See who won these coveted NKBA honors during Chapter Officer Training at KBIS in Las Vegas.
By Donna Heiderstadt
NKBA’s Chapter Star Awards recognized the officers from among NKBA’s 71 chapters in North America who have excelled over the past 12 months in inspiring and leading their members. The awards were revealed on Jan. 30, 2023, in Las Vegas as the industry gathered for the opening of another exciting and productive KBIS, and NKBA’s newly installed Chapter Officers attended a series of breakout sessions designed to educate them about new events, learning updates, digital site and marketing tips, and more.
Words From Industry Leaders
Jan Heck, President and CEO of Miele USA and Chairman of the NKBA Board of Directors for 2023, kicked off the Chapter Officer Training event by acknowledging attendees for volunteering to serve their organizations. “I know you are all busy…in fact, it’s been quite a hectic couple of years,” he said. “So, I just want to say thank you for taking the time to volunteer and help make NKBA the world’s leading kitchen and bath association.”
Heck also recognized NKBA’s Board of Directors, NKBA CEO Bill Darcy, and the 2023 Chapter Leadership Committee before turning over the podium to Suzie Williford, NKBA’s EVP and Chief Strategy Officer. “I just love this event because I get to start the KBIS week with some of my favorite people,” she noted. “ I mean, how could I not love that each and every one of you volunteered to be a Chapter Officer, even with your busy schedules? You all are the heartbeat of what we do. You make it happen all year.”
Honoring the Ones Who Made It Possible
Williford also thanked the event’s longtime sponsors, Kohler and Miele, and introduced executives from both brands, who delivered brief presentations. Elizabeth Sutton, Director of Marketing, Professional Channel, at Kohler offered a tribute to industry icon and 1989 NKBA Hall of Fame inductee Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., who passed away in September 2022 at age 83. Kelly Lam, Vice President of Marketing at Miele, detailed the 4th-generation, family-owned German company’s history, which dates to 1899, and its philosophy of “immer besser” (forever better), before giving away Miele cordless vacuums to three chapter officers in attendance. Suzie also thanked Blum, who was a first-time sponsor of the event.
60th Anniversary Toast
At the conclusion of the morning and afternoon breakout sessions, attendees gathered together again for the presentation of the Chapter Star Awards — but not before host Alan Dove, NKBA’s Director of Member Relations, asked everyone to raise a glass of champagne to toast the organization’s 60th anniversary and its role as “the glue that brings us all together at events like this — as members and as leaders — to celebrate each other.
Alan called the Chapter Leadership Committee up onstage to hand out the awards. The top honor each year is the Denise Dick Chapter Officer of the Year, with an additional dozen awards recognizing the successes of individual chapters and their officers for their programming, fundraising, design competitions, events, and membership drives.
2023 Denise Dick Chapter Officer Award
The 2023 Denise Dick Chapter Officer Award was presented to Sylvia Stanchina, who was recognized for her enthusiasm, perseverance, and non-stop commitment as Communications Chair of the Olympic West Sound Chapter — in other words, for being “a big presence in a smaller chapter.”
Sylvia, who hit the ground running a mere two years ago after transitioning from a student member to an independent designer member, is always looking for ways to do things better. She is credited with refreshing the chapter’s communications with “a more creative and inviting touch” and using a masterful approach to getting the word out about the chapter and its events. She also enthusiastically organizes student events and makes presentations to area design schools to help increase student membership.
2023 Chapter Star Awards
Congratulations were also extended to all of the winners of the 2023 Chapter Star Awards, which recognizes a chapter’s successful events and honors outstanding officers for their dedication to the association. Here are all the 2023 recipients:
Best Chapter Membership Campaign
Southern California Chapter
This enterprising chapter supported a partnership with a local association to expand its reach and grow chapter membership by using a passport-style technique to drive members through the showroom to meet new people, try new cuisines, and learn about new products.
Best Chapter Program
Puget Sound Chapter
To earn this honor, the chapter unveiled a newly redesigned product showcase that allows vendors to display their products and offers sponsor exposure. The program’s success was due to the chapter members’ amazing teamwork.
Best Chapter Fundraiser Event
West Michigan Chapter
This award honored the chapter’s commitment to fundraising for a local school in a low-income, culturally diverse neighborhood by partnering with several NKBA members to solicit donations of cabinets, appliances, flooring, and countertops to refit the school’s teacher’s lounge and make it more usable.
Best Chapter Design Competition
British Columbia Chapter
It was this chapter’s fifth win in this category, as it continued to grow its annual Design Awards, seeing a record-breaking 220 entries in its most recent competition. The chapter also had 100 in-person attendees for activities that included a chef, food trucks, a photo booth, and a DJ, in addition to 400 viewers who tuned in from home. They also celebrated a new partnership with the Prairie Provinces Chapter.
Best Student-Focused Event
Texas Gulf Coast Chapter
During this full-day event, the chapter bused interior design students to a variety of companies, where they connected with kitchen-and-bath professionals and learned about products, trends, and project management. Chapter members’ phone and email outreach was so successful, there was a waiting list.
Best NKBA-Themed Event
Texas North Plains Chapter
To celebrate Kitchen and Bath Month, this chapter hosted its largest annual event, which included its kitchen-and-bath design awards, a tablescape competition, a photo booth, and live music.
Membership Growth Award
West Michigan Chapter
Membership is the lifeblood of the NKBA, and the West Michigan chapter has proven itself to be invaluable in driving up the highest percentage of membership growth this year.
25th-Anniversary Award
Tennessee Chapter
The chapter, celebrating 25 years since its founding, was honored during the champagne toast with a shout out from host Alan Dove.
Best Chapter Officer Awards
President
Nureed Saeed
Northern California Chapter
Nureed was recognized as a “force of positivity” whose motto is “work smarter, not harder.” She embraces her president role by continually reaching out to her chapter volunteers so they feel supported and clear in their roles. She is also credited with writing a Statement of Intention to ensure the chapter’s commitment to community principles and to NKBA’s goals and values.
Programs Chair
Rebecca Sutton, CMKBD
Texas North Plains Chapter
Rebecca was honored for “being fluent in all things NKBA” and for giving 110% to everything she does for her chapter. A previous Thirty Under 30, she repeated her Programs Chair win for the second year based on her optimism, creativity, and excellent communication skills.
Membership Chair
Jared Candelaria
California Capital Chapter
Jared, whose love for NKBA is said to be “contagious,” was recognized for his ability to establish relationships within the surrounding design community during membership outreach and for embracing new chapter members by making them feel invited and welcome.
Communications Chair
Sylvia Stanchina
Olympic West Sound Chapter
Sylvia, who also received the 2023 Denise Dick Chapter Officer Award, is credited with enthusiastically excelling at her role by delivering consistent communications to members — thereby ensuring that events run smoothly and efficiently. Her efforts also helped boost attendance at the chapter’s annual retreat.
Secretary/Treasurer
Leslie Battelle, CKBD
Northern California Chapter
Described as devoted, talented, and an inspiration to her fellow members, Leslie has held several positions within her chapter over the past 10 years and remains dedicated to NKBA’s mission and principles. In 2021, she led the reinvention and reintroduction of her chapter’s Design Competition, while also reorganizing its financial accounting.
Committee Member
Andrew Risinger, CMKBD
Texas North Plains Chapter
Willing to step in to help when two of his chapter’s officers had to step down, Andrew filled their roles and ensured that events and programming never missed a beat. A Thirty Under 30 Class of 2021 alumnus, Andrew is known for his patience, optimism, and incredible work ethic — he has already earned his CMKBD.