Following the recent announcement of its 2025 Board of Directors, NKBA also disclosed the members of its additional national volunteer committees – the Chapter Leadership Committee (CLC), Leadership Recruitment Committee (LRC) and KBIS Exhibitor Committee (KEC). Volunteer committee members each serve 3-year terms, with the terms commencing on January 1, 2025.

CLC Member Updates

The newest Chapter Leadership Committee members are Sadie Anderson, Vice President of Marketing & Design, CKF; and Rima Nasr, Interior Designer, RDesign Studio. They replace Nichole Cooper, Showroom Director of Middleby Residential; and Sandee Mann, Sales Executive of Kohler Canada.

Continuing CLC members include Kimberly Kerl, Owner & Principal Designer, Kustom Home Design;  Julie Schuster, Principal of Julie Schuster Design Studio; and Brianna Weiler, Vice President | Interior Designer, Kitchens by Charles Weiler. 

The Chapter Leadership Committee provides a link between the grassroots of the Association, its chapters and National Staff. They are charged with monitoring member needs and requests at the chapter level and conveying these to National staff, while also being tasked with chapter engagement initiatives and other important activations. 

LRC Member Updates

The newest Leadership Recruitment Committee members are Kristen Elder, Vice President- Showrooms, Residential Builder & Digital Commerce, Ferguson Enterprises and Veronika Miller, CEO, M2 Consulting Group. They replace Kevin Dexter, EVP and President, Spring Window Fashions, Montgomery, PA; and Jason McGraw, Group Vice President – CEDIA Expo/KBIS, Emerald, Alpharetta, GA.

Continuing LRC members include; James Brodsky, CEO, Sharp Think, New York, NY; Basil Larkin, NKBA Chair 2022, who was elected 2025 LRC chair, and Dr. Elmar Stumpf, Owner, Conneum GmbH, Germany.

The Leadership Recruitment Committee is charged with identifying and screening potential members for the Board of Directors (BOD) and the Chapter Leadership Committee (CLC). They meet after national elections to review all self-nominations received during the election cycle in September. 

KEC Member Updates

The newest members for the KBIS Exhibitor Committee are Christina Reed, Director – Brand Experience, GE Appliances a Haier Company; and Andrew Shead, Sales and Marketing Manager, True Residential.  

Continuing KEC members include Amy Switzer, Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Emtek, who was elected 2025 Chair; Nathan Boone, COO, Green Forest Cabinetry; Massimo Ballucchi, Vice President of Institutional Relations at Cosentino North America; Jason Fisher, Senior Director of Global Integrated Marketing at Moen & House of Rohl; Katie Heaney, Owner of Kitchen Branding Gifts, and Jonathan Krieger, EVP at Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry.

The KBIS Exhibitor Committee provides a link between the exhibitors and attendees of KBIS, and National Staff, to ensure that their needs are being appropriately monitored and evaluated. They also advise National Staff on industry trends and make recommendations for appropriate products, programs, and services to meet the needs of the exhibitors and attendees at future KBIS’s. 

NKBA again thanks Nichole Cooper, Sandee Mann, Kevin Dexter, and Jason McGraw, for their dedication and commitment to these important committees over the last several years!

Below is a complete list of NKBA’s three national volunteer committees for 2025.

2025 Chapter Leadership Committee

Sadie Anderson
Vice President of Marketing and Design
CKF
Omaha, NE

Kimberly Kerl
Owner & Principal Designer
Kustom Home Design
Greenville, SC

Rima Nasr
Interior Designer
RDesign Studio
Richmond, TX

Julie Schuster
Principal
Julie Schuster Design Studio
New York, NY

Brianna Weiler
Vice President | Interior Designer 
Kitchens by Charles Weiler
Lahaska, PA

2025 Leadership Recruitment Committee

Basil Larkin, 2025 Chair
Redondo Beach, CA

James Brodsky
CEO
Sharp Think
New York, NY

Kristen Elder
Vice President – Showrooms, Residential Builder & Digital Commerce
Ferguson Enterprises
Newport News, VA

