Spotlight Awards: Meet the Class of 2026
Gift Shop® Plus and its sister publication, Stationery Trends, is delighted to unveil its third class of Gift + Stationery Spotlight Awards honorees. While our industry is filled with awards programs, our editorial team set out to build one that truly reflects the leadership, originality, heart and resourcefulness that define the remarkable professionals shaping the gift and stationery world today.
This year’s group spans the breadth of the industry — retailers, makers, designers, sales leaders and executives. Each honoree was nominated by their peers, and we’re thrilled to share their insights, journeys and guidance as we honor them throughout 2026.
We invite you to celebrate with us at our star-studded breakfast reception during Atlanta Market at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15 in AmericasMart, Building 1, Designer Workspace (Floor 15). The event is free and open to all; we encourage you to RSVP at giftshopmag.com/spotlightrsvp.
CHRISTY ASPER
Owner and Creative Founder, Paper Baristas
Tell us about yourself.
I am the owner and creative founder of Paper Baristas, an Iowa-based brand known for its beautiful, eco-friendly and fair-trade paper goods. Alongside my husband, best friend and business partner, Jon Marc Asper, we have built Paper Baristas around a shared mission: to create meaningful, sustainable products that make a positive impact on people and the planet. I find daily inspiration in family life, community and the belief that small, thoughtful choices can create lasting change. When I’m not dreaming up new collections or sipping coffee surrounded by stacks of handmade paper, you can find me chasing my kids, planning our next creative project or soaking up the simple joys of small-town life.
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am most proud of founding Paper Baristas. The company began as a dream while my husband, Jon Marc, was in graduate school. I had a vision to build a business that would allow me to stay home with our children while also making a meaningful difference in the world. As a survivor of childhood abuse, I was determined to use my life and work to help protect others and bring hope to victims of exploitation. Through Paper Baristas, we’ve been able to combine creativity, sustainability and compassion by donating nearly $40,000 to fight human trafficking. Seeing beauty and justice come together in this work has been one of my greatest honors.
If you had to choose your greatest personal accomplishment, what would it be?
My greatest personal accomplishment is raising my two daughters. They are the heart behind everything I do. Watching them grow into kind, creative and courageous young girls reminds me daily why this work matters. Being their mother has taught me more about love, resilience and purpose than anything else in life. They inspire me to lead with integrity, to fight for what’s right and to model a life rooted in faith, compassion and strength.
JAN BARRICK
Brand Concierge, Just Got 2 Have It!
Tell us about yourself.
I’m a self-starter who truly loves my work and my customers. Getting to know my customers — their businesses, their goals and even parts of their personal lives — is something I genuinely enjoy. Over time, many of them have become like family to me. I’m loyal to my customers, my vendors and my agency and I take pride in being competitive, motivated and dependable. I always strive to put my customers first and to represent my agency with integrity. Outside of work, I’m a proud Grandmom to seven wonderful grandchildren, a role that brings me so much joy.
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of the strong, loyal customer base I’ve built over the years. I’ve grown my territory by increasing both the number of customers and overall sales, all while staying true to my values — honesty, responsiveness and putting the customer’s needs first. I take pride in being known as the rep who responds quickly, listens carefully, solves problems and never sells anything that isn’t a good fit. Building long-term relationships based on trust and genuine care is one of my biggest achievements.
If you had to choose your greatest personal accomplishment, what would it be?
My greatest personal accomplishment is being a devoted grandmother to my seven grandchildren. They are a huge part of my life, and watching them grow, supporting them and being present for them has brought me more joy and pride than anything else. The love and connection within my family is something I cherish deeply, and it’s an accomplishment that means the world to me.
KRISTINA BURKEY
Owner, Calliope Paper
Founder, Stationery Store Day
Tell us about yourself.
I never know how to answer this question. Do you want my favorite trinkets?
My coffee order? A brief history of my obsession with Jeff Goldblum? I guess for this purpose, I have owned Calliope for over nine years but was working toward her for 20. I started by making paper things; first party invitations, then cards, then coasters and finally settling NOT making but reselling at local markets around Boston, all while holding a full-time office job.
