Meet Fernanda Bacelis Growing Into Opportunity

When Fernanda Bacelis joined Vertical Knits more than five years ago, she started as an operator on the production floor. Over time, she advanced through several roles, gaining valuable technical skills and experience. Today, she works as a Knitting Development Assistant, a progression that reflects her steady learning and the company's internal pathways for growth. Alongside her daily responsibilities, Fernanda became actively involved in the Fair Trade Committee, eventually serving as its President. This role helped her develop skills that complemented her technical work, such as public speaking, meeting facilitation, and effective communication. She learned to clearly explain to coworkers how Community Development Funds are discussed, approved, and implemented. Participating in general assemblies and shaping projects based on worker input gave her direct experience with collective decision-making and shared responsibility, enhancing her natural leadership abilities. At Vertical Knits, Community Development Funds projects are identified through needs assessments and worker-led planning. One such project provided phased access to household appliances, designed to align with shifting family needs for different items such as gas tanks, ovens, water tanks or microwaves. During this same period, Fernanda was also starting a new chapter in her personal life. As she and her husband married and began building their home, they faced the financial decisions common to many young families. For Fernanda and her colleagues, these projects helped manage household expenses and supported greater financial stability. Through structured needs assessments and transparent fund management, projects at Vertical Knits are shaped around the real needs and priorities of its workers. Fernanda’s experience shows that developing professionally and taking part in workplace decisions can strengthen both her own growth and the well-being of her colleagues.