The Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) has announced the 2021 IRF Executive Committee and the IRF Board of Trustees. Representing all segments of the incentives, rewards, and recognition industry, the IRF Board of Trustees leads the foundation in meeting its mission of conducting research and providing education highlighting the power of incentive and motivational programs.

“The IRF Board of Trustees represents a diverse range of experience, perspectives, and roles in the incentive industry,” said Kari Vrba, Chair of the IRF Board of Trustees. “The pandemic has resulted in a workforce that in many ways has fundamentally changed. The IRF will provide research and education to help incentives professionals reimagine incentive programs in order to motivate the recovering workforce and meet the changing goals of post-pandemic companies.”

Rounding out the 2021 IRF Executive Committee are:

• Vice Chair – Jim Kelley, vice-president, Marketing & Industry Relations, Fern Expo
• Treasurer & Secretary – Mark Alt, vice-president, Maritz Automotive, Maritz
• Trustee-at-Large – Susan Adams, vice-president of Travel & Engagement, Next Level Performance

Joining the IRF Board of Trustees are:

• Karen Devine, CEO & founder, 3D Cruise Partners
• Patricia Kerr, AVP, Meeting & Event Management, Nationwide
• Cindy Meilke, director, Channel Marketing – Incentives, Tango Card
• Kelsey Nicol, director of Business Development, USA & Canada, Mutika, an Experience Management Company
• Chris Ruane, vice-president, Meetings and Incentives, Accor Hotels

The following individuals are continuing their terms on the IRF Board of Trustees:

• Cosimo Bruzzese, vice-president of Business Development, Global Sales, PRA
• Min Choi, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer, Germania Insurance
• Stephen Cook, president and chief inspiration officer, Lorandus Meetings & Communications
• Morgan Crain, senior manager, Rewards and Recognition, T-Mobile
• Joost de Meyer, chairman and CEO, First Incentive Travel
• Sarah Haines, vice-president of Event Management, ITA Group
• Chris Johnson, director, Global Travel and Enterprise Events, Land O’ Lakes
• Soma Kim, account director, Incentive Sales, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
• Dawn Ryburn, chief operating officer, MOR Construction Services, Inc.
• Karen Suttle, manager, Corporate Gifts Central, Maui Jim Sunglasses

Bich-Lien Kaldahl will continue to serve as airline advisor to the Board of Trustees.

The IRF’s 2021 research, education and event schedule includes the release of eight studies, monthly webinars, the 2021 IRF Education Invitational on June 2-5, 2021, at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, and its Leadership Insights Forum, scheduled to be held October 11-13 at the Encore Boston Harbor.