Welcome & Warm-up Exercise

Start your morning with an inspiring welcome address from Molly Langdon, Chair of the Women in Industry Network and Sr. V.P. of Customer Experience at Stellar Industrial Supply. Molly will discuss the vision, impact, and future prospects of the Women in Industry Network. She will offer an update on the network’s current state and achievements.

After that, join Tessa Todd Morgan, Founder & CEO of Triessence, as she guides the audience through a warm-up exercise designed to bring focus, a daily reset, and productive preparation for Women in Industry’s day of learning and sharing. These simple tools will help you manage daily stress in minutes and will teach you the importance of quick breaks to reboot your body, mind, and spirit, making you more productive and alert.

Get ready to kickstart a day dedicated to the advancement of women in industry with renewed energy and clarity

Molly Langdon

Sr. V.P. Customer Experience, Stellar Industrial Supply

Molly Langdon is Sr. V.P. Customer Experience with Stellar Industrial Supply, based out of Tacoma, WA. With her almost 24 years of industrial supply experience, Molly leads the operations and customer service teams at Stellar as well as their quality management system and certification efforts. Her focus on people development, continuous improvement, and lifelong learning makes her a strong leader in all aspects of team and process development as well as operational excellence. Molly is currently the Network Committee Chair of ISA’s Women in Industry and has been a member of this group for over 13 years and helps lead the Women’s Initiative Network at Stellar.

Tessa Todd Morgan

Founder and CEO of TRIESSENCE

Tessa Todd Morgan is a mindfulness expert, personal growth coach, and accredited trainer in Emotional Intelligence. As the Founder and CEO of TRIESSENCE, Tessa has coached hundreds of individuals and organizations to achieve a balance of physical, mental and spiritual wellness.

In 2003, Tessa began in the professional speaking industry, and was privileged to work with famous keynote speakers and celebrities such as Dr. Oz, Geena Davis, Sir Ken Robinson and Suze Orman. Today, she speaks, trains and consults professionally, coaching contributors to become leaders, and helping leaders to become steadfast, calming influencers in stressful corporate environments.

In her programs, Tessa leads people to recognize the invisible barriers that exist between them and their goals, and helps them to develop strategies for achieving those goals by recognizing and neutralizing various forms of stress using personal growth, optimism, and mindfulness techniques.

After getting her degree and studying Criminal Justice and Business Management, Tessa completed a four-year leadership development program at the Center for Authentic Leadership where she received her coaching training and enjoyed working with entrepreneurs from around the world.

Shortly thereafter, Tessa received her accreditation in Emotional Intelligence for Personal Leadership from the Institute for Health and Human Potential. Today, she helps audiences to solve the daily problems that millions of workers and leaders face every day—the inability to step “outside” their own heads and purposefully reset, renew, and re-energize themselves.

After being a yoga instructor for years and not always loving the intimidation that can come for others and some of the teachings around it, Tessa now incorporates her expertise by leading corporate audiences in learning techniques that can be used to increase productivity and reduce stress in office environments using what she calls mindful movement.

Welcome & Warm-up Exercise

Get ready for an extraordinary day in the Emerging Leaders track during Fall Summit! Join us for an engaging opening address by Kayla Jane McLaughlin, Chair of the Emerging Leaders Network and Director of Digital & Development at Surpless Dunn.

Kayla will discuss the purpose and impact of the Emerging Leaders Network, emphasizing the continued response to the Emerging Leaders Channel Certification program. She will also provide a state-of-the-network update, an outline of what’s to come, and an overview of the track agenda for the upcoming days.

After that, we’ll dive into a fun ice-breaker exercise designed to connect everyone and kick off the day on an upbeat, positive note.

Kayla Jane McLaughlin

Director of Digital & Development, Surpless Dunn

Kayla Jane McLaughlin is the Director of Digital and Business Development for Surpless Dunn & Co, Inc based in Chicagoland. She’s worked in the industry for over 5 years since graduating with a degree in Supply Chain Management and Accounting. In her current role, she oversees the entirety of the Ecommerce business, supports relationships with our manufacturers and distributors, and works to develop CRM/ERPs that best-serve our business partners’ needs. Kayla is currently the Chair of the Emerging Leaders Network.

Welcome

Welcome to the Channel Pros track at Fall Summit! Join us for an opening address by Brendan Breen, CEO of the Industrial Supply Association (ISA). Brendan will outline what to expect from this track, emphasizing the importance of upskilling and staying current in the ever-evolving industry landscape.

Brendan Breen

CEO, Industrial Supply Association (ISA)

Brendan Breen is a distinguished leader with a proven track record in driving organizational growth and success. With a strong background in membership development, strategic initiatives, financial management, and long-range vision setting, Brendan has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Industrial Supply Association.

As a seasoned executive, Brendan has consistently demonstrated his ability to spearhead transformative changes. His strategic insights and innovative approach have propelled the organizations he has been a part of to new heights of excellence. Throughout his career, Brendan’s accomplishments have been underpinned by his profound understanding of industry dynamics, his ability to envision and execute comprehensive strategies, and his knack for driving sustainable growth.

His leadership style is characterized by a unique blend of decisiveness, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the contributions of each team member. Brendan currently resides in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, where he shares his life with his wife, Jamie, and their children, Stella, Hazel, and Miles.

The Audacity to Have It All: Redefining Success on Your Own Terms

We are often told we must choose between career and family, ambition and fulfillment, grinding it out, and self-care.

Join Erika as she shares strategies on how you can “have it all” with ease and balance as you move away from beliefs that limit you. Having the audacity to have it all is about rejecting the limitations society imposes on us and daring to define success, as women, on our terms! With determination, resilience, and a dash of audacity, we can pursue all of our dreams and embrace the journey along the way.

