Change in PPAI leadership announced

Dawn Olds, MAS, former PPAI board chair and longtime HALO executive, will serve as interim president and CEO, according to an announcement from North American trade association PPAI (Promotional Product Association International).

In a letter to members on behalf of the PPAI Board of Directors, Chairman Andrew Spellman, CAS, announced Wednesday that Dawn Olds, MAS, has been named interim president and CEO of PPAI. Olds will lead PPAI during a leadership transition and an ongoing succession plan for the top leadership post held by Dale Denham, MAS+, since August 2021. The PPAI President and CEO is selected by the PPAI Board of Directors, which is comprised of 11 professionals from member companies who serve PPAI on a volunteer basis.

The first woman to lead PPAI

Olds is the first woman to lead PPAI in the organization’s 121-year history. She spent her entire 35-year career at HALO, the No. 2 distributor leader in the 2024 PPAI 100 list, and recently retired as HALO’s senior vice president of industry relations and DEI. A longtime volunteer, Olds served on the PPAI Board of Directors from January 2020 through January 2024 and was Board Chair from January 2022 through PPAI Expo 2023.“Dawn brings a wealth of experience, an unrivaled leadership style and a deep understanding of the promotional products industry, making her exceptionally qualified to lead PPAI through the upcoming transition in PPAI’s leadership,” Spellman said.

According to Spellman, the board has taken steps to initiate a formal search for the association’s next president and CEO. “I am honored that the PPAI Board of Directors has entrusted me with the responsibility of upholding the values of PPAI during this important time of transition,” Olds explains. “I will work closely with all staff to ensure that everyone has the support they need to be at their best and provide outstanding service to PPAI members and stakeholders.”

Olds will be joined by longtime staff member and Vice President of Revenue and Exhibits, Ellen Tucker, MAS, CAE, who has served the association since 2014. Along with the rest of the association’s staff, Tucker said PPAI will continue to focus on its strategic goals of serving the promotional products industry. https://www.ppai.org/media-hub

Image source: PPAI