PPB December 2019

board transitions and some evolving industry challenges that have been difficult and I think we may have found solutions to some of those problems. I don’t know if they’re all going to work or what we’ll implement, but I’m more hopeful now than when I came about what’s possible for NWPMA.” LDW opened with an inspiring keynote presentation “Generate Passion & Purpose – The Key to Rising Above the Obstacles that Thwart and Constrain You,” from Dan Nevins, an Iraq war veteran and founder of Warrior Spirit Retreat, a place where warriors learn to heal the physical and mental wounds of military service. General session speakers at LDW also included SAGE CEO Eric Natinsky, who spoke on how technology is changing our lives; and Jonathan Isaacson, chairman and CEO of supplier Gemline, who shared insights on the global economy and financial and social change. Alongside informative, inspiring keynotes that brought all of LDW’s attendees together, the conference featured a series of breakouts allowing regional association executive directors and volunteers to custom-tailor their experience. These sessions, presented by industry professionals and PPAI staff, examined subjects such as the use of video in marketing, using technology for engagement and collaboration, volunteer programs, drawing insights from survey data and more. Department Spotlight: The Executive Directors of PPEF and SAAC This is the eighth installment in a year-long series of department profiles to help readers learn more about the PPAI staff members who serve them. As part of its mission to serve and support the promotional products industry and the companies and professionals that operate within it, PPAI provides management services to the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) and the Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC). PPEF is the industry’s nonprofit founded to recognize and encourage scholastic excellence and academic performance among promotional products industry employees and their college-aged children, and its scholarship program, funded by PPAI and generous donations from companies and individuals within the promotional products industry, enables youth and professionals to continue their education at the collegiate level. SAAC, whose members are largely located in the Southern California region, supports the California promotional products industry by engaging and meeting the needs of its professionals and the businesses they serve through a range of programs and services. PPEF and SAAC are independent, 501 (c)(6) nonprofits, and their boards are assisted by dedicated PPAI staff members, who serve as executive directors of the organizations and can draw on Association staff resources to support their goals. Sara Besly Executive Director, PPEF I was adopted at birth and started DNA research this year through 23andMe and Ancestry. I’m still working on finding my birth parents, but I have determined that one family line arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1627. The research is a bit addictive and now I’m hoping I had an ancestor on the Mayflower. Jennifer Bingham Executive Director, SAAC During my childhood, I was certain I was going to the Olympics in figure skating and would be the next Kristi Yamaguchi. There’s still time, right? | DECEMBER 2019 | 111 CONNECT