Icon Awards

Vicki Ostrom (she/her), is a futurist, trend analyst and founder of Trendependent, a trend analysis and consulting company. With over 25 years in design and forecasting, Vicki excels in translating macro trends into accessible, clearly presented concepts, helping brands understand what is happening today and forecast what products will be needed tomorrow. 

Stacy Garrett, Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Ideation Creative Brand Management has been in the promotional products industry for over 25. As a multi-million dollar producer both as an employee and owner of a company, she has experience from all angles of the business and processes. While she is not spring chicken (her words) she has seen firsthand the power of LinkedIn for her sales and loves sharing this knowledge with others. Stacy received the NWPMA Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the industry. She is extremely passionate about continuous improvement in our industry served on the PPAI Professional Development Committee. 

A self-described professional student, Mykayla Goodwin is the VP of Strategy for OrderMyGear (OMG), an online store platform for selling branded merchandise to groups. As a strategy leader, Mykayla is focused on identifying growth opportunities and guiding company strategy through market research and strategic planning. She also assists with positioning to help the market understand who OMG is, what they do, and how they’re different from the rest. Mykayla received an M.B.A. from University of North Carolina Charlotte where she focused on innovation and growth strategy, as well as a B.B.A. in Marketing from Texas State University. 

Meg Erber is a visionary leader in the promotional products industry, bringing over two decades of expertise in driving growth, ethical business practices, and community engagement. As Director of Sales at Proforma, she empowers distributor owners to achieve exponential success through innovative strategies and a people-centered approach. Known for her work on the PromoCares board and as co-creator of the 4Good events, Meg has spearheaded initiatives that unite promotional product leaders and community advocates in support of meaningful, socially responsible causes. To date, 4 Good Events has raised over $350K and changed so many lives for good!

In addition to her industry influence, Meg co-hosts Branding Banter, where she shares insights on the latest trends and challenges in promotional products. Beyond the industry, she serves on the boards of the Moosehead Region Land Trust and Harford’s Point Association in Maine, focusing on land conservation and preserving natural resources for future generations. Through every role, Meg exemplifies a commitment to community, sustainability, and a shared vision for positive impact within and beyond the promotional products space.

Lisa Greyhill, President of Firebrand Global Marketing, leads a certified women-owned business with over 20 years of experience in the promotional products industry. Known for innovative solutions and strategic acquisitions, Lisa empowers her team to create impactful branding strategies for buyers across a spectrum of industries, and embraces the skills and relationships of fellow distributors that have joined the Firebrand family. She feels in-person interactions are where the magic happens and expects the tradeshow industry to skyrocket in presence and impact in the coming years. 

A 15-year part-time veteran of the fire service and advocate for women entrepreneurs, Lisa brings resilience, mentorship and leadership to her work. Outside the office, she shares with friends and clients a passion for global adventure travel, including African safaris, mountaineering, skiing, and kayaking. 

Kirby Hasseman is the CEO of Hasseman Marketing & Communications, a full-service marketing company and promotional products distributor. He was named as a Rising Star in the industry by PPB magazine. Recently, out of 300,000 (some) industry professionals, he was recognized as a top social media influencer on two different industry lists.

Kirby hosts a weekly Web show called Delivering Marketing Joy where he interviews business leaders from around the country. In addition, he hosts a weekly (award-winning) podcast called Promo UPFront with Bill Petrie. He is an industry leader in content creation and has won four Pyramid awards for content.

Kirby has published five books. His most recent is Hit The TARGET. He has also written the book, The Give First Economy, Fan of Happy and Delivering Marketing Joy (about doing “promo right).

Kenny Ved, MAS, is the Director of Global Sales at Goldstar.  Kenny brings over 25 years of experience in building dynamic, culture-driven workplaces that inspire employees to thrive. Throughout his time at Goldstar, Kenny has helped launch initiatives designed to empower employees to bring their best selves to work, fostering an environment where collaboration, resilience, and growth are celebrated. His approach to leadership centers on aligning company culture with core values – a strategy that has not only strengthened team bonds but also attracted top talent in a competitive market. 

Kate Nash, Director of Sales and Marketing at Raining Rose Promos, started her professional life in newspaper journalism and marketing for higher ed and the tech industry before joining Raining Rose as top marketing leader in 2019. Kate leveraged her multi-industry background to partner with leaders on a new Raining Rose Promos brand and has also worked to support sales growth at the company through marketing strategies and sales partnership. In 2022, Kate took over as Director of Promotional Sales and Marketing. She leads the sales team, determines future investments, spearheads product development, oversees daily operations, and works to spread the Raining Rose “orange vibe” of energy and optimism throughout the company and industry. Kate also promotes corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives via an internal company working group, as a board member of PromoCares, and through connecting with like-minded souls across industries whenever possible.

Jenna Quaranta, Director of Sales at HPG, holds over a decade of industry experience as both a Supplier and PPD. JQ’s reputation as an industry thought leader and Sales powerhouse is indisputable. Sales is not just the act of selling for JQ, instead, her no-BS approach combined with a tactical mindset is a key component in her ability to bring value to customers and their businesses. She utilizes her knowledge as a Certified Business Coach to provide a path to success for her customers in a consultative manner. Furthermore, as a Certified Mental Health Ambassador, JQ emphasizes that, to be a strong Professional, you must also possess a strong mind, body and discipline.

Recognized in the Top 10 by PPAI’s Online18 as one of the industry’s key influencers, many people’s first introduction to JQ is via her social media, give it a follow and you’ll see these words come to life. 

Joseph Sommer is the founder of Whitestone, a best in class, fully remote branded merchandise agency that was recently named ASI Best Places to Work in 2024 for companies 25-100 employees, and 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year. He has built his career with passion, enthusiasm and creativity and leads one of the most progressive businesses in the industry. Whitestone was recently named to the Inc 5000 list for fastest growing private companies in America for the 6th straight year, and Inc Magazine’s Best Workplaces. In college, Joseph majored in entrepreneurship and built his business plans in the promotional products industry. A seasoned vet at 35 years old, this is the only career and job he’s ever known, with Whitestone being the largest company he’s ever worked for now with 65 full-time employees. Joseph lives in Austin, Texas, and is an active member of YPO and EO.

