Lara Funke
About Lara Funke
Lara Funke is a Senior Footwear Material Developer at The North Face, with extensive experience in footwear material development and a strong educational background in textile technology and design.
Current Role at The North Face
Lara Funke serves as a Senior Footwear Material Developer at The North Face, a VF Company, since 2022. In this role, she focuses on the development of innovative materials for footwear, contributing to the brand's commitment to quality and performance. Her position is based in Denver, Colorado, where she utilizes her extensive background in material development to enhance product offerings.
Previous Experience at Under Armour
Prior to her current role, Lara Funke held several positions at Under Armour. She worked as an Associate Footwear Material Developer - Innovation from 2016 to 2019, where she contributed to the development of new materials. She then advanced to Lead, Footwear Material Development for a brief period in 2021, following her role as Sr. Developer, Materials - Footwear from 2019 to 2021. Her tenure at Under Armour took place in the Portland, Oregon area.
Educational Background
Lara Funke has a solid educational foundation in textile technology and design. She earned a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Art+Design from North Carolina State University, studying from 2011 to 2016. Additionally, she participated in various workshops and programs, including the Fibers Studio at NCSU Prague Institute in 2012 and the Ikea Bauhaus Summer Workshop in Dessau, Germany in 2015.
Internship Experience
Lara Funke has gained valuable experience through various internships. She worked as a Design and Product Development Intern at Maya Traditions Foundation in 2013. Additionally, she completed internships at Cotton Incorporated from 2014 to 2016 and at Michael Kors in 2015. These roles provided her with practical skills in product development and design within the fashion and textile industries.
Early Career and Education
Before pursuing higher education, Lara Funke attended William G. Enloe Magnet High School from 2007 to 2011. During her time at North Carolina State University, she also served as a Design Camp Counselor from 2012 to 2015, where she engaged with students and shared her knowledge in textile design.