WithIt Board of Directors Remain in Place for 2021

Furniture World News Desk on 1/14/2021

WithIt, the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industry, announces their leadership for 2021. The 2020 board of directors has carefully chosen to stay in their current positions for the coming year to maintain continuity and stability within the organization to allow the group to focus their energies on goals and opportunities for WithIt that were not able to be realized during the pandemic. Lorri Kelley, principal of Lorri Kelley Advisors, will remain as WithIt president for 2021.

Two new members join the board for 2021: Paris Gholston, Industry Communications Specialist with the Mattress Recycling Council will serve as VP Scholarship and Madeline Brown, Marketing Manager for Sherrill Furniture Companies will serve as VP networking.

“Our success during the past year has been the result of an active, dedicated board of directors who worked tirelessly to preserve our resources while fulfilling the mission of WithIt,” says Lorri Kelley. “This year we will build upon those successes we realized throughout a difficult 2020 to ensure this important organization is stronger, more resilient and more relevant than ever before, both in 2021 and well into the future.  It is going to be a great year for WithIt and I am honored to serve once again with such an impressive and committed group of leaders.”  

WithIt will continue to host weekly and monthly virtual events including monthly speed networking events for members on Hopin and a professional development brunch on March 26, 2021. Tickets for the brunch are available at WithIt.org where you can also see their calendar of events for the year and register for events.

The 2021 Board of Directors includes:

Chairman: Lark Shirley-Stevens, Executive Director of Marketing & Membership, Furniture First

President: Lorri Kelley, President, Lorri Kelley Advisors

Vice President/President Elect: Renee Loper-Boyd, Vice President Marketing, International Market Centers

Second Vice President: Emily Severson, VP of Supplier Relations, FurnitureDealer.net

Secretary: Bonnie Wallace, Operations Manager, IHFRA

Treasurer: Jamie White, Hanes Brands

Professional Development: Rene Johnston-Gingrich, VP of Training Development
Profitability Consulting Group

Business Development: Carolyn Crowley, President, Myriad Software

Scholarship: Paris Gholston, Industry Communications Specialist, Mattress Recycling Council

Membership: Deena Gardner, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Reverie

Marketing: Jessica Smithson, Category Manager, Upholstery Furniture, The Dufresne Group

Events: Cathy Valent, VP Home Decorative & Fabrics Merchandising, Springs Creative Group

Technology: Lori Dolnick, Senior Vice President, Frank Advertising

Emerging Leaders: Victoria Valentinas, Principal, VLV Designs

Supplier/Design: Maria Killam, Principal, Maria Killam Colour & Design

Connections: Tori Evans, VP Business Development, endygo

Networking: Madeline Brown, Marketing Manager, Sherrill Furniture Companies

Executive Advisory Council Liaison: Pamela Thomas, Director of Supply Chain, Universal Furniture

About WithIt: WithIt was formed in 1997 for women in the home and furnishings industries in order to support their multi-dimensional career paths. The non-profit network is based in North Carolina and supported by leading companies across the industry including their Vision and Platinum sponsors: International Market Centers, Ekornes and FurnitureDealer.net. WithIt’s purpose is to encourage and develop leadership, mentoring, education and networking opportunities for professional women in the home and furnishings industries.