Two members of the promotional products industry will be experiencing PPAI’s Women’s Leadership Conference for the first time this year thanks to the generosity of their peers.
Pamela Stauffer, design director at Gemline – the No. 13 supplier in the 2025 PPAI 100 – and Lee Ann Mazzarisi, executive director of brand operations at fully remote distributor Whitestone, have been awarded the WLC First-Time Attendee Scholarship.
- Due to the funds raised at WLC 2024, the scholarship covers the cost of registration, lodging and up to a $500 flight reimbursement.
“I’m honored and grateful to be selected for this scholarship and excited to join the Women’s Leadership Conference alongside so many inspiring peers,” Stauffer says. “As a design leader at Gemline, I believe that connection and collaboration are powerful tools for shaping the future of our industry. I look forward to deepening those relationships and sharing insights that elevate us all.”
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Mazzarisi is also honored to be selected for the scholarship. “The recognition is not only meaningful but also incredibly energizing,” she says. “It reinforces the importance of continuing to grow, connect and lead with purpose. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside such an inspiring group of women from across our industry.”
Stauffer’s Background
Stauffer is an accomplished design leader with more than two decades of experience translating cultural insight and consumer behavior into purposeful, brand-driven product experiences.
- Her career began in the footwear industry, where she designed for iconic brands, such as Keds, Reebok and Converse.
Joining Gemline nearly a decade ago, she has spent half of that time leading a multidisciplinary team of industrial and graphic designers dedicated to crafting trend-forward, intentional solutions that help organizations connect meaningfully with their customers.
This year, she has been actively mentoring both early-career and seasoned designers, providing career, resume and portfolio feedback as well as sharing her experience with students, most recently as a panelist for the Women Who Design group at Iowa State University.
Pamela Stauffer
Design Director, Gemline
“I want to deepen my influence, not just in supporting and developing my team, but also in contributing more meaningfully to the business,” Stauffer says. “The Women’s Leadership Conference will provide a powerful platform to support my growth while learning from others who lead authentically.”
Stauffer plans to take what she learns at WLC and use it to elevate conversations around leadership in the context of product design and industry engagement. Whether it’s through team development sessions, mentoring future leaders or deepening the emotional storytelling in product presentations, she wants to create space for more intentional dialogue where women are seen, heard and inspired.
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“Ultimately, I see WLC as an opportunity to broaden my reach – to lift as I climb – and to help shape a more connected, future-forward generation of women in promo,” Stauffer says.
Mazzarisi’s Background
With a decade of experience in the fashion industry, Mazzarisi began her career in production at Tommy Hilfiger and later served as director of global design services at Kenneth Cole, where she led global creative alignment and managed the full product development lifecycle.
Since joining Whitestone three years ago (as a former client), she has been instrumental in shaping the company’s creative vision, marketing strategy and people operations.
- After leading the launch of the firm’s people and talent division, she now oversees art direction, marketing and brand experience.
“Lee Ann is the kind of leader who leaves a lasting impact, not just in the work she does, but through the way she treats people,” says McKenzie Morgan, marketing manager at Whitestone, who nominated Mazzarisi for the scholarship.
Lee Ann Mazzarisi
Executive Director of Brand Operations, Whitestone
“She brings compassion, humor and an unwavering commitment to excellence, not only to brand operations, but to the entire organization. She leads with empathy and makes everyone around her feel valued, supported and empowered. Whether she’s mentoring younger team members like me or just championing other women in the room, she always creates space for others to succeed.”
At WLC, Mazzarisi says she’s most looking forward to building on her leadership skills in a space specifically designed to support and elevate women professionals. “The opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, exchange ideas and engage in conversations about emerging topics is inspiring,” she says. “I’m eager to be part of a community that uplifts and celebrates women.”
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Mazzarisi says she’s benefited from the guidance of strong, generous women mentors who took the time to invest in her. That’s why she feels a deep responsibility to do the same for others.
“I’m in a position to not only lead by example, but also to create space for other women to rise,” she says. “I plan to share what I learn at WLC 2025 through mentorship and internal development initiatives, empowering both my direct reports and the next generation of women leaders with the confidence and support they need to thrive.”
Register Now For WLC 2025
WLC is the place to make connections, toast the PPAI Woman of Achievement and broaden horizons on everything from corporate finance to AI and the value of keeping a beginner’s mindset.
This year’s conference will be held June 23-25 at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa in Coronado, California.
- The registration fee for members is $1,500 and $1,900 for non-members.
Click here to register.