Joelly Goodson, Sr. Sales Associate at BAMKO, AKA “The Branding Badass,” is an award-winning branding expert with more than 20 years’ experience helping businesses build and elevate their brands.

Joelly was ranked #3 on PPAI’s #Online18: The Best Promo Pros on Social Media for 2024, underscoring her influence and expertise in the branded merch industry and social media branding.

In addition to her professional accolades, Joelly is the creator and host of “Branding Matters” which is one of Canada’s top branding podcasts .This podcast has earned the top spot on Feedspot’s list of the 10 Best Canadian Branding Podcasts and is recognized by the CMO Club as one of the 17 Branding Podcasts Worth Your Time in 2024. Through her podcast, Joelly shares her expertise, featuring interviews with industry leaders and offering actionable advice that listeners can implement immediately. 

Halle Moore, Marketing Coordinator at PromoCorner, started working full-time in the industry in 2022 after graduating from UMass Boston. In her role, Halle provides digital marketing services to suppliers within the industry. Getting involved is her favorite way to grow, she’s been serving as a sous chef at PromoKitchen and is excited to be stepping into a chef role in 2025. She also loves posting to social media and was even recognized for it on PPAI’s 2024 Online 18. You can find her newest video series “Behind the Brand” on the Pyramid Award-winning platform PromoJournal.com. Halle is the 3rd generation of her family to be in the industry and is lucky enough to work with both her parents Laurie & Joel Moore and follow in the footsteps of her late grandfather, Jim Moore. 

Eric Granata, CAS is the founder of PromoPilot, a technology consulting and automation company serving the print and promotional products industry.

Prior to PromoPilot, Granata served as CTO at Brand Fuel, a free-spirited, globally-recognized promotional products agency.

He came to the promotional products industry by way of ROBYN Promotions as their Director of E-Commerce. With an eclectic skill set, he has worked in e-commerce, web and print design, video production, program management, digital transformation, and marketing and sales. 

Founding Partner, Chris Lamond, brings more than 25 years of experience in developing, managing and implementing government relations strategies to PPAI advocacy agency Thorn Run Partners, which ranks as a top 10 K Street lobbying firm. Formerly a U.S. Senate staffer and presidential campaign advisor, Lamond has built governmental relations career forging coalitions and representing corporate, non-profit and trade association clients before federal, state and local governments. 

Charles G. Duggan II, MAS+, Vice President of Sales North America at Goldstar. With over 32 years in the promotional products industry, Charles brings expertise in speaking, training and consulting, particularly in tactical sales strategies for distributors and suppliers. Known for creative, customer-focused solutions, Charles champions the idea that Anything is Possible, even through times of challenge and change.

An industry leader, Charles, has served on the PPAI Board of Directors, and held key volunteer roles with PPAI and PPAMidwest. Recognized with awards like the 2020 Gold Pyramid and the 2018 PPAI Distinguished Service Award, Charles is also ASI’s 2020 Supplier Rep of the Year.

An Ironman, marathoner, and triathlete, Charles brings the same commitment to his active lifestyle, and at home, he proudly ranks ninth in the pecking order. (Ask him about that!)

Brittany Frase, MAS is the Vice President of Sales for HIRSCH with 15 years of experience in the promotional products industry on both the supplier and distributor sides. With a successful track record in sales leadership, Brittany has a passion for leading dynamic teams and mentorship inside and outside of industry. Brittany was named a PPAI 2024 Rising Star, is a Premier Group board member, and volunteers on many industry committees. When she’s not working, you can find Brittany corralling her two kids, and if they have a babysitter, you can catch her at a stand-up comedy show.  

Bobby Lehew is the Chief Content Officer at commonsku, a cloud-based CRM, order management platform designed for the promotional products industry by promotional product experts. Bobby was the CEO for 15 years at Robyn, a branded merch fulfillment company that specialized in private-label, e-commerce company stores. A PPAI Gold Pyramid Award winner, a PPAI Silver Technology recipient, an Addy Award recipient, and recognized (in his work with Robyn) three years in a row by Inc. Magazine as one of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., Bobby is co-host of the popular podcast, skucast, and a national speaker on topics related to B2B marketing, B2B selling, and storyselling. Bobby is an ardent bibliophile who loves to explore creative insights from entrepreneurs who bridge the world between art + commerce. 

Ben Drysdale, CAS, is the National Account Manager at Gold Bond, Inc – a trusted supplier committed to creating meaningful solutions that blend innovation, quality, and sustainability. He joined the Gold Bond team just a few months ago, after 4.5 years with industry supplier; Raining Rose Promos. Ben is an expert in developing creative and impactful branded merchandise strategies that foster lasting connections with clients.   

Angela Taylor, the Vice President of Customer Engagement and Digital Solutions at AIM Smarter, with experience spanning two decades in the promotional products industry.

For the past four years, Angela has been an instrumental leader at AIM Smarter, spearheading their Customer Success Team and driving innovation through AIM’s Tech Suite order management platform. Her commitment to elevating the customer experience and fostering digital solutions has been pivotal in shaping AIM’s trajectory within the industry.

Angela also has firsthand experience as a supplier at A+ Wine Designs, offering her a holistic understanding of the promotional products landscape. Recognizing the importance of industry relationships and giving back to the community that has been so good to her, she has volunteered with SAAC and the SAAC Foundation for the past decade.

Abe Anteby is the President and CEO of Threadfast Apparel, a brand of sustainable and eco-friendly clothing. With over 25 years of experience in the apparel industry, Anteby has led the company’s efforts to integrate sustainability into every aspect of their business. Under his leadership, Threadfast Apparel has become a leader in ethical and eco-conscious manufacturing, committed to reducing their environmental impact while producing high-quality, fashionable apparel.