Erika delivers the actionable steps for you to embrace your next level – starting with her map for TAKING the first step. This “no regrets” talk will move you into your own version of “The Audacity to Have It All.”

Erika Rothenberger

Speaker, Podcaster, Author, Wellness Entrepreneur & Corporate Executive

Erika is a professional time manager–and while the number of things she crosses off her list daily (often by8AM!) is enviable, the best part is her methodology can be used by ANYONE! With a panache for compressing time, this corporate engineer is a mom of 2 school-aged children, wife, and successful wellness entrepreneur.

Add to that her passion for getting to know women in business at a deeper level–which she does as a consistent podcaster, her love for daily, early morning fitness and occasional co-authoring and you have a recipe for burnout OR absolute grace and grit going about a day. Erika chooses the latter.

Married with two young kids, Erika manages a full-time career as Director of Performance Systems for a large utility contractor—sometimes kicking off her heels and wearing steel-toed boots and a hard hat in a very male dominated industry. She has also started two female empowerment networking groups in her community and is a contributor to charity boards, and networking groups in her community.

A former gym owner and fitness instructor, she’s an avid fitness fanatic. Erika is an investor in RE – Gut and Rent. She is also known for being a published author, a TedTalk applicant and podcaster on “Grit, Grace &Glitz”. Her entrepreneurial ventures span real estate, a very successful direct sales wellness business and the knowledge industry.

Erika graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a master’s degree in Business Administration and a Masters’ degree in Business. Erika currently lives in Harleysville, PA with her two children and husband, Andy. When not working on a passion project or career-driven project, you can find Erika traveling the world, working out and/or enjoying time with family and friends.

Above the Visible Line: The Art of Becoming Your Own Personal Brand

The Challenge: In any organization or industry, emerging leaders are often amidst a sea of competitors. Standing out and making a discernible impact are essential steps in career progression. It requires a unique set of skills to elevate to the next level. Gerry Sandusky has successfully guided hundreds of rising leaders in refining their professional presence and amplifying their influence by transcending what he calls ‘Above the Visible Line.’

The Solution: This session, ‘Above the Visible Line,’ equips emerging leaders with the tools to view themselves as a distinct brand. Understanding the essence of personal branding and its operational dynamics is crucial. This interactive program will guide early leaders in identifying and honing their unique professional identities. They’ll learn how to leverage their personal brand to make strategic decisions, enhance their communication, and foster leadership growth. By bridging the gap between perception and reality, this session empowers rising leaders to communicate effectively and authentically, setting the stage for impactful careers.

In this seminar, attendees will learn:

• What Brand really is – and why it matters
• How we form perceptions of professionals and organizations
• How fast audiences form those perceptions
• Why brand perception drive behavior
• Why what we say often isn’t the message that the marketplace hears
• How to develop a target brand perception drive
• A dynamic framework to create greater brand strength
• How to use the CORE-4 to evaluate the effectiveness of all internal and external communication
• Why the CORE-4 carries more practical weight in decision making that mission or value statements

Gerry Sandusky

Voice of the Baltimore Ravens and Founder of The Sandusky Group

Gerry is the play-by-play voice of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. A TV and radio broadcaster for more than three decades, Sandusky founded The Sandusky Group 25 years ago to help professionals express their excellence in front of the media and live audiences.

He is the leadership communication coach, showing his clients how to shine in front of the room, Zoom, and camera. Gerry is a three-time Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award winner.

Performance Playbook—Part 1: Enhancing Profitability & Inventory Strategies

This session takes a deep dive into essential profitability and inventory strategies to effectively navigate the challenges of margin pressure, aging inventory, and unit volume growth in 2024.

As the first session of the Performance Playbook series, attendees will gain insights into five critical capabilities for managing profit: enterprise profitability controls, market development for share stealing, pricing controls, active category management, and inventory optimization best practice programs. Through these focal areas, the discussion will encompass end-to-end strategies for maintaining and enhancing revenue and profit, expanding market share with existing customers, and building programs that maximize gross margin while sustaining sales growth.

The session will address optimizing inventory to increase turns and enhance the positioning of high-moving items. Attendees will also explore the importance of segmenting, benchmarking, and rebalancing inventory levels to maximize working capital and performance.

Participants will leave with actionable strategies to maintain high profits, avoid price reductions, and effectively manage cash flow and operating capital. This comprehensive approach ensures that attendees are well-prepared to tackle the financial complexities of today’s market dynamics, setting the stage for the subsequent session in this series that will focus on pricing optimization and rebate strategies.

James Dorn

President & CEO, Dorn Group

James Dorn is the President & CEO of The Dorn Group. He is a proven leader with more than 25 years of consulting experience helping growth-minded executives across manufacturing and distribution firms build modern revenue growth strategies.

James is a true innovator and results-oriented executive that draws upon a mix of market-back principles, competitive intelligence, agile strategic planning, and data-driven decisions to help commercial teams more effectively acquire, grow, and retain customers. He emphasizes the power of alignment across the product, marketing, sales, and service teams for helping industrial firms build more efficient and effective business models that win market share.

John Gunderson

Channel Strategy and Profitability, Dorn Group

John Gunderson is a senior leader at Dorn Group with more than 20+ years of experience leading category management, sales, marketing, pricing, analytics, and ebusiness with companies such as Crescent Electric Supply Company, HD Supply Power Solutions, White Cap Construction Supply, Anixter/WESCO, Modern Distribution Management, and EIS-INC.