In 2016, I quit my job and finally went for it. I opened Calliope in Natick, Massachusetts, in June of that year and have navigated her through lots of bumps in the road including a car crash through my front window, a pandemic and two location moves. Calliope now resides in my hometown, Hudson, Massachusetts.
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
I would say there are two: The first is keeping my shop open through the pandemic. The second is starting Stationery Store Day in 2021. I thought up a wild idea; I’m going to make up a day to celebrate stationery specialty brick-and-mortar shops and get everyone to do it with me — and they did! Every year it gets bigger, and 2026 will be the fifth year.
If you had to choose your greatest personal accomplishment, what would it be?
Honestly, getting my shop open and staying open was my biggest dream, and here I am. That’s pretty good. But if you want something else, I would say completing the Boston Marathon three times. I ran in 2011, 2014 and 2016. It was wicked cool all three times.
MAXINE H. BURTON
Founder, President & Chairman of the Board, burton + BURTON
Tell us about yourself.
I am the founder, president and chairman of the board of burton + BURTON, headquartered in Bogart, Georgia. Almost 44 years ago, I founded Flowers, Inc. Balloons with the concept of turning a balloon into a floating greeting card for floral arrangements. From these humble beginnings, the company, now known as burton + BURTON, has grown into the world’s largest supplier of balloons and coordinating gift products. Today, we employ a team of more than 300 and maintain satellite showrooms at AmericasMart Atlanta and Dallas Market Center.
From the beginning, I have worked to ensure that our products reflect both innovation and compassion. My team and I travel the globe and work tirelessly in conjunction with our in-house artists to ensure that every design is on-trend, of the highest quality and brings delight to customers everywhere. As a woman who began her career in a time where the leadership landscape looked quite different, I have always taken pride in encouraging women to overcome barriers and flourish in the business world.
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
Throughout my career, I have been honored to receive numerous awards and recognitions that highlight my dedication to the balloon and gift industry. Among these are being the first woman in the state of Georgia to receive the Spirit of Georgia Award, recognizing entrepreneurial achievement, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Retail and Wholesale Category in the Southeast Division of the United States, The Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World recognition by The Star Group, the Alan J. McDonald International Entrepreneur Award from the Society of International Business Fellows, the Small Business Person of the Year, the National Athena Award for Outstanding Female Achievement, the Athens Woman of Distinction Award, and the Woman of Distinction Award from the Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity. I was also humbled when the International Floriculture Expo named a flower in my honor, the Maxine Sweet Dianthus, in recognition of my contributions to the industry.
Over the years, I have also had the privilege of serving on numerous state boards and organizations. Four Georgia governors have appointed me to various positions, including three terms on the Georgia Ports Authority, several years on the Georgia Council of the Arts, and my current role on the Georgia World Congress Center Authority. I have also served as a trustee for the University of Georgia Foundation and First American Bank & Trust, and I am an active member of the Chief Executives Organization (CEO) and The Committee of 200, among others.
As my career has evolved, I have come to believe that true success is measured by the difference we make in the lives of others. Giving back and supporting meaningful causes have been among the most fulfilling aspects of my work. I was honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia 4-H Foundation for my philanthropic contributions throughout the state. One of my proudest moments came when the Burton 4-H Center on Tybee Island was named in our family’s honor after providing much needed assistance to the center when it required extensive repairs. Located on the Georgia coast, the center now serves thousands of children each year with hands-on educational programs.
My desire to support education and future generations also led to the creation of Weaving Hope, a charitable initiative that provides opportunities for women in Rwanda and has built two schools for children in need. Seeing those efforts grow and change lives has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. My legacy is defined not only by business success but by an enduring commitment to creating lasting, positive change in the lives of others. Giving back will always be one of my greatest professional accomplishments.
If you had to choose your greatest personal accomplishment, what would it be?
My greatest personal accomplishment is building a strong family, both at home and within burton + BURTON, where everyone works together toward a shared purpose. From an early age, my parents encouraged my entrepreneurial spirit and supported me every step of the way in starting the company. From the very beginning, family has been at the heart of everything I do. I have the privilege of working alongside my husband, Bob, who serves as COO; our daughter, Rachael Burton Dillon, who serves as CEO; and our son, James Michael Burton, who serves as Vice President. I also have three wonderful grandchildren whom I hope will one day follow in my footsteps. Watching my family contribute to the company and continue the vision that began more than four decades ago is one of the greatest joys of my life.