Kristen is a globally respected leader in the world of branding and advertising. A dynamic speaker, she is known for transformational growth, leadership development, succession planning, serving as a champion for equity and inclusion, and defending the integrity of original creative ideas.

Under Kristen’s leadership, The Martin Agency grew 50% in five years, was recognized as Adweek’s U.S. Agency of the Year in ’21 and ’22, and Ad Age‘s Agency of the Year in ’23. Martin also made the coveted Fast Company Most Innovative Companies list in ’23 and ’24. Her team was recognized for exceptional leadership across multiple disciplines including creative, PR, new business, and talent & culture, and she was named Virginia Businessperson of the Year.

She simultaneously held the position of Global CEO of MullenLowe, where she spearheaded an agency rebrand that united a 55-office global network. In addition to building employee morale, the work was heavily-awarded, winning three Cannes Lions in 2024, including a Gold for Best Rebrand/Refresh of an Agency. During her tenure as Global CEO, six MullenLowe agencies won Agency of the Year in their respective international markets.

After 30 years as a strategist and C-Suite leader, she recently retired from the ad industry. She continues to act as a consultant to business leaders and travel to places she’s never been.

Joshua Pospisil, MAS, is the vice president of business development at AIA Corporation and has been in the industry for 11 years. He loves being granted the opportunity to lead/coach a team and help build relationships from the ground up. Prior to joining AIA Corporation, Josh was at HIRSCH, and before that, he began his journey in the promotional product industry at KTI Promo. Joshua has volunteered with PromoKitchen, is a past president of HPPA, and has been a board/committee member for both RAC and RRC.

Nicole Rhooms serves as PPAI’s Human Resources Director, bringing over 20 years of experience in driving organizational success through strategic human capital management. She holds a master’s degree in Human Resources and Employment Law from Arizona State University, with a specialization in Human Resources. With deep expertise in all aspects of HR, Nicole has consistently demonstrated a proven track record in talent acquisition, employee development, leadership coaching, and organizational development.

Throughout her career, Nicole has partnered with senior leadership to align HR strategies with business goals, fostering a positive and productive work environment while optimizing workforce performance and engagement. Known for her ability to navigate complex challenges and build strong relationships across all levels of the organization, she is passionate about creating innovative HR solutions that drive sustainable business growth.

Since late 2021, Josh Ellis, Publisher & Editor-In-Chief, has overseen the rapid growth of PPAI Media, which now encompasses digital content, publications, public affairs and research efforts. A journalist since the age of 15, he first worked in sports, reporting for DallasCowboys.com before transitioning to business media. Prior to PPAI, he served as the editor-in-chief of SUCCESS Magazine.

Cory Halliburton is an attorney with the tax and litigation law firm of Freeman Law, PLLC. He serves as outside counsel for a wide range of nonprofit organizations and multi-state professional services firms. As of October 1, 2024, he will have served as general counsel for PPAI for 3,780 days.

Current PPAI Board Chair, Andrew Spellman, CAS, is the vice president commercial markets for Therabody. He formerly served as the senior vice president and general manager for Magnet, LLC. Prior to his tenure at Magnet, Andrew was the vice president corporate markets for Victorinox Swiss Army where he successfully managed their branded products division for over 14 years.

Dawn Olds, MAS+, is the Interim President and CEO at PPAI.  Prior to joining the Association, Dawn was the Senior Vice President of Industry Relations and DEI at HALO, before retiring at the end of 2023.  She has also served on the PPAI Board of Directors and was Chair in 2022.  Dawn has a 35-year career in promotional products and spent her entire promo career at HALO.  Additionally, she has dedicated her time to volunteering for Junior Achievement, mentoring a high school entrepreneur program, and is a member of the Women’s Professional Network.

Steven Lazarus, MAS, is the vice president of sales and marketing of Promotional Breezes, Inc in Delray Beach, FL. Father of twin 6-year-old kindergarten girls, Steven grew up in the industry and has served in roles on both the supplier and distributor side. Steven grew up in the Northeast and served on many SAAGNY committees and then moved to Florida, where he served on the Gold Coast Promotional Products Association (GCPPA) board from 2014-2020, and as President in 2018 and 2019. He also represents District 2 on the Regional Relations Committee (RRC).

KJ Summers is Global Accounts Executive – Business Development at BAMKO. He also serves as Director, Supplier Diversity and Supply Chain Inclusion and Co-Lead of GLAMKO, BAMKO’s LGBT Employee Resource Group. In his 25 years in the industry, KJ has been with two distributorships, first serving for 19 years as Chief Creative Officer at OmniSource Marketing before joining BAMKO 6 years ago.

Jessica “JGR” Gibbons-Rauch, MBA, CAS, is the professional development lead at PPAI. She has over 15 years of experience working in the promotional products industry as a distributor and service provider before joining PPAI. She is also an adjunct professor in the MBA and Digital Marketing programs at Northern Illinois University. JGR was named a PPAI Rising Star in 2014. She has served on the board of PPAChicago (Now PPACW) and on the board of PromoKitchen.

Jill Begun, CAS is the professional development manager for PPAI’s live events. In her position, she is part of the team that oversees educational content and selects speakers for the Association’s live events. Prior to PPAI, she spent nearly 30 years at a professional staffing organization, managing operations and recruiting key personnel on behalf of clients.

Jonathan N. Strauss is the president & CEO of the Promotional Products Professionals of Canada, a position he has held since 2018. His experience includes managing Canadian national associations and signature events for over 25 years.

John Wooster is head of talent management at HALO, where he helps ambitious colleagues take charge of their careers and get the most out of all that HALO offers. From coaching to training to leadership development, he helps emerging leaders get ready for their next step.  Prior to HALO, John spent 15 years living and working in New York City, San Francisco, Kenya, Tanzania, and Pakistan. Along the way he earned his master’s at Northwestern University with a focus on narrative psychology and adult learning methods.

