WithIt Announces 2018 Board of Directors

Furniture World News Desk on 3/3/2018

WithIt, the women's leadership development network serving the home and furnishings industries, recently named its 2018 Board of Directors.

They announced Pamela Thomas, Supply Chain Director at Universal Furniture, as 2018 President as well as the addition of several new vice presidents, Megan Barrett, Vanguard Furniture; Carolyn Crowley, Myriad Software; Maria Killam, Maria Killam Colour & Design; Renee Loper-Boyd, International Market Centers; Reyna Moore, Heritage Home Group; Sarah Paxton, LaDifference; and Jamie White, from Fairfield Chair that have joined the board for 2018.

The 2018 WithIt Board of Directors includes:

 WithIt Chair: Violette Forman, Havertys Furniture
President: Pamela Thomas, Universal Furniture
First Vice President/President-Elect: Lark Shirley-Stevens, Furniture First
Second Vice President: Lorri Kelley, BDI
Treasurer: Jamie White, Fairfield Chair Company
Secretary: Renee Loper-Boyd, International Market Centers

Vice Presidents and Committee Chairs are:

 Business Development: Carolyn Crowley, Myriad Software
Connections: Jessica Norby, A.R.T. Furniture
Education: Reyna Moore, Heritage Home Group
Manufacturing: Abby Lane, Redhead Furniture Design
Marketing: Kaitlin Surdoval, STORIS, Inc.
Membership: Kayla Wallace, FurnitureDealer.net
Networking: Deb Barrett, Window Coverings/Soft Design Lab
Retail: Sarah Paxton, LaDifference
Scholarship: Megan Barrett, Vanguard Furniture
Supplier/Design: Maria Killam, Maria Killam Colour and Design

"It has been my privilege to be a member of WithIt for several years and in 2018 I am honored to serve the organization in the role of President," says 2018 president Pamela Thomas. "One of my professional passions has been the development of strong leaders in the companies where I have worked. This is a perfect fit to WithIt's mission to provide education and develop strong women leaders in the home and furnishings industry. This year, we will build upon the momentum from 2017 to grow our membership and provide greater access to meaningful materials, information and intentional networking to assure that women in the industry are supported in their professional development."

WithIt has a full slate of networking events planned for High Point and Las Vegas Markets, including the popular Education Breakfast, a New York Design Tour and regional events. The Annual Professional Conference, with the theme "Leading with Influence", will be June 25-27 in Charleston South Carolina and will highlight leadership education and professional development. You can find a complete calendar of events at withit.org.

In addition, WithIt will again offer scholarships to both students and women in the industry who are pursuing degrees or advanced degrees. You can find applications and deadlines at withit.org. You may also contact Amy Van Dorp, Managing Director for more information at director@withit.org.

More about WithIt: WithIt was formed in 1997 for women in the home and furnishings industries in order to support their multi-dimensional career paths. The non-profit network is based in North Carolina and supported by leading companies across the industry including their Vision and Platinum sponsors: International Market Centers, Heritage Home Group, MicroD and Myriad Software and Twin Star Home. WithIt's purpose is to encourage and develop leadership, mentoring, education and networking opportunities for professional women in the home and furnishings industries.