Competitive Edge (PPAI 103776, Silver), PPAI 100’s No. 85 distributor, has announced the promotion of Jill Wygonik to chief experience officer and Dawn Janis, MAS, to chief sales officer. As the company continues to expand its global presence, these changes reflect Competitive Edge’s desire to build its executive leadership team by promoting internally.

Jill Wygonik

Chief Experience Officer, Competitive Edge

Wygonik interned with the company back in 2013 and has worked her way up the St. Joseph, Michigan-based distributor’s ladder over the past 13 years.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and honored to step into this role alongside such a remarkable team,” Wygonik says. “Competitive Edge is at a pivotal point in our growth, and I’m excited to help build on that momentum and continue to change the way organizations think about branded merchandise. Merch should be an experience, and our team is elevating the role it plays in modern brand strategy.”

  • In her role as chief experience officer, she will focus on aligning strategy, culture and brand to “position the company for its next phase of growth, while preserving the people-first philosophy that has long defined Competitive Edge.”

Dawn Janis, MAS

Chief Sales Officer, Competitive Edge

Janis has only been with the distributor since 2022 – joining Competitive Edge as market vice president – but she has been in the branded merch industry for 25 years. She served as president of the Promotional Professionals Association of Chicago-Wisconsin and was a regional vice president for Geiger, PPAI 100’s No. 9 distributor, among other titles and volunteer positions in the industry. She steps into her position from her most recent role as vice president of sales.

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“I am honored to serve as Competitive Edge’s chief sales officer,” says Janis. “I have the privilege of working alongside an exceptional team that is passionate about helping our clients succeed. I look forward to continuing to invest in our people, strengthen customer relationships, and build on the momentum we’ve created together.”

  • In her role as chief sales officer, she will lead national sales strategy, business development initiatives and work alongside the rest of the executive leadership team to drive long-term growth.


Strong Organizations Are Built By Strong Leaders

According to Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS, Competitive Edge’s CEO and founder, trusting these two women with the future of the company is a peek at what the distributor is prioritizing going forward.

“These promotions represent far more than new titles,” Tomasini says. “They represent the future of Competitive Edge and our commitment to building an organization that continues to grow without ever losing sight of what matters most: our people, our clients and the relationships that have been the foundation of our success for more than 33 years.”

These promotions represent far more than new titles. They represent the future of Competitive Edge.”

Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS

Founder & CEO, Competitive Edge

This notion is shared by Paula Wygonik, president and co-owner of Competitive Edge.

“Strong organizations are built by strong leaders who care deeply about people,” Wygonik says. “Dawn and Jill each bring unique strengths, perspectives and passion to their roles, and both have earned the respect of our team, our clients and our supplier partners. These promotions reflect not only what they have accomplished but also the confidence we have in the future they will help create.”