At burton + BURTON, that same sense of family extends far beyond our immediate relatives. It lives in every member of our team. Many of our employees have been with us for decades, growing alongside the company and helping shape its story. When you walk through our doors, you can feel the warmth, dedication, and camaraderie that define who we are. Our employees care deeply about our customers, about one another and about carrying forward our shared commitment to excellence. They celebrate successes together, lift each other up during challenges, and embody the values that have sustained us since day one.
For me, the greatest reward has been building not only a business but a family, a company where people genuinely care and take pride in serving our customers with the same heart and dedication that have defined burton + BURTON from the very beginning.
RICHARD FREEMAN
National Sales Director for DM Merchandising
President, Gift Sales Manager Association
Tell us about yourself.
I have been in the gift and toy industry for nearly 36 years. I came into the industry owning a manufacturing company, and from there have worked nearly every facet of the industry, from rep to sales director to owner. I am currently the national sales director for DM Merchandising as well as the president of the Gift Sales Manager Association. I am married to a rock star named Katie Dame, and I have three grown children and three dogs!
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the reputation I have cultivated in my 35-plus years in this industry. I have built a wonderful network of relationships and friendships with some of the most incredible people anywhere! I am proud of the work I have done over the last 15 years at DM Merchandising, and being president of GSMA has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career. The organization has grown and prospered over the last few years under a board that seeks to leave the industry better than we found it. And, because of my industry tenure, I am greatly enjoying my opportunities to mentor the up-and-coming younger sales managers!
If you had to choose your greatest personal accomplishment, what would it be?
Professionally, that is a really difficult question to answer. However, my relationship with my wife and the family we have built is my greatest personal accomplishment!
ALISSA KANSO
Director of Sales — National Accounts, Mud Pie
Tell us about yourself.
I am the director of sales for national accounts at Mud Pie. I was raised just outside of Waukesha, Wisconsin, but consider myself a southern native at heart. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and having spent my early years in Mckinney, Texas, life has brought me all around the U.S., but I am happy to call Atlanta home.
I graduated from the University of Georgia with my bachelor’s in fashion merchandising and had the hopes and dreams to be a part of the retail industry but live in the south. In the fall of 2018, I attended a career fair at the University of Georgia and discovered Mud Pie! The rest is really history; I interned in 2018 and was hired full-time after graduating in 2019. I have worked both in merchandising and national account sales at Mud Pie.
I love being a part of the gift and wholesale industry while also getting a fix of retail with the many amazing customers I get to work with! I currently live just outside of Atlanta and purchased my first home this year with my husband Ryan.
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
After just six (or seven, counting my internship) years with Mud Pie, I am honored to be the director for the national account sales team. A combination of hard work, determination and true passion for my work has led me to where I am today. I feel an immense amount of pride to work for one of the best companies in the industry and I am grateful and proud to represent Mud Pie each and every day.
If you had to choose your greatest personal accomplishment, what would it be?
Seeing all that I hoped and dream for come to fruition at the age of 28. Being able to purchase a home, work in an industry that I love and share all of my accomplishments with my friends and family that I cherish so much! Life can be a whirlwind, but if you know what you want and have determination to get it, you can!
PATRICK KEISER
Executive Director, Heart on Main Street
Tell us about yourself.
I grew up in the gift and home industry, working in showrooms at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart and Dallas Market Center throughout high school and college. After a career as an educator, I joined OneCoast full-time in 2016. It is here that he discovered a passion for helping independent retailers grow their businesses. After the turbulent times caused by COVID, I was inspired to do more to support retailers’ success. I founded Heart on Main Street in 2022 with the goal of providing tools and resources to help independent retailers stay active in their communities. Soon after starting the organization, I saw a significant need for disaster relief support for retailers. Many groups offer food, clothing and shelter to those affected by disasters; however, few assist small business owners trying to rebuild their livelihoods. Since 2023, I have been leading Heart on Main Street as it offers free education and disaster relief grants to retailers in need.