Ashley Van Der Stuyf is the show manager at PPAI, where she leads the Expo and Event Operations Team. Her team is responsible for managing the operational logistics of The Expo and Conference Events. Ashley has extensive experience in the event industry, having worked on the General Service Contractor side before joining PPAI in 2021.

Chase Dressman is a Partner at Taft Law in their Environmental practice group. He represents clients with their environmental and regulatory needs, and provides counsel on complex and cutting edge environmental litigation and enforcement matters across the country.

Denise Pozen is the principal of Pozen Services Inc. and provides product safety consulting services to corporate clients.  She has over 40 years’ experience in the legal and business applications of product safety processes and consumer product safety. Pozen previously worked at McDonald’s Corporation, first in the marketing department, then as a corporate attorney, and finally as the director of safety for promotional products worldwide.  As safety director she managed the safety processes for all the Happy Meal toys that were distributed through McDonald’s restaurants around the world each year, and McDonald’s retail licensing program.  In both her corporate and consulting roles she has worked as a liaison with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, negotiated or consulted on product recalls, and acted as a primary advisor for clients’ safety standards.

Pozen is a member and past president of the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization, and is an associate member of the Toy Industry Association.

Lenny Polakoff is a Partner at Zagwear, a global product-based marketing agency that develops and manufactures promotional merchandise and custom premium products for category-leading corporations including General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, META, Google, Disney, BMW, and The Hershey Company. With offices throughout the United States, UK, Europe and Asia Pacific, Zagwear services multinational clients in more than 40 countries world-wide. As a leading industry expert, Lenny consults clients in the areas of Product Safety, Regulatory Compliance and Corporate Social Responsibility. This includes the evaluation, development and implementation of premium compliance programs & manuals, as well as internal stakeholder training. Lenny holds a BA in Psychology from Quinnipiac University and is a member of PPAI’s Product Responsibility Action Group.

Sif Thorgeirsson is Senior Vice President, Investigations and Engagement at the Fair Labor Association. She joined FLA in December 2018, and now leads the work of the Fair Labor Investigations team and oversees the University Program. Before joining FLA, Sif was an independent business and human rights consultant working on projects across areas including company human rights policies and international trade and human rights.

Jill Rogoz is the senior director of compliance at alphabroder. In this role, Jill oversees the safety, testing and compliance programs at multiple manufacturing facilities for the Hard Goods Division. This encompasses products that fall under the jurisdiction of the CPSC, FDA, EPA and other regulatory bodies. Additionally, Jill administers the social compliance program as well as manages other general compliance related activities.

Julia Craighill is the chief sustainability officer of Green Business Benchmark, an operating product company of Clearyst, is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) sustainability management software built for organizations to improve their sustainability value. Julia is responsible for the company’s sustainability program and services. A frequent speaker on sustainability and resiliency issues, Julia is known for helping organizations move from good intentions to long-term, profitable performance.

Alexander Hoehn-Saric is Chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). He was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden on July 13, 2021. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 7, 2021 for a term that expires on October 27, 2027.

Among the priorities Chair Hoehn-Saric has advanced during his tenure are: expanding outreach to consumers on product safety issues; addressing emergent safety issues, particularly around ecommerce; and directing greater focus to the agency’s compliance and enforcement activities.
Under his leadership, the Commission has moved forward essential mandatory safety standards aimed at addressing long-standing and developing hazards. The Commission has assessed more than $100 million in civil penalties, far more than in any other period in the agency’s history. And, the agency has expanded outreach to consumers, including issuing direct warnings about dangerous products, using injury data to target education efforts towards communities at greater risk, and leveraging digital platforms to amplify safety messaging.

Prior to joining the Commission, Hoehn-Saric was Chief Counsel for Communications and Consumer Protection with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce. In this role, he served as the chief legal advisor to Chairman Pallone on the Committee on consumer product safety, auto safety, consumer protection, privacy, broadband, and other communications issues. During his tenure, Hoehn-Saric was instrumental in oversight of consumer product safety matters and drafting legislation to increase the authority and resources for the CPSC.

Hoehn-Saric also worked on the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee for Chairmen Rockefeller and Inouye. While at the Commerce Committee, Hoehn-Saric worked on the subcommittees responsible for oversight of the CPSC and was integral in the drafting of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

Hoehn-Saric clerked for the Honorable Benson E. Legg, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. He received an A.B. from the University of Chicago and a juris doctor degree from UCLA Law School.

Rick Brenner, MAS+, is president of Product Safety Advisors, a consulting and outsource compliance firm advising clients in all facets of consumer product safety. Prior to founding Product Safety Advisors, Rick was the CEO and chief compliance officer of Prime Resources. Rick has served as PPAI Board Chair, he is a founder of PPAI’s Product Responsibility Action Group (PRAG) and has co-chaired the PPAI Product Responsibility Summit each year since its inception in 2011.

Amelia Eleiter is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Debrand, North America’s most comprehensive sustainability and circularity hub for apparel and footwear brands. Amelia and co- founder Wes Baker launched Debrand in 2008 to help companies extend the life of their products – and the precious resources used to make them – as many times and ways possible.

Karolyn Helda is the global services and technical services director for QIMA’s Consumer Goods division in North America. She has worked in the consumer products safety, compliance, and quality assurance industry for over 30 years. Before assuming her current role, Karolyn was responsible for the QIMA Buffalo lab operations, and she has held various roles at independent consumer products testing laboratories.

Quinn Bui is a content creator and marketing specialist at N9ner Marketing, where he assists suppliers, distributors, and multi-line businesses in expanding their marketing presence. With over a decade of experience, he is dedicated to leveraging his expertise, creativity, and passion to advance the industry. He is dedicated to fostering memorable experiences and cultivating meaningful relationships throughout his professional journey.

Jade Crider is the inside sales and social media manager at Hasseman Marketing. She began her career as an administrative assistant at the company, and is following in the footsteps of her family legacy, being a professional in the promotional products industry. Jade is carving out her own path and is establishing herself by creating engaging content that helps Hasseman Marketing to stand out.

