Held during Las Vegas Winter Market, the WithIt WOW Awards Gala brought together industry leaders to celebrate women whose leadership is shaping the future of the home furnishings and bedding industries. Now in its 29th year, the annual event recognizes established executives and emerging professionals while supporting WithIt’s scholarship efforts.
This year’s gala held particular significance for the sleep products sector, with multiple leaders connected to the mattress industry recognized onstage, including longtime executive Laurie Tokarz, who received the Visionary Award, and Kate Caddy, director of sustainability at the International Sleep Products Association, who was honored as a Leadership Award nominee.
Visionary Award honors Laurie Tokarz
The evening’s highest honor, the Visionary Award, was presented to Laurie Tokarz, CEO and president of Restonic Mattress Corporation and chair of the ISPA Board of Trustees. The award recognizes a successful woman whose insight and actions have significantly impacted both WithIt and the home furnishings industry.
Tokarz was recognized for decades of leadership marked by collaboration, integrity, and a commitment to advancing the industry. In addition to leading Restonic’s domestic and international operations, she has played a key role in guiding ISPA through strategic evolution and strengthening collaboration across the bedding sector.
In her remarks, Tokarz emphasized the importance of community and mentorship, reflecting on how the industry has evolved during her career. She credited WithIt with helping create an environment where women feel empowered to lead, share their voices, and support one another.
Leadership recognition highlights ISPA’s sustainability work
Also notable for the bedding industry was the Leadership Award nomination of Kate Caddy, director of sustainability at ISPA, marking the first time an ISPA staff leader has been recognized in this category.
Caddy was honored for her role in advancing sustainability across the mattress industry through collaboration with manufacturers, suppliers, recyclers, and other stakeholders. She oversees ISPA’s sustainability initiatives, including industry-wide programs focused on mattress recycling, waste reduction, and operational efficiency.
Introduced several years ago, these efforts were considered groundbreaking at the time and have since become widely adopted. Caddy also leads ISPA’s sustainability committee and helped establish the organization’s sustainability conference, further reinforcing sustainability as a core industry priority.
While the Leadership Award ultimately went to Lisa Adair, senior vice president of global design and merchandising at Ashley Furniture, Caddy’s recognition underscored the growing influence of sustainability leadership within the sleep products sector.
Recognizing excellence across the industry
In addition to the Visionary and Leadership Awards, WithIt presented WOW Awards across five categories: Leadership, Mentoring, Education, Future Leader, and Sales Excellence. Sixteen nominees were recognized onstage, reflecting the depth of leadership across the home furnishings ecosystem.
Award recipients included Valerie Underwood (Mentoring Award), Lark Shirley-Stevens (Education Award), Stuart Stump Mullens (Future Leader Award), and Heather Bolick (Sales Excellence Award). Throughout the evening, honorees and presenters returned to a shared theme of mentorship, service, and lifting others as the industry evolves.
A night focused on community and momentum
Beyond individual honors, the WOW Awards Gala reinforced WithIt’s mission to foster meaningful professional relationships and long-term growth across the industry. With a nomination process open to both members and nonmembers, and an emphasis on reflection, philosophy, and peer recommendation, the awards highlight impact as much as achievement.
As the industry continues to navigate change, the evening reflected a shared belief in collective progress and in leadership that strengthens the future by investing in people.
