Welcome to Our Brand New Team Member!
At the beginning of August, Cheryl Dobbins Hege joined WithIt as our new Director of Advancement and Marketing. She is going to focus on the marketing and visibility of the organization for the next few months while she trains with Cathy Smith to take over development. Having a staff member dedicated to intentionally increasing our marketing in the industry is a strategic move by the organization.
Cheryl was employed by ANDMORE for 6 years as the Senior Marketing Manager, and has also worked for McNeill Communications. Her relationships in, and knowledge of, the vast home and furnishings industry will give her a good foundation to continue WithIt’s growth and impact.
Welcome, Cheryl! We’re glad to have you on the team.
Q&A:
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A veterinarian! I’ve always been an animal lover, and I had lots of animals growing up: goats, chickens, rabbits, cats, and a dog named Spot.
What was your college major, and how does it relate to what you do now?
I majored in Computer Information Systems (programming), which isn’t directly related to what I do today. However, I also took marketing, PR/communications, and business courses that sparked my interest in marketing and communications and ultimately led me to the work I’m doing now.
Tell us about your history with the home and furnishings industry.
My introduction to the home furnishings industry came when I joined McNeill Communications, a PR and marketing firm, in 2006. Many of our clients were in home furnishings, and through working with leading companies, learning about different product categories and design trends, supporting clients participating in furniture markets across the country, and attending High Point Market, I fell in love with the industry.
In 2019, I joined ANDMORE as Senior Marketing Manager, where I led marketing and engagement initiatives for High Point and Las Vegas markets and worked closely with designers, showrooms, retailers, and industry partners. Those experiences allowed me to build relationships throughout the industry and gave me an even greater appreciation for the home furnishings community.
What drew you to working at WithIt?
I was drawn to WithIt because I truly believe in its mission: “To encourage and develop leadership, mentoring, education and networking opportunities for professional women in the home and furnishings industries.” Before joining the team, I attended the WOW Awards, Education Breakfast, networking events and the annual Professional Conference. I always came away feeling empowered and inspired, with new knowledge and connections. I was also a corporate member for six years during my time at ANDMORE.
When the opportunity came along to combine advancement and marketing with an organization and mission I already believed in, it felt like the perfect fit for what I was looking for in my next role.
What are you most excited about bringing to your new role?
I’m excited to bring my experience in marketing, communications, PR, sponsorships, events and relationship building to WithIt. I’ve had the opportunity to work in several different industries throughout my career, which has given me a broad range of experiences and perspectives. What I’ve always enjoyed most is building relationships, bringing people together, finding new ways to connect with different audiences and creating opportunities for organizations to grow. I’m excited to combine that experience with my knowledge of and relationships within the home furnishings industry to help WithIt continue to grow.
What are some of your goals, now that you’re part of the WithIt team?
One of my biggest goals is to grow awareness of WithIt and the many benefits and opportunities we provide to individuals and companies. I want to strengthen engagement and encourage greater participation among our existing members, helping them find more ways to become involved and build meaningful connections within the WithIt community.
I also want to grow our membership and sponsor partnerships, strengthen our relationships throughout the industry and help more people learn about WithIt and everything the organization has to offer.
I’m also passionate about supporting the next generation of women entering the home furnishings industry, while helping WithIt support and connect people throughout every stage of their careers. Our academic scholarship program provides opportunities for students, and our mentoring program connects people at every career stage, from college students and those just entering the workforce to seasoned leaders. Developing the next generation of talent while continuing to support professional growth throughout a career is important not only to WithIt, but to the future of our industry.
Outside of work, what are your favorite things to do?
I love spending time with my family (and my adorable cat, Oliver!), exploring nature, shopping, photography, and traveling with my husband, especially to the mountains.
This was your first conference as a WithIt employee! How was your experience?
My first WithIt Professional Conference was in 2022, and I had such a great experience.. I learned so much that helped me grow both professionally and personally, met established and emerging leaders throughout the industry, and simply had a fun and memorable time.
Attending this year as a member of the WithIt team gave me an entirely new perspective, especially seeing firsthand the incredible amount of planning and work our team and so many dedicated volunteers put into making the conference happen. And somehow, the conference has only gotten better!
This year, I reconnected with industry colleagues and people I met at my first conference while also making so many new connections. The programming and speakers were inspirational and educational, and I came away with new ideas and insights. I highly recommend the annual WithIt Professional Conference to anyone in the home furnishings industry. If you haven’t attended yet…you don’t know what you’re missing!
###
If you’re considering WithIt membership for your professional journey, find out more about WithIt’s mission here or join today.
