Julia Rosien
WithIt, the women’s leadership network serving the home and furnishings industries, kicks off an anniversary year by naming its 2012 Board of Directors. Julia Rosien, chief idea officer, SocialNorth.com, takes the helm as president. Rosien is the first home furnishings executive based outside the United States to serve as WithIt president; meanwhile, seven female executives are new to the non-profit’s board.
“This year, our 15th anniversary, we’re focused on connecting the communities of our members, both online and offline, industry-wide, locally and nationally,” Rosien said. “By increasing our online visibility, WithIt will grow as an organization and we will support all our members.”
To this end, Rosien has created a new position for the board, vice president of social media, and she is creating a series of leadership-focused videos to promote the benefits of WithIt membership. Additional highlights for the year include a leadership training workshop and a high-profile fundraising gala.
Both new and veteran board members join Rosien. The WithIt Board of Directors is made up of an executive committee, vice presidents who lead major committees, vice presidents who represent industry niches, and vice presidents who represent geographic regions. Serving in 2012:
- Chairman, Board of Governors – Stephanie Lowder, president and creative director,
Rare Bird Creative
- Chairman – Mary Leigh Howell, president, Howell Communications
- President – Julia Rosien, chief idea officer, SocialNorth.com
- Secretary – Cindy Williams, vice president client services, Info Retail
- Treasurer – Peg Whitehurst, vice president finance, Norwalk Furniture
Vice Presidents/Committee Chairs are expected to perform the duties of an assigned WithIt committee. The 2012 officers are:
- Marketing – Amanda Williams, public relations account supervisor, Wray Ward
- Media – Julie Smith Vincenti, chief content officer/manager, Nine Muses Media LLC
- Mentoring – Lorri Kelley, vice president of sales, Palliser
- Education – Pat Bowling, vice president of communications, American Home Furnishings Alliance
- Networking – Margi Kyle, owner/interior designer, The Designing Doctor
- Membership – Kim Grubb, account executive, Wright of Thomasville
- Social Media – Dana Helms, client service account manager, MicroD Inc.
- Scholarship – Violette Forman,
general manager,
Havertys Furniture
Vice President at Large officers serve as representatives of an industry niche. The 2012 vice presidents at large are:
- Casegoods/Upholstery – Carol Gregg, owner and chief designer, red egg
- Student Outreach – Amy Schmidt, vice president of merchandising communications, FurnitureDealer.net
- Supplier/Design – Libby Langdon, president, Libby Interiors Inc.
- Retail – Shelley Parlin, chief operating officer, PROFITsystems
- Regional Vice Presidents are tasked with building membership and developing events within their specific region. The 2012 officers are:
- Vice President Florida – Alexia Rouquette, director of marketing and public relations, Twin Star International/Classical Flame
- Vice President Virginias/Carolinas – Trisha Kemerly, president,
WhipSmart Creative
- Vice President Chicago/Midwest – Annie Balonick, vice president of market development, LPK International
- Vice President International – Donna Bartlett, president, ViewIt Technologies Inc.
- Vice President Dallas/Southwest – Cameron Cook, public relations manager,
Four Hands
- Vice President New York Metro/Northeast – Jana Platina Phipps, owner, Home Couture Collective/Classical Elements
- Vice President Las Vegas/West – Kassie Smith,
interior designer and project development consultant,
Kassie Smith Lifestyle Group
For more information, contact Executive Director Sara Lyke or Membership/Media Manager Amy VanDorp.
WithIt, founded in 1997, is a North American women’s leadership development network in the home and furnishings industries. WithIt headquarters: 2125 Eastchester Drive, Suite 103, High Point, NC, 27265. WithIt’s 2012 New York Design Tour will be held May 19-21. The annual professional conference will take place Aug. 14-16 in Raleigh, NC. Visit us at www.withit.org. WithIt tweets @withit; be sure to “Like” WithIt at http://www.facebook.com/withit