Experience

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  Xamax Industries

  • United States
  • Plastics Manufacturing
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • CEO, President and Chairwoman

    • Jan 2019 - Present

    I have full financial and strategic responsibility for Xamax Industries and Xamax International which is are global suppliers of innovative material solutions in non-woven fabrics, laminates, films, technical papers and cotton for commercial and consumer markets. We have expertise in advanced materials that provide properties such as adhesion, insulation, separation, strength, surface aesthetics, UV protection and chemical resistance to meet customer application needs. We specialize in natural and synthetic fibers, large variety of kraft and tissue papers, thermoplastic films, natural and synthetic non-nwoven fabrics and value added laminations and coatings. all custom tailorded to our customer's process and performance requirements.

  • Vice Chair

    • Aug 2015 - Dec 2018

    As Vice Chair, I combine my board experience with consulting skills to focus on strategy, marketing and innovation; priority is to to add value and move Xamax to next level of sophistication and success. My responsibilities include:Working and partnering with the CEO and senior management on fulfilling Xamax's mission.Developing, monitoring and implementing company strategyOverseeing business development initiativesOptimizing business portfolio of products and services to best meet customer needs and Xamax returnsProviding oversight and evaluating company's performance and financial results Creating and overseeing implementation of company marketing and digital plansParticipating in personnel planning and hiring key staff

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  Xamax Industries Inc

  • Seymour, Connecticut, United States

  • Board of Directors Xamax

    • 1996 - Present
    • Seymour, Connecticut, United States

    My longest board service is with Xamax Industries, a global diversified engineering application and manufacturing company of high quality products to commercial and consumer markets. We create innovative, engineering-driven, patent-protected solutions to manufacturing challenges for electrical, electronic and consumer products. We specialize in natural and synthetic fibers, large variety of kraft and tissue papers, thermoplastic films, natural and synthetic nonwoven fabrics, and value added laminations and coatings. We provide value-added coating, laminating, pigmenting and printing services along with converting capabilities (rewinding, slitting and spooling), all customized to meet individualized process and performance requirements. We are an ISO certified organization.I provide strategic expertise and have helped the company innovate to reach record level of performance and results by creating new products, identifying and serving new industries and geographic markets and obtaining patents on new and novel engineering applications.

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  NACD: National Association of Corporate Directors

  • Fairfield County, CT

  • President & CEO Connecticut Chapter

    • Jun 2014 - Present
    • Fairfield County, CT

    NACD Connecticut is a chapter of NACD which includes 14,000 director members, including 87% of the Fortune 500 and 75% of the Fortune 1000 boards. Our Connecticut Chapter serves sitting corporate directors of public, private and private equity companies who work or live in the state from Fairfield County to Hartford as well as those in southern Rhode Island. Our focus is on providing timely information on topics of interest to directors: governance, committee issues and emerging trends.as well as networking opportunities. We welcome director attendees at our upcoming events.

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  Amirexx LLC

  • President & CEO

    • May 2008 - Present

    I founded Amirexx to help organizations optimize their business by developing new products and services, revitalizing business portfolios, turning around troubled divisions and creating process efficiencies. We provide strategic and tactical services, working with management, to identify emerging customer needs, maximize effectiveness and drive growth by efficiently managing human and financial resources. We have a track record of delivering results, bringing innovation, industry expertise, in-depth market knowledge and relationships to create business solutions. Our clients include public companies, government, associations, private firms and private equity backed ventures; Our industry focus is on media, service companies and industrial enterprises.Primary services at Amirexx's include: 1. Board Leadership- Independent corporate director- Thought leadership on innovation, strategy, best practices in the boardroom2. Business Strategy and Planning- Creating business strategy- Analyzing the business in light of global industry trends, disruptive models, changing technology and competitive pressures- Implementing tactical plans in collaboration with management3. Business Optimization- Improving financial returns- Realigning marketing - Enhancing productivity- Revising the business portfolio to maximize return to shareholders- Repositioning challenged businesses4. Business Development- Identifying and launching new businesses- Evaluating acquisitions and creating transition plans- Divesting underperforming assets

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  Viad Corp

  • Phoenix

  • Board of Directors

    • 2011 - Dec 2017
    • Phoenix

    Compensation CommitteeGovernance and Nominating CommitteeInnovation & Marketing Strategy Committee, Charter Chair I am a member of the board of Directors of Viad, a NYSE diversified services company providing high quality, place- based live event and marketing services in North America, the United Kingdon, Europe and the United Arab Emirates as well as travel and recreation services in the United States and Canada. I provide expertise regarding the Marketing & Events Group which offers comprehensive exhibition and event production, creative and design services, critical measurement services and global reach. Our Travel & Recreation Group provides experiential adventure travel including hotel operations, food and beverage services, retail operations and tour and transportation services. I am proud to provide industry expertise and oversight on live events, marketing strategy and innovation.

