Our Story.
Just Cause Apparel was founded by Dr. Scott E. Porter, a Yale-trained orthopedic oncologist with a Kellogg MBA and a deep commitment to giving back. After years of facing the emotional toll of surgery, he was profoundly impacted by the loss of a close friend, Tanya Gee, to a relentless cancer. Her resilience and determination in the face of her illness became the catalyst for this brand.
Tanya’s influence inspired a mission that goes beyond medicine – a mission to give back to communities and support those in need.
Just Cause Apparel was created to channel the emotional weight of surgery into something positive, turning personal loss into a force for good, and honor the memory of a dear friend.
Giving back Drives Us.
$138,000 Donated to Date.
Who Are We.
At JCA, we specialize in branded, full-service workwear programs tailored to meet the unique needs of your organization—from sourcing to delivery and beyond.
We are guided by the vision of our Founder and Chairman, Dr. Scott Porter, and led by CEO Karla Bakersmith, former CEO, President, and Founder of Scrubs & Beyond, and a veteran of the workwear apparel industry.
As a pioneer in the workwear apparel sector, Karla brings decades of expertise and a values-driven approach to every partnership, leading our team with purpose and integrity while strengthening our mission.
Together, our executive team is a powerhouse of seasoned professionals with strong vendor partnerships and deep industry knowledge—experts who truly know the workwear business from the inside out, so your team can focus on its mission, knowing you’re backed by experience and reliability.
What Makes Us Different.
At Just Cause Apparel, we provide high-quality branded workwear for industries ranging from healthcare to hospitality, with a mission to positively impact communities.
Through our unique Charity with a Choice program, every purchase lets you give back or earn up to 4% in rebates, aligning your apparel spend with your values or bottom line.
Our Executive Team.
Scott Porter, our Founder and Chairman, is not only an esteemed Orthopedic Oncology Surgeon but also the force driving our mission, combining quality apparel with meaningful social impact.
Karla Bakersmith, our Chief Executive Officer, was the former CEO, President, and Founder of Scrubs & Beyond for over 20 years. She was also the Vice President of Merchandising for Life Uniform before founding Scrubs & Beyond. Her experience of over 35 years makes her one of the leading authorities in the uniform and apparel business.
Alicia Keely, our Senior Director of Finance, has firsthand experience working in healthcare for over a decade as a long-term care specialist in the senior living industry as well as a Medical Residency Coordinator in the hospital setting. This has provided her unique insight into how our apparel solutions can improve your organization.
Stephanie Harris, our Senior Director of Operations, previously served as Senior Director of Operations, Supply Chain, E-commerce, and Customer Service at Scrubs & Beyond, where she spent 20 years mastering the complexities of large-scale uniform program management.