The Female CEO’s Playbook: A Fireside Chat with Jennifer Murphy, CEO of NetPlus Alliance

Join us for an illuminating fireside chat with Jennifer Murphy, President & CEO of NetPlus Alliance and 2024 ISA Women’s Influence Award Winner, as she shares her leadership journey and the pivotal moments that shaped her career.

We will explore Jennifer’s take on the day-to-day realities of being a woman CEO in a predominantly male industry. Jennifer will share her anecdotes and strategies for finding balance amidst the complexities of family and professional life, including the importance of work-life balance and managing multiple roles as a CEO, mom, wife, and daughter.

Jennifer Murphy

President & CEO of NetPlus Alliance

Jennifer Murphy is the President and CEO of NetPlus Alliance, a Lockport, New York-based buying group for industrial and construction supplies. A fifth-generation leader of this family-owned business, Jennifer has steered the company since 2013, growing purchases by 265% and becoming the sole owner in 2023. She started at NetPlus in 2006, progressing from Director of Marketing to VP, then COO, before assuming her current role.

Under her leadership, NetPlus has cultivated a strong team that promotes relationship building, training, and growth opportunities. Jennifer emphasizes mentoring, particularly for women within the company, fostering a workforce where over half are women. She graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1992 with a degree in Business Administration, concentrating in marketing and management.

Jennifer actively participates in industry groups and has been instrumental in initiating women-only networking events at NetPlus. She serves as vice chair on the Greater Lockport Development Corporation board and mentors through several local educational programs. Her leadership has earned NetPlus multiple accolades for business excellence and workplace environment. Jennifer resides in Lockport with her husband Tom and their three children.

Kristin Kraai-Keely

National Account Manager, Safety Products Global

Kristin Kraai-Keely is a National Account Manager at Safety Products Global (SPG). With over 20 years of experience in the industrial MROP space, Kristin has served in a variety of roles for manufacturer representative groups, for manufacturers, and as a consultant. In her current role, she has the opportunity to help create and shape SPG’s industrial market strategy and loves disrupting (in a good way) the safety knife space.

A strong believer in the development and empowerment of women, Kristin has served on ISA’s Women In Industry leadership team for the past three years. Prior to that, she participated in and then led the WII Education & Development committee. During the summer of 2023, she worked with the ISA team on content creation for the inaugural Summer Sessions series and hosted those sessions. Kristin also serves on the leadership team for Grand Rapids Professional Women for Good. She earned her Master of Liberal Studies from DePaul University.

Kristin lives on the West Side of Michigan where walks on the beach with her husband Kevin are a regular occurrence. They have two mostly grown-up kids.

Influence, Unlocked: Mastering Communication through Storytelling

The Challenge: Whether it’s delivering a keynote, leading a meeting, or engaging in everyday conversations, many leaders and rising leaders find themselves underperforming in front of an audience. Common hurdles include a lack of confidence, over-reliance on tools like PowerPoint, and failure to truly captivate listeners. This often results in missed opportunities to expand both their careers and their influence.

The Solution: This session equips you and your team with the skills to build strong emotional connections that enhance influence across all types of interactions. Highly interactive, the program will show you how to discover, develop, and deliver stories that bring conversations, meetings, and presentations to life. You’ll see first-hand how to expand your influence from the elevator to the auditorium with a simple process that connects you to any audience and unlocks your unique skill set and experiences.
Experience first-hand how the right storytelling techniques can transform you from a presenter into a master communicator, adept at navigating various speaking scenarios with poise and confidence.

In this seminar,  you’ll learn the following:

• Where to find high-impact stories that are appropriate for your exact needs.
• An eight-step, modular process for building your stories.
• How to tell a story so your audience feels it is part of the story and so your story creates emotional connection.
• A strategic approach to deciding where in your presentation or meeting to use stories.
• How to access your stories at a moment’s notice.
• Understand why stories captive an audience in away that data alone can’t.
• Performance skills to bring your stories to life and to help attendees become a speaker that people cancel plans to hear.

Gerry Sandusky

Voice of the Baltimore Ravens and Founder of The Sandusky Group

Gerry is the play-by-play voice of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. A TV and radio broadcaster for more than three decades, Sandusky founded The Sandusky Group 25 years ago to help professionals express their excellence in front of the media and live audiences.

He is the leadership communication coach, showing his clients how to shine in front of the room, Zoom, and camera. Gerry is a three-time Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award winner.

Performance Playbook—Part 2: Pricing Optimization & Rebate Strategies

Continuing from the foundational strategies introduced in Part 1 of the Performance Playbook series, this session focuses on the crucial topics of pricing optimization and rebate management. Participants will learn advanced pricing optimization techniques, exploring a variety of pricing models and the pivotal factors that guide decision-making. Emphasis will be placed on the value pricing model, leveraging market research, and the benefits of making data-driven pricing decisions.

The session will highlight the strategic use of rebates as a tool for both profitability and customer engagement. Attendees will learn how to effectively design and implement rebate programs that align with their pricing strategies to maximize returns. The discussion will also cover the use of data cube segmentation to uncover hidden profitability opportunities and strategies to mitigate gross margin leakage.

By the end of this session, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to apply pricing and rebate strategies to their business models to improve profitability. They will leave equipped with actionable insights and techniques to optimize their pricing structures and rebate programs, ensuring better control over their financial outcomes in a competitive market.

This session builds directly on the principles established in Part 1, providing a cohesive and detailed framework for achieving financial excellence in their operations.

James Dorn

President & CEO, Dorn Group

James Dorn is the President & CEO of The Dorn Group. He is a proven leader with more than 25 years of consulting experience helping growth-minded executives across manufacturing and distribution firms build modern revenue growth strategies.

