Welcome to Maison Pathfinders

Ayris has been a champion for women, entrepreneurs and underinvested communities for nearly two decades. Her mission-oriented approach to addressing social inequities has led to transformative public-private partnerships with numerous global brands, as well as the implementation of  innovative policies and initiatives. She has secured over $60M in funding and allocated more than $200M in grants and subsidies. 

She currently serves as Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility & Global Initiatives for Nareit, the worldwide representative voice for REIT-based real estate investment with policymakers and the global investment community. In this capacity Ayris leads Nareit’s industry wide social impact initiative, Dividends Through Diversity Equity and Inclusion, oversees Nareit’s CEO Council, advises on philanthropic investments, and serves as Secretary of the Global REIT Alliance, REESA managing Nareit’s engagement with REIT leaders in Japan, Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Brussels.  

Ayris is also an entrepreneur and serves as President of Abel Vision Enterprises which collaborates with nonprofits, corporations and government agencies to design inclusive design and operational practices relating to funding, outreach and culture. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The Guardian, Fast Company, Ebony, Fox, ABC, and NBC news affiliates. She is the chartering President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Metropolitan Washington D.C. Chapter, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a Leadership Greater Washington alum.

Ahriana is the founder and CEO of Vaila Shoes, where she provides women of forgotten shoe sizes (sizes 9+) with access to modern dress shoes that they desire and deserve. Vaila utilizes the trends of today to create a seasonal dress shoe line designed for the workplace and after-hours. Vaila is on a mission to achieve extended size inclusivity in the footwear space and help women look good while doing it. 

Since college, Ahriana has been motivated by sales and entrepreneurship. She's participated in business accelerators with notable organizations such as Black Ambition Prize, Digital Undivided, Future Founders, and Techstars to push the needle with the success of building Vaila. As a fresh graduate of college in 2021, she raised over $80K in non-dilutive funding from pitch competitions before Vaila launched. Along her entrepreneur journey, she's had the pleasure to be featured by organizations such as Entrepreneur, Forbes, Black Enterprise, BET, Essence and Nasdaq (to name a few). In just under 2 years of business, she also launched her company into Macy's and quickly became recognized on the “2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 Local Atlanta List” and her company became recognized on the “2023 Story Exchange “Brilliant Business Ideas” List. 

As a sales and marketing enthusiast, her roles with industry leaders such as Toyota, Nestle, and Facebook along with previous work at multiple business centers have contributed tremendously to her expertise and success. 

At her core, she is motivated by creating a generational legacy and aims to use her innovativemindset and creativity to create a social impact for the undervalued, underestimated, andunderrepresented.

Pallavi Pande is a BIPOC mompreneur and founder of DTOCS, a brand creating classy, compostable tableware for events, and DTOCS Consulting, helping brands grow on Amazon. Recognized as one of America’s Top 100 Businesses, a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow, and Inc. honoree, she also leads a 2,000+ member South Asian moms group in Oregon and serves on the board of Naturally Seattle. When not building businesses or mentoring founders, she’s likely dancing Zumba or sipping wine—always championing People, Planet, and Parties.

Fun Facts About Pallavi! 

 Global Explorer: I love traveling and have visited 15+ countries, always hunting for the best local food and sustainable practices!

 Unexpected Product Testers: My compostable palm leaf plates have been backyard-tested by rabbits and even a bulldog, turns out, they love them as much as humans do! 

  "Pitch Queen" Status: I’ve won $100K+ in pitch competitions & grants, and now I mentor other founders on how to win funding!

 Seller Spotlights: My brand DTOCS has been featured by the US Chamber of Commerce, Hello Alice, WBENC, Amazon & Walmart for our success in e-commerce

   Eco-Warrior at Heart: I believe People, Planet, and Parties can coexist sustainably, let’s host with style, minus the waste! 

Shawn Filer, M.A., is a global strategist and technology leader at the nexus of capital markets, artificial intelligence, and education reform. A Stanford graduate in engineering and leadership studies, Filer integrates finance, technology, and policy to shape long-term growth. Alongside his global work, he remains deeply committed to his hometown of Ferguson, Missouri, where he invests in education and community-driven innovation.

Assistant Professor, Fashion Business Management
Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC

Christine Stragazzi is an Assistant Professor in the Fashion Business Management Department at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. With over two decades of executive merchandising experience across brick-and-mortar, wholesale, and e-commerce, she focuses on driving innovation in fashion business management. Her work integrates future studies, creative strategy, and leadership, and centers on redefining fashion business practices to drive long-term value creation through innovation, strategic thinking, sustainability, and inclusivity.

Carmia Marshall is a wardrobe stylist, educator, author, sustainable fashion savant, and television and film costumer whose work blends high style with mindful living. A proud graduate of Howard University (cum laude, B.A. in Communications), she has built a multifaceted career spanning television, film, fashion design, personal styling, publishing, and wellness—rooted in creativity, care, and cultural awareness. Her style approach is intuitive yet practical, focused on wardrobe editing, upcycling, and intentional styling that prioritizes longevity, self-expression, and impact over trends. As co-author of three eco-forward fashion books—T-Shirt Makeovers, Denim Mania, and Chic Sweats—Carmia was ahead of the upcycling curve, demonstrating that sustainability and style can coexist without compromise. Education is central to her work; she teaches people how to rework, reimagine, and reconnect with the clothes they already own through high-impact, wearable solutions grounded in real life.

To Carmia, getting dressed is an act of healing, communication, and self-awakening. She brings this philosophy to every facet of her practice—from private clients and creative collaborations to Sunflowers and Lavender, her upstate New York sanctuary and short-term rental space designed for rest, learning, and immersive experiences centered on style, wellness, and intentional living.

Dr. Olayinka Lowe is a distinguished healthcare professional, educator, and Clinical Business Leader, recognized for her success as a serial entrepreneur in education and healthcare services. She excels at leading teams, improving operational efficiency, and delivering outstanding service. As an educator, she is dedicated to helping her students build confidence and develop essential nursing skills, consistently striving for their success. In her role at a Fortune 500 company, she oversees more than 40 nurse practitioners, driving patient satisfaction and team growth through effective leadership.

Beyond her corporate and academic achievements, Dr. Lowe is a compassionate humanitarian committed to advancing health and economic empowerment in her community and internationally. She develops strategic outreach programs, including ESL classes for immigrants, and manages international medical missions, overseeing a health center that has served over 3,000 patients since 2019. Her expertise in strategic planning, resource management, and relationship building fuels her impact across diverse initiatives.