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  Golden Seeds

  • Managing Director

    • Jul 2010 - Sep 2017

    I worked with Golden Seends to identify and invest in women-led ventures providing early stage capital and strategic business advice. Our GS portfolio has invested over $70 million in 32 different companies. Our portfolio is sector and geographically agnostic with investments currently in software (35%), inernet and digital media (29%), consumer (18%), life sciences (12%) and hardware (6%). A fair representation of our return is 27%. We hold Forums in New York, Boston, San Francisco, Dallas and Philadelphia

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  TextureMedia

  • Austin, TX

  • Board of Directors

    • Jul 2011 - Sep 2015
    • Austin, TX

    I served on the Board of Directors for TextureMedia™, Inc (TMI)., a social media and e-commerce company serving the beauty market. A favorite accomplishment was working with TMI and Signal Hill to successfully sell the company in September 2015 after considering 150 companies over 2 years. TMI connects millions of influencers and hundred of brands through a community platform engaged at the intersection of beauty, digital, commerce and data. The company’s footprint spans the globe, engaging its audience across multiple platforms—online, mobile, social and print - to hair care brands and publishers. The products include online, events, e-commerce, market intelligence and research, mobile apps. I happily provided expertise on growing the business and mid to long-term strategies plus represented investor interests.

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  WCD; Women Corporate Directors

  • Advisory Board

    • 2013 - 2015

    Identify methods to increase female board membership, provide insights on board governance especially as it relates to diversity, share expertise on innovation and strategy as a board member. Work on White Papers and content development for Global, Asian, European and Americas Institutes.

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  International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)

  • Chair and Director

    • May 2006 - Dec 2010

    I was Chair and a five year Board Director for the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), which is the leading association for the global exhibition and events industries. Our mission is to promote the unique value of exhibitions, conferences, proprietary corporate exhibitions road shows that bring buyers and sellers together and it does so through education and advocacy programs serving more than 8,500 members in 52 countries. In my elected role as Chair, my responsibilities included overall stewardship for the strategic direction and financial management of the organization. I worked with the Board to establish policies and priorities based upon the association’s mission, values and vision, represented member needs, ensured the financial stability and growth of the association, promoted the exhibition industry, created a Governance Committee for the first time and successfully lobbied on Capitol Hill for passage of the Travel Promotion Act.

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  Penton Media

  • President, Exhibitions

    • 2006 - 2008

    I was Penton Media Exhbitions following its merger with PRIMEDIA. We created and produced market-leading events across various industries: marketing, utilities, entertainment, fitness, communications, industrial, power, electrical, natural products and publishing. I was responsible for all aspects of managing the business with overall responsibility for the long-term strategic direction and growth of the group, including overseeing strategic and business plans, P&L, collaborating with strategic partners and managing vendor relationships and contracts. I personally handled business development, including launching businesses, M&A, and integrating new business into existing company. My tenure with Penton, PRIMEDIA was from 1999-2008,

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  Primedia

  • President, Exhibitions

    • 1999 - 2006

    Pederson was responsible for the P&L, new business development, strategic alliances and vendor relations. Innovations focused on customer facing initiatives plus creative process improvements in financial and back office procedures and technology.

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  SISO: Society of Independent Show Organizers

  • Greater Los Angeles Area

  • Board of Directors and Chair of Board of Directors

    • 1999 - 2006
    • Greater Los Angeles Area

    I was Chair and a Board Director for seven years at SISO, which is the not-for-Profit association representing large corporations and small entrepreneurial enterprises that produce or provide full service management of 2700 "face-to-face" independent trade and consumer shows, conferences and similar events. These events span the globe from North America to Europe to Asia to Africa, India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand creating an overall $122 Billion impact on the global economy. We offer peer networking opportunities, education, industry information, streamlined business processes and best practices for the industry.

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  Reed Exhibition Companies

  • Senior Vice President

    • 1983 - 1999

    My formative business years were with Reed where I stayed for 16 years and ultimately served as Senior Vice President for the Canadian and consumer divisions as well as other business groups. In my time there, I held senior operating positions in the manufacturing, food, building entertainment, media and technology groups. I also loved and learned spearheading business development, planning and research in earlier roles.