Mar 20, 2013

Gift For Life Leadership Changes, Board Additions Announced

Gift For Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced today new leadership and new board members.

Taking over as chairperson of the board is Stu Teller, who previously served as vice chair. Teller is managing partner of Right Angle Strategies, a business development services company, and has more than 30 years of experience in the gift, home décor, and collegiate industries including senior executive positions with OneCoast and Madco.

Joining Teller is Frank Joens, who was elected vice chair. Joens is senior vice president and general manager of the LA Mart, Joens began in the gift and home industry 28 years ago with Russ Berrie & Company. In 2001, he joined Los Angeles’ LA Mart as director of marketing then progressed to vice president of leasing and was recently appointed general manager.

“I am excited and motivated to serve as Chair of Gift For Life,” said Teller, who previously served as the Board’s Vice Chair. “I have been involved with Gift For Life for more than 20 years and it’s very important to support the organization and the great work it has done.” He added: “Thanks go to Leslie Nathan-Street for her service; she has been an amazing Chairperson and has guided Gift for Life through two of its best years.”

Recently joining the board are two industry veterans, bringing the total number of board members to 29.
Marc Blackwell, American designer, creates and produces his own line of bespoke American home product and creates exquisite retail, home, and event experiences. Marc also serves on the board of DIFFA: Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS.
Matthew Katzenson is founder and CEO of Fine Lines Company, a leading multi-line rep agency based in the southwest US.

Each year, Gift for Life hosts regional events throughout the U.S. benefitting DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. The primary mission of Gift for Life and DIFFA is to eradicate the AIDS pandemic in the U.S. Working together, Gift for Life and DIFFA will continue to raise funds for HIV/AIDS service and education programs.

ABOUT GIFT FOR LIFE
Gift for Life, the gift and home décor industry’s volunteer group raising funds for AIDS assistance and research through DIFFA: Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS, was founded in 1992. Since then, Gift for Life has raised nearly $5 million through special events, cause-related marketing, promotions, and from corporate and individual donations. For more information visit www.giftforlife.org

ABOUT DIFFA
DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS is one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education programs in the U.S. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has mobilized the immense resources of the design communities to provide more than $38 million to hundreds of AIDS organizations nationwide. The DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS Web site is available at www.diffa.org