Women in the Flooring Industry (WIFI), a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit that aims to educate and empower women in the flooring industry, has elected four flooring professionals to its board of directors: Amie Gilmore, show director for ICRE and The International Surface Event (TISE); Ellie Priester, senior director, public affairs and brand strategy, HMTX; Allyson Rawlings, creative director, Rawlings Flooring America; and Reva Revis, vice president of strategy and business development, Fuse Alliance.
“Amie, Ellie, Allyson and Reva will help WIFI expand its reach in the flooring industry,” said Emily Finkell, WIFI board chair. “They are extraordinary leaders, and their experience and expertise will support our mission educating, attracting and empowering women in flooring.”
“After being part of the floor covering industry through TISE, I’ve seen the positive movement women have made throughout the years,” Gilmore stated. “It is exciting to see the impact WIFI has had and I’m excited to be part of this great group.”
“The amount of creativity, intelligence, and grit shown by the women in our industry is remarkable—but what really sets women in the floor covering industry apart is our commitment to raising each other up,” Priester observed. “I have never met so many women who support and propel each other forward.”
“I’m passionate about encouraging women to thrive in the flooring and construction industry. It is a vibrant and ever-changing career path that evolves every day,” Rawlings said. “Joining the WIFI board amongst other incredible women is a chance to shape spaces and narratives together.”
“The pandemic highlighted the power of networking, education and support groups, and WIFI is exactly what the flooring industry needs now,” Revis added. “As the flooring industry and construction in general embraces the incredible contributions of women, WIFI provides a vital space for connection, learning and career development.”
Other WIFI board members include: Finkell, EF Floors & Design; Amy Rush-Imber, Floor Covering Weekly; Laura Bartley, Mohawk Industries; Whitney LeGate, Mannington, Chanel Clifford, Cali; Brenda Knowles, Shaw Industries; Tanja Kern, Floor Trends & Installation Magazine; Terri Daniels, CCA Global Partners; Athena Walker, industry volunteer; Betsy Amoroso, Mannington; and Andrea Blackbourn, WFCA.
WIFI Upcoming Events
April 17: WIFI Power Hour – “The Gift of Coaching,” from noon EST
(Power Hours are free. Sign-up at womeninflooring.org/power-hour.)
Do you feel stuck or frozen in an area of your life? Do you struggle to know what doors are closing and what are opening? Have a notebook and pen ready as we engage in a coaching conversation that will leave you refreshed, recharged and refilled.
Presenters: Danita High, vice president of culture and employee development at First Community Bank; and Melissa Norris, founder and CEO of Flourish Coaching and Consulting
April 18: ”Steps to a Powerful Personal Brand – NWFA Women’s Breakfast in NOLA,” 8 to 9:30 a.m. CST
(Register for the NWFA Wood Flooring Expo and the breakfast at nwfaexpo.org.)
Laila Morcos Zissis, a media consultant, podcast host and founder of LikeMinded Ladies, will inspire attendees to recognize their unique set of talents and knowledge. How are you sharing your brand within your organization and more broadly, either in the industry or where you live? The NWFA Women’s Industry Network brings together women across the wood flooring supply chain, fostering connections, support and shared learning experiences. WIFI board members will be there to update attendees on 2024 program offerings as well.
April 23: ”Her Story – WIFI Networking Event at Coverings in Atlanta,” 4 to 5 p.m. EST
(Register at womeninflooring.org/gatherings.)
Join WIFI in the Coverings Galvanize Women’s Lounge and experience the best story a woman can tell–her own. Leaders in the flooring industry will share their career journey as we close out day two of the show.
Speakers: Tina Boyle, COO of Louisville Tile Distributors and Emily Holle, director of design & trends at MSI
Hosted by WIFI board members Amy Rush-Imber and Tanja Kern
Room: B206, Georgia World Congress Center, Coverings, Galvanize Lounge
For more information, visit womeninflooring.org.
