Circular Thinking in Action: Claire Morris’s Internship at FASHIONPHILE

In the luxury fashion world, San Diego-based FASHIONPHILE is leading a quiet revolution—one that combines resale, circularity, and rigorous sustainability practices to redefine what responsible business can look like. Founded in 1997, the company has grown into a market leader by extending the life cycle of high-end handbags and accessories, and more recently, by pursuing B Corp certification to ensure every aspect of its operation aligns with high social and environmental standards.

This semester, Claire Morris, a sophomore Industrial Engineering major at the University of San Diego, joined FASHIONPHILE’s Impact team to support sustainability research and reporting. Under the mentorship of Impact Analyst Jason Boerst, Claire applied her analytical mindset to help quantify the environmental and financial benefits of solar energy, evaluate sustainable packaging, and contribute to the company’s multi-year B Corp recertification process.

Claire’s internship experience reflects why we developed the Social Innovation Internship: to connect USD students with purpose-driven companies across San Diego to solve real-world challenges and prepare for careers at the intersection of innovation, ethics, and impact. Led by the Center for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Career Development Center, and supported by Conscious Capitalism San Diego and a generous grant from the Prebys Foundation, this initiative creates opportunities for students to explore the future of business—and shape it.

Motivation & Mission

Claire, what inspired you to apply for the Social Innovation Internship, and how does it support your goals?
I was inspired by the incredible list of purpose-driven companies participating in the program. In today’s world, we hear a lot about companies making decisions that harm the environment and society. Seeing organizations work actively to do the opposite—to create real, positive change—was something I couldn’t ignore. I wanted to be part of that. This internship has given me the chance to contribute to innovation many people don’t even realize is happening, and that’s the kind of impact I want to make in my future career.

Jason, what motivated FASHIONPHILE to participate, and how does it align with your mission?
We saw this as a chance to bring in a fresh perspective and explore new ways to increase our positive impact. At FASHIONPHILE, sustainability and circularity are core to what we do—from keeping luxury items in circulation as long as possible to powering all of our facilities with 100% renewable energy. Since our founding in 1997, we’ve been committed to reshaping the fashion industry, and this internship gave us an opportunity to continue that mission while mentoring the next generation of sustainability leaders.

Inside the Internship

Claire, what did a typical week at FASHIONPHILE look like, and what were your responsibilities?
Each week, I had a Zoom meeting with Jason to review my progress, ask questions, and get feedback. At first, I focused on learning about what it means to be a B Corp, but as the internship went on, I took on a larger project: researching the potential impact of installing solar panels at FASHIONPHILE’s headquarters in Carlsbad. This gave me a chance to explore sustainability through environmental, financial, and operational lenses.

Jason, how has Claire contributed to the B Corp recertification process and overall impact work?
In just a few months, Claire has helped us make significant progress toward our 2026 B Corp recertification. She’s taken on multiple projects, including analyzing more sustainable shipping materials and implementing a clothing donation program. Her research on solar panel installation is already helping us quantify long-term benefits for our flagship location. Claire has been a valuable part of the Impact team from day one.

Claire, what did you learn about the challenges and opportunities of maintaining B Corp certification?
I learned that B Corp certification is about continuous improvement. Every three years, companies have to recertify and demonstrate that they’re not only maintaining their standards, but actively growing in areas like sustainability, employee well-being, and community engagement. It’s not just a badge—it’s an ongoing commitment that pushes companies to innovate in meaningful ways. Touring the facility really brought that to life for me. I saw firsthand how much care goes into customer experience and product quality, and it was clear that Nora and Jason are truly passionate about making FASHIONPHILE the best it can be.

Jason, how do young professionals help shape sustainability efforts in industries like fashion?
They bring new energy, curiosity, and a willingness to question the status quo. Sometimes a lack of industry experience is actually an advantage—it helps uncover fresh approaches. In a fast-changing field like sustainability, that kind of thinking is essential. And with the rise of fast fashion, circular models are more important than ever. We’re seeing young professionals step up in powerful ways.

Challenges, Growth, and Insight

Claire, what was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you navigate it?
The biggest challenge was getting comfortable doing independent research on complex questions that didn’t have a single right answer. At first, I wasn’t sure where to begin or what to ask. I worked through it by staying in regular contact with Jason and bouncing ideas back and forth. Over time, I became more confident and learned to stick with a problem until the solution became clear.

Jason, what surprised you most about working with Claire?
How quickly she became a core part of our team. She’s resourceful, determined, and unafraid to reach out or dig deeper when something isn’t adding up. Whether she’s troubleshooting a challenge or working directly with suppliers, Claire approaches problems with confidence and creativity. That’s made her an invaluable asset during her time with us.

Looking Ahead

Claire, how has this experience shaped your career goals in sustainable business?
It’s solidified my interest in sustainable engineering. This internship has been deeply rewarding, not only because of the work, but because of the people I’ve worked with. Jason and Nora’s mindset and leadership inspire me, and I hope to carry what I’ve learned here into my future career—especially the belief that sustainability and innovation can go hand in hand.

Jason, how do university-industry partnerships like this one cultivate future sustainability leaders?
They give students real-world experience in roles and sectors they care about. And they give companies like ours the benefit of working with ambitious, open-minded people who bring new energy into our mission. These students will be the leaders of tomorrow, and for many of them, internships like this are the first stepping stone.

Claire, what advice would you give to future interns hoping to make an impact in corporate sustainability?
Be patient, strategic, and persistent. Change doesn’t happen overnight—even great ideas can face resistance. But with planning, data, and determination, you can move the needle. As the saying goes, even the most immovable tectonic plates eventually shift. And when they do, meaningful change follows.

Insert photo of Claire Morris at FASHIONPHILE here
Caption: “Claire Morris, USD intern at FASHIONPHILE”

Looking Forward

At the University of San Diego, we are committed to creating university experiences that connect students to the real world—where their knowledge, values, and curiosity can fuel progress. FASHIONPHILE exemplifies the kind of company we seek out for partnerships: one that is actively redefining what responsible business looks like in the 21st century. Through its leadership in circular fashion, sustainability, and transparency, FASHIONPHILE is proving that luxury and purpose are not mutually exclusive—they can, in fact, reinforce one another.

Claire’s contributions to the B Corp recertification process, her research into renewable energy, and her insight into operational sustainability demonstrate just how much our students are capable of when given the opportunity to work on real challenges with thoughtful, mission-driven leaders. As this program continues to grow, so too will the number of students who graduate with the networks, skills, and mindset required to lead businesses that serve both people and the planet.

Written by Andrew Biros, EdD

Senior Director, Center for Social Innovation
Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost
University of San Diego

Acknowledgments

This article is part of the University of San Diego’s Social Innovation Internship, a campus-wide, interdisciplinary program led by the Center for Social Innovation and the Career Development Center. The program is organized in partnership with Conscious Capitalism San Diego and generously supported through a grant from the Prebys Foundation.