36 / 116
INNOVATE
34 •
PPB
• OCTOBER 2015
What is your philosophy
for successfully managing
people?
Lewenberg:
Let people be
who they are and put them in
a position to best utilize what
they are great at. Hire talent-
ed people and let them use
those talents.
How do you create a
positive culture with your
team and those who report
to you?
Lewenberg:
I make sure to
always send them a personal
note on their birthday. I help
them celebrate their wins and
try to really be there for them
when they have business or
personal disappointments. I
try to always be truthful with
them so they always know
where they stand with me
and with our company. I try
to give people the job and
then give them the room to
succeed or, unfortunately,
sometimes fail. I make sure I
am always having fun and I
tell lots of stories to try to
make the situation more
about real life than work.
What advice can you share
with other managers to
improve their people-man-
agement skills?
Lewenberg:
Love what you
do, admit when you’re wrong
and allow people to see the
real you.
David Lewenberg
EVP and COO, Genumark Promotional Merchandise, Inc.
(UPIC: Genum323)
Toronto, Ontario
Number of direct reports:
40
Cool factor:
He has served as president of the Promotional Product Professionals of
Canada, volunteers for charities and even finds time to play hockey. And he has a
story for everything.
Nominators:
Stephen Knox, Tracey Clingen, Joan Robertson, Steve Share, Tammy
Bookbinder, Murray Sobko, Joelly Lang, Bev Willard, JT Aujla, Mandy Hanson,
Emma Freed, Lee Kelso, Trisha Miller, Alexis Sanchez, Brenda MacLeod, Marc
Thompson, Elaine Hunter, Marie Clark, Susan Heslop, Helen Walsh
Direct report Joan Robertson started at Genumark about the
same time as David Lewenberg and has reported to him for
more than 14 years. “He is one of those rare bosses who not
only shares his passion for the industry (which is contagious)
but also truly cares for the well-being of his co-workers. I
wouldn’t trade him for the world!” she says. Another direct
report, Bev Willard, says Lewenberg is unique, caring and will-
ing to help anyone. “He does all he can to make sure everyone
is up to date with the newest information regarding technolo-
gy, changes and products. He goes out of his way to help any-
one who has a problem.” Murray Sobko says his boss is always
positive and approachable. “With a team-first attitude, he gen-
uinely wants the best for all staff and business partners. He is
solutions driven and earns the respect of everyone who has the
privilege to work with him.”
Genumark Promotional Merchandise employees show their sense of
humor to honor their boss, David Lewenberg. The company has
offices across Canada so images for those who work outside the
Toronto office were augmented with disproportionate head sizes and
body doubles in this nominator group photo.
“Love what you
do, admit when
you’re wrong and
allow people to
see the real you.”