Woman of Achievement

Carol Aastad, MAS, a celebrated figure in the promotional industry, has garnered numerous honors, including the 2009 PPAI Woman of Achievement award and induction into the Hall of Fame in 2023, alongside serving as Board chair from 2004 to 2005.

Margaret Custer-Ford, MAS, founder of MARCO, holds a legacy marked by excellence, earning distinctions such as the 2010 PPAI Woman of Achievement, 1999 Hall of Fame inductee, and a lifetime membership with PPAI. Her leadership extends to serving on the PPAI board in 1980 and 1988.

Margie Price, MAS, is the 2011 PPAI Woman of Achievement, the 2012 Distinguished Service awardee, 2012 PPAI H. Ted Olson Humanitarian awardee, 2017 Hall of Fame inductee, a 2003 and 2009 PPAI Board Member, and PPAI Lifetime Member.

Mary Ann Farmer, MAS, achieved remarkable milestones including being named the 2012 PPAI Woman of Achievement, receiving the 2003 Distinguished Service Award, and earning induction into the Hall of Fame in 2023, alongside her dedicated service as a 2002 PPAI Board member.

Janelle Nevins, MAS, stands as the 2013 PPAI Woman of Achievement, honored with her induction into the Hall of Fame in 2018, and proudly holds the esteemed status of Lifetime Member of PPAI.

Roni is a well-known presence in the promotional products industry, recognized as a dedicated volunteer, engaging speaker, PPAI Board Member and former Chair of the PPEF Education Foundation. She’s also a proud recipient of both the PPAI Hall of Fame and Woman of Achievement honors. A passionate advocate for women, healthy living and consultative selling, Roni brings her whole self to every event — often sharing her latest book recommendation or insights from life outside of work. One of Roni’s greatest personal passions is yoga, which she credits with transforming her life inside and out. Her practice even took her all the way to India, where she studied under yoga master Sharath Jois at the Shri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore during extended stays in both 2014 and 2015. An avid traveler and adventurer, Roni has explored destinations like Italy, Switzerland, Iceland and New Zealand. She’s equally at home in the wilderness, preferring a tent and a dehydrated meal over a fancy hotel. Her love of hiking led her to step out of her comfort zone and complete a 175-mile backpacking trek around Lake Tahoe. Whether tucked into a sleeping bag or curled up at home, Roni always ends her day with a good book!  Roni Wright, MAS was adorned with the MAS distinction, earned distinction as a PPAI Fellow and was celebrated with the 2013 PPAI Woman of Achievement award and the 2007 Distinguished Service Awards. Additionally, she was honored as the YESSA Young Executive of the Year and TRASA Volunteer of the Year and MVP.

Jo-an Lantz, MAS, CEO of Geiger, stands as the distinguished recipient of the 2014 Woman of Achievement award, having also been honored with the prestigious 2000 Distinguished Service Award and esteemed induction into the Hall of Fame in the same year.

Maribeth Sandford, MAS, founder of BAGMAKERS, has been actively involved in the promotional products industry. She served on the PPAI Board of Directors Suppliers Committee (2000-2003), Leadership Advisory Committee (2004-2007), and MAS/CAS Certification Board (2006), and contributed to the Board of Directors Scholarship Committee PPEF (2005) and Regional Association Council (2007).

Sherri Lennarson, MAS, is a former member of the PPAI Board of Directors (2006-2011) and PPAI Board Chair (2009-2010) as well as a winner of PPAI’s 2013 Distinguished Service Award, Lennarson has spent much of her 30 years in the industry giving back through volunteer service and mentoring others.

Mary Dobsch, MAS, as a committed PPAI volunteer has contributed significantly, serving two terms on the PPAI Board of Directors (2008-2012, 2013-2014) and participating in various committees, including the Government Relations Action Committee.

Teresa Moisant, MAS, was honored with PPAI’s Distinguished Service Award in 2016. Additionally, she has been recognized by The Journal Record as one of Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEOs and one of 50 Women Making A Difference.

Marsha Londe has been honored as a PPAI Fellow, PPB Powerful Partner, PPB Best Boss, ASI Salesperson of the Year and member of the ASI Inaugural Class of Women in the Promotional Products Profession and recognized by the Gold Coast Promotional Products Association. Londe has won 25 PPAI Pyramid Awards and her work has also been nationally recognized for her clients’ use of promotional products.

Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS, boasts a long and illustrious career in the industry, serving as a dedicated volunteer, speaker, mentor, advocate, and educator with over 200 sessions to her credit. From 2001 to 2005, she played a crucial role on the PPAI board as vice chair of marketing.

Daryll Griffin, MAS, founder of Accolades, Inc., was deeply engaged within both PPAI and the Georgia Association of Promotional Products Professionals. Her commitment to humanitarian causes was recognized in 2019 when she received the prestigious PPAI H. Ted Olson Humanitarian Award.

Irene Kogutt, MAS, co-founder of Dart Manufacturing Company, served on the PPAI Board of Directors from 1994 to 1998 and was recognized for her exceptional contributions with the prestigious PPAI Distinguished Service Award in 1999.

Paula Shulman served from 2004-2010 on many PPAI advisory, action groups, committees and councils. She has been honored as a PPAI Fellow and was a board trustee for the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) from 2015-2018. Shulman served on the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) board of directors from 2006-2013 and as board president from 2011-2012.

Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS+ is the CEO of Competitive Edge. She started her company in 1993, and Competitive Edge provides promotional products, premiums and business gifts for local and national companies both large and small. Mary Jo’s success is driven by her belief in high quality customer service and going above and beyond customer expectations. Her vision to develop a successful business in her industry and community has gained her numerous awards and national recognition including being named one of the “Top 500 Woman Owned Businesses in the United States” and “Top 50 Places to Work in the Promotional Products Industry.” In 2021, the 40-year industry veteran was named PPAI’s Woman of Achievement, and she previously served as the Association’s Board Chair in 2017-2018. 

Kim Bakalyar has served many roles at PromoShop - she has trained employees, built programs, led education on product responsibility and more. She has served as the President and Treasurer of the SAAC Board. She has been an educational speaker and an advocate for the responsible growth of the promotional products world.

Brittany David, MAS is the Chief Revenue Officer at SnugZ USA. She is a 19 year veteran of the promotional products industry. Brittany served on the PPAI board of Directions from 2016 – 2020, serving as Chairman in 2019 and various committees throughout the years. She is a PPAI Fellow and was awarded the PPAI Woman of Achievement in 2023. Her involvement in the promotional products industry has landed her on many advisory boards and various committees.   Brittany also volunteers for Adopt a Native Elder and serves on the Global Leadership Scholarship Fund Committee, whose mission is to empower Utah’s young students from different backgrounds to participate in critical global conversations with peers through expense covered international conferences and events. She is a member of IWF – International Woman’s Forum and recently became a certified yoga teacher.  Brittany David, MAS, received the 2023 Women of Achievement award for her contributions to the industry. Additionally, she is recognized as a PPAI Fellow and has been honored with the Supplier Visionary award by A Woman’s View.

Patricia Dugan, MAS, has held numerous esteemed board positions within PPAI and assumed the role of Promotional Products Education Foundation chair from 2015 to 2017.