Gift for Life (GFL), the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ sole national charitable organization, has added two newcomers to its 24-member board of directors, including Kim Mancuso-Telford, general manager for NY NOW, and Kate Duff of Claxton Consulting.
“We’re delighted that Kate and Kim have joined the GFL board. We welcome the energy, expertise and customer-centric approach they each bring to our ranks,” says Ari Lowenstein, Gift for Life chair. “We look forward to both of these newcomers playing an active role not only in raising Gift for Life’s industry profile, but also in expanding its impact.”
Duff is the founder of Claxton Consulting, a solutions partner for the home and gift industry. Her company offers strategic guidance and operational expertise to retailers. She has many years of sales, business development and management experience from her time at Pomegranate, Archipelago Botanicals, 3Floz and Vizability.
“After all these years in the gift industry and seeing all the good that Gift for Life has done, I’m thrilled to be joining the board,” says Duff. “I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and helping wherever I can.”
Mancuso-Telford is the general manager for NY NOW, a premier wholesale event and marketplace. She is passionate about developing and motivating teams, building community and creating unique opportunities for clients.
“I’m excited to be joining the Gift for Life board of directors and supporting this incredible organization,” she says. “It is a privilege that ignites my passion to advocate for meaningful change and give back to the community."
In addition to welcoming the two newcomers, two longtime board members are stepping down, including Matthew Katzenson of Fine Lines and Nancy Michael of the International Housewares Association.
“We want to offer our heartfelt thanks to Matt Katzenson, who was a former chair of Gift for Life, and Nancy Michael for their many years of service,” Lowenstein says. “Their leadership, passion, energy and fundraising efforts helped to shape the organization and make it the charitable powerhouse it is today.”
The Gift for Life Board is now comprised of 24 recognized leaders in the gift, home and stationery industries. Members include Jessica Barile of Design Works Collective, Kelly Bristol of Just Got 2 Have It, Maureen Carpenter of The Queen’s Jewels, Sheila Charton of Springboard Futures, Randa Crisler of The Portico Collection Inc., Cole Daugherty of Dallas Market Center, Kate Duff of Claxton Consulting, Wes Hardin of Diverse Marketing, Emalee Hoffman of Orange Circle Studio/Studio Oh!, Angela Jacobson of Stephen Joseph, Russ Jones of Ivystone, Amy Loewenberg of NY NOW + SF NOW and Emerald X, Ari Lowenstein of Emergent Workshop/Ari’s Pantry, Julie McCallum of Gift Shop Plus, Kim Mancuso-Telford of NY NOW, Landon Metts of MarketTime, Sarah Mount of ANDMORE, Andrea Padilla of Transpac, Fred Rosenkampff of The Link Companies, Peter Schauben of Schauben & Co., Angela Schmook of Road Runners, Cathy Steel of Steel Associates, Crystal Vilkaitis of Crystal Media and Lenise Willis of Gifts & Decorative Accessories.
