Common Thread for the Cure Foundation Names New Board Directors

August 20, 2025  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation was established in 2000 to support individuals and their families fighting breast cancer who are affiliated with the design and furnishings industry. It provides financial assistance through confidential grants. To date, the foundation has awarded $1.5 million in grants to nearly 400 deserving recipients across North America.

Claus is an experienced marketing professional currently serving as the Director of Marketing at GMi Companies. Widely recognized for her influential contributions to GMi’s flagship brand, Ghent, Claus is a prominent figure in the marketing industry. With a broad background across various sectors, including healthcare, furniture, and e-commerce, she brings a wealth of experience to her role on the board.

Ort brings over 30 years of experience in the home furnishings industry, working with a wide variety of vendors. After learning about the organization through her daughter and receiving her own diagnosis last year, she has made it her mission to raise awareness and support for those in the industry affected by breast cancer. Ort is passionate about sharing the organization’s work and helping secure donations to fund its programs.

A lifelong resident of North Carolina with over 14 years of industry experience, spanning both the textile and furniture manufacturing sectors, Lagueruela joined his family’s business, Trinity Furniture, in 2015 and has served as the company's president since 2020. Cancer awareness is a pillar of Trinity Furniture’s core values. The family believes in fostering meaningful community and industry relationships that support this cause.

As CFO, VP of Finance and Supply Chain at Indiana Furniture Industries, Klem will serve as assistant treasurer and is passionate about helping those fighting breast cancer. Her professional background and current community involvement make her a strong fit for treasurer. Her dedication and passion for assisting others will be crucial in advancing the organization’s mission.

Current board members include: Chairman Rob Mayer, president of Mayer Fabrics, Indianapolis, IN; President Jane Barea, Pink Salt, LLC, Winston Salem, NC; Vice President Dee Wyrick, Momentum Textiles, Semora, NC; Secretary Linda Higgins, LHiggins Design, Graham, NC; Assistant Secretary Pam Mathias, Versteel, Jasper, IN; and Treasurer Patty Younts, a retired design professional from Lexington, NC. Directors include: Mike Blessinger from Indiana Furniture, Jasper, IN; Laura Carlson, My Resource Library, Gilbert, AZ; Laura Holland, Hickory Chair, Hickory, NC; Kelly Ponder, Crypton, Bloomfield Hills, MI; Margot Shaw, Flower Magazine, Birmingham, AL; Adam Stemle, La-Z-Boy Healthcare|KNU Comfort, Ferdinand, IN; Sasha Ikovic, AHF Products Crossville, Inc., Aliso Viejo, CA; Mark Stuckey, a retired furniture executive from Mineral, VA; Lindsey Waldrep, Caesarstone, Crossville, TN; and Lesley Zitone-Olson, Momentum Group, Sparta, NJ. Retiring as directors are Kathy Hunt (Wall), TMM Agency/The Media Matters, Inc., Lexington, NC, and Ashley Morgan, Attorney, Raleigh, NC. These retiring directors will continue to be active with the foundation.

To learn more about applying for a grant or providing financial support to The Common Thread for the Cure, please visit commonthreadforthecure.org.