Rachel Berliner

Rachel is a passionate 17-year old from New Jersey, who found a love for the environment through her experiences as a Girl Scout. Rachel is currently earning her Gold Award by educating her community about creative up-cycling practices. Through Green Stitch, she is able to teach children and adults about the power that they have to stop the build up of one of the biggest pollutants: textile waste. Rachel believes that together, we can make the world a greener place, one stitch at a time.

Outside of Green Stitch, Rachel is the Co-President and Founder of the Armenian Club at her high school, a Research Assistant at Princeton University, and a Peer Leader at her high school. Rachel’s favorite things to do are spending time with her family, playing volleyball and lacrosse, and singing in choir!

Founder, Chief Executive Officer

Samina Patanwala

Samina is a creative 16 year old from New Jersey, who developed a passion for the environment after taking a related elective in school. The idea of upcycling clothes to make fashionable and thrifty new products, and getting to save the environment while doing so is something she loves the sound of and wants to share with as many people as possible. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing the piano, rewatching her favorite shows and movies, hiking, and making art.

Chief Operations Officer

Charlotte Blythe Valvanis is an enthusiastic student from New Jersey who is passionate about civic activism, protecting our environment, and thrifting, which led her to join Green Stitch. She is excited to contribute to the organization’s mission of helping our earth stitch by stitch while helping students realize that they can make a difference for the world, even through simple steps. Outside of Green Stitch, she loves embroidery, playing viola and piano, reading, and studying Arabic.

Chief Financial Officer

Charlotte Blythe Valvanis

Lizzie Casey is a 16 year old who is learning more about upcycling and finding ways to inspire others to help the environment. She hopes to use social media, along with her skills in video editing and digital design, to reach people in her generation. She also enjoys playing volleyball, dancing, and eating amazing food.

Social Media and Communications Director

Lizzie Casey

Sitara is a driven student from New Jersey who is passionate about sustainability, creativity and community impact. As a Board Member of GreenStitch, she is excited to help guide the organization as it grows into an official nonprofit, expanding its mission of education elementary students about fast fashion and textile waste. She believes that teaching children about environmental responsibility at a young age empowers them to think creatively about reuse and see everyday materials as opportunities for innovation.

Outside of GreenStitch, Sitara paints affirmation murals in elementary schools and works with children’s with disabilities, helping them express themselves through art and build confidence in their creativity. She is also captain of her high schools girls tennis team and enjoys cooking and baking as a way to unwind and connect with others.

 Trustee

Sitara Shah

Kacey is an 18 year old from New Jersey who enjoys playing soccer, creating art, thrifting, and spending time with loved ones. She has earned Princeton High School’s Gold Key Award for creating opportunities for communal public arts, and is excited to extend this interest through Green Stitch. In the fall of 2026, Kacey will be studying Biology at Emory University to continue learning about the environment, sustainability, and all things alive.