in the fall of 2020, right in the midst of the COVID crisis! Having held various positions with us, Diane is incredibly versatile. Her help is always welcome.
Diane is a woman of many talents and diverse interests. She has a thirst for exploring new territories, discovering healthy recipes, and enjoying the best literary releases. There’s never a shortage of topics to discuss!
Annie Bélanger, quality and orders assistant – administrative support
Annie is an amazing colleague! A childhood educator, she had never worked with alpaca knitwear before, but her manual skills and resourcefulness allowed her to integrate very quickly. She quickly demonstrated her many talents and took on several key responsibilities.
She is highly creative and organized, and she wears the event organizer hat at PachaMama. Thanks to Annie, our little celebrations are always enjoyable!
In addition to handling orders, Annie manages invoicing, inventories, and many steps of the import process.
Francine Turgeon, quality and orders assistant – operations coordinator
Francine is a strong-willed woman with a big heart. She is a remarkable person who has revealed to us her many professional and personal talents.
Together with Maude, Francine handles customer relations. She loves checking in with our clients and providing them with the best service in the shortest possible time!
Francine always maintains a big-picture view of the work to ensure everything runs smoothly. She puts her heart into her work at PachaMama. We are lucky to have her on our team!
Gina Rubio, product quality and photography training advisor
We are so lucky to have Gina on our team! She is our quiet little bee with a calm strength. Originally from Colombia, Gina brings a rich cultural and academic background.
She wears many hats. Her skills in graphic design and photography have earned her an active role with our website.
In addition, Gina has solid experience in textiles, as her mother creates and sews clothing. Being a native Spanish speaker, she assists Maude in working with the artisans in Peru. Gina has also developed numerous guides and tools for the knitters.
