WithIt, Women's Leadership Network, Announces 2023 Board of Directors

January 17, 2023  by HFBusiness Staff in Business Strategy, Industry   

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.

We are proud to welcome Emily Boyst, Hooker Furnishings’ senior director of licensing and special projects, as the 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 by hosting networking for women in the industry during the Las Vegas Market on Jan. 30 at 5 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.