The Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) announces the members of its 2020 Executive Committee and Board of Trustees. Representing all segments of the incentives, rewards and recognition industry, the IRF Board of Trustees leads the foundation in its mission of conducting research and providing education highlighting the power of incentive and motivational programs.

Members of the 2020 IRF Executive Committee are:

Chair: Kari Vrba, chief commercial officer, MotivAction, an Augeo company
Vice Chair: Jim Kelley, vice president, marketing and industry relