Following the recent announcement of its 2024 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, 2024.

CLC Members Updates

The newest Chapter Leadership Committee members are Kimberly Kerl, Owner & Principal Designer, Kustom Home Design; and Brianna Weiler, Vice President | Interior Designer, Kitchens by Charles Weiler. They replace Ellen Lopez, CMKBD, Founder & Creative Director of El Design Studio; and Nancy Young, CKBD, Owner & President of Nancy Young Designs.

Continuing CLC members include Nichole Cooper, Showroom Director of Middleby Residential; Sandee Mann, Sales Executive of Kohler Canada;  and Julie Schuster, Principal of Julie Schuster Design Studio. 

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 Members Updates

The newest Leadership Recruitment Committee members are Dr. Elmar Stumpf, Owner, Conneum GmbH; and James Brodsky, CEO, Sharp Think. They replace Katie Brockman, Founder & CEO of Katie Brockman & Co.; and David Noe, General Manager of Rev-A-Shelf.

Continuing LRC members include Kevin Dexter, President Dealer at Springs Window Fashions, who was elected 2024 LRC Chair; Jason McGraw, Group VP of CEDIA Expo & KBIS, Emerald; and Basil Larkin, SVP of Sales at Hestan Commercial Corporation. 

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 Members Updates

The newest member for the KBIS Exhibitor Committee is Nathan Boone, COO, Green Forest Cabinetry. Rolling off the KEC in 2023 was Heather Shannon, Director of Brand Marketing at Perlick and Jason Thompson, Director of Sales at WPPO Wood Fired Ovens. 

Continuing KEC members include Katie Heany, Owner of Kitchen Branding Gifts, who was elected 2024 KEC Chair; Abigail Toal, Event Coordinator at Federal Brace; Amy Switzer, Senior Marketing Communications Manager at Emtek; Jonathan Krieger, VP of Sales & Marketing at Fabuwood Cabinetry; Massimo Ballucchi, VP Kitchen & Bath Business at Cosentino North America, and Jason Fisher, Senior Director of Global Integrated Marketing at Moen & House of Rohl.

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 Ellen Lopez, CMKBD, Nancy Young, CKBD, Katie Brockman, David Noe, Heather Shannon, and Jason Thompson 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 2024.

2024 Chapter Leadership Committee

Nichole Cooper
Showroom Director
Middleby Residential
Irvine, CA

Sandee Mann
Sales Executive – Western Canada Showroom
Kohler Canada
Woodbridge, ON, Canada

Julie Schuster
Principal
Julie Schuster Design Studio
New York, NY

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

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

2024 Leadership Recruitment Committee

Kevin Dexter, 2024 Chair
President Dealer
Springs Window Fashions                                          
Middleton, WI

Jason McGraw, CTS, CAE
Group Vice President
CEDIA Expo and Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)
Atlanta, GA

Basil Larkin
Senior VP of Sales
Hestan Commercial Corporation
Anaheim, CA

James Brodsky
CEO
Sharp Think
New York, NY

Dr. Elmar Stumpf
Owner
Conneum GmbH
Oberkirch, Germany

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

2024 KBIS Exhibitor Committee

Katie Heany, 2024 Chair 
Owner
Kitchen Branding Gifts
St. Louis, MO

Massimo Ballucchi
VP of Kitchen & Bath Business
Cosentino North America
Miami, FL 

Jonathan Krieger
VP of Sales & Marketing
Fabuwood Cabinetry
Newark, NJ

Amy Switzer
Senior Marketing Communications Manager
Emtek
Irwindale, CA

Abigail Toal
Event Coordinator
Federal Brace
Belmont, NC 

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

Nathan Boone
COO
Green Forest Cabinetry
Chesapeake, VA

Three days in New Orleans to last a lifetime

Over 100 women in the NKBA community gathered at the Four Seasons New Orleans September 8-10 for this year’s Women to Women Leadership Conference.

The annual event is by application only for NKBA members and was made possible by four generous brand sponsors: CAFÉ Appliances, Ferguson Home, Lutron, and Maxim.

Day 1: Design meets history in rare home tour 

To kick off the experience, attendees were treated to a historic home tour in partnership with Flower Magazine. Private charters winded their way through the colorful neighborhoods of New Orleans.

This was a rare opportunity to explore three very different residences from four notable designers: Tara Shaw, Sydney Murphy, Patrick Dunne, and Nathan Drewes. 

Following the tour, guests mingled well past closing time over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (including Louisiana gator bites for the brave!)

Participants praised the selection of the Four Seasons as the event venue, noting the aesthetic details of the hotel and hospitality touches which made them feel special and sparked conversation.

Day 2: Business wisdom, shared tears, and even a parade 

After a hearty southern breakfast at the Four Seasons’ Miss River Restaurant, guests took their seats inside the Plimsoll Ballroom. NKBA Chief Marketing & Digital Officer Ivana Molzen addressed the women.

“What an incredible room. Take a moment to look around.”

Molzen noted the remarkable diversity of the group. “Some of you have spent decades shaping this field, while others are just starting your journey. You represent not just one company, one region, or one corner of the industry–but every link in the kitchen and bath chain–cabinetry, plumbing, countertops, appliances, and design services. For the next few days, those labels fade, and we are colleagues in the truest sense.”

The program of speakers began with Cheryl Fennelle-Dixon of Perfectly Clear Communications. 

