Melissa Gayl, 34 Senior Manager of National Accounts BAMKO Los Angeles Getting Started “I was working in the fashion industry as a product developer for handbag design, and my first manager ended up moving into this industry. She and I stayed close, and she ended up referring me to BAMKO over six years ago.” Earning The Honor Melissa’s nominator Josh White says, “Melissa has done it all at BAMKO, rapidly rising through the ranks and bringing with her a really dynamic combination of skills that makes her one of our most valuable employees. What separates Melissa from the pack are two really key attributes: dynamic versatility and unique leadership skills.” Proudest Moment? “My proudest career moment happened earlier this year when I was promoted to Senior Manager of National Accounts. I have always worked with some of our longest and most important clients, but I had never been charged with managing those relationships independently. With my promotion came a lot more autonomy and responsibility when it comes to our clients, and I have been given the opportunity to build and develop my own team of account management professionals. Being recognized as a leader and having the freedom to mentor and run my own team has been an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience.” Your Most Difficult Challenge? “I think the biggest challenge has been how much the industry has changed since Covid, and having to adapt to servicing our clients with new products like PPE at the height of a global pandemic, on top of learning to work effectively from home, did not come without its challenges. Luckily, we’ve successfully been able to adapt and get ahead of the economic and supply chain issues. But it has definitely been a challenge over the past couple years.” How Does BAMKO Support You? “We have grown so much over the past few years, yet I never feel like just a number. As we’ve grown, so have the opportunities for me to grow. I think it comes down to the culture we’ve built at BAMKO. We very much operate like a team and support one another through thick and thin. We all work hard and care about our company being successful, because we feel like we’re a part of something special.” How Do You Define Corporate Social Responsibility In The Industry? “I think it’s extremely important for promo companies to be socially responsible and understand what products are made of, where they come from and all materials being used. It’s become a more prevalent topic with most of our clients.” What Inspires You? “I am inspired by setting clear goals and doing my best to achieve them. This has been instilled in me by my father who has always been stressed the importance of hard work and consistency.” Rising Stars | FEATURE | SEPTEMBER 2022 | 23
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzU4OQ==