Veronika Miller
CEO
M2 Consulting Group
York, PA

Dr. Elmar Stumpf
Owner
Conneum GmbH
Oberkirch, Germany

Bill Darcy, Ex-Officio
Global President & Chief Executive Officer
National Kitchen & Bath Association
Bethlehem, PA

2025 KBIS Exhibitor Committee

Amy Switzer, 2025 Chair
Senior Brand Marketing Manager
Emtek
Irwindale, CA

Massimo Ballucchi
VP of Institutional Relations
Cosentino North America
Miami, FL 

Nathan Boone
COO
Green Forest Cabinetry
Chesapeake, VA

Jason Fisher
Sr. Director of Global Integrated Marketing
Moen & House of Rohl
Olmsted, OH 

Katie Heany,
Owner
Kitchen Branding Gifts
St. Louis, MO

Jonathan Krieger
EVP
Plain and Fancy Custom Cabinetry
Schaefferstown, PA

Christina Reed
Director – Brand Experience
GE Appliances a Haier Company
Wellington, FL

Andrew Shead
Marketing and Sales Manager
True Residential
O’Fallon, MO

The program, sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite, supports emerging designers in their quest toward certification.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

In its drive to support rising designers and help them enhance their professional skills, NKBA | KBIS instituted an annual grant program to allow eligible designers to earn certification or level up to a higher designation at no cost. The program is generously sponsored by luxury appliance brand Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS).

Forty rising design stars were selected to receive the grants, which cover the costs associated with certification. In addition, NKBA and SKS will support the recipients throughout the certification process with special events and awards.

“Like our partners at NKBA, Signature Kitchen Suite believes in the power of design to inspire and innovate,” said Donille Perrone, Senior Brand Manager for SKS. “We are thrilled to sponsor the inaugural NKBA Certified Designer Grant Program to help further drive opportunities for innovation and design excellence within the talented KB community.”

To qualify for the grant, designers must be NKBA members in good standing, currently working in K&B design, and earning $75,000 or less annually. They must complete a two-part exam process, submit a portfolio, and verify a minimum of two years of industry-related work experience.

The 2024 recipients are:

Arnaz Khambatta, Good Deeds Design, San Diego

Amber Howard, CKD-CBD, Six Walls Interior Design, Aurora, CO

Yvonne Landivar, AKBD, Creative Construction & Design, Reseda, CA

Elizabeth Leahy, AKBD, Leahy Interior Design, Escondido, CA

Gloribell Lebron, G. Lebron Interiors, Miami

Denean Jackson, D. Nicole Design Studio, Charlotte, NC

Christine Germaine Lucas, The Artsy Designer by LR Designs / Cochrane Floors and More, Calgary, Alberta

