Breakout Session: CSR, The Case For Diversity, Equity, Inclusion And Belonging (DEIB)

Johanna Gottlieb is vice president of sales, Midwest for distributor HALO in the Chicago area. She began her industry career 16 years ago at New York-based distributor Axis, where she was associate account manager. Her impressive work ethic and love of her industry have opened the doors to key roles in many projects, such as new business development at Axis and opening and heading the Axis Chicago office. Named to Advertising Specialty Institute’s “Hot List” in 2017, Gottlieb’s optimistic worldview and love of her work earned her the identifier of “who we all want as the spokesperson for the promo industry.” Gottlieb has been an active volunteer for two teams that are important to her values: PromoKitchen in 2019 and PPAI’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force, where she is currently chair. She’s also a frequent speaker on two topics near to her heart: best business practices and diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.

I am a passionate go-getter who has learned ask questions and never take no for an answer. I started my promotional professional career 12 years ago in distributor sales. My role allowed me to use my marketing background and love of all things brand to become a top-level sales-person within the company and eventually birth and grow Social Good Promotions. I served as a volunteer on regional industry Boards in an executive capacity. After my tenure as regional board President, I was elected to the Regional Affiliate Council where I have played an integral role in advancing the way regional associations will operate within the promotional products industry moving forward. I am a self-proclaimed nerd willing to learn and accept any challenge that comes my way. I have survived injuries, breast cancer, and mental hurdles, all while advancing my career and building a successful small business. I attribute that survival to my tribe, my amazing support system, and my work ethic. I was named to the Promotional Products Association International Rising Star list in 2021. Our company has received PPAI Silver Pyramid Awards in the Social Responsibility Program and Digital Self-Promotion categories. Social Good was named to the AIM Eco Leaders list in 2020 and we have consistently grown our gross sales over 80% per year since our 2019 inception. My passion is for education, advocacy, and volunteerism for the promotional products industry and organizations close to my heart like Special Olympics, local schools, and leadership programs for youth.

Dawn Olds, MAS, has been in management for over 20 years, spanning three focus areas: accounting, information technology and general operations. She has developed and managed project integration plans for dozens of successful acquisitions. Olds has been the executive sponsor for several Lean Six Sigma projects. Her career highlights also include mentoring and developing dozens of professionals within the Halo organization and promoting them. In addition to the development of people, Olds dedicates time to volunteering for Junior Achievement, is a mentor for a high school entrepreneur program, and is a member of the Women’s Professional Network, She holds a bachelor’s in information systems and an associate degree in accounting.

Natalie Tenner has been with the SanMar corporation out of Issaquah, Washington for over 20 years. Currently, she is a credit manager and the first chair of the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Action) council. Natalie is honored to be the chair of the IDEA council and has spent the last 2 years, managing the council’s initiatives, and meeting with departments throughout the organization as a guest speaker and most importantly taking the time to learn and engage. The work of the council has been well received and she wants to make sure the vision of empowering and encouraging employees to embrace differences, maximize talents and to create opportunities for equitable growth remains central. She also wants to promote an inclusive culture built on respect and open communication, she says, “that starts with humble and honest communication. It is innovative when an organization sees diversity as an opportunity and not as an inconvenience, in fact, differences can cultivate amazing relationships and creativity.” Natalie is passionate about diversity and inclusion and believes that having the right people at the table and giving them an opportunity to be heard is essential to employee engagement. She sees the value in creating an organizational culture that recognizes inclusivity and psychological safety as an essential part of its vision and mission. She believes that we can learn valuable lessons from one another when we are eager to listen and learn. Natalie holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in communication and most recently attended Cornell University’s Diversity and Inclusion certificate program. Natalie is married and has two sons.

Sonya Kaleel (she/her/hers), founder and DEI strategies of The Inclusion Practice, guides leaders and organizations in bringing diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) from theory to practice with a focus on outcomes. Her background spans 30 years in leadership development, organizational learning, and social justice advocacy. Driven by a sense of curiosity, creativity, and compassion, she is skilled at providing changemakers with practical ways to set the tone for inclusion and be accountable. She is adjunct faculty for Northwestern University’s Leading Equity & Inclusion in Organizations Master’s Program, and she holds an MS in Learning & Organizational Change from Northwestern. She currently resides in Long Beach, CA where she enjoys walking on the beach, baking with her family, and chilling with her two cats.