CATHRINE WHITE
Founder & Creative Director
Cathrine officially launched Axis Hats New York in the spring of 2023, encouraged by her family, friends, and the many people she had gifted her artwork to. The initial inspiration came in 2018, when her son began his college journey.
Her gift lies in her ability to see the world uniquely and create visual value from those perspectives. This curiosity and creative drive reflect her evolving artistic identity.
Axis Hats is also supported by the CLC, with Tim Klaasen playing a key role in bringing Axis to the agency. His immediate recognition of the product's uniqueness helped pave the way for the brand to thrive in the competitive collegiate licensing industry—a testament that small, creative ideas can shine amidst the noise of big commercial business.
Beyond the artwork itself, the School Collection offers a profound opportunity for fundraising and philanthropy, tapping into the emotional connection alumni and supporters have with their alma mater. At its core, Axis Hats is committed to building a community of giving back and making a meaningful impact as the brand grows and evolves.
For more than three decades, Cathrine has built a life centered around creativity, relationships, and storytelling. As a photographer, she earned the trust of families, athletes, entertainers, and public figures by capturing authentic moments with honesty and heart. Today, that same artistic vision and commitment to meaningful connection continues through AXIS HATS NEW YORK, where legacy, tradition, and personal storytelling remain at the center of everything she creates.
BOARD OF ADVISORS
MARILEE FIEBIG
Legal Counsel & Partner
Marilee and Cathrine have an incredibly close and beautiful friendship and Cathrine couldn’t think of a better partner to have by her side.
Marilee Fiebig is Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion OfficerCenter for Reproductive Rights. She also served as a Chief Diversity Officer at Save the Children, the leading international humanitarian organization focusing on the health, education and safety of children globally. Prior to Save the Children, Marilee was Chief of Staff at Roc Nation where she was the CEO's right hand on all Roc Nation platforms and business needs. Marilee spent over a decade at large, global law firms in Atlanta and NYC as an immigration attorney. Marilee is a graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School and the University of Michigan.
SUNNY HOSTIN
HBCU Ambassador & Advisor
Sunny fell in love with the artwork well before Cathrine officially launched AXIS HATS. She offered unwavering advice and support from the beginning, so when Cathrine invited her to join the board, it felt like a natural, authentic connection.
Sunny is a three-time Emmy® Award winner and two-time New York Times bestselling author Sunny Hostin has been a co-host of “The View” since 2016. She previously served as a host and legal analyst at CNN, as well as a fill-in co-anchor for ABC News’ “World News Now” and “America This Morning.” On May 2, 2023, she released the second book in her “Summer” trilogy, “Summer on Sag Harbor,” which became an instant New York Times bestseller. In May 2021, Hostin released her debut novel, “Summer on the Bluffs” (William Morrow), which skyrocketed to No. 11 on The New York Times Bestseller List. The third book in the trilogy, “Summer on Highland Beach,” is available now. In the fall of 2020, Hostin released her memoir, “I Am These Truths: A Memoir of Identity, Justice, and Living Between Worlds,” with HarperOne, featuring an introspective look into the challenges she faced while being raised by teenage parents in the Bronx housing projects, the many obstacles she overcame to become a federal prosecutor, and her ultimate path to becoming an incredibly successful television journalist.
Hostin is also founder and CEO of Sunny Hostin Productions, a global, multi platform media company that produces and creates premium film and television content highlighting important social justice issues, meaningful stories. The company’s first project is to develop her novel “Summer on the Bluffs” as a dramatic series alongside Octavia Spencer’s Orit Entertainment.
MONIQUE BROWN
Community Impact & Philanthropy Advisor
Monique and Cathrine first met as camp counselors in the summer of 1993 in Connecticut. It was the beginning of a friendship that has span over three decades.Cathrine was living in Sweden and Monique was living in Los Angeles, the two stayed connected through handwritten letters, still have them all saved too. They have witnessed one another through growth, and decades of change. Becoming wives and mothers, they have navigated both losses and gains and always had each other’s backs. They are true soul sisters. They have both evolved into the incredible women that they are today. Monique has always been an advocate for Cathrine’s talent as a photographer and artist, perhaps before she even knew it herself.
Alongside her late husband, NFL Hall of Famer, civil rights leader, humanitarian, and Amer-I-Can founder Jim Brown, Monique dedicated decades to advancing a mission centered on mentorship, self-determination, personal responsibility, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Through her leadership and involvement with the Amer-I-Can Foundation, she helped further a nationally recognized program that has transformed lives through education, life skills training, mentorship, and personal development.
Beyond her work with Amer-I-Can, Monique has built a respected career of her own as a community leader, advocate, and relationship builder. Known for her warmth, generosity, and extraordinary ability to connect people from all walks of life, she has cultivated meaningful relationships throughout the sports, philanthropic, nonprofit, and community leadership worlds. Her commitment to service, mentorship, and creating opportunities for others has earned her recognition as a trusted voice and impactful leader.
