Anne Therese Gennari and Valerie Emanuel are the good kind of disruptors. Three years ago, the former models launched Role Models Management as an ethical modeling agency—one where sustainability, social justice and model empowerment are core to the mission.

Intrigued by the concept of an ethical agency, we decided to dig a little deeper. We talked to Gennari and a couple of Role Models models— Banke Balogun and Natalie Biehl, the stars of our July editorial. (The beauties showcase the latest collections from FiSF alums Sarah Liller and Jessie Liu.)

"For the longest time, models have been told not to talk about things of a political or personal nature since it could have a damaging effect on their careers. Brands want to be able to use you as a blank canvas, so the less you stand for the better, almost," Gennari explains.

Although the industry may be warming up to the idea of models expressing their opinions, RMM takes it to another level: "As an agency, we encourage our models to speak up about their passions and causes, and educate others on changes that we need to see in our industry. We tell our models: 'You have a platform so use it for good, use your voice to change the world—it's a beautiful thing,'" she adds.

To this end, RMM actively scouts talent with stories to tell, those who will inspire others and drive positive change in society. "That means our model boards consist of social activists, climate activists, teachers, self-empowerment advocates and nutritional health coaches. We don't just represent models, we represent role models," Gennari says.  

With a Master of Public Health Degree and a full-time job in healthcare operations (ensuring patients receive efficient care), Balogun is the embodiment of a Role Model. Because of her primary career, the Bay Area beauty is a weekend warrior when it comes to modeling. Her ability to balance two jobs, a personal life, and a passion for global health and human rights is the primary reason she signed with RMM a year ago.

"My agents are extremely respectful of my work schedule outside of modeling. It has honestly been a huge blessing; because in the past, I struggled to find an agency that understood," Balogun says.  

Additionally, Balogun takes RMM's ethical mission to heart…and to social media: "It trickles down to me because I consider myself a social-justice advocate for public health, and I use my social-media platforms to share and educate," she adds. And as a first-generation Nigerian, she's aware of how healthcare can be improved worldwide. "I really enjoy working to improve access to healthcare for refugees, political asylum seekers and torture survivors," Balogun says.

"As a model, I believe it's important to use my voice. We truly have the power to drive change beyond just the modeling field. I also plan on using my voice on a new digital platform that I'm in the process of creating," she adds.

Balogun, like many of her fellow models, admires RMM for its commitment to working with, and promoting, sustainable and socially responsible brands. The agency, however, doesn't take a strict, hardline approach to its clientele: "Our aim is to work with brands that have similar values to ours, those that want to work toward a better world. But our motto is 'progression over perfection'—we applaud any brand trying to make changes in their supply chain and production," says Gennari.

The agency's client list includes big names a la Nike and Amazon as well as smaller, sustainable brands like B New York and Yes And. "As we grow as an agency we hope to gain even more influence where we can help brands further transition into circularity, diversity, and equality and, together, help build the changes we need to see in the industry and beyond," she adds.

Are there any companies RMM steers clear of? Cigarette and oil companies, and any campaign purely promoting fast fashion are definitive N-Os. "We haven't necessarily had to decline work, though, since the brands that we attract are typically those whose values align with ours," Gennari says.

In keeping with RMM's ethical ethos, however, the models themselves are free to decline jobs that conflict with their personal interests. And that's exactly what one passionate vegan did recently, for example, when she respectfully turned down a gig for a hair-care brand that tested on animals.

"We would never force a model to take a job that he or she doesn't feel comfortable doing. Part of being an ethical agency is to empower our models as individuals and professionals, but I believe that also puts us in a very different position than most other agencies," explains Gennari.

For Santa Cruz-based model Biehl—a Cum Laude USC graduate, artist and freelance floral designer—RMM's support of the environment and sustainable fashion is right on brand. Her study of international human and environmental rights fueled her passion for supporting conscious consumerism, i.e. considering how workers are treated and how the environment is being protected (or not) before purchasing clothing and other products.

"Role Models supports companies that are purpose-driven, like those that use organic materials or follow fair-trade practices. On top of that, they encourage models to participate in various environmental and social campaigns. The agency reaches out to us about jobs but also about what campaigns we can support and how to effectively share them on social media and in person. Basically, they're a facilitator of meaningful connections and agency advocating for positive change within the fashion industry," Biehl says.