Mangoes...
Years ago, I found myself doing fieldwork among the most beautiful wild mango trees in Chad. Not one to waste an opportunity for incredible fresh fruit, I was introduced to a family where the mother and kids proceeded to expertly climb the trees in the hot sun to harvest mangoes for me to eat.
Once I had eaten my fill, I went to pay far more than the 25 cents they were charging me, and as I went to hand the money to the wife I was told, "You must hand the money over to the father as a sign of respect." Sitting off to the side, never having lifted a finger and never having even looked up to acknowledge my existence was the father.
I felt a knot of anger and frustration in my heart as I customarily handed the money over to the father, and I thought to myself, this happens everywhere around the world in different ways, and it’s wrong.
- Evelyne Nyairo, M.Sc., P.Biol.
Meet Evelyne
Growing up in Kenya, Evelyne was immersed in a culture of stark gender inequality that conditioned young women to believe that expectation and privilege differed between men and women.
Despite this, she developed an admiration for the resilience and grace of the women in her community. Their quiet strength coupled with their beautiful, healthy skin became a foundation of beauty for Evelyne that she knew she wanted to share.
Inspired by her daughter, Eliana, her rich heritage, and her passion for the environment, natural beauty and healthy living, Evelyne set out to help create a world where every woman has the opportunity to embrace and own her strength and beauty, inside and out.
Connection Is Everything
Evelyne has personally developed authentic connections with producers through her 15+ years of working globally in Environmental and Social Sustainability, and Stakeholder Engagement.
Spending much of her professional experience in Africa, Europe, and North America, has allowed her to develop key relationships for sourcing natural, sustainable, and ethical ingredients of the highest quality.
It was through these connections that Evelyne observed the process of harvesting raw shea from the land and recognized the opportunity for an eco-friendly, naturally nourishing ingredient that also supported the women who were manually harvesting and processing this resource.
Ellie Bianca is the embodiment of Evelyne’s life’s work as an Environmental Scientist / Chemist, African-Canadian woman, and proud mother, and was established as a means to make an important difference that is powerful and sustainable.
