Award Yearbook

Woman of Achievement

These icons have led the way in the advancement of women in promotional products, exhibited outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to the industry and their communities.

Awards • Award Category • Woman of Achievement

Carol Aastad, MAS

2009

Carol Aastad, MAS
Carol Aastad, MAS, a celebrated figure in the promotional industry, has garnered numerous honors, including the 2009 PPAI Woman of Achievement award and induction into the Hall of Fame in 2023, alongside serving as Board chair from 2004 to 2005.

Margaret Custer-Ford, MAS

2010

Margaret Custer-Ford, MAS
Margaret Custer-Ford, MAS, founder of MARCO, holds a legacy marked by excellence, earning distinctions such as the 2010 PPAI Woman of Achievement, 1999 Hall of Fame inductee, and a lifetime membership with PPAI. Her leadership extends to serving on the PPAI board in 1980 and 1988.

Margie Price, MAS

2011

Margie Price, MAS
Margie Price, MAS, is the 2011 PPAI Woman of Achievement, the 2012 Distinguished Service awardee, 2012 PPAI H. Ted Olson Humanitarian awardee, 2017 Hall of Fame inductee, a 2003 and 2009 PPAI Board Member, and PPAI Lifetime Member.

Mary Ann Farmer, MAS

2012

Mary Ann Farmer, MAS
Mary Ann Farmer, MAS, achieved remarkable milestones including being named the 2012 PPAI Woman of Achievement, receiving the 2003 Distinguished Service Award, and earning induction into the Hall of Fame in 2023, alongside her dedicated service as a 2002 PPAI Board member.

Janelle Nevins, MAS*

2013

Janelle Nevins, MAS*
Janelle Nevins, MAS, stands as the 2013 PPAI Woman of Achievement, honored with her induction into the Hall of Fame in 2018, and proudly holds the esteemed status of Lifetime Member of PPAI.

Roni Wright, MAS

2013

Roni Wright, MAS
Roni Wright, MAS was adorned with the MAS distinction, earned distinction as a PPAI Fellow and was celebrated with the 2013 PPAI Woman of Achievement award and the 2007 Distinguished Service Awards. Additionally, she was honored as the YESSA Young Executive of the Year and TRASA Volunteer of the Year and MVP.

Jo-an Lantz, MAS

2014

Jo-an Lantz, MAS
Jo-an Lantz, MAS, CEO of Geiger, stands as the distinguished recipient of the 2014 Woman of Achievement award, having also been honored with the prestigious 2000 Distinguished Service Award and esteemed induction into the Hall of Fame in the same year.

Sherri Lennarson, MAS

2015

Sherri Lennarson, MAS
Sherri Lennarson, MAS, is a former member of the PPAI Board of Directors (2006-2011) and PPAI Board Chair (2009-2010) as well as a winner of PPAI’s 2013 Distinguished Service Award, Lennarson has spent much of her 30 years in the industry giving back through volunteer service and mentoring others.

Mary A. Dobsch

2016

Mary A. Dobsch
Mary Dobsch, MAS, as a committed PPAI volunteer has contributed significantly, serving two terms on the PPAI Board of Directors (2008-2012, 2013-2014) and participating in various committees, including the Government Relations Action Committee.

Teresa Moisant, MAS

2017

Teresa Moisant, MAS
Teresa Moisant, MAS, was honored with PPAI’s Distinguished Service Award in 2016. Additionally, she has been recognized by The Journal Record as one of Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEOs and one of 50 Women Making A Difference.

Marsha Londe

2018

Marsha Londe
Marsha Londe has been honored as a PPAI Fellow, PPB Powerful Partner, PPB Best Boss, ASI Salesperson of the Year and member of the ASI Inaugural Class of Women in the Promotional Products Profession and recognized by the Gold Coast Promotional Products Association. Londe has won 25 PPAI Pyramid Awards and her work has also been nationally recognized for her clients’ use of promotional products.

Maribeth Sandford, CAS

2014

Maribeth Sandford, CAS
Maribeth Sandford, MAS, founder of BAGMAKERS, has been actively involved in the promotional products industry. She served on the PPAI Board of Directors Suppliers Committee (2000-2003), Leadership Advisory Committee (2004-2007), and MAS/CAS Certification Board (2006), and contributed to the Board of Directors Scholarship Committee PPEF (2005) and Regional Association Council (2007).

Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS

2018

Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS
Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS, boasts a long and illustrious career in the industry, serving as a dedicated volunteer, speaker, mentor, advocate, and educator with over 200 sessions to her credit. From 2001 to 2005, she played a crucial role on the PPAI board as vice chair of marketing.

Daryll Griffin, MAS

2019

Daryll Griffin, MAS
Daryll Griffin, MAS, founder of Accolades, Inc., was deeply engaged within both PPAI and the Georgia Association of Promotional Products Professionals. Her commitment to humanitarian causes was recognized in 2019 when she received the prestigious PPAI H. Ted Olson Humanitarian Award.

Irene Kogutt, MAS*

2019

Irene Kogutt, MAS*
Irene Kogutt, MAS, co-founder of Dart Manufacturing Company, served on the PPAI Board of Directors from 1994 to 1998 and was recognized for her exceptional contributions with the prestigious PPAI Distinguished Service Award in 1999.

Paula Shulman  

2020

Paula Shulman  
Paula Shulman served from 2004-2010 on many PPAI advisory, action groups, committees and councils. She has been honored as a PPAI Fellow and was a board trustee for the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) from 2015-2018. Shulman served on the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) board of directors from 2006-2013 and as board president from 2011-2012.

Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS+

2021

Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS+
Mary Jo Tomasini, distinguished by her MAS+ designation, has actively participated in diverse PPAI advisory groups, committees, and councils, notably serving on the Board of Directors from 2014 to 2019, where she assumed the role of chair in 2017.

Kim Bakalyar

2022

Kim Bakalyar
Kim Bakalyar has served many roles at PromoShop - she has trained employees, built programs, led education on product responsibility and more. She has served as the President and Treasurer of the SAAC Board. She has been an educational speaker and an advocate for the responsible growth of the promotional products world.

Brittany David, MAS

2023 

Brittany David, MAS
Brittany David, MAS, received the 2023 Women of Achievement award for her contributions to the industry. Additionally, she is recognized as a PPAI Fellow and has been honored with the Supplier Visionary award by A Woman’s View.

Patricia A. Dugan, MAS

2023

Patricia A. Dugan, MAS
Patricia Dugan, MAS, has held numerous esteemed board positions within PPAI and assumed the role of Promotional Products Education Foundation chair from 2015 to 2017.
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* Deceased

About PPAI Woman of Achievement