PPAI
CAS Level Electives
33 Results
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Contains 2 Component(s), Includes Credits
Improving company culture isn’t about mandates or mission statements; it’s about commitment. Real change happens when leaders take action. Natalie Tenner, chair of SanMar’s IDEA Council is championing DEI initiatives from the top while balancing her day-to-day as a Credit Manager, she proves that impactful change starts with leadership. Vera Minot, who introduced DEI into her family-owned business, challenges traditions and reshapes priorities. Through her external involvement, Vera has made hiring with diversity in mind a priority, showing that small businesses can lead big transformations. Kim Sandifer brought a new perspective to the promotional products industry. Now at HALO, she focuses on hiring and training with the precision and insight of a seasoned C-level HR leader. Moderated by Sarah White, these voices illuminate how intentionality, awareness, and action can weave DEI into the fabric of any workplace. The result? A company culture that doesn’t just support diversity but thrives because of it.
Improving company culture isn’t about mandates or mission statements; it’s about commitment. Real change happens when leaders take action. Natalie Tenner, chair of SanMar’s IDEA Council is championing DEI initiatives from the top while balancing her day-to-day as a Credit Manager, she proves that impactful change starts with leadership. Vera Minot, who introduced DEI into her family-owned business, challenges traditions and reshapes priorities. Through her external involvement, Vera has made hiring with diversity in mind a priority, showing that small businesses can lead big transformations. Kim Sandifer brought a new perspective to the promotional products industry. Now at HALO, she focuses on hiring and training with the precision and insight of a seasoned C-level HR leader. Moderated by Sarah White, these voices illuminate how intentionality, awareness, and action can weave DEI into the fabric of any workplace. The result? A company culture that doesn’t just support diversity but thrives because of it.
Kim Sandifer
Chief Human Resource Officer
HALO
Kim Sandifer joined HALO in 2020 as the company’s first HR Business Partner, bringing over 20 years of experience in business-facing HR and operational management roles. Throughout her career, Sandifer held senior HR positions at several Fortune 500 companies in the financial services and retail sectors. She played a key role in establishing a best-in-class HR function at HALO.
During her first two years with the company, Sandifer partnered with senior leaders to build the HR Business Partner function, focusing on executing talent strategies, developing leaders, and enhancing organizational effectiveness. In 2023, she was promoted to Chief HR Officer, where she continues to support HALO’s growth by prioritizing the people and their experience.
Mrs. Sandifer holds a BA in Finance and Economics from Elmhurst College and is an alumna of the Smith College Leadership Consortium.
A Chicago native, Kim lives with her husband of 33 years, Michael. They have two children: Mykala, Associate Vice President of University Relations, Talent, and Inclusion at Kansas University; and Jabari, who works as a buyer for GM by day and a fashion influencer and stylist by night.
Natalie Tenner
Credit Manager and Chair, IDEA Council
SanMar
Natalie Tenner has been with the SanMar corporation out of Issaquah, Washington for nearly 23 years. She currently serves as a Credit Manager and the Chair of the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Action) Council. As the council's first chair, Natalie feels privileged to lead its initiatives and has spent the past four years working closely with departments across the organization, both as a guest speaker and through active engagement. She is deeply committed to ensuring the council's vision of empowering employees to embrace differences, maximize their talents, and create opportunities for equitable growth remains at the forefront. In addition, she strives to foster an inclusive culture grounded in respect and open communication. As she explains, “True innovation arises when an organization views diversity as an opportunity, not an inconvenience. Differences can spark extraordinary relationships and creativity.”
Natalie is passionate about inclusion, believing that having the right people at the table and giving them an opportunity to be heard is essential to employee engagement. She emphasizes the importance of nurturing a culture that values inclusivity and psychological safety as an integral part of the organization’s overall vision and mission. She believes that we can learn valuable lessons from one another when we are eager to listen and learn.
Natalie holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in communication along with a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. Natalie is married and the proud mother of two sons.
