Welcome to the March Edition of "Eye on Orvis!"

Welcome to the March edition of “Eye on Orvis” where each month, we focus on an associate or team that embodies the heart of Orvis.

This month, we feature Sara Keilty and Erin Heiny, both of whom began working for the company in 2019, and together they are moving Orvis products forward! ?

As Senior Product Designer, Sara is responsible for all bottoms and outerwear, including our Lifestyle, Tech, and Pro, and also working on women’s handbags. She is excited that our Women’s team is growing, with the addition of two associates in the last few years. Prior to Orvis, Sara worked in New York City for 15 years, most recently for Brook’s Brothers and Chicos.

As a Men’s designer, Erin oversees the development of bottoms and outerwear, as well as small leather goods. Originally from a small town in Ohio, she has spent the majority of her professional life away from her hometown. Before coming to Orvis, Erin spent six years working for Levi Strauss in San Francisco, California.

Sara and Erin have teamed up at Orvis, and their partnership and passion for their work are immediately noticeable. Both enjoy outdoor pursuits. While she is not an angler at heart, Sara explained how she can “geek out” with the best of them when it comes to water and fish. She is a trained scuba diver and gets into the water whenever possible. Erin is an experienced hiker and angler who enjoys getting out into nature to tent- or car-camp. Interestingly enough, she has a feline camping companion. Yes, she brings her cat, Ozzy, with her on hikes and camping.

Erin and Sara have spent a lot of time on the Orvis Jackson Quick Dry product, taking the line from Mild to Wild. Their efforts moved the line from regular fabric to recycled fabric, as well as recycled buttons, and they have worked to create garments that can go from the office to the water by modernizing design details.

Orvis is committed to protecting what we love.?Sara and Erin spoke about how they are incorporating sustainable practices into their designs. While the Jackson Quick dry fabric is one example, they look to include eco-friendly elements that may not be so obvious, such as jacket liners and buttons. These small details are ways to improve a product’s sustainability and live the Orvis values.

When asked about their advice for our associates and future employees, both agree that leaning into the history of Orvis—where we’ve come from, our founder, and family history—while sharing your own experiences and perspective, are all ways to shape and move our brand. History can take us forward and keep us authentic.

Finally, Erin and Sara talked about what they love most about our Orvis Culture. Capturing it best, Erin expressed how a love for the outdoors, creating product with purpose, and protecting what we love are parts of the culture that drives her work and love of the Orvis brand. Sara agreed!

Author: Erin McEnaney, Orvis Corporate Administration Manager