Meet the Founders

MAYLENE BALIGOD, originally from the Philippines, has called Munich home for many years. As Networks & Events Manager at Circular Munich, she creates events that bring the circular economy to life and collaborates with startups to showcase their impact. Her journey into visible mending began at a sashiko workshop, where she discovered that repairing clothing can be a joyful and creative act of resistance against fast fashion—especially when practiced in community. She uses storytelling, education, and hands‑on experiences to help people not only understand circularity but truly feel it in their daily lives. With strengths in community building and impact‑driven partnerships, May works to embed repair and reuse into the city’s everyday culture.

LORENA MALDONADO arrived in Munich in 2007 with just a backpack and a desire for new adventures. The sense of exploration remains, now with a focus on social entrepreneurship and climate solutions. Her path is grounded in people: with a deep connection to her hometown of El Paso, Texas, and years of experience in leadership positions, she seeks to create community-centered circular projects that make repair and reuse easy and inviting for everyone. Through HiloImpact, Lorena designs team events and learning experiences that bring people together around creative, fun, and thought‑provoking activities—and shows how clothing can be an accessible way to feel the circular economy in everyday life.

About HiloImpact

HILOIMPACT is a creative initiative dedicated to empowering individuals through sewing and textile skills. Our name combines “Hilo” - the Spanish word for “thread” (pronounced eee-lo)  - with “Impact”, reflecting our mission to make a positive difference by

  • Extending the life of our clothes

  • Reducing waste,

  • And bringing people together. 

Founded by Lorena Maldonado and Maylene Baligod in 2025, HiloImpact is a multicultural duo based on circularity principles. We use rescued materials sourced locally, giving textiles a second life while reducing environmental impact. Our events are offered in any of the languages we speak - English, German, Spanish, Tagalog - and we welcome individuals, corporate teams, and community groups.

Our Mission

At HiloImpact, we believe sewing is more than a craft - it’s a tool for sustainability, creativity, and self-expression. Our mission is to help communities keep textiles in use longer, reduce waste, and rediscover the joy of making and mending.

By using locally rescued materials, we promote circularity and inspire a culture of reuse through hands-on workshops that build confidence and spark creativity.

Contact us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!