Our Story
MEET THE FOUNDER
Chris-Tia Donaldson
Chris-Tia Donaldson, Founder of Thank God It’s Natural (tgin®), a manufacturer of natural hair and skin care products, currently sold in Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Sally’s Beauty, and Walgreens.
Donaldson had been featured in major media publications such as USA Today, Marie Claire, Essence, Black Enterprise, Ebony, Heart & Soul, and the Chicago Tribune. Her book Thank God I’m Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Natural Hair is a #1 Amazon bestseller, and was hailed the “Natural Hair Bible” by Essence Magazine.
Prior to starting tgin®, Chris-Tia represented Fortune 500 companies in complex business transactions involving technology and open source code. She earned her A.B. in Economics from Harvard University with high honors, and is a graduate of Harvard Law School. In 2015, Chris-Tia was diagnosed with breast cancer. During her treatment, she learned that having money could make the difference between living and dying when it came to treating this condition. In her observation, few organizations existed that provided support and social services to help women with transportation, child care, parking, or seeking disability leave from their place of employment.
Up until her passing in November 2021, she used her success in the beauty space to advocate for women experiencing financial difficulties, who are undergoing treatment, to highlight health disparities due to race and socio-economic factors, and to empower women to listen to their bodies through the tgin® Foundation.
Check out Chris-Tia’s book called This is Only a Test: What Breast Cancer Taught me about Faith, Love, Hair and Business.
“Cancer is just one storm, it didn't define me and you don't have to allow your storms to define you.”
CHRIS-TIA DONALDSON
MEET THE CEO
Aris Singleton
Aris Singleton, serves as the dynamic CEO at the helm of Thank God It's Natural (tgin®), one of the leading textured hair care brands sold in retailers such as Target, Walmart, Ulta Beauty, Sally Beauty, Walgreens, CVS, and numerous other national and international outlets, as well as online platforms.
Her journey with tgin® commenced in its nascent stages back in July 2009. After completing her BA in Finance from Texas Southern University, she rejoined tgin® as a rotational employee in May 2017.
As one of the youngest CEOs in the beauty industry, her remarkable achievements haven't gone unnoticed. Aris has graced the pages of esteemed publications such as Rolling Out and The Chicago Defender's Women of Excellence and was recently highlighted as Walmart's SheEO Beauty Disruptor. Additionally, she recently earned membership in the Young Presidents Organization, Chicago chapter, a distinguished community of business executives. Aris' ascent to prominence as the youngest CEO in the textured hair care industry Aris recently celebrated with her debut on the tgin® x Jet Magazines Collector's Edition cover.
To learn more about Aris, visit arissingleton.com or click the link below.
MEET THE COO
Dr. Piper A. Farrell
Dr. Piper Farrell transitioned into the role of Chief Operating Officer at Thank God It’s Natural (tgin®) in October 2021. With a rich background as an educator, leader, and researcher, Dr. Farrell assumed this pivotal position following the journey of her sister, Chris-Tia Donaldson, the esteemed visionary and founder of tgin®.
Her illustrious career across academia, government, and healthcare has been dedicated to empowering women. Her unwavering commitment to coaching, mentoring, and providing access to vital social and community resources has been instrumental in guiding women towards the realization of their life goals.
Dr. Farrell is a distinguished scholar, having earned her PhD in Education Evaluation and Research from Wayne State University, complemented by an MA in Mathematics Education from the University of Detroit-Mercy. Additionally, she holds an advanced degree in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University, alongside a BA in Journalism from the esteemed University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Residing in the vibrant city of Chicago with her cherished family, Dr. Farrell finds solace in a diverse array of interests. When not immersed in her professional endeavors, she finds joy in travel, exploring fashion and interior design, and indulging in the art of culinary creations. To learn more about Dr. Piper, visit drpiperfarrell.com or click the link below.
tgin Foundation
The tgin® Foundation’s mission is to support uninsured women undergoing treatment for breast cancer, highlight the impact of health disparities on survivor outcomes, and stress the importance of early detection for women under the age of 40.