Vera Minot
Creative Director
Southwest Solutions
Vera is the Creative Director for, and part owner of, Southwest Solutions – an award-winning marketing materials company. She is a heart-first professional who’s known for her creativity; aversion to small talk; and appreciation of good vocabulary and clever marketing materials. She studied Linguistics and Gender & Women’s Studies at the University of Arizona, and after stints in a variety of industries that converged into a unique perspective on business and humans, she joined the wide world of promo. Vera is the past Board President of the Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce (AKA the Gaymber)- cultivating a safe space for queer folks in business as well as a space of learning for allies, who are tremendously important to the LGBTQIA+ community. She – and her entire team at Southwest Solutions - believes Inclusive Business is Good Business. When she isn’t hard at work, you’ll find Vera being lifting weights, making prints, tending to too many houseplants, and hanging out with her wife and their cats.
Sarah White (Moderator)
COO & Founder
Fairware
Sarah White is COO and co-founder of Fairware, North America’s leading provider of sustainable and ethically sourced promotional merchandise. In addition to operations and human resources, Sarah drives Fairware’s commitment to being an anti-racist organization. She is a Co-Chair of the President’s Group, a network of B.C. business leaders championing more accessible, inclusive workplaces. For over 10 years, Sarah has volunteered with the Vancouver Street Soccer League an organization that utilizes sport to uplift marginalized folks.
Outside of work Sarah loves time with friends and family and being in the outdoors. Being the subject of the documentary film Not Quite That has opened new areas of interest and exploration, including advocating for gender affirming healthcare and continuing to uplift the underrepresented lives of the LGBTQ+ community.
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Contains 2 Component(s), Includes Credits
Join us for an informative and energizing session where we uncover key trends for 2025. We’ll take a look at what PCNA is doing to support these trends, and you, this year.
Join us for an informative and energizing session where we uncover key trends for 2025. We’ll take a look at what PCNA is doing to support these trends, and you, this year.
Liz Haesler
Global Chief Merchandising Officer
PCNA
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.
Mary Furto
Senior VP of Marketing
PCNA
Mary is the Senior Vice President of Marketing at PCNA, where she drives brand growth, demand generation, and customer loyalty through innovative, data-driven marketing strategies. With over 20 years of experience leading marketing initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, Mary’s career highlights include her most recent role as Chief Marketing Officer for Honeywell’s Safety Division where she led high impact growth strategies and strengthened customer engagement. Mary holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a degree in Industrial & Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan. She is known for inspiring teams, navigating change, and delivering customer-centric solutions, which have significantly contributed to PCNA’s success since she joined the company three years ago. Mary resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband, their son Joseph, a German Shepard named Napa, and a Golden Retriever named Wrigley.
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In a world flooded with ads and promotions, standing out is harder than ever. But the Simplicity Brothers campaign by Goldstar proves that creativity, humor, and personality are the keys to cutting through the noise. Award-winning and unforgettable, this self-promotion campaign used laughter to build deeper customer connections, turning simple products into powerful brand experiences. Join Charles Duggan and Kenny Ved as they unpack the inspiration, strategy, and execution behind this game-changing campaign. You’ll learn how to use humor to make an impact, create a brand experience that’s uniquely yours, and design promotional products that leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re looking to refresh your marketing or build a lasting connection with your audience, this session will give you the tools to elevate your self-promo efforts and make your brand memorable.
In a world flooded with ads and promotions, standing out is harder than ever. But the Simplicity Brothers campaign by Goldstar proves that creativity, humor, and personality are the keys to cutting through the noise. Award-winning and unforgettable, this self-promotion campaign used laughter to build deeper customer connections, turning simple products into powerful brand experiences. Join Charles Duggan and Kenny Ved as they unpack the inspiration, strategy, and execution behind this game-changing campaign. You’ll learn how to use humor to make an impact, create a brand experience that’s uniquely yours, and design promotional products that leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re looking to refresh your marketing or build a lasting connection with your audience, this session will give you the tools to elevate your self-promo efforts and make your brand memorable.
Charles Duggan, MAS +
VP of Sales, North America
Goldstar
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 >span class="NormalTextRun SCXW156965319 BCX8"> 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!)
Kenny Ved, MAS
Director of Global Sales
Goldstar
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.
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From the New York Times to Vogue, virtually every major media outlet highlights stories celebrating merch. Why? Merch madness has entered a new era where brand expression and personal identity combine to create a bold opportunity for those who understand the zeitgeist and know how to use it effectively and boldly.
