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Find out who won the coveted Star Awards at this pre-KBIS show event in Las Vegas.

By Elisa Fernández-Arias

NKBA | KBIS’s Leader2Leader, held on Monday, February 26 at Resorts World, brought together 350 volunteer leaders from the association’s 70 chapters across the U.S. and Canada. This event featured the Star Awards, a ceremony that recognizes the officers who excelled in inspiring and leading their members throughout 2023. Attendees also enjoyed a group breakfast and breakout sessions tailored to the five chapter officer positions: President, Program Chair, Membership Chair, Communications Chair, and Secretary/Treasurer.

Words From Leaders

Ken Williams, President & CEO, Caesarstone, and Chair of the 2024 NKBA | KBIS Board of Directors, kicked off the Leader2Leader event by acknowledging the impressive volunteerism of members serving their organizations. “As leaders of the kitchen and bath industry, we realize that you are busier than ever, and have so many calls upon your time,” he said. “So kudos to you for taking the time to volunteer and help make NKBA | KBIS the world’s leading association.”

Williams also recognized NKBA | KBIS’ Board of Directors, outgoing members of the board and NKBA | KBIS Global President & CEO Bill Darcy before turning the podium over to Suzie Williford, Chief Global Relations Officer at NKBA | KBIS, who introduced the 2024 Chapter Leadership Committee. “Anyone who knows me knows this is one of my favorite parts of KBIS, seeing you all here – the leaders and the driving force in our industry. And the reason we – as an association – are so successful,” said Williford.

Keynote speaker, Jim Stroker, Founder of Coach Stroker, shared his thoughts on the “Mindset of a Leader.” In his inspiring presentation, he focused on his mindset of a leader equation, E + R = O, Event + Response = Outcome, which says that what matters most to a leader is not the event they can’t control but the outcome they can influence with their response to the event. The talk also covered topics including the importance of having a positive, proactive and grateful attitude, self-actualizing, “going for it” and being daring, selfless, giving and courageous.

Honoring Those Who Made It Possible

Williford also thanked the Platinum sponsors of the event, Cosentino, Kohler, Material Bank, and Miele, followed by Diamond Sponsor Fabuwood, and Gold Sponsor Bed Bath and Beyond Trade. Representatives from Kohler, the National Housing Endowment, Cosentino and Material Bank then spoke to the crowd. Katie Baker, Business Development Manager – Sustainable Living for Kohler, presented on sustainable living and Mark Pursell, President and CEO of the National Housing Endowment, spoke on the skilled trades challenge and solutions from the Skilled Labor Fund. Massimo Ballucchi, Vice President of Kitchen and Bath, and Patty Dominguez, Vice President of Business Development, at Cosentino North America, talked about offerings and experiences available from Cosentino. Ballucchi sits on the 2024 KBIS Exhibitor Committee. From Material Bank, Jan Heck, Global President, Kitchen and Bath Division and Farshid Tafazzoli, Chief Revenue Officer, discussed the benefits of using the Material Bank platform and announced Material Bank’s new partnership with NKBA | KBIS, which provides association members access to the platform. Heck is a former chair of the Board of Directors for NKBA | KBIS.

Celebratory Lunch

After the morning breakout sessions, attendees reconvened for lunch, which featured a giveaway from Miele and the first introduction of NKBA | KBIS’s Thirty Under 30 Class of 2024. “Congratulations to all of our 30s again – we are proud of your accomplishments and welcome you to NKBA | KBIS Chapter involvement across the US and Canada,” said Buchsbaum. A congratulations is also in order to the 16 winners of the Miele giveaway, the TriFlex HX1 cordless vacuum. Those who won the vacuum by discovering a prize-winning ticket under their seat included Kelley Barnett, CMKBD, Mauro Coreas, Michelle Ferrero, Ali Fulladi, Gelanaz Hemati, Kelsey Kinniry, J.R. Ludlow, AKBD, Lena McGuire, Javianna Mendoza, Lisamarie Ramps, Megan Schoenwetter, Carol Schuster, Jana Seda, Cortney Smith, Josh Stokoe and Alicia Von Tobel. 

2024 Chapter Star Awards

Chapter Star Award for NKBA | KBIS Spirit

Manhattan Chapter

The chapter earned this honor for its second annual Education Day at the A&D Building, which included a special NKBA | KBIS 60th Anniversary tie-in.

Chapter Star Award for Community Initiative

Northern California Chapter

To earn this honor, the chapter committed to giving back to multiple Northern California charitable efforts through its Make It Home Bay Area and Marin Foster Care Association programs.

Chapter Star Award for Design Competition

Rocky Mountain Chapter

This award honored the chapter’s impressive Peak Awards Gala.

Chapter Star Award for Membership Campaign

Southwest Desert Chapter

The chapter’s Trivia Night was the reason why it was awarded this accolade.

Chapter Star Award for a Student-Focused Event

Northern California Chapter

In addition to being active in the local community, this chapter also connected with local kitchen and bath students, winning this award for its Annual Student Design Symposium.

Chapter Star Award for Best Overall Event

British Columbia Chapter

This chapter received this honor for its Western Canada Design Awards Night featuring a special collaboration with the British Columbia Chapter and Prairie Provinces council. 

Chapter Officers with Star Awards

After the Chapter Star Awards Kohler hosted a giveaway of the brand’s sustainable and innovative WasteLAB Vox Rectangle vessel-style sink won by Sadie Lake, Sadie Lake Designs! Then, Buchsbaum returned to the stage and honored Chapter Officers with the Star Awards, which was followed by a surprise champagne toast by Buchsbaum and Alan Dove, NKBA | KBIS Sr. Director, Member Relations! Here are the winners:

NKBA | KBIS Chapter Star Award for Best Chapter Officer of the Year

Leslie Battelle, CKBD, Northern California Chapter

The Chapter Star Award for President

Julie Schuster, Manhattan Chapter

The Chapter Star Award for Programs Chair

Jenna Jackson, Louisiana/Mississippi/Arkansas Chapter

The Chapter Star Award for Communications Chair

Rick Campos, Southern California Chapter

The Chapter Star Award for Membership Chair

Jeannine Price, Manhattan Chapter

The Chapter Star Award for Secretary/Treasurer

Leslie Battelle, CKBD, Northern California Chapter 

The Chapter Star Award for Committee Member

Barbara Haberman, Manhattan Chapter