Emily Gigot is a Seattle-based corporate sustainability leader. In her role at SanMar, as their Sr. Sustainability Manager,  she partners with teams across the organization to make a positive impact in the communities where they do business. Emily has diverse experience spanning apparel, international community development and sustainability.

Mila Grigg, CEO at MODA Image and Brand Consulting has 20 years of branding expertise.  Her career began in the insurance industry before transitioning to the music industry, and then to a firm where she worked with athletes, entertainers, professionals, and businesses in brand and marketing.  Mila has been honored as a Forty under 40 recipient and a Woman of Influence by the Nashville Business Journal.

PPAI 2020 Rising Star Sam Kabert is a Serial Entrepreneur turned Certified Breathwork Practitioner, keynote speaker, bestselling author of SOUL/Life Balance, and host of the Soul Seekr Podcast. He spent the early part of his career chasing success, and was named to Silicon Valley’s 40 under 40 list at 31. Sam is now on a mission to help others overcome overwhelm and encourage compassionate leadership to end “hustle culture.”

Karie Cowden, MAS, is the president and founder of Connect the Dots Promotions, a Phoenix-based promotional products company. She is also Vice President of Sales and Operations at Campus Stop, a New York-based collegiate focused distributorship. Karie is an advocate for ethical sourcing, sustainability, and community impact, which is reflected in her involvement with PromoCares. And, she is a member of the PPAI Board of Directors.

A 2023 PPAI Rising Star, Alex Paschal, MAS, MBA, BChE is the President and 5th Generation Owner of Warwick Publishing Company and has been in this role for five years. Alex leans heavily on his engineering background as he takes an aggressive yet technical approach to growth, sustainability, and efficiency in the promotional products market while simultaneously juggling the nuances of a multi-generational family business.

Kevin Myette is the Director of Global Brand Services for bluesign technologies where he oversees the systems by which the company evaluates and improves all bluesign brands for chemical integrity and overall sustainability. Prior to bluesign, Kevin headed Product Integrity & Supply Chain Sustainability for Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI). He also spearheaded the industry sustainability collaborative effort which began under the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and later led to the development of the Higg Index under the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, now Cascale. He served on the founding board of directors for the Cascale and remains connected and active in the organization.

Terry McGuire is the senior vice president of supplier relations for HALO Branded Solutions and the executive sponsor of HALO’s ESG effort.  Terry has served in executive leadership roles with promotional product suppliers and distributors for over thirty years, the last 25 with HALO.  He blends a passion for sustainability with a common-sense approach to ESG investments that add value to key company stakeholders.

Phil Peden, the Director of Marketing and Business Development at HALO, focuses on account acquisition and strategic growth.  He is also the co-chair of HALO’s Sustainability Committee and has been a co-author of the company’s annual ESG report since 2020. Phil participated in the United Nations Global Compact Social Development Goals Accelerator program in 2024.

Tim Behling, VP of Supply Chain and Sustainability at Gemline, is a seasoned supply chain executive driving sustainable and ethical sourcing. Tim leads initiatives to minimize the industry’s footprint while ensuring product integrity and supply chain resilience. Prior to Gemline, Tim spent most of his career in consumer goods supply chain, primarily in the pet industry.

Doug Jackson, president and founder of the Storm Creek brand, and has been developing outdoor-inspired apparel for 35+ years. A true product visionary, Doug made his first jacket from upcycled bottles over twelve years ago. In 2020, he completed Storm Creek’s transition to a fully eco-made lifestyle apparel line. Doug continues to foster deep relationships with the highest quality, sustainable and responsible production partners.

Kristy Grant-Hart is the founder and CEO of Spark Compliance. She’s a renowned expert at transforming compliance departments into in-demand business assets. She is the author of several highly acclaimed books and has advised Fortune 100 companies on international compliance and has created, implemented, and revamped compliance programs for major companies in Europe and the United States. Before launching Spark Compliance, Kristy was the Chief Compliance Officer at United International Pictures, the joint distribution company for Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures. Kristy holds certification as a Corporate Compliance and Ethics Professional – International and is a member of the California Bar.

Mike Smith is the founder and CEO of Aclymate, which helps companies measure, reduce, report, and offset their climate footprint. Mike previously founded RenewWest, a company that developed nature-based carbon offsets. Prior to his climate career, Mike was an FA-18 pilot for the U.S. Navy.

Koen Warmerdam is a seasoned fashion entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience, dedicated to driving sustainable transformation in the textile and fashion industry since the start of his career.

He is the co-founder and brand director of Aware, a traceability platform committed to solving one of the industry’s most pressing issues: reliable traceability. Established in 2020 and based in Amsterdam, Aware has developed cutting-edge technology that captures data directly from producers, tracking the entire journey from raw materials to finished products. The platform delivers the ultimate assurance for your products, partners and promises.

Jane Mosbacher Morris is the founder and CEO of TO THE MARKET (B Corp, Women-Owned), a supply chain software platform enabling responsible vendor compliance and management, digital procurement, and automated impact reporting. She is also the author of best-seller, Buy the Change You Want to See and was named by Fortune Magazine as one of the “World’s Greatest Leaders”.

Tiffany Tarr, CAS is the Vice President of eCommerce Hit Promotional Products. She has 21 years of experience in B2B sales, focusing on technology sales and solutions. Tiffany has volunteered with PPAM since 2009, and has been on their Board of Directors, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President. She was awarded PPB Rising Star, was on the team that won PPAI Industry Collaborator and seven PPAI Technology Awards.

Sarah Unruh, MAS, is the National Sales Manager for STAHLS. In this role, she is instrumental in driving growth and setting new standards. Sarah is a former educator turned promotional product powerhouse, and she began her journey in 2008 as a Distributor.

Liz Haesler is the Global Chief Merchandising Officer, responsible for product – retail brands, and product development, supply chain and pricing. Liz brings product and supply chain experience from leadership roles at Target, Best Buy, Staples and Dicks Sporting Goods. Liz joined Polyconcept North America (PCNA) in 2019.