Samantha McClintic, McClintic Interiors, Bend, OR

Isaac Musket, C&K Custom Remodeling, Portland, OR

Gia Rushton, OC&D Design Studio, Riverton, UT

Dawn Simpson, Essence Designs, Ottawa, Ontario

Sarah Wilson, Chansaerae Designs, Woodbridge, VA

Julie Schuster, Julie Schuster Design Studio, New York

Jessica Rogers, Simmer and Soak, Saint Simons Island, GA

Melanie Prechel, Jemma Living, Hermantown, MN

Patty Smith, Patty Smith Interior Design, Littleton, CO

Victoria Tramonto, Victoria Isabella Home Designs, Staten Island, NY

Andria Uhrig, Project Kitchens, Windsor, CO

Roxana Villaseñor, Roxy Interiors, San Jose, CA

Beth Rush, AKBD, Uniway of Columbia, Columbia, SC

Joshua Ouimet, Hinge Works, Washington, UT

Melissa Longley, Longley Kitchens, Fort Meyers, FL

Yanis Anis Mezouar, Prestigious Kitchen & Home Design, Chicago

Kimberly Melchior, KMB Design, La Mesa, CA

Ella Long, Kitchens Unlimited, Memphis, TN

Melissa Mailly, Allied Kitchen and Bath, Wilton Manors, FL

Stephanie Lagos, MCG Homes, Fernandina Beach, FL

Kacie Gelsinger, Floor Trader Outlet, Chambersburg, PA

Laura Zmuda, Laura ZB Design, Browns Point WA

Samia Verbist, Samia Verbist Interior Design, Huntington Beach, CA

Leonia Azevedo, AKBD, Bouchard Design, Georgetown, Ontario

Delayna Adams-Pascoe, Tile and Bath Service, St. Louis

Yan “Butterfly” Yao, CKBD, Homey Kitchen Cabinet Design, Toronto

Jennifer Feliciano, CKBD, Masterful Designs by Jen, Delray Beach, FL

Ashley Christensen, Lindy Design Build, Littleton, CO

Shaqueria Dial, Daltile, Birmingham, AL

Cristina DePina, Cristina DePina Interior Design, Worcester, MA

Ken Ellner, Laurel Home Improvements, Mount Laurel, NJ

Christina Birkentall, CKD, NCIDQ, Studio 626 Interiors, Lafayette, LA

Melissa Dreyer, Lindross Remodeling, Tampa, FL

Interested designers who were unable to apply in time will have the opportunity to apply in 2025.

Certification distinguishes designers for their proficiency in design and execution, and gives them a competitive edge in business. Click here for more information on certification, and here for details on the Grant Program.

Letter from the desk of Global President & CEO, Bill Darcy.

NKBA | KBIS recently celebrated 60 years of engaging, connecting and educating the North American kitchen and bath industry. As the leading association for manufacturers, designers, retailers, builders, remodelers and architects across all segments of home design with a focus on kitchen and bath, we are extremely excited about the future of our industry in North America and internationally.

After taking a more holistic view of our organization and its potential for global growth and influence, we’ve decided to make a number of internal changes to our organizational structure. We believe these align with our strategic growth initiatives and anticipated operational efficiencies, setting the tone for our future ensuring positive impact, relevance and strength.

To this end, we are pleased to announce the promotion of Heather Shannon to the position of Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth. This new position will further define the importance of our NKBA business development plans.  Assuming responsibilities for Global Connect, Sponsorship and Revenue Growth, Member Relations and Learning, Heather will put in place new and innovative approaches to each of these areas, evolving and growing our Association. Heather was formerly Director of Brand Marketing at long-time NKBA member Perlick and has held numerous brand, public relations and marketing positions with agencies and media outlets.

Additionally, Suzie Williford, our Chief Global Relations Officer has departed the Association. Please join me in acknowledging Suzie’s contributions and commitment to the NKBA over the past 12 years. 

It has been my personal pleasure to collaborate with Suzie as a key member of the leadership team. After more than a decade of volunteer service to the NKBA, Suzie served as Board President in 2009. She began her NKBA career in 2012 as Director of Business Development and Member Relations and was inducted into the Industry Hall of Fame in 2019. In her capacity as EVP and Chief Strategy Officer, Suzie was core to our Association growth by implementing the co-location of our industry trade show, KBIS, with NAHB and the International Builders Show, making it the largest industry trade event in North America; restructuring our Association governance, championing the NKBA Global Connect business development initiative and concepting and creating the Women2Women mentoring program. We thank her for her dedication and service and wish her health and happiness.

As the NKBA continues to grow and strengthen our presence in the kitchen and bath industry, we are confident this shift in organizational structure will put us in a powerful position to drive the industry forward.

A baroque palace played host to an exclusive evening event for industry leaders.

By Elisa Fernández-Arias

Last month, as part of its visit to EuroCucina 2024 and partner event FTK, NKBA | KBIS held a networking and cocktail event in Kohler’s Milan show space, Palazzo del Senato, a historic Baroque palace located in the heart of the city. It was an impressive atmosphere, with attendees entering through a Kohler installation, Terminal 02, a modern architectural installation the brand created in collaboration with designer and artist Samuel Ross, made of bright orange pipes carrying water juxtaposed with the old-style building, symbolizing the classic journey of water The area also featured a reimagining of the Kohler’s Eir™ smart toilet, a brutalist bold form designed by Ross and the team at his studio SR_A that is only available in a limited 99 edition.

