“Zero-Waste & Community-Based”
Who We Are
Our #1 goal at UP Cycle Design is sustainability awareness.
UP Cycle Design was started in spring 2020 by two college students (Sierra and Michelle) who wanted to make a difference in textile and plastic bag waste. After becoming
Co-Founders, they participated in a pre-accelerator at Horn Entrepreneurship
called Summer Founders, where they worked full time on their idea for a
summer. They interviewed over 100 sustainably-minded people
and found that people want better transparency within
sustainable fashion brands. To this day, social
impact and transparency are their
main mission.
OUR TEAM
SIERRA RYANWALLICK
Co-Founder & CEO
Sierra RyanWallick is a social entrepreneur, and the Founder of a nonprofit called AutumnLeaf Fundraisers that makes and sells handcrafted items at community events, donating 100% of the sales to charity. She has raised nearly $100,000 for nonprofits in the past 12 years with the money being donated primarily to a local cat rescue, Forgotten Cats.
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MICHELLE YATVITSKIY
Co-Founder & Head Designer
Michelle Yatvitskiy is a designer with a focus on zero waste clothing and accessories studying Apparel Design and Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Sustainability. She has worked with AndAgain a sustainable luxury company and is an Ambassador for the National Retail Federation Foundation.
OUR INTERNS
JONNA ANELLO
Digital Marketing Intern
Jonna Anello is a senior at UD, majoring in Public Relations Communications and double minoring in Advertising and Fashion Management. Her passions include skiing, doing makeup, and loves spending time with her pets.
MAX SEWELL
General Intern
Max Sewell is a junior at UD, majoring in Entrepreneurial Studies. He is a Rehoboth Beach Lifeguard and was a part of the winning team in entrepreneurial marketing for Greenbox.
TODD PETRELLA
Blog Intern
Todd Petrella is a senior at UD, majoring in Entrepreneurship and minoring Writing and Wildlife Conservation. His passions include telling stories, helping to create a sustainable environment, and hanging out with his dogs.
RICIAH HARDY-HOLMES
Design Intern
Riciah Hardy-Holmes is a senior at Freire Charter School, leading as Secretary in her school’s National Honor Society. She is currently working for Code Differently, training in Front-End Development. Her hobbies consist of listening to music, taking walks, and spending quality time with family.
Öykü Girmen
Design & Outreach Intern
Öykü Girmen is a senior at UD, majoring in Human Relations Administration and double minoring in Entrepreneurship and Organizational Community Leadership. She is passionate about sustainability and mental health advocacy. Öykü enjoys quality time with her family and friends.