Mila Grigg, CEO at MODA Image and Brand Consulting has 20 years of branding expertise.  Her career began in the insurance industry before transitioning to the music industry, and then to a firm where she worked with athletes, entertainers, professionals, and businesses in brand and marketing.  Mila has been honored as a Forty under 40 recipient and a Woman of Influence by the Nashville Business Journal. 

Maribeth Sandford, CEO of Bag Makers has been active in the promotional products industry for more than 40 years. In addition to being one of the founders of the PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference, Maribeth also served on the PPAI Board of Directors Suppliers Committee, Leadership Advisory Committee, and MAS/CAS Certification Board. She also participated in the Board of Directors PPEF Scholarship Committee and Regional Association Council.  

Lori Bauer, CEO at iPROMOTEu, has been in the industry for 26 years.  She joined the organization 2021 as the Senior Vice President of Affiliate Sales and Support and moved to her current role in February of this year. She has served on the board and as President for PPAF, and was previously on the Board of Trustees and Board Chair for PPEF.  Lori has long been a supporter of the Women’s Leadership Conference, serving on the WLC Advisory Group for multiple years.  Lori currently serves on the PPAI Board. 

Lindsey Davis, MAS, is the Director, Sales & Professional Development at PPAI. She previously served as president of Solar Advertising, a promo supplier founded by her parents, and lead the company’s successful purchase by Raining Rose where she was the Director of Sales. Lindsey has served on the Promotional Products Education Foundation’s board of trustees and the PPAI Board, before joining the association’s staff in 2022. 

Kara Keister, MBA, MAS, promise keeper at Social Good Promotions, started her promotional professional career on the distributor side 14 years ago in sales. She was on the OPPA Board in 2015 and served as president of the Board 2017-2019. Kara has participated in LDW and LEAD, and was elected to the RAC Board in 2020, playing a pivotal role in the shift from RAC to the Regional Relations Committee. In 2022, Kara was appointed to the PPAI Board of Directors as the RRC Delegate.

Jodie Schillinger is the Executive Vice President at Maple Ridge Farms and is also a member of the RRC. She has not only aspired to shape the vision & culture of Maple Ridge Farms, but also inspires the team to continuously elevate the brand. Tasting the flavor of excellence is a thing with her…it is her essence and her grit & she radiates it in all aspects of life.

One of the Founders of the PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference, Jo-an Lantz, MAS is President & CEO of Geiger and a member of the Board of Directors. She represents Geiger as the sole US member of the international group WAGE (World Advertising Gift Exchange) and is their past President.  Jo-an has served on a variety of different industry groups and associations including being a former Chair of the Board of Directors of PPAI and has served twice on the PPEF Board, once as Chair.  A PPAI Hall of Fame 2009 inductee, Jo-an continues to be recognized throughout the industry.  

Erin Reilly is the Founder and CEO at Pop! Promos.  Starting the company as a Senior in college with a friend, the company has grown from a small startup to an organization with more than 125 employees.  Erin has served on the WLC Workgroup, and is currently serving on the PPAI Board. 

Erin Barton is the Director, Business Transformations at Geiger, and over the past 15 years, she has been in the corporate and startup technology landscape. Erin holds an MA in Chinese Language from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and an MS in International Business from London School of Economics in England. 

Emily Codner is the Director of Affiliate Services for iPROMOTEu. She began her career working for a small distributor before joining her current company.  In addition to Eimly’s work with iPROMOTEu, she is also a member of NEPPA’s Board of Directors, a member of the PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference Work Group and was named as a PPAI Rising Star for 2023.   

Ellen Tucker, CAE, MAS, is the Vice President of Revenue and Expositions at PPAI and has been with the Association for 10 years.  She is responsible for driving the non-dues revenue for the association and leading development, operations and execution of the association’s in-person and virtual tradeshows.  

WLC Founder, Elizabeth “Dolly” Duffy is the Executive Director of the Notre Dame Alumni Association and Associate Vice President for University Relations. Dolly and her husband purchased Atchison Products in 1990 and the company was acquired in 2007 by BIC Graphic USA. Prior to purchasing Atchison Products, Duffy spent five years working in public relation, and she began her career as the Press Secretary for a U.S. Congressman. 

Denise Taschereau, Co-Founder and CEO at Fairware launched the company after realizing how difficult it was to source promotional merchandise that reflected the social and environmental priorities of the many of the brands and organizations she admired. She is currently a board member of PromoCares, and is PPAI’s Incoming Board Chair. 

For the better part of 20 years, Claudeen Saxon, Executive Advisor at Culture Index, has worked with organizations to help them grow their business. From leading strategic client acquisition teams to turning around family businesses, she has a broad range of experience helping organizations achieve their goals and objectives.  

A Founder of WLC, Carol Aastad began her promotional products career as a salesperson in the early ‘80’s, and two years later she founded Harlen & Davis.   She sold her distributorship to Forrester Smith, and the company was later acquired by Geiger, where she worked until retiring. Carol was a member of SACDV, served on the CAAMP Board, is a past President of PPEF, and past PPAI Board Chair, and was inducted into the PPAI Hall of Fame in 2023.   

Britney Godsey, Chief Revenue Office at Gold Bond, Inc. has over a decade of experience in the promotional products industry. She has spearheaded successful initiatives like the “One Tree Planted” give back program and the PPAI award-winning influencer kits. Britney has received various awards, including the PPAI rising star, Pyramid awards, and multiple social media trend setter spotlight awards.   

Brianna Mazze, VP of Compliance & Sustainability at St. Regis Group, is a passionate advocate for the planet, people, and animals, with extensive expertise in corporate sustainability. She combines a strong background in regulatory compliance with a deep commitment to advancing responsible environmental practices. In her role at St Regis Group, Brianna is leading the company’s journey to net zero by developing innovative decarbonization strategies and establishing measurable goals for progress. Outside of work, she is a dedicated dog rescuer and an active volunteer for non-profits focused on animal welfare and environmental causes. 