After passing through the installation, the wide range of attendees were given the opportunity to network with other industry leaders. From the association’s team, NKBA | KBIS Global President & CEO Bill Darcy and NKBA | KBIS Chief Global Relations Officer Suzie Williford were present. Kerrie Kelly, FASID, CEO + Creative Director at Kerrie Kelly Design Lab and NKBA | KBIS 2024 Board of Directors Secretary/Treasurer, along with Nicola Bertazzoni, COO Bertazzoni Group, Italy & CEO Bertazzoni North America Inc. and NKBA | KBIS 2024 Board Member were also in attendance.

The NKBA | KBIS EuroCucina tour was made possible because of the support of Bertazzoni and Kohler, and Kohler is a proud sponsor of the NKBA | KBIS Networking and Cocktail Event.

The designer shared her top picks from the innovative kitchen products event.

By Elisa Fernández-Arias

As part of NKBA | KBIS’ trip to Eurocucina 2024 and partner event FTK (Technology for the Kitchen) held in Milan, Italy, April 16 – 21, the association asked select designers in attendance about their preferred brands and products. Toni Sabatino, AKBD, of Toni Sabatino Style, shared highlights from the show and her favorite picks.

“I loved the entire show!” Sabatino said. “Salone Del Mobile presented life as art! Integrated lighting and texture and artist collaborations made for some exciting products in kitchen and bath. Wellness and sustainability were a big part of the product focus and recycled materials are being used more than ever in the manufacturing process. I am feeling very inspired!”

The designer’s top finds ranged from cabinetry solutions to plumbing fixtures to an impressive kitchen island.

1. Efficient Storage Solutions from Various Brands

Sabatino chose Cucine LUBE as one of her top choices from the event for its whole home integrated modular cabinetry solutions with integrated lighting and hidden storage. She also pointed to Febal Casa’s modular cabinetry with sculptural fronts as one of her favorites from the event.

According to the designer, these brands, along with bulthaup, Poggenpohl and schüller., featured cabinetry offerings, “all proposing beautiful storage solutions for the whole home that were both streamlined and detailed. The mix of closed storage and open shelving created a clean but personal backdrop for easy living. The luxury of simplicity was evident with innovative use of sliding doors and pockets to create a place for everything, even compost! Additionally, the thoughtful placement and integration of appliances created ease of use for people of all ages and abilities.”

She added, “Miele showed new finishes and both vertical and horizontal ‘stacking’ capabilities for more creative placement and design options. Interestingly, while the shapes may be minimalistic, the warm nature inspired finishes, textures and sculptural door offerings create a sense of intimacy and luxury that we are ready to embrace in our market.”

2. Plumbing fixtures from GRAFF

Another brand Sabatino highlighted was GRAFF, for its “mix and match shower heads and lighting, for an amazing showering experience.”

3. Appliance Details from Bertazzoni

The designer was also impressed by Bertazzoni’s “new warm metallic finishes and textures used to create a more intimate feel, resulting in artful appliances.”

4. Chandelier Shower Head from Kohler

Additionally, Sabatino spotlighted this product from Kohler, which includes not only the design itself but also music that plays while one is showering. “The shower head was presented by Kohler to give the user a thoughtful experience that evokes beauty,” said the designer.

5. Kitchen Island from OFFICINE GULLO

Another standout product for Sabatino was OFFICINE GULLO’s metal island design, which she described as “glorious.”

An award winning kitchen designer, Toni Sabatino started out in the K&B industry working with a kitchen cabinet manufacturer, and has since added more than 1,000 kitchens to her portfolio, became CLIPP-certified and is a past Star Award winning President of the NKBA Manhattan Chapter.