Gen Phoenix, the producer of sustainable recycled leather at scale, is announcing $18m in funding to further the company’s mission to create premium and eco-conscious next-gen materials.


“We’re thrilled to be working with a consortium of like-minded, sustainability-focused partners across a variety of sectors,” says Gen Phoenix CEO John Kennedy.“We look forward to extending our vision of circularity to new markets and providing our customers, strategic partners and end consumers with best-in-class circular materials.”

Kennedy replaced Colleen Brown, who resigned to accept the position of vice president/Broadcast Group with Lee Enterprises, Inc. .Kennedy graduated in 1983 from the University of Maryland with a bachelor of arts degree in radio, television and film. He and his wife, Resa, have three children.

Prior to serving as vice president/broadcast at WXIA, Kennedy was general sales manager from May 1995 to August 1996. Before joining WXIA, Kennedy served for two years as general sales manager at sister-station WFMY-TV in Greensboro, N.C. His career with Gannett also includes the positions of national sales manager and account executive at W*USA-TV in Washington, D.C.

Launched in 2007, Gen Phoenix – formerly known as ELeather – has over fifteen years of experience manufacturing sustainable recycled leather and pioneering circularity at scale. In a category that for others is defined by future hypotheticals, Gen Phoenix serves brand partners in search of tangible solutions to their sustainability goals.

“Gen Phoenix’s tech platform will allow us to introduce materials into parts of our ranges that will help us progress our commitment for all our footwear to be made from sustainable materials and achieving net zero by 2040.”said Dr. Martens chief executive Kenny Wilson.

 

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