James is a true innovator and results-oriented executive that draws upon a mix of market-back principles, competitive intelligence, agile strategic planning, and data-driven decisions to help commercial teams more effectively acquire, grow, and retain customers. He emphasizes the power of alignment across the product, marketing, sales, and service teams for helping industrial firms build more efficient and effective business models that win market share.

John Gunderson

Channel Strategy and Profitability, Dorn Group

John Gunderson is a senior leader at Dorn Group with more than 20+ years of experience leading category management, sales, marketing, pricing, analytics, and ebusiness with companies such as Crescent Electric Supply Company, HD Supply Power Solutions, White Cap Construction Supply, Anixter/WESCO, Modern Distribution Management, and EIS-INC.

Harness Wellness & Emotional Intelligence to Eliminate Self-Sabotage and Lead a Healthier, Balanced Life

Personal growth, empowerment, and living up to our full potential are desires we all share, yet often hindered by self-created barriers. This program is designed to help you recognize and eliminate both active and passive self-sabotage, reignite your passion, and identify actionable steps to achieve your life goals.

“Triessence” is the perfect balance of your true essence—physical, mental, and spiritual. Achieving this balance leads to happiness, fulfilling relationships, health, success, love, and joy.

Drawing on years of experience with business leaders, yogis, entrepreneurs, and countless others, Tessa Todd Morgan has discovered the importance of true balance. In this program, she shares optimistic and mindful tools and techniques to find joy, end self-sabotage, and pursue personal growth. Through personal anecdotes and professional research, Tessa covers critical areas with light-hearted grace.

Learn how to:

• Recognize and eliminate self-sabotage
• Identify unhelpful relationships, behaviors, or beliefs
• Become more optimistic
• Apply emotional intelligence to manage everyday triggers
• Enhance overall wellness for a healthier, balanced life
• Make decisions to live out your true potential

Discover your capability for amazing things and overcome subconscious limitations. Tessa helps you identify areas for growth and provides tools for quick, effective results.

Tessa Todd Morgan

Founder and CEO of TRIESSENCE

Tessa Todd Morgan is a mindfulness expert, personal growth coach, and accredited trainer in Emotional Intelligence. As the Founder and CEO of TRIESSENCE, Tessa has coached hundreds of individuals and organizations to achieve a balance of physical, mental and spiritual wellness.

In 2003, Tessa began in the professional speaking industry, and was privileged to work with famous keynote speakers and celebrities such as Dr. Oz, Geena Davis, Sir Ken Robinson and Suze Orman. Today, she speaks, trains and consults professionally, coaching contributors to become leaders, and helping leaders to become steadfast, calming influencers in stressful corporate environments.

In her programs, Tessa leads people to recognize the invisible barriers that exist between them and their goals, and helps them to develop strategies for achieving those goals by recognizing and neutralizing various forms of stress using personal growth, optimism, and mindfulness techniques.

After getting her degree and studying Criminal Justice and Business Management, Tessa completed a four-year leadership development program at the Center for Authentic Leadership where she received her coaching training and enjoyed working with entrepreneurs from around the world.

Shortly thereafter, Tessa received her accreditation in Emotional Intelligence for Personal Leadership from the Institute for Health and Human Potential. Today, she helps audiences to solve the daily problems that millions of workers and leaders face every day—the inability to step “outside” their own heads and purposefully reset, renew, and re-energize themselves.

After being a yoga instructor for years and not always loving the intimidation that can come for others and some of the teachings around it, Tessa now incorporates her expertise by leading corporate audiences in learning techniques that can be used to increase productivity and reduce stress in office environments using what she calls mindful movement.

Negotiate to Win

Having solid negotiation strategies in your pocket is key to success and crucial for both career and company growth. Join us for a session tailored specifically for professionals in the industrial supply channel, led by Georgia Sandahl, Safety & Industrial Sales Training & Development Leader at 3M, who brings a wealth of experience and insights to the table.

In this interactive session, you will learn:

• Proven negotiation techniques tailored to the unique challenges of the industrial supply channel
• How to effectively prepare for negotiations to achieve optimal outcomes
• Strategies for building strong relationships with suppliers and partners through successful negotiations
• Ways to handle difficult negotiation scenarios with confidence and poise
• Techniques for creating win-win situations that benefit all parties involved

We’ll conclude the session with a Q&A segment, giving you the chance to have your questions addressed by a seasoned professional. Whether you’re negotiating contracts, pricing agreements, or partnerships, this session will provide you with the essential skills and strategies for success.

Georgia Sandahl

Safety & Industrial Sales Training & Development Leader, 3M

Georgia Sandahl is responsible for leading sales training in the Americas for 3M’s Safety & Industrial Business, focusing on various aspects such as selling skills, methodologies, and product knowledge. She also led training and development for 3M’s Global Finance organization, including recruitment and onboarding of new finance employees.

Before joining 3M, Georgia worked as a Human Resources Generalist at Cub Foods and held staffing positions in various sectors including non-profit, technology, and financial firms.

She holds a BS in Psychology and Human Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin – Stout, is a member of Psi Chi, and has received her Senior Professional in Human Resources Certificate from HRCI and SHRM-SCP. Sandahl lives in Stillwater, Minnesota with her family.

The Future of Work

One of the lasting trends to come out of Covid was the move to distributed and hybridized work.

As leaders navigate an evolving new work landscape, the one critical piece ripe for redefinition is culture. Another critical piece is futureproofing. To ensure that we have the thinking required to solve the big issues that will arise in the future, competitiveness will rely on the creation of an entirely new skills and competencies framework.