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
The founding of Heart on Main Street is definitely my proudest professional achievement. I envisioned how I could help those in need, worked hard to secure initial support and funding, and then launched the organization. Since then, we’ve grown each year and made a significant impact on independent retailers in need. The mission to assist independent retailers after natural disasters is extremely important; they are often left without resources, which affects not only their businesses but also the economy of their communities.
If you had to choose your greatest personal accomplishment, what would it be?
My greatest personal achievement is my family. My wife, Rachel, and my daughter, Adeleine, are the most important people in my life. They inspire me and support me every day!
KIERSTEN MARSHALL
Marketing Director, C&F Enterprises
Tell us about yourself.
I’ve spent the last 20 years immersed in the retail world, gaining hands-on experience in nearly every aspect of the business from sales associate, to marketing and visual management for Yankee Candle. I shifted into wholesale, joining C&F Enterprises in 2021, where I could bring that full- circle experience to a larger scale. Having worked across every level of retail, I’m passionate about creative cohesive, visually compelling experiences that resonate with customers. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling to explore new cultures and cuisines, spending time with my family and experiencing the excitement of live concerts.
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
One accomplishment I’m especially proud of is helping bring more consistency and cohesion to the way our seven brands are presented. Since joining C&F Enterprises, I’ve worked to align our catalog imagery, product styling and showroom displays so that each release season feels more connected and intentional.
It has created a more consistent brand experience for our customers and offered a more compelling story at every market. Seeing all seven brands come together visually while still maintaining each brand’s unique personality has been both a creative challenge and one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
If you had to choose your greatest personal accomplishment, what would it be?
My greatest personal accomplishment has been building a career that connects my creative education with my professional path. After graduating from VCU’s School of the Arts with a degree in Craft Material Studies, I wasn’t entirely sure where my skills would lead me. Over the next 15 years in visual retail with Yankee Candle, I learned how to translate creativity into real customer experiences, growing my confidence and my craft. Joining C&F Enterprises felt like the moment where everything came together. I’ve been able to apply what I’ve learned from my art background and my years on the retail floor in a way that feels meaningful. It’s been rewarding to see how far the journey has taken me.
WILLIAM MULLER
Founder and Owner, Big Wheel Press
Tell us about yourself.
I am the founder and owner of Big Wheel Press, a letterpress printing studio and greeting card and notebook publisher. We also design and distribute a line of pencils (thoreaupencils.com) and artist drawing and painting books. We also do foil stamping for the trade. I have been printing since I was 6 years old, the year my parents gave me a tiny printing press for the holidays.
I have four children. Gus (boyharsher.com — age 36), Isabel (age 33), Gabe (age 10), and Sam (age 7) — I am never retiring.
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
Of course, I am proud of the printing capabilities of my staff. I make the point of passing knowledge of letterpress printing to people younger than myself. We are training new staff members all the time, and staff stays around for years and years. This year, we had our first staff person retire!
If you had to choose your greatest personal accomplishment, what would it be?
I have done a lot of things that make me proud. I have to say that recently I climbed Mount Washington in New Hampshire with my oldest friend. We both climbed Mount Whitney in California in our teens, and this was our first time climbing again in over 50 years. I am also proud of training to be a paramedic while running Big Wheel. I lived in a rural area that needed well-trained people to staff the ambulance. I got to deliver a few babies, save a few lives and meet lots of great people.
MAGGIE NEW
Director of Marketing & Business Development, Diverse Marketing
Tell us about yourself.
I am originally from Norfolk, Virginia. I graduated from Boston University in
2021, where I played Division I field hockey for four years. After graduation, my boyfriend was looking for a new job and wanted to leave Boston. So as a freshly graduated person, I packed up from home in Virgina and moved to Dallas to support my now-fiancé as he began his career, and — by a stroke of luck — ended up with a roommate whose apartment was right next to the Dallas Market Center.
Having worked a seasonal retail job in college at Garden Gazebo, I’d often heard the buzz about “market.” Around the same time, my fiancé’s family opened a gift store in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and the topic came up again — so I checked the job boards of my new neighbor, the Dallas Market Center. That was when I noticed an opening at a company called Diverse Marketing with “marketing” and “digital” in the title, it immediately caught my attention.
