IMC’s Sarah Mount Joins Gift for Life Board of Directors

July 14, 2021  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

As vice president of marketing, Mount leads a newly-created marketing team focused on the promotion of Juniper – IMC’s new fully integrated omnichannel B2B commerce solution and multi-line B2B e-commerce marketplace. Her gift and home industry experience spans 14+ years, including 6 years as VP of Marketing at AmericasMart Atlanta leading all marketing communications strategy, branding and events for its markets and daily business, as well as digital and content leadership roles at Las Vegas Market and High Point Market. Mount was named as one of Gift Shop’s 40 under 40, Class of 2019.

“Sarah played an integral role in Gift for Life’s successful staging of Party for Life in Atlanta in 2019, and we’re delighted that she will bring her energy and enthusiasm to the board,” said Cole Daugherty, chair of the Gift for Life Board. “Her familiarity with the gift and home industry at large, and with IMC’s markets in particular, will be a benefit to our fundraising efforts.”

“I am honored by the opportunity to use my experience with IMC’s physical and digital markets to benefit the organization,” said Mount. “IMC has been a long-time supporter of Gift for Life. I look forward to helping to further the organization’s ongoing mission related to HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, education and advocacy, as well as its current work for COVID-related hunger.”

Mount replaces Terence Morris, IMC senior vice president Gift and Tradeshow Leasing and Teddy Pekalski of Juniper by IMC, on the 18-person Gift For Life board. Current Gift for Life board members are: Ari Lowenstein of Brandwise; Cathy Steel of Steel Associates; Cole Daugherty of Dallas Market Center; Doug Self of JDouglas; Frank Joens; Jessica Barile of Paddywax; Julie McCallum of Gift Shop Plus; Kim Wahlberg of Kimberly Wahlberg Company; Kristi Forbes of 41 Madison; Lenise Willis of Gifts & Decorative Accessories; Matt Katzenson of Fine Lines; Monica Loving of Ivystone; Nancy Michael of International Housewares Association; Peter Schauben of Appelman Schauben; Russ Jones of Ivystone; Sarah Mount of Juniper by IMC; Sheila Charton of Springboard Futures; and Tim Hart of Emerald Expositions/NY NOW.

Gift for Life was founded by Peter Schauben of Appleman Schauben in 1992 in response to the tragic loss of industry lives to AIDS. The organization’s first meeting at the National Stationery Show brought together a cross-section of the industry’s leading publishers, market centers, sales reps, manufacturers and retailers – all willing to convene and work together towards a common goal. Since that time, Gift for Life has raised nearly $6 million for AIDS research, education, treatment and care through nationwide at-market events, cause marketing programs and direct donations.

With COVID-19 temporarily causing cancelation of in-person events at industry markets, Gift for Life has pivoted towards online digital events for the balance of 2021, with a specific emphasis on COVID-related hunger relief and a partnership with World Central Kitchen. Adam Glassman, creative director of Oprah Daily, serves as Gift for Life’s 2021 honorary chair and spokesperson.