With 15 years of experience in the industry working for several promotional products distributors, Jessica Gibbons-Rauch, CAS, brings a bizarre love of product and curiosity for the “why.” Easily able to talk about the breadth of products, she always asks the tough questions to figure out the purpose behind the campaign—this and her love for marketing create a passion that comes through on each project. Looking for a creative outlet after taking a bet on her own sanity, she founded the Trend on Brand community and searches for other promo Misfits! Jessica is also chef – editorial content for PromoKitchen and a part-time adjunct professor for Northern Illinois University.

Jo-an Lantz, MAS, is president/CEO of Geiger and a member of the Board of Directors. She represents Geiger as the sole U.S. member of the international group WAGE (World Advertising Gift Exchange), a more than 50-year-old organization with 26 members from 25 countries, where she is a past president She has served in a variety of roles for groups and associations, including as former chair of the Board of Directors of PPAI, and serving on the PPEF Board twice, once as chair. Jo-an was inducted into the PPAI Hall of Fame in 2009, is a former ASI International Person of the Year (2004) and a member of ASI Power 50, and was named the 2014 PPB Woman of Distinction. Jo-an is passionate about leadership and development and is one of the founders of the PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference, as well as a member of Senator Olympia Snow Foundation for developing leadership in young women. She also works with a number of nonprofits to develop training and fundraisers for endurance events.

Kate Alavez is the chief operating officer at PromoShop, Inc., where she is responsible for people operations, human resources and logistics. On a mission to reimagine the relationship between employees and their employers, she is focused on creating outside-the-box solutions to business challenges and creating synergies between team members as a means to a happier workplace.

Before taking on her role as COO, Kate worked as a director of human resources and operations, gaining experience in infrastructure build and employment law. She has been a strong supporter of community efforts and has served on the boards of the Specialty Advertising Association of California, the Foundation Board—a 501(c)(3) benefitting students of specialty advertising industry members—and The El Segundo Nursery School Group. Her passion for service and leadership began to bloom in her undergraduate years at Loyola Marymount University, where she studied English, worked on the Los Angeles Loyolan and served in leadership roles for Sigma Tau Delta and Kappa Alpha Theta.

Roni S. Wright is the vice president of supplier The Book Company based in Delray Beach, Florida and was inducted into PPAI's Hall of Fame in 2020. To excel in her career, find balance in her life, and cultivate joy, Roni has found a love of all aspects of yoga. She achieved her 200-hour certification and has journeyed to India twice to study at the renowned K. Pattabhi Jois Institute. When you do not find Roni on her mat or at her desk, you might find her hiking, skiing, or reading a book.

Paula is President of CE Competitive Edge LLC, one of the largest promotional firms in America with headquarters in Stevensville, Michigan. CE is also a certified Woman-Owned Business and was the first to be certified by WBENC in the promotional products industry on the West side of Michigan. Competitive Edge offers its clients a collection of promotional products with an emphasis on quality and value, and has consistently been named one of the “Top 50 Places to Work in the Promotional Products Industry.”

Paula has 30 years of marketing, sales, operations and general management experience in both international and entrepreneurial organizations. She strives to be an active leader in the Southwest Michigan community currently serving on the Board and Executive Committee of United Federal Credit Union and The Education Investment Team for United Way of Southwest Michigan. Paula has a degree in Marketing from Western Michigan University. She and her husband Tom live in Stevensville and have two grown children, Jillian and Nick.