#47 Teresa Fudenberg

Storm Creek (asi/89879) – CEO

2024 Rank: #48

Industry Experience: 11 years

Previous Appearances on Counselor Power 50: 1

Teresa Fudenberg, the Counselor 2023 Bess Cohn Humanitarian of the Year, slides up a spot on this year’s list, thanks to growing influence in the industry and a dedication to infusing sustainability and charitable giving into every aspect of Storm Creek (asi/89879), the Eagan, MN-based apparel business she runs with husband Doug Jackson.

“For us,” Fudenberg says, “doing good never goes out of style.”

In addition to a widely publicized pledge to donate at least $5 million in charity by 2030, Storm Creek has committed to using bluesign-approved and recycled textiles in its garments. Plus, this year, the supplier earned an EcoVadis Gold rating and became B Corp certified. “Those are hard; I’m not going to lie,” Fudenberg says. “B Corp has been on my to-do list for two-and-a-half years.”

Storm Creek, through its recently trademarked Sustainability School, also makes it a point to teach the industry about everything from certifications to forever chemicals, breaking down complex topics to help promo pros have more productive conversations with clients. “I like the help-first mindset,” Fudenberg says. “I know a rising tide lifts all ships. Whether we’re educating a competitor, an end-user or a distributor doesn’t matter … we teach everybody.”

Fudenberg, along with Jackson, was a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in the heartland region this year. Midwestern to her core, Fudenberg is quick to praise the rest of her team, however, noting that she’s made an effort to grow Storm Creek through smart staffing, building out middle management and lifting up other voices and leaders within the company. “In an entrepreneurial organization,” she adds, “the worst thing you can do is keep someone like me in the weeds because we will stifle the growth.”