From the New York Times to Vogue, virtually every major media outlet highlights stories celebrating merch. Why? Merch madness has entered a new era where brand expression and personal identity combine to create a bold opportunity for those who understand the zeitgeist and know how to use it effectively and boldly.
Bobby Lehew
Chief Content Officer
commonsku
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.
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Jumping from traditional selling to hosting or navigating end-user shows isn’t just a shift—it’s a leap. The rules are different, the audience is new, and the stakes are high. But here’s the thing: done right, these shows can be a powerful way to connect with your buyers, build trust, and drive sales.This panel will help you reimagine your approach to end-user events. Learn about the different kinds of shows that fit your sales plan, where to find them, and how to build a strategy that works before, during, and after the event. Hear from experts like Kirby Hasseman, who successfully runs his own show, and other panelists with real-world experience. Whether you’re creating your own event or showing up at someone else’s, you’ll leave with the tools you need to make it a win. Sponsored by the RCC.
Jumping from traditional selling to hosting or navigating end-user shows isn’t just a shift—it’s a leap. The rules are different, the audience is new, and the stakes are high. But here’s the thing: done right, these shows can be a powerful way to connect with your buyers, build trust, and drive sales.This panel will help you reimagine your approach to end-user events. Learn about the different kinds of shows that fit your sales plan, where to find them, and how to build a strategy that works before, during, and after the event. Hear from experts like Kirby Hasseman, who successfully runs his own show, and other panelists with real-world experience. Whether you’re creating your own event or showing up at someone else’s, you’ll leave with the tools you need to make it a win. Sponsored by the RCC.
Kirby Hassemen
Owner
Hasseman Marketing & Communications
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 4 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).
Lisa Greyhill, MAS
President
Firebrand Global Marketing, Inc.
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.
Malik Hemani
Principal and Creative Director
Graphic Stylus, LLC.
Malik Hemani is the Creative Director and Managing Partner of Graphic Stylus, a Houston-based marketing and promotional products agency. With extensive experience supporting small businesses to large enterprises, Malik collaborates with marketing executives and HR directors to develop impactful campaigns that leverage hard goods to attract and retain both customers and employees.
As the 2024 President and Chair of the Houston Promotional Products Association (HPPA) and Bellaire Business Association (BBA), Malik leads efforts that support over 500 combined members, promoting economic growth and fostering community development. In 2024, Malik chaired HPPA's largest end-buyer trade show, demonstrating his ability to orchestrate high-profile events, and he also serves on multiple trade show committees across industries such as Oil & Gas, technology, HR, and multi-family.
Malik holds degrees in Bioinformatics from Baylor University and Management Information Systems from the University of Houston. He previously had a 13-year career at ExxonMobil, deploying international infrastructure projects exceeding $50 million.
Tom Goos, MAS
President
Image Source
A passionate entrepreneur and leader, Thomas Goos is the President of Image Source, a nationally recognized branded merchandise agency known for its purpose driven culture and strategic client approach. Thomas leads our strategic direction, international partnerships, as well as financial management, operations, and supplier partnerships. With 27+ years of branded merchandise experience, Thomas is a true industry leader and expert.
Thomas is a Past-Chair of the board and two-term board member of the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). Thomas currently serves in many roles with PPAI including their Strategic Foresight Committee, International Advisory Committee and Government Relations Action Council (GRAC). He has also served as a board Director of the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF). Thomas is a former two-term President of the Northwest Promotional Marketing Association (NWPMA) and a founder and partner of Reciprocity Road, the innovative industry buying and shared learning group comprised of thirteen elite branded merchandise agencies.
Thomas has a B.A. in Marketing and Management from the University of Washington Bothell. He is a currently board member at the University of Washington Bothell School of Business where he is a guest speaker and advisor to undergraduate and MBA students. Thomas has founded several companies, including Branded Solutions by Edgar Martinez, a branded merchandise agency, Branded Solutions Properties, Image Source Properties, Monopoly Investments as well as several other real estate investment companies.
He is a passionate athlete who has competed in triathlon & duathlon national and world championships. Thomas is a soccer coach, where you can regularly find him coaching his son on the pitch. His passion for real estate and cars is only rivaled by his tenacity for competitive games and sports.
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