Key Questions:

• How can you design and execute the conditions for truly effective culture in a hybridized environment?
• How do you create new metrics to measure human output?
• How can you reimagine human capital (and human value creation)?

Erica Orange

Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, The Future Hunters

Erica is Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of The Future Hunters, one of the world’s leading futurist consulting firms.
She evaluates emerging social, technological, economic, political, demographic and environmental trends – and identifies the strategic implications (the “So what?”) of those trends for several of the most influential Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, trade associations and public sector clients. Erica’s ability to think critically and translate that into actionable and tangible strategies is what has made her an invaluable asset to clients.

Erica speaks to a wide range of global audiences about the macro trends that will shape tomorrow’s landscape. She has spoken at TEDx and keynoted over 250 conferences around the world, including in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. She has been featured in news outlets including Wired, NPR, Bloomberg, and CBS This Morning. In 2020, she was named by Forbes as one of the world’s 50 Top Female Futurists.

Erica is the author of the upcoming book, “AI + The New Human Frontier: Reimagining the Future of Time, Trust + Truth,” which navigates how AI tools will help shape the human experience, and aid in augmenting human ingenuity and imagination.

Interactive Networking Lunch

Break free from your inner circle and elevate your networking experience with our innovative randomized lunch seating. This fresh approach guarantees you’ll meet new people and engage in conversations sparked by thoughtfully curated, pre-prompted questions.

Enjoy a delicious plated hot lunch while discovering shared experiences and gaining fresh perspectives.

Women in Industry Voices: Roundtable Discussions for Overcoming Workplace Hurdles

Jump into dynamic roundtable and deep-dive conversations tailored to the unique challenges faced by women in the industrial channel. These roundtable discussions, led by the Women in Industry Leadership Team, will serve as a platform for candid and open dialogue on critical topics including mastering communication skills, fostering workplace inclusivity, navigating the complexities of mom guilt, and practical strategies for advancing into management roles.

Participants will have the opportunity to select a table topic that resonates with them and engage in small group discussions with peers who share similar experiences.

Roundtable discussion topics include:

• Communication Skill Mastery: Explore strategies to boost confidence in public speaking, empowering women to articulate their voices with authority and conviction.
• Nurturing an Inclusive and Welcoming Work Culture: Address the challenges women face, including re-entering the workforce and navigating biases related to age, gender, and diversity. Engage in dynamic discussions on strategies to overcome barriers and cultivate an inclusive and welcoming work environment.
• Navigating Mom Guilt: Discuss strategies for managing the competing demands of work and personal life, including navigating feelings of “mom guilt” and achieving work-life balance.
• Advancement into Management: Exploration of the journey of women advancing into management and executive roles, identifying key leadership skills needed and tools to navigate the transition with confidence and resilience.

Through these conversations, attendees will explore their challenges, exchange ideas, and learn new strategies to overcome obstacles in their careers. Join us for an empowering session where collaboration and solidarity pave the way for personal and professional growth.

Cultivating an Innovative Mindset for Creative Problem-Solving… Through Improv!

Unlock the dynamic potential of improvisation to revolutionize your approach to innovation and problem-solving. Improv isn’t just for actors—it’s a powerful tool for anyone looking to enhance workplace creativity, communication, and confidence.

This interactive workshop, led by Kerri Garbis from Ovation Communication, introduces practical improv techniques that foster a culture of spontaneity and inventive thinking. Participants will spend time on their feet and experience new techniques in real-time with their peers.

In this session, we will:

• Unleash Creativity: Learn how improv exercises can stimulate your brain, break conventional thinking patterns, and open the door to new ideas. Experience firsthand how embracing uncertainty can lead to creative breakthroughs.
• Enhance Communication: Discover how improv strengthens listening skills, heightens responsiveness, and improves conversation adaptability. Participants will engage in activities emphasizing the importance of nonverbal cues and effective communication under pressure.
• Empower Confidence: Improv pushes individuals out of their comfort zones and into heightened self-awareness and assertiveness. Through guided practice, you’ll learn how to maintain poise in unpredictable situations, empowering you with the confidence to tackle challenges head-on.

Join us for a session where learning meets fun, and leave equipped with a suite of tools to bring back to your team or organization. Embrace the principles of improv to cultivate a resilient, innovative, and solution-oriented mindset.

Attendee Take-Aways:

• Understanding and Applying “Yes, And”
• Enhanced Active Listening Skills
• Overcoming the Fear of Failure
• Emotional Agility in Professional Settings

Kerri Garbis

Kerri Garbis, CEO & Founder of Ovation Communication, TEDx Talk Speaker

Kerri Garbis has trained thousands of executives globally in Professional Presence and Speaker Development. She is certified as a Business Etiquette Expert, an Emotional Intelligence Expert, and a Professional Speechwriter. McGraw-Hill is the publisher of her book, Presentation Skills for Managers. She also prepares everyone for anything in her TEDx Talk, How to Rehearse Anything!

Securing Our Future: Building a Culture of Cybersecurity in the Channel

In an era where new digital threats and new digital opportunities are created every day, building a culture of cybersecurity within our organizations has never been more essential.

This will not be a session about instilling fear or presenting a doomsday scenario; rather, it’s about embracing a proactive mindset that can safeguard our innovations, protect our assets, and ensure our continued growth.

Creating a culture of cybersecurity is a collaborative effort that starts with leadership and extends to every team member. It involves fostering an environment where security is seen not as an obstacle, but as an enabler of trust and efficiency. By integrating best practices into our daily operations, we can protect our businesses from potential threats while also promoting a sense of shared responsibility and empowerment among our employees while collaborating and safely sharing information in the channel.

