Print+Promo 2019: Meet 15 Inspirational Women of the Print and Promo Sector
Print+Promo is proud to present its sixth annual “Women in Print and Promo” feature. This year’s group of honorees is rewriting the narrative of female representation in a traditionally male-dominated industry. They’re managing teams, driving growth and overseeing internal operations—all while navigating an unsettled business environment. Most importantly, they are teachers responsible for developing the next generation of inspirational women entering the workforce.
As you will see below, the 2019 list highlights women of varying professional backgrounds—from account managers to CEOs. Their love of a job well done is just one of many things that unite them. Read on for an introspective look into what print and promo means to these professionals.
Shannon Gansner
GO2 Partners
Des Plaines, Ill.
Partner
Her upcoming goals: By any measure, I am successful now, but I know my best years in the industry are ahead of me. 2019 will be better than 2018, and I am working now to make 2020 the best of my career.
Rochelle L. Heinl
Repacorp Inc.
Tipp City, Ohio
Executive Vice President
What brings her joy professionally and personally: Challenges and change bring me an enormous amount of joy. I know people are not inclined to easily accept change, but in today’s day and age, it isn’t an option, it is a requirement.
Madaline Gonzalez
Safeguard
Dallas
Promotional Support and Project Manager
What brings her joy professionally and personally: I’m an explorer at heart. I love the unknown and figuring out how to build something from not much.
Emily Myers
BCSI
Burnsville, Minn.
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Her job advice to women: Our industry is rewarding if you enjoy relationships, creativity, hard work and lots of multitasking. My advice would be to find a company that shares your values.
Deborah A. Gelinas
American Solutions for Business
Glenwood, Minn.
Director, Strategic Sales – NE
Her proudest career achievement: Long-lasting clients and their friendship [stand out]. People who make the statement that this business, or any sales, is not about relationships are dead wrong.
Didi MacPherson
Alliance Printing Associates
Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
President
Her job advice to women: Be confident. Don’t let being a woman deter you from doing anything. You even have an advantage of becoming a certified woman-owned business should you decide to.
Stephanie Friedman
City Paper Company
Birmingham, Ala.
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Her proudest career achievement: I am beyond proud of the contribution that my team has played in our company’s growth. If I have done anything right, it’s that I have helped hire some of the brightest in our industry.
Lynn Buck
Copresco
Carol Stream, Ill.
Production Manager
Her job advice to women: In order to be successful and good at your job in printing, you need to be committed to doing whatever is necessary to meet crucial deadlines.
Kelly Stone
The IdeaBox Powered by Proforma
Coral Springs, Fla.
Owner and President
Her proudest career achievement: Being named the fastest-growing distributor last year—that was pretty huge!
Jennifer Cherney
PriMedia Source LLC
Yorkville, Ill.
Owner
Her proudest career achievement: I am proud that I do not sell anything online, as tempting as it may be. I work hard to develop strong relationships with my vendors and with my customers.
Tanya Peterson
Meridian
Loves Park, Ill.
Director of Project Management
Her proudest career achievement: Being promoted to director of project management was a huge achievement for me. It gave me the opportunity to make changes in the department that I felt were long overdue and gave me a stronger voice within the company.
Carrie Siconolfi
Print Solutions Plus
Vineland, N.J.
President
Her job advice to women: This industry is constantly evolving, so if you like to sell, the field is full of opportunities. I think it’s important to continue to learn about new technologies and trends, so you can become a knowledgeable and trusted partner for your clients.
Alexandra DeCenzo Lowe
Hotcards
Cleveland
Senior Account Manager
Her job advice to women: Learn from your mistakes, and grow from them; don’t allow them to trip you up. Be sensitive to the culture you are working in—if it is positive and full of support, it will show in your work.
Kristina Davis
Brand Advantage Group, a Safeguard Company
Plymouth, Minn.
Sales Executive
Her proudest career achievement: In 2018, after two years in sales, I sold $1 million in sales volume, a goal I had set for myself 12 months earlier, and brought on 26 new customers. Sales is hard and hitting that personal goal meant so much to me. Once I hit that mark, I knew I could do this.
Lee Ann G. Bennardo
Print Management
Pittsburgh
President
Her job advice to women: You must believe in your product. And you have to love working with people. A big part of the job is negotiating and solving problems—that often means being a creative thinker.