What do you want to be known for? If everyone is using the same marketing buzz phrases, how do you stand out? If you’re not in the room, how would your brand be explained? Fennelle-Dixon answered those questions and more in her presentation, “Brand Clarity: Specific is the New Premium.”

Next, Cosentino’s Patty Dominguez moderated an inspiring and emotional panel featuring five Women to Women Advisors: Gina D’Amore Bauerle of D’Amore Interiors, Edyta Drutis of BLANCO North America, Christine Gee of G Interiors Studio &

Design Center, Stacy McCarthy of Stacy McCarthy Design, and Susan Wadden of the Sherwin-Williams Company. (Kate Kelley Smith of Sandow Design Group is also an advisor this year and delivered her keynote the following morning.)

After a break, Christi Barbour of Barbour Spangle Design (who has reimagined NKBA’s showhouse in Broad Hall at High Point Market), took to the stage with “Building Teams People Want to Be Part Of.” Barbour discussed “the architecture of belonging,” where people naturally feel motivated to deliver their best work.

“If your team doesn’t feel they belong, you’re building on sand,” said Barbour. “Connection is the foundation that everything else stands on.”

After a lunch featuring local delicacies such as gumbo and banana pudding, Kellye Kamp of SourceKamp Labs dove into “Not Technical, Just Powerful: Busting the Myths About Using AI in the Kitchen and Bath Industry.” Kamp presented strategies for using generative AI to automate processes before leading participants through a practical workshop.

Finally, it was time for breakout sessions, where our dedicated advisors fostered varied and thoughtful discussions.

With a full and fruitful day behind them, everyone took part in a celebratory second-line parade from Jackson Square to the legendary Arnaud’s Restaurant for a champagne reception and dinner.

Day 3: Achieving balance, staying connected

Buttery biscuits, cornbread, and grits graced the abundant breakfast spread inside Miss River, a perfect follow-up to the previous night’s festivities.

Smiling and satiated, our women made their way back to the ballroom for Kate Kelley Smith’s candid keynote “All About You.” Kelley Smith shared insights from her decades-long career in leadership, media, and design–including the importance of self care.

NKBA Director of Brand Development Jennifer Chick-Gray moderated a panel discussion with sponsors Natalie Benoit of CAFÉ Appliances, Caroline Danielson of Ferguson Home, Naomi Sperling of Maxim, and Cecila Ramos of Lutron.

The morning concluded with remarks from Kelly Buchsbaum (Director of Chapters & Professional Development), Tricia Zach (Director of Research), and Deb Webb (Executive Vice President, Events & KBIS). 

“As you head out today, carry with you the connections you’ve made, the ideas you’ve gathered, and the inspiration you’ve found,” said Webb. “This experience doesn’t end when you leave New Orleans. NKBA remains committed to being your indispensable partner and collaborator as you continue building what comes next – fostering the meaningful relationships that will propel your business long after this week.”

On Sept. 1, NKBA starts accepting self-nominations for its national elections. This is an opportunity to take volunteerism from the local to the national level by serving on the association’s Board of Directors (BOD) or one of its key standing committees. Open positions include:

• Board of Directors (BOD) – Three positions
• Chapter Leadership Committee (CLC) – Two positions
• Leadership Recruitment Committee (LRC) – Two position
• KBIS Exhibitor Committee (KEC) – Three positions

To be considered for the Board of Directors, Chapter Leadership Committee or Leadership Recruitment Committee, candidates must be NKBA members in good standing. 

To learn more about open national volunteer roles, go here.

Please note that Chapter Leadership Committee (CLC) applicants must be a current chapter officer or have previously served at least one full term as a chapter officer within the last two years. The applicant does not need to maintain officer status, however, to remain in the CLC position.

Additionally, to be eligible for election to the KBIS Exhibitor Committee, applicants must have been an exhibitor at KBIS 2026 and must commit to exhibit at KBIS 2027.

The application process is very important, as this is what is used to select the applicants.  It’s your time to shine and really share the work you’ve done as a volunteer, and what your goals and aspirations include.  Make sure to take the time to fill out the submission completely and thoroughly.  

Nominations will be open from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30, so be sure to apply!

Applicants will be notified of their status in mid-November. 

An Evening of Milanese Culture and Global Design 

Not everyone can visit Design Week in Milan, so our Columbia River Chapter decided to bring it home to Portland.

57 people showed up for “One Week in Milan” hosted at the Z Collection luxury tile showroom founded by NKBA member Zee Coleman.

Located in Portland’s NW district where tile showrooms abound, Z Collection stands out because of its large, wide-open space. “It’s such a perfect event venue,” said Chapter Communications Chair Bethany Broussard.

Guests mingled while sipping aperitivos and enjoying caprese sandwiches before sitting down to a presentation by freelance design journalist and creative director, Damon Johnstun. 

Damon, who has been reporting on Milan Design Week for two decades, spent over an hour diving into his “best in show” from Milan–including the Rosa Levanto red marble that is currently sweeping Italy.

“Damon’s taste was everything from 70’s Scandinavian to Japanese minimalist,” said Bethany. “My favorite part was seeing the reactions to his picks. Sometimes he’d be talking about a piece of furniture, and you could see some designers agree with him, and others turning to each other and shaking their heads ‘no way’!”

The event doubled as a membership drive. NKBA members who brought non-members received a Milan-inspired tote bag with Italian wine, a wine cork, pasta, pesto, cocktail napkins, and a chocolate sampler.