Together, we will build a framework for resilient organizations where cybersecurity becomes second nature—a foundation upon which we can innovate and thrive. Join us as we explore practical strategies and inspiring success stories that will guide us in embedding cybersecurity into the very fabric of our organizational culture. Let’s turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s strengths, ensuring a secure and prosperous future for all.

Steve Levy

Steven Levy, Vice President Enterprise Architecture, Infor

Steve Levy is the Vice President of Enterprise Architecture for the distribution industry. During his time at Infor, he was responsible for ensuring Infor’s customers established the best possible architecture for their enterprise ecosystems. Steve and his team have successfully helped some of the world’s largest and most complex distributors digitally transform their operations.

Balancing the Books: Financial Mastery for Successful Women

Empower yourself with the financial knowledge and confidence necessary for success. Despite their accomplishments, many women feel less confident in their financial literacy compared to men. This session aims to bridge that gap by demystifying key financial concepts and strategies essential for securing your financial future.

In this session, we’ll cover a range of critical topics, including:

• Understanding Retirement Plans
• Maximizing Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
• Financial Best Practices
• Building Financial Confidence for Your Future

Led by an experienced financial expert, this session will provide you with the tools and knowledge to enhance your financial acumen. Through interactive discussions and real-life examples, you’ll gain insights into managing your finances with confidence and expertise.

Join us to increase your financial literacy, build confidence, and take charge of your financial well-being. This session is designed to equip you with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of personal finance and achieve long-term financial success.

Meredith Perez, CRPC®, AWMA®

Director, Financial Wellness & Financial Planning, Empower Advisory Group, LLC

Meredith Perez is the Director of Financial Wellness and Financial Planning for Empower. In her role, she leads a team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals who work with plan participants. Her passion and role responsibilities come together around financial wellness education, which pairs well with Empower’s mission of “financial freedom for all.” Her approach to education focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) — especially around financial education for women. She also leads Empower Executive Services, providing guidance tailored to meet the unique needs of company executives.

Meredith joined Empower in 2022 and has 14 years of experience in the financial services industry, spanning from insurance to banking to workplace financial planning. Prior to joining Empower, she worked for Bank of America & BofA Securities where she served most recently as a Registered Consumer Banking and Investments Market Leader. Prior to that, she worked as an Advisor, providing financial advice and guidance to individual households.

Meredith holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She also holds the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM (CRPC®) and Accredited Wealth Management AdvisorSM (AWMA®) designations from the College for Financial Planning® (CFFP). She maintains the FINRA Series 7, 9, and 10 securities registrations; Series 63 and 65 state securities licenses; and FINRA Series 24 credentials. In addition, she holds the general lines insurance license.

Meredith resides in the Denver, Colorado, metro area with her husband Alexander and their two dogs Sam and Maverick. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, and adventuring outdoors.

Mastering Work-Life Success: What to Do About Too Much to Do?

Drawing inspiration from the dynamic world of a three-ring circus, this engaging session will provide you with effective strategies to better manage your time and energy. Learn to become a stronger ringmaster of your life, balancing the three key areas: Work, Relationships, and Self.

In this highly interactive presentation, you’ll discover how to build a high-quality “3-ring” lineup that will enable you to:

• Prioritize tasks effectively and make the most of your time
• Enhance your focus and minimize distractions
• Manage your energy levels to stay productive and engaged
• Identify and take on new opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Create a balanced approach to work, relationships, and self-care

Expect to leave with a wealth of practical tips to manage distractions, conquer overload, and stay focused on the present moment. Most importantly, you’ll gain the skills to take control of your life’s circus… rather than letting it control you!

Jones Loflin

Author, Coach & Keynote Speaker

Jones Loflin has made it his life’s work to deliver powerful ideas and practical solutions to individuals and organizations struggling with too much to do. His books are described as “illuminating” and his presentations as “unforgettable.” In his 29 years as a speaker, he has helped countless people make better choices with their time so they can thrive in their work and life.

Jones’ innovative solutions on leadership, change, and time management have attracted the attention of organizations around the world. His client list includes Federal Express, Wal-Mart, Choice Hotels, Toyota, Clayton Homes, American Farm Bureau, and Berkshire Hathaway as well as the United States military.

To expand the reach of his message, Jones chose to become an author. Always Growing offers fresh strategies to lead whether you have been leading for two days or two decades. Juggling Elephants is a witty and profound parable about one man’s search for a better way to get everything done. Getting to It is considered a field guide to accomplishing what is most important.

As a Co-Active coach for the past 7 years, Jones strives to help his clients move forward in ways that are important to them.

Jones believes the key to success is being passionate about certain things in life, including family, spiritual beliefs, career and relationships. One of his favorite quotes is by Zig Ziglar: “Go as far as you can see, and when you get there you can see farther.”

Jones is grateful for every opportunity to work with individuals and organizations seeking better results. He lives in North Carolina with his wonderful wife Lisa and they have two perfect daughters and one really cool son-in-law.

The Future of the Channel is Partnered: Powered by Technology

In this session, we’ll discuss the evolving dynamics of successful manufacturing and distribution relationships, which have transformed significantly over the years. At the heart of robust channel partnerships today are strategic levers such as end-customer alignment, pricing agreements, and rebates. We’ll explore how a new perspective on technology can serve as a crucial enabler in the manufacturer-distributor relationship, reshaping traditional methods and opening new avenues for collaboration.

Key takeaways include:

• Understanding the importance of accurate data to drive progress and avoid disputes.
• Recognizing the value of channel data integration and the benefits of using similar platforms or ensuring integration happens upfront.
• Differentiating between bringing data to channel conversations versus bringing insights and wisdom.
• Exploring how both big-box technologies and nimble SaaS platforms can help create technology ecosystems that support the channel.