Brenda Speirs is a veteran distributor and the CEO of Buzztag.  She is also the founder of The Ripple Collective, an organization of promotional products professionals who come together to support one another through a peer-supported community platform and private mentor teams.   

Ashley Colautti, MAS, Director of New Markets for Spector & CO., has been in the industry for nearly 20 years.  She is the current Chair of PromoKitchen, an industry not for profit that promotes education and mentorship. Ashley volunteers on the PPAI Professional Development and Certification Committee and is the past event chair of Brand Chain.  

Andrea “Anni” Kramer serves as the President of City Apparel + Merch.   Under her leadership and committed team, City has won numerous PPAI awards, including being named Greatest Companies to Work for multiple times, recognition for being a leader in Responsibility and Innovation, and has been a Pyramid Award winner.   

Liz Bohannon is the Founder and CEO of socially conscious fashion brand Sseko Designs, which she founded in 2009 as a way to provide educational and economic opportunities for women in East Africa.  She is also the author of the bestselling book, Beginner’s Pluck: Build Your Life of Purpose & Impact Now. 

Leslie Short is owner of The Cavu Group, author of Expand Beyond Your Current Culture, and a DEI strategist with four decades of experience.  She has an accomplished background that includes running marketing and PR for FUBU, services as Corporate Operating  Strategist for blueprint + co., and starting several successful international businesses.  

Dana Porter, MAS is the Vice President of Information Services at SAGE. She serves on PPAI’s Regional Relations Committee and Government Relations Action Council. Dana has also participated in LEAD multiple years, served as chair of the PPEF Board of Trustees, was chair of WLC and was awarded iPROMOTEu’s A Women’s View 2022 Supplier Visionary Award.

Latisha Marshall is the senior vice president of operations for ePromos Promotional Products, LLC. She is a self-described “operations fanatic” with 20 years of promotional products experience.

Latisha is the current chair of PPAI’s DEI Task Force and she serves on the HPPA Board.

Cliff Quicksell, CSP, MAS+ is a dynamic force in promotional marketing with 40 years of experience as an international speaker, trainer, and consultant; helping organizations amplify their marketing and inspire their teams, Cliff has worked with industry giants like PPAI, ASI, and Fruit of the Loom, and has left a global footprint across the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. His innovative marketing strategies have earned him 45 PPAI Pyramid Awards and recognition in the book PPAI at 100. In 2022, he was honored with induction into the PPAI Hall of Fame, solidifying his place among the Most Influential People in the industry. 
 
Cliff is also a prolific writer, with over 1,400 published articles and three bestselling books, including 30 Seconds to Greatness. His award-winning blog, which garners over 80,000 shares weekly, showcases his thought leadership. As a speaker at major industry events worldwide, Cliff continues to inspire and educate, leaving a lasting impact on the industry. 

Prior to joining iPROMOTEu, Bauer spent 23 years at Koozie Group, where she was an integral part of the supplier’s success with responsibilities spanning across sales and marketing. Named a PPB Rising Star in 2010 and honored with the PPAI RAC Volunteer of the Year Award in 2015, Bauer has long been a supporter of PPAI’s Women’s Leadership Conference, serving on the WLC Advisory Group for multiple years.Bauer has also served as president of the Promotional Products Association of Florida (PPAF) and as board chair of the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF).

Danny Rosin is co-owner of Brand Fuel, a Raleigh-based distributor that is a proud certified B Corp. He serves on the PPAI board and will be chair in 2026. He is the co-founder of Band Together, a nonprofit that has donated $15 million to nonprofits through live music experiences. He serves on the board of A Place at The Table, a “pay what you can” café and is advisor to Gabi’s Pals, a nonprofit that empowers people with special abilities through fulfillment programming. He is also the co-founder of these social impact orgs: PromoKitchen, PromoCares, Reciprocity Road and Operation Smile International’s Student Programs. Danny was recognized with the Ted Olden Humanitarian Award in 2023. He is married with two teenage daughters and has come to grips with the idea that well-behaved women rarely make history.

As a senior at John Hopkins University, Reilly and her best friend Sterling Wilson started making Pantone-matched sunglasses and accidentally fell head over heels into the promotional products industry. Launching College Glasses in 2012 and rebranding to Pop! Promos a year later, Reilly has worn just about every hat at the Philadelphia-based supplier, scaling the firm from a small startup to an award-winning organization with more than 125 employees in offices across the globe. Reilly also serves on the PPAI Women’s Leadership Committee.

Ottenstein joined The Image Group in 2016 and became president of the Holland, Ohio-based firm in 2020. During his tenure, Ottenstein has led the company’s transformation into a vertical-focused marketing solutions business. Prior to promo, he served as an investment analyst and director of marketing communications for Welltower, a $40 billion-plus enterprise value company. A 2018 PPB Rising Star, he is currently a board member for several local nonprofits and is also a highly involved member of the Young Presidents’ Organization.

Troy Naef is the CFO at PPAI, where he is actively involved in ERP implementation and automating the company’s accounting systems.  Prior to coming to PPAI, Troy served as regional vice president of operations for Blue Cloud Pediatric Surgery Centers and in that role oversaw operations and was the direct report for multiple surgical centers. Prior to Blue Cloud, Troy was one of the founding partners of Children 1st Dental and Surgery Center where he served as the company CFO/COO for 11 years.

Troy also worked as the CFO for Cottonwood Medical Group and managed four hospitals in Texas and Louisiana. Prior to working in healthcare, Troy received his CPA license in the state of Washington and worked as an auditor for Ernst & Young and as a controller for Newport Construction. Troy graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor and Master of Accounting.

Elizabeth Wimbush is PPAI’s first-ever Director of Sustainability & Responsibility.  Prior to joining PPAI, Elizabeth was the vice president of supply chain and sustainability for distributor Genumark.  She had started with the company in 2020 as the director of supply chain. Before joining the promo world, she ran a fair-trade organic cafe & bakery in Toronto that prioritized community and minimizing waste.

