by Emily Boyst of Hooker Furnishings named 2023 president
High Point, N.C. — WithIt, the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industry, announces its 2023 Board of Directors.
The WithIt Board of Directors oversees events for the year, fundraising, and ensures all they do aligns with WithIt’s mission– to encourage and develop leadership, mentoring, education and networking opportunities for professional women in the home and furnishings industries.
Emily Boyst, Hooker Furnishings’ Senior Director of Licensing and Special Projects, has been named as 2023 WithIt President; Tori Evans, SEI Furniture’s Senior VP of Sales and Marketing, as WithIt’s vice president/president elect; as well as new member Jessica Norby, Caracole’s Senior Director of Sales, who will serve as WithIt Vice President.
Additionally, several new vice presidents join the board of directors: Lori Ellis, Home Furnishings Practice Leader with Pinnacle Search Partners, LLC; Mona Nigam, Executive VP of Revalize (a MicroD brand); and Katie Smarr, Account Executive with Crypton.
“WithIt provides professional development and education to women in our industry in a way no other organization can, and I’m proud to be part of that legacy,” Boyst said. “Serving as WithIt’s 2023 President is an honor. This organization has given me more than I could have ever asked for, and I’m thrilled to have this chance to give back. We have a best-in-class Board of Directors to oversee important initiatives that will continue to elevate WithIt to new levels. Thank you to all WithIt members and sponsors who support this mission; you are the reason WithIt continues to thrive.”
The 2023 Board of Directors includes:
PRESIDENT: Emily Boyst, Senior Director of Licensing and Special Projects, Hooker Furnishings
VICE PRESIDENT/PRESIDENT ELECT: Tori Evans, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, SEI Furniture
VICE PRESIDENT: Jessica Norby, Senior Director of Sales, Caracole
CHAIRMAN: Renee Loper-Boyd, Vice President of Marketing, International Market Centers
SECRETARY: Bonnie Wallace, Operations Manager, IHFRA
TREASURER: Shelly Head, Senior Credit & Accounts Receivable Manager, Liberty Furniture
Vice Presidents and Committee Chairs are:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Jenny Tinsley, Manager of Public Relations & ESG, Culp, Inc.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Cathy Valent, VP of Home Decorative & Fabrics Merchandising, Springs Creative Group
SCHOLARSHIP: Paris Gholston, Customer Relations and Compliance Coordinator, Mattress Recycling Council
MEMBERSHIP: Sydney Harris, Director of Organizational Development, Furnitureland South
EVENTS: Katie Smarr, Account Executive, Crypton
TECHNOLOGY: Lori Dolnick, Senior Vice President, Frank Advertising
EMERGING LEADERS: Mona Nigam, Executive VP of Revalize
CONNECTIONS: Lori Ellis, Home Furnishings Practice Leader, Pinnacle Search Partners LLC
MARKETING: Ashley Grigg, VP of Strategic Growth/Partnerships, High Point Market Authority
NETWORKING: Anna Ferguson, President, Brakenridge Furniture Co., Inc.
EXECUTIVE ADVISORY COUNCIL LIAISON: Lorri Kelley, President, Lorri Kelley Advisors
WithIt kicks off the year with a networking event for women in the industry during the Las Vegas Market on Monday, January 30th at 5:00 pm PST in the SEI Furniture Showroom (Building A #654). All events welcome members and guests. To register and for more information about WithIt’s 2023 events, visit withit.org/events.
