Karolyn Helda is the managing director of QIMA’s Laboratory in Buffalo, New York. She has  worked in the consumer products safety, compliance and quality assurance industry for over 30 years. Her knowledge and direct experience span the categories of promotional products, toys and children’s products, softlines, general merchandise as well as consumable consumer goods such as food, over‐the‐counter drugs, health and beauty care items. Prior to assuming responsibility for the QIMA Buffalo lab operations, Karolyn held various roles at independent consumer products testing laboratories including laboratory and client services management, business development, global compliance program development and management, as well as technical consulting, training and protocol development.