Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
WithIt Announces Cathy Valent Is 2025 President
February 12,
2025 by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry 
WithIt, the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industry, announces that Cathy Valent, Vice President Sales for Springs Digital will be their 2025 President. She welcomes several new industry leaders who are joining their Board of Directors.
“As we kick off 2025 and begin executing plans for WithIt’s 28th year, I look forward with excitement to working with each of our new board members, and thank them for the investment of their time, talent, energy and enthusiasm.” shared Cathy Valent, 2025 WithIt’s incoming President, and Vice President Sales at Springs Digital, “The board’s unwavering support and dedication to our continued growth are the reasons we succeed year after year, and how we are able to continue to bring exceptional educational programing and professional development opportunities for women in the home and furnishings industries.”
New directors added to the board include VP of Events co-chairs, Tarah Jakubiak, Sales Representative, Global Textile Alliance (GTA) and Serena Martin, Founder / President, 24/7 Creative Agency; VP of Networking, Courtney Panther, Material Recovery Manager at Sleep Number Corporation; VP of Technology, Shelia Butler, Jola. Each year WithIt’s Board of Directors oversees their membership, events, fundraising, scholarships and ensures that each board member supports WithIt’s mission – and aligns with their efforts to encourage and develop leadership, mentoring, education and networking opportunities for professional women in the home and furnishings industries.
WithIt’s Executive Director, Amy Van Dorp, commented, “I am thrilled beyond measure to welcome each of your new board members and to continue to drive the upward momentum we have developed with our expansion in mentorship, membership and programming.”
WithIt’s Board of Directors, allows each member to expand their network, learn to develop critical skills in negotiation, communication, budgeting and events management, as well as how to develop your own leadership style.
WithIt’s 2025 engagement schedule will include a slate of social and educational events throughout the year, plus several new exciting initiatives that are launching in 2025 including a program to connect students with industry internships.
WithIt invites members and industry professionals to join them at their upcoming networking event for women in the home furnishings industry. All events welcome members and guests. To register visit withit.org/events.
Tickets for the WithIt’s WOW Awards must attend event are on sale now, and will be held on Friday, April 25th, in the ANDMORE IHFC Ballroom in High Point, NC. This year’s Annual Professional Conference will take place in Kansas City, on June 2-4, 2025. A Chicago Design Tour is currently being planned for Sept 12-14.
WithIt will also continue to inspire future leaders of our industry through their Mentorship program with events at markets to uplift and connect the future of our industry. Additionally, we are expanding local regional networking and programming in Dallas, Vegas, Atlanta and High Point markets. For more information on WithIt’s Full Schedule of Events visit https://withit.org/events/.
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 their rich legacy. We highly encourage you to invest in yourself and volunteer for a WithIt committee this year – and a convenient link to sign up to volunteer with us lives right here.” WithIt’s Networking Board of Director Courtney Panther, Material Recovery Manager, Sleep Number Corporation, commented.
WithIt’s 2025 Board of Directors includes:
Chairman: Tori Evans, Director of Merchandising-West, Ashley Furniture
President: Cathy Valent, Vice President Sales, Springs Digital
Vice President/President Elect: Jessica Norby, Senior Director of Sales, Caracole
2nd Vice President: Jenny Tinsley, Public Relations Specialist, ESG Professional, CULP, Inc.
Secretary: Jenny Kimpel, Senior Director, J. B. Hunt
Treasurer: Anna Ferguson, President, Brakenridge Furniture Co., Inc.
Membership: Leah Kirkland, VP Business Development, R & A Marketing
Professional Development: Sydney Harris, Director of Organizational Development, Furnitureland South
Business Development: Bree Cassidy, Marketing Coordinator, Howard Elliott
Scholarship: Paris Gholston, Customer Relations and Compliance Coordinator, Mattress Recycling Council
Events: Tarah Jakubiak, Sales Representative, Global Textile Alliance (GTA)
Events: Serena Martin, Founder / President, 24/7 Creative Agency
Technology: Shelia Butler, Director of Operations, Jola
Emerging Leaders: Mona Nigam, Co-Founder, EdgeUp Partners
Connections: Lori Ellis, Home Furnishings Practice Leader, Pinnacle Search Partners
Networking: Courtney Panther, Material Recovery Manager, Sleep Number Corporation
EAC Liaison: Lorri Kelley, President, Lorri Kelley Advisors
Celebrating WithIt’s Growth & Accolades in 2024:
Grew our membership to over 600 members
Added an operations coordinator to assist in our growth
Expanded our lunch and learn offering to corporate members
Student mentoring day sold out attendance at our Fall HPMKT 2024
Stellar Board of Directors Fundraising initiative bringing in over $13,000