PPAI staff was on the road again recently as Julie Kwan, diversity and learning engagement manager, visited with PPAI Chair-Elect Brittany David, CAS, vice president of sales for supplier SnugZ USA, at her offices in West Jordan, Utah, on June 7.

Kwan, who joined PPAI’s team this spring, talked with David about her background and career, and her path to PPAI leadership, from her election to PPAI’s board to being named chair-elect in 2017. They also discussed diversity at SnugZ and within the promotional products industry.

While at the supplier, she also met with Jeff Anderton, senior content strategist on the art and marketing team. “We talked about the need for diversity within the promotional products industry,” says Kwan. “He spoke quite passionately about how SnugZ does a great job in creating a diverse workforce and culture, which benefits the company because it fosters diversity of thought, leading to increased innovation and creativity.”

Chris Culley, director of research and development, gave Kwan a tour of the facility where she saw drawstring backpacks being imprinted, lanyards being made and screen printed, and production and packaging of personal care products including lip balm, essential oils and hand sanitizer.

Kwan also learned to load a jig used to control printing on the lanyards—a personal first. “Seeing the screen-printing process from start to finish was new for me,” she says. “I now have a much better appreciation for the steps that go into making the products our industry sells every day.”