Facilisgroup Launches Initiative to Empower Women

Facilisgroup has announced the launch of emPOWER, an initiative dedicated to empowering women within the Facilisgroup community and amplifying their influence in the promotional products industry.

Committed to delivering personalized opportunities for both personal and professional advancement, emPOWER is said to provide a specialized platform for women to connect within the Facilisgroup Community. emPOWER was founded on the principle of fostering an environment where women can thrive, network, and support each other to achieve their highest potential.

“As we evaluated emPOWER and set our strategy for 2024, we identified its purpose: emPOWER women in the Facilisgroup Community to achieve success and elevate the impact of women in the promotional products industry,” said Michele Dando, emPOWER committee chair and vice president of supplier relations for Facilisgroup. “We will continue this messaging throughout 2024 with the Steering Committee driving initiatives around philanthropy, mentorship programs, and continued learning.”

Led by Facilisgroup employees and representatives from Facilisgroup distributor partners and preferred suppliers, the Facilisgroup emPOWER Steering Committee is dedicated to advancing the role of women in the promotional products space.

2024 emPOWER Steering Committee chair members include:

• Michele Dando, committee chair and vice president of supplier relations
• Wendy Wells, chair of events subcommittee and senior supplier success manager
• Amy Rabideau, chair of programs subcommittee and senior vice president of strategy and innovation
• Alisa Cuneo, chair of philanthropy subcommittee and senior vice president of finance and human resources

2024 emPOWER Steering Committee members include:

• Tracy Adams, strategic account advisor, Facilisgroup
• Holly Brown, chief revenue officer, PCNA
• Voshte Demmert-Gustafson, president, Color Graphics
• Kathy DiFrancesco, vice president of sales, Snugz
• Teresa Fudenberg, chief executive officer, Storm Creek
• Kendra Gulka, account executive, Echo Promotions
• Terri Harland, business development manager, Facilisgroup
• Sarah Johnston, director of Brandito midwest, Brandito
• Cindy Kenner, vice president operations, Brand Addition
• Milissa Knaub, vice president of finance, Brand Addition
• Claire Lavoy, professional development manager, Facilisgroup
• Stephanie Maday, director of sales and CX, Storm Creek
• Sarah Mann, regional sales Manager, Gill-Line
• Sydney Myers, inside national accounts representative, S&S
• Heather O’Neil, national account executive, Walker Clay
• Carolyn Phillips, operations, HF Custom
• Sam Ross, director of partner success, Facilisgroup
• Laura Riley, Internal Training Specialist, Facilisgroup
• Ashley Schaefer, president, 14 West
• Grace Schettler, senior vice president of sales, Chipply
• Victoria Schmitz, regional sales manager, Goldstar
• Suzanne Simpson, strategic accounts, Gemline
• Nicole Tasca, vice president sales administration, Starline
• Michelle Thieret, managing director U.S., Brand Addition
• Clare Thompson, inside sales manager, Pop! Promo
• Stephanie Zafarana, president, Pica Marketing Group

emPOWER hosted its inaugural event for 2024, Taking Flight, at Facilisgroup’s Supplier Showcase in Atlanta in February. With over 200 guests in attendance, the session featured tips for taking control of their paths and learning the power of saying “no.”

“The emPOWER event covered such timely topics and relevant focuses for women in leadership across our industry today,” remarked Holly Brown, keynote speaker and chief revenue officer for PCNA. “I was thrilled to be a part of the kick-off around the art of strategically saying ‘no’ in leadership and look forward to continued learnings and engagement from one another in this group of incredible women leaders!”