Elizabeth is a value-oriented professional with a diverse range of experience that prioritizes ethical and sustainable business growth, spanning 20 years. Organically influencing positive change from the ground up in organizations is the name of her game.

Most of her free time is spent with her two dogs, riding her motorcycle, hiking or swimming. On the road or in the woods, alone or with friends, “I’m never bored when I’m out in nature,” she says.

Cory Halliburton is an attorney with the law firm of Freeman Law, PLLC, a tax, white-collar, and litigation law firm based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and with clients throughout the world. He has served as General Counsel for PPAI since May 2014. He serves as outside general counsel for other international trade associations, public charities, multi-state engineering firms, and others. Cory Halliburton graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2003.

Dale Denham, MAS+, has more than 25 years of experience in the promotional products industry. Before joining PPAI as president and CEO in August 2021, Denham spent 10 years at distributor Geiger as senior vice president and CIO. As a member of the executive team, he was responsible for significant growth, including international growth, and successfully led the organization’s digital transformation.

Prior to Geiger, Denham was a member of the ASI executive team for 10 years where he was responsible for growth, including all technology, strategic partners and publications. His first experience in the industry came in the 1990s as president of Impact, a company that provided numerous resources to the industry. Before joining Impact, Denham was general manager for several consulting and sales organizations.

Denham served on the PPAI Board of Directors from 2015-2020, including as chair in 2018.

He has served on numerous other industry boards and has been a consistent volunteer for PPAI and other industry organizations, as well as a sought-after speaker. Denham graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s in business and a minor in economics.

Chris Anderson joined the promotional products industry in 2002 with supplier HandStands and became president of the company in 2009 and CEO in 2010. Under his leadership, HandStands expanded its distribution into 138 countries and closed multiple strategic acquisitions, including the sale of the business to HPG in 2018. Anderson became CEO of HPG in 2019.

Karie Cowden, MAS is Founder and President of Connect the Dots Promotions out of Phoenix, AZ.  Karie brings a wealth of experience to the board with almost 30 years in the promotional products industry.  She has had the opportunity to work on both the distributor and supplier sides of the fence which brings a unique perspective to share with the PPAI Board of Directors.  Karie served as President of her regional board Azppa, RAC President as well as on the PPAI board 2008-2012.  While RAC President, with the help of her board she initiated the Affiliate program with 28 regionals then on while on the PPAI board the SAGE initiative was born.  She is currently a board member of PromoCares, an industry group driving awareness and education around sustainability issues in the promotional product industry. Karie is married to Steve and has 2 lovely teenage daughters, Emma and Averie and a black lab named Luna.

I am a passionate go-getter who has learned to ask questions and never take no for an answer.  I started my promotional professional career 12 years ago in distributor sales.  My role allowed me to use my marketing background and love of all things brand to become a top-level salesperson within the company and eventually birth and grow Social Good Promotions. I served as a volunteer on regional industry Boards in an executive capacity.  After my tenure as regional board President, I was elected to the Regional Affiliate Council where I have played an integral role in advancing the way regional associations will operate within the promotional products industry moving forward.

I am a self-proclaimed nerd willing to learn and accept any challenge that comes my way.  I have survived injuries, breast cancer, and mental hurdles, all while advancing my career and building a successful small business.  I attribute that survival to my tribe, my amazing support system, and my work ethic.

I was named to the Promotional Products Association International Rising Star list in 2021. Our company has received PPAI Silver Pyramid Awards in the Social Responsibility Program and Digital Self-Promotion categories.  Social Good was named to the AIM Eco Leaders list in 2020 and we have consistently grown our gross sales by over 80% per year since our 2019 inception. 

My passion is for education, advocacy, and volunteerism for the promotional products industry and organizations close to my heart like Special Olympics, local schools, and leadership programs for youth.

Denise Taschereau launched Fairware after realizing how difficult it was to source promotional merchandise that reflected the social and environmental priorities of the many of brands and organizations she admired. Previously, Taschereau oversaw the Mountain Equipment Co-op’s national environmental programs, community grant-making and ethical sourcing programs, and wrote their award-winning first Sustainability Report. She is currently a board member of PromoCares, an industry group driving awareness and education around sustainability issues in the promotional product industry.

Andrew Spellman is the new vice president corporate markets for Therabody. Spellman formerly served as the senior vice president and general manager for Magnet, LLC. Magnet, LLC has been the world’s leading manufacturer of promotional magnets, and has won numerous awards for their products, service, and innovation. Prior to his tenure at Magnet, Spellman was the vice president corporate markets for Victorinox Swiss Army where he successfully managed their branded products division for over 14 years.

Spellman has also served on the Board of Directors of Guardian Angel Settlement Association in several different roles, including being chairman of their golf committee, vice chairman, and then escalating to the role of chairman of the Board. Guardian Angel has provided childcare services as well as social services in the city of St. Louis for over 150 years. In addition, he served on the Board of Directors of the St. Vincent De Paul Mission of Waterbury during his brief time in Connecticut.

Spellman received his BS in Business Administration from the University of Missouri in St. Louis. He lives in Wildwood, Missouri with his two teenage daughters.

Kevin Walsh, CAS is a proud member of the Showdown Displays team, where he has worked the past eight (8) years serving in several leadership roles, the most recent of which is President. Kevin’s creative vision and ‘customer first’ mentality has contributed to the success of numerous industry suppliers including New Buffalo Shirt Factory, Lee Printwear, VF Imagewear and Wrangler Jeans and Shirts. In each of these organizations, Kevin has demonstrated a leadership philosophy that is founded in the belief of having the vision to recognize evolving landscapes and the courage to embrace the change needed to succeed. Kevin’s sales and marketing expertise combined with his bias for solutions utilizing technology, will prove to be a great addition to the PPAI Board.