Join us to learn how to effectively leverage technology to enhance channel partnerships, driving efficiency and profitability across the supply chain.

Mark Gilham

Vice President, Rebate Advisory, Enable

Mark began his career at leading financial institutions Barclays Bank and Royal Bank of Canada, where he earned his credentials as a chartered accountant. His journey then took him to prominent senior finance roles within the construction industry, culminating in a nearly decade-long tenure at Grafton Group PLC. It was here that Mark discovered the strategic significance of rebates, which ultimately led to his expertise being recognized by the Harvard Business Review and his current role at Enable.

As a key player at Enable, a trailblazing technology company reimagining rebate management across various industries, Mark is dedicated to helping businesses harness the power of rebates as a growth catalyst and a means of fostering trust between trading partners. With a steadfast commitment to providing practical, experience-based advice, Mark generously shares his extensive knowledge and network with those he works with.

Nick Pericle

Vice President, Technology Strategy & Solutions, ProfitOptics

Nick Pericle has spent the last decade working with distributors, from branches to boardrooms. A Managing Director at the software consulting firm, ProfitOptics, Nick is best known for architecting bespoke solutions and spearheading large-scale digital transformation projects, which have both saved organizations tens of thousands of efficiency hours, and added millions to their bottom line. With a deep understanding of distribution, manufacturing, and healthcare, combined with extensive experience across diverse tech stacks and ERP platforms, there’s scarcely a challenge he hasn’t personally rolled up his sleeves on. Outside the tech realm, Nick is a devoted husband, father of three, and an avid outdoorsman, always eager for the next adventure.

Bringing Balance that Breaks Down Barriers: Conflict Resolution for Dynamic Teams

In fast-paced and diverse professional environments, conflict is inevitable. How we manage and resolve these conflicts significantly impacts team dynamics, as well as business and career success. Speaking directly to women professionals and their allies at all levels of leadership, this session explores the role ‘balance’ plays in conflict resolution, and equips attendees with the skills, tools, and mindset needed to navigate healthy and unhealthy conflict situations effectively.

During this engaging session, participants will:

• Learn to distinguish between healthy and potentially destructive conflict: Understand the characteristics and impacts of both types of conflict, and why recognizing the distinction is crucial for effective resolution.
• Use productive conflict resolution strategies to move business forward and strengthen teams: Discover how to leverage conflict as a catalyst for innovation, problem-solving, and team cohesion.
• Apply simple but effective techniques for resolving unhealthy conflict, even with the most challenging individuals: Gain practical tools and strategies that can be immediately implemented to manage and resolve conflict, minimize disruptions, and foster a positive work environment.

Speaker, executive coach, and leadership development facilitator Chris Holliday will give attendees opportunities to practice these techniques and develop their own personalized conflict resolution style, in a ‘safe space’. By the end of the session, participants will feel equipped and empowered to transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and collaboration, fostering a more harmonious and productive workplace.

Join Chris to get the knowledge and confidence you need to bring balance to conflicts and achieve brilliant outcomes for your teams, your projects, and your business!

Chris Holliday

Executive Coach & Facilitator

Chris Holliday has worked with clients across the globe in well-known companies including Abbott Labs, CVS, eBay, GE, Hasbro, PayPal, Intel, International Paper, LVMH, and more.

In addition to two decades in marketing management and consulting, Chris brings perspectives, skills, and tools from her professional acting career – things they don’t teach in business schools (but probably should) – to help clients with EQ and the interpersonal skills leaders need in today’s environment, in unique and powerful ways.

Chris holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and a Masters in Education (M.Ed.) from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. She divides her time between New York and Los Angeles and has two grown children. She enjoys theater and improv, hiking, and traveling to places near and far.

Climbing the Ladder: Secrets to Success from Industry Executives

Join us for a lively panel discussion where industry executives will share their thoughts on important topics like leadership in the industrial channel, owning your career, work-life balance, mentorship, climbing the career ladder, and more.

Our moderator will ask a range of questions to get the conversation going and keep it interesting. At the end, you’ll have the chance to ask your own questions and get answers directly from the experts.

This is a great opportunity to pick the brains of top industry leaders and get practical advice that you can use in your own career.

Pat Baliva

Executive Sales Director, North America, Saint-Gobain Abrasives

Pat is currently Executive Sales Director at Saint-Gobain Abrasives/Norton. He currently runs Saint-Gobain Abrasives’ commercial organization in the Industrial and Automotive Aftermarket sectors. This includes setting strategies for several critical markets which are served by a broad range of abrasive business units, as well as overseeing an organization of customer-facing direct sales and engineering resources.

In his 23rd year at Saint-Gobain, he’s held several sales, engineering, and management roles across North America. His executive positions have included National Sales Manager Canada, as well as Director of Strategy and National Accounts for North America. Pat is currently on the Board of Directors for ISA and a Council Member with MAPI. He resides in Worcester, MA where he is a Chamber of Commerce Board Member and has also served previously on the board of the United Way of Central Massachusetts.

Sara Dulski

Head of Business Unit – Metalworking, MSC Industrial Supply, Co.

MSC is a leading value-add industrial distributor, proudly serving over 400,000 manufacturing and metalworking customers in North America. MSC’s distribution footprint extends across North America and supports a broad range of products and services. At the heart of the company is our commitment to the US Metalworking industry, which goes back to MSC’s founder, Sid Jacobsen.

