# Joanna Griffiths

> Joanna Griffiths is the Canadian founder of Knix and Kt by Knix, an intimate apparel entrepreneur whose career began in entertainment publicity. She launched Knix in 2013, shifted from wholesale to direct sales in 2016, and remained president after Essity acquired 80% of the business for US$320 million in 2022. She stepped away from her operating role in 2026, with Nicole Tapscott appointed brand president effective August 1. She also serves on the Toronto International Film Festival board.

- **Role:** Founder of Knix; Board Director at Toronto International Film Festival
- **Organizations:** Knix, Kt by Knix, Toronto International Film Festival, Universal Music Group
- **Nationality:** Canadian
- **Education:** Bachelor of Commerce, Queen’s University, Smith School of Business, MBA with Distinction, INSEAD
- **Known for:** Founded Knix and expanded it into bras, activewear and swimwear., Won INSEAD’s Business Venture Competition and Women’s Award for Entrepreneurship., Led the business to a US$400 million valuation in the 2022 majority acquisition.

## Career timeline

- **2005** — Graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce.
- **Before 2012** — Worked in publicity for Universal Music Group and the Toronto International Film Festival.
- **2012** — Completed her INSEAD MBA and won the Business Venture Competition and Women’s Award for Entrepreneurship.
- **2013** — Launched Knix.
- **2015-2016** — Evolution Bra crowdfunding across Kickstarter and Indiegogo raised US$1,551,287 from more than 19,000 backers, as reported in May 2016.
- **2016** — Exited more than 700 North American retail locations to focus on online direct-to-consumer sales.
- **2017** — Launched Knixteen, later known as Kt by Knix.
- **2021** — Closed a C$53 million financing round; co-authored Life After Birth with Domino Kirke.
- **2022** — Essity acquired 80% of Knix for US$320 million; Griffiths retained 20% and continued as president.
- **2023** — Announced as Canada’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 and represented Canada at the 2023 global competition.
- **2024** — Named Glossy Founder of the Year.
- **2026** — Announced departure from her operating role; Nicole Tapscott appointed brand president effective August 1.

## Achievements

- Founded Knix and expanded it into bras, activewear and swimwear.
- Won INSEAD’s Business Venture Competition and Women’s Award for Entrepreneurship.
- Led the business to a US$400 million valuation in the 2022 majority acquisition.
- Canada’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022, announced in January 2023.
- Glossy’s 2024 Founder of the Year.
- Holds multiple patents.
- Launched the Knix Fund with a $1 million giving commitment.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Announced she was stepping away from an operating role at Knix, with Nicole Tapscott named brand president effective August 1.
- **2026-09** — Shared that she presented the TIFF Share Her Journey Award to Dame Helen Mirren and was attending her third TIFF as a board member.

## Links

- Website: https://knix.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffithsjoanna/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/jogriffiths
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannaknix/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/joanna-griffiths
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-12