That decision, made on a whim and a lot of curiosity, turned out to be one of the best I’ve ever made. Over the past four years at Diverse Marketing, I’ve been able to wear many hats — working across marketing, sales strategy and brand development-while collaborating with incredible vendors, retailers and teams across the country. Five years ago, I didn’t even know this industry existed; now, I can’t imagine doing anything else.
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
When I joined Diverse Marketing, Diverse Insights, a sister agency, was little more than an idea — a small side project testing how digital strategy could amplify social media reach. Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of helping shape that idea into a thriving agency within our organization. Today, Diverse Insights manages marketing strategy and content creation for over 20 brands within the toy, gift and CPG space, and continues to innovate how we connect customers with emerging products and stories that resonate.
If you had to choose your greatest personal accomplishment, what would it be?
I’ve run two marathons — the New York City Marathon in 2023 and the Chicago Marathon in 2025. This year, I had the honor of running in support of Erika’s Lighthouse, a nonprofit dedicated to educating and empowering young people around mental health. I have an embroidery passion and was able to make and sell “mental health matters” sweatshirts to reach my goal!
LINDA SCHNEEWIND
Vice President Visual Brand Development, Ganz
Tell us about yourself.
I have been building, designing and experimenting for most of my career. It brings me great joy to learn new things and to physically change a space. At home, you can often find me tackling a new project or learning a new skill — with all the struggle and stumbles that go along with it. Humbling and satisfying is a lovely combination.
I “fill my cup” by spending time in nature — either in my garden or on the trail, seeing live music, getting on my yoga mat or tending to a good bonfire.
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
The magic of my team. I have learned a lot from every single one of them, and I know they have made me a better leader. Creating a culture that fosters understanding, humor and trust manifests fabulous work. Every time.
If you had to choose your greatest personal accomplishment, what would it be?
Caring for my aging parents. A tough and tender stage of life I’m not sure any of us are ever prepared for. The amount of selflessness and service it required made me a better person. I feel such gratitude for this time I had with them and the deepening of our relationships — the vulnerability and trust that was constantly growing along with their needs.
VICTORIA VENTURI
Founder and CEO, Paper Epiphanies
Tell us about yourself.
I am the founder and CEO of Paper Epiphanies, The Coolest Card Store in The World™. Named to the INC Female Founders 500 List in 2025, I have grown Paper Epiphanies from an idea to a global brand. At the age of 29, I entered a saturated industry dominated by men and rose to the top with a bright pink, female-forward company that is quite literally changing the face of the greeting card industry. Paper Epiphanies, affectionately called PiPH, opened its Flagship Concept Shop in 2021 and in 2024, became the first independent greeting card publisher ever to open in a top U.S. airport. PiPH simultaneously became the inventor of the Mail High Club — a revolutionary program and product line for paper and snail mail in the aviation space. My eye for design and talent is unmatched, often launching the careers of up-and-coming artists and illustrators. My writing is in high demand, and I spent over six years ghostwriting for one of the world’s largest publishing houses. I have been awarded five Louie Awards — the Oscars of greeting cards.
Prior to launching Paper Epiphanies, I spent my formative career as a marketing and publicity professional — writing and executing successful campaigns for agencies, television networks and big brands including American Idol, GLEE, Disney, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros., Hilton Hotels and more. As a young leader in the experiential marketing and PR space, I was often lauded as an innovator to watch. I am passionate about volunteerism and dedicates time to advocacy and community services with focuses on equal access to the arts and reproductive justice. I live in Portland with my husband, our two children and a corgi named Twinkie.
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
As of now, it is our creative pursuits in the aviation space. Being the first independent greeting card publisher to open a boutique in a major U.S. Airport and the creation and launch of the Mail High Club program. So many things we have been working on for the last two to three years will all be hitting their stride in the coming year.
If you had to choose your greatest personal accomplishment, what would it be?
Raising my two children — they really know how to humble you! I am often asked what my greatest creation is and, without a doubt, it is them. They are my magnum opus.
