HIGH POINT — WithIt, the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industry, has named its 2026 WOW Award Nominees, along with details on this year’s Visionary Award recipient: Laurie Tokarz, president of Restonic Mattress.
Each of the nominee finalists, as well as Tokarz, will be honored during the winter Las Vegas Market, on Sunday, Jan. 25, at the World Market Center, Worldview B-16. The WOW Awards Gala will begin with networking and cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. gala dinner and the awards ceremony at 8 p.m. Individual tickets and 10-person sponsor tables are available to be purchased online.
Themed “The Age of Aquarius,” this year’s event focuses on teamwork, collaboration, optimism, and yearning for interconnectedness.
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WOW Awards recipients are nominated by their peers, recognizing female business leaders and emerging professionals who have demonstrated significant impact through their work, their experience and contributing to their industry.
The Visionary Award, to be presented to Tokarz, is the highest recognition level bestowed by WithIt and honors a woman of achievement whose actions and work have significantly impacted their industry and WithIt.
“It’s an honor to recognize Laurie Tokarz with the Visionary Award and to highlight her contribution to our organization as a longtime WithIt advisory board member,” said Jessica Norby, WithIt president. “Laurie’s unwavering support and vision for advancing women in the home furnishings industry is truly inspirational and very worthy of recognition. Her groundbreaking leadership as chair of ISPA, her advocacy for diversity and inclusion in our industry, and her dedication to mentoring the next generation of female leaders are unprecedented and deserving of the honor of the Visionary Award.”
Currently as Restonic’s CEO and president, Tokarz also is the chairman of the International Sleep Products Assn. (ISPA) board of trustees, serves on the American Furnishings Hall of Fame board of directors and is a member of the WithIt executive advisory council.
In addition, WithIt will present 15 WOW Awards in five additional categories: Leadership, Mentoring, Education, Future Leader and Sales Excellence. Nominees for each category are:
- Leadership: Sheila Long O’Mara, executive editor, Furniture Today; Lisa Adair, senior vice president global design & merchandising, Ashley Furniture; and Kate Caddy, director of sustainability, ISPA.
- Mentoring: Jessica Green, director, Four Hands; Madeline Stewart, press & marketing, Mustard Seed Market & Home; and Valerie Underwood, vice president group sales-Midwest, Loloi Rugs.
- Education: Lark Shirley-Stevens, executive director of marketing & membership, Furniture First; and Jane Dagmi, Ericka Saurit, Jessica Duce, co-founders of the Vacation Rental Design Summit.
- Future Leader: Stuart Stump Mullens, partner, Stump & Co.; Maddie Landers, marketing director, Interior Design Society; and Maggie Henning, Director of e-commerce & marketing, Liberty Furniture.
- Sales Excellence: Heather Bolick, senior vice president, sales, Manwah; Alex Kennerly, National sales director, Luxe Interiors + Design; and Lynne Carroll, Midwest sales, Valdese Weavers.
This year’s Awards Gala is presented through a creative partnership with Future Snoops. Current sponsors for the event include: Andmore, Tempur Sealy, Jola Interactive, Elite Comfort Solutions – a Leggett & Platt company, J.B. Hunt Final Mile, Serta Simmons Bedding and American First Finance.