At MSC, Sara serves as the Head of the Metalworking Business Unit, which consists of metalworking production tools, like End Mills and Caliber Measuring tools, as well as our Value Added Services and Innovations, such as Special Tooling, Regrinds, 3D Printing, Blade Welding and Metalworking Innovations. Prior to leading MSC’s Metalworking Business Unit, Sara spent 3 ½ years leading MSC’s Exclusive Brands portfolio and Global Sourcing Office, driving improved commercial partnerships with Sales and supporting Customer needs with MSC’s own brands and products.

Before MSC and Industrial Distribution, Sara spent more than 20 years in manufacturing with Newell Brands, Inc. and Electrolux Major Appliances, N.A.. During that time, she served in various customer-facing sales, marketing and product development roles. Sara has led Strategic Business Units with P&Ls for durable and packaged goods in US manufacturing, in addition to global manufacturing and sourcing.

Sara is married to Tom and they have two children, John (13) and Jane (10), along with Daisy the dog. They have an active, overly-scheduled life filled with youth sports, but are a family that loves golf. They reside in Charlotte, North Carolina, close to MSC’s corporate headquarters. Sara serves annually in the fundraising efforts on the Executive Leadership Committee for the American Heart Association’s Greater Charlotte Heart Ball. She is a proud NC native, an undergraduate of UNC Chapel Hill and remains a diehard Tar Heel fan.

Jack Schron

President, Jergens

Jack H. Schron, Jr. is the President of Jergens, Inc. and a co-founder of Tooling University, the world’s largest online manufacturing learning tool. His educational journey includes a Bachelor of Science from Florida Southern College, a Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University, and studies at the Army Command and General’s College. As a retired Lieutenant Colonel, Jack has dedicated twenty-eight years to combined active and reserve service in the U.S. Army and is licensed before multiple high courts including the Ohio Supreme Court and the United States Court of Military Appeals.

In his civic and political roles, Jack has served as the Cuyahoga County 6th District Councilman since 2010, actively contributing to the economic development and educational boards within the community. He has chaired numerous committees, including the County Council Economic Development Committee and the Cuyahoga Investment Commission. His extensive civic engagements also include roles with the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network, Cuyahoga County Community College Board of Visitors, and as past President of the Industrial Supply Association (ISA). Jack’s contributions to business and community service have earned him numerous accolades, such as induction into the Business Hall of Fame in 2021, the NorthCoast 99 Award for multiple years, and the Industrial Supply Association 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kasey Whitman

President, Watson Gloves

Kasey Whitman is the current President of Watson Gloves with 23 years of industry experience. He has built a successful track record in the industrial market, leveraging a broad network of industry professionals.

Before assuming the role of President at Watson Gloves in 2020, he progressed through various roles throughout the company with increasing responsibilities, including Sales Support, Leadership positions, and Vice President.

He is honored to be the first non-family member to lead Watson Gloves, an independently owned company, where he is committed to continuing the legacy of previous Presidents while training the next generation to take over the reins.

Throughout his tenure, he has played a crucial role in developing and expanding Watson Gloves’ business across Canada and the US. His efforts have focused on building key strategic business directives, resulting in long-standing partnerships with both customers and suppliers.

To further enhance his leadership capabilities, he recently completed the executive mini MBA program at McGill University in Montreal and obtained the CSL designation, Canada’s most comprehensive sales leadership certificate program.

Outside of his professional life, he is supported by his wonderful wife and two children. Kasey’s family is also rounded out by their two poorly trained French Bulldogs, who bring an additional layer of energy.

M&A and the Industrial Channel: What to Expect and How to Respond

Join us for an engaging fireside chat between ISA CEO Brendan Breen and Kevin Sargent, Managing Director at Brown Gibbons Lang & Company, as they delve into the evolving landscape of M&A and the capital markets within the industrial distribution sector. In this session, we will explore the resilience demonstrated by the sector in 2023 and the opportunities that lie ahead in 2024 and beyond.

Kevin Sargent will provide insights from his recent analysis, highlighting key trends driving demand and M&A and capital markets activity, including infrastructure investments, the shift towards sustainability, technological advancements, and a focus on repair-and-replacement business. The discussion will also cover the impact of geopolitical risks and the importance of supply chain management in the current global climate.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to attractive transaction outcomes and valuations, as well as strategies to navigate the competitive pressures and economic uncertainties anticipated in 2024. This session is essential for corporate buyers, private equity investors, and industrial distributors looking to capitalize on market conditions and M&A and capital markets opportunities in the coming year.

Kevin Sargent

Managing Director, Brown Gibbons Lang & Company

Kevin Sargent is a Managing Director within BGL’s Industrials team and leads the firm’s investment banking activities in Industrial Distribution, including mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, private placements, and other strategic advisory assignments. His clients include leading private companies, private equity sponsors, and public companies. Kevin’s experience in industrial distribution M&A spans a range of subsectors, including MRO products& supplies, tools & equipment, fluid power and motion control, material handling, electrical products, and safety equipment and supplies.

Brendan Breen

CEO, ISA

Brendan Breen is a distinguished leader with a proven track record in driving organizational growth and success. With a strong background in membership development, strategic initiatives, financial management, and long-range vision setting, Brendan has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Industrial Supply Association.

As a seasoned executive, Brendan has consistently demonstrated his ability to spearhead transformative changes. His strategic insights and innovative approach have propelled the organizations he has been a part of to new heights of excellence. Throughout his career, Brendan’s accomplishments have been underpinned by his profound understanding of industry dynamics, his ability to envision and execute comprehensive strategies, and his knack for driving sustainable growth.

His leadership style is characterized by a unique blend of decisiveness, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the contributions of each team member. Brendan currently resides in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, where he shares his life with his wife, Jamie, and their children, Stella, Hazel, and Miles.