As a member of the AXIS advisory board, Monique provides guidance on philanthropic initiatives, fundraising opportunities and strategic outreach within the sports community, including current and former professional athletes. Her lifelong commitment to service and bringing people together reflects many of the values at the heart of the Axis brand.
NATALIA BRUSCHI
Celebrity Engagement & Advocasy Advisor
Natalia and Cathrine have shared a close friendship for more than a decade, brought together by a mutual appreciation for creativity, artistry, and storytelling. Long before the launch of AXIS, Natalia was a passionate supporter of Cathrine’s work as a photographer and artist, drawn to her ability to capture authenticity, emotion, and human connection. As Cathrine’s creative journey evolved, Natalia embraced the vision behind AXIS and quickly became one of its most enthusiastic advocates.
Widely respected throughout the entertainment, fashion, and advertising industries, Natalia Bruschi has built an extraordinary career spanning decades as one of the most trusted and sought-after grooming and beauty artists in the business. Known for her impeccable eye, technical expertise, discretion, and unwavering professionalism, Natalia has worked with some of the most recognizable names in film, television, sports, and media, including Ben Stiller, Edward Norton, Bradley Cooper, Owen Wilson and Patrick Dempsey, to name just a few.
Her work has appeared in leading publications including GQ, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Esquire, Rolling Stone, W, VMAN, and InStyle, while her commercial clients include Nike, Porsche, Verizon, PlayStation, Pepsi, Beats by Dre, and Under Armour. Beyond her impressive body of work, Natalia is admired for her integrity, loyalty, discretion, and genuine commitment to helping others succeed.
As a member of the AXIS advisory board, she provides guidance on strategic relationships, celebrity engagement, gifting opportunities, and brand partnerships while helping introduce this young brands vision and artwork to new audiences.
SUZANNE SORIAL FEE
Strategic Growth & Partnerships Advisor
Suzanne and Cathrine first met in New York City in 1995, at the beginning of their careers and during their early years as New Yorkers. A shared appreciation for creativity, entrepreneurship, and the energy of the city quickly formed the foundation of a friendship that has endured for nearly three decades.
Throughout the years, Suzanne has admired Cathrine’s work as a photographer and artist and has been inspired to watch that creative vision evolve into AXIS HATS NEW YORK. Suzanne is an accomplished business leader with more than 30 years of experience driving growth, strategic partnerships, sales, and business development across financial services, technology, and marketing. During Suzanne's leadership roles at American Express and Amazon, she built and managed complex partnerships, led high-performing teams, and delivered sustained growth in highly competitive markets.
Known for her strategic thinking, collaborative leadership style, and exceptional ability to connect people and ideas, Suzanne has built a reputation as a trusted advisor and relationship builder. She is deeply supportive of entrepreneurs and women in business, bringing a thoughtful balance of encouragement, perspective, and respect for boundaries. As a member of the AXIS advisory board, Suzanne provides guidance on business strategy, partnerships, relationship development, and long-term growth opportunities as the brand continues to expand its reach and impact.
ANDREW SHUE
Financial Advisor
Andrew is a wonderful and valued addition to the Axis team. We are very excited to have him on board with us.
Andrew, along with CEO Michael Sanchez, is a co-founder of CafeMedia. CafeMedia is the world’s largest ad management service, powering the revenue engine for more than 3,000 independent premium publishers and creators, with a collective reach of over 170MM monthly unique visitors.
In addition to his career in digital media, Andrew has worked as an actor, a movie producer, pro soccer player and community activist. He played a leading role in the hit TV show Melrose Place, produced the feature film “Gracie,” played pro soccer for the LA Galaxy for two seasons and co-founded two national organizations, “Do Something” (launched in 1994 with Sanchez) and “The People” (started in 2018). Both groups seek to catalyze social change and reform through service, community building and activism.
TRICIA MARLOWE
Marketing Advisor
Tricia and Cathrine connected instantly, as if they had known each other in a past life. Tricia is a true force of nature, and Cathrine leans on her for guidance and unwavering support.
Tricia Marlowe is the Founder and CEO of French Farmacie, an award-winning skincare line inspired by the timeless elegance of French pharmacies, blending science, simplicity, and luxury. Since its launch, French Farmacie has garnered a devoted following among estheticians, top makeup artists, beauty editors, and industry insiders. Tricia holds a Master’s Degree from Boston College and began her career in biotech and cancer diagnostics, most notably with Roche, a pioneer in healthcare. With over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing, she is recognized for her expertise in commercial execution, strategic innovation, and her passion for empowering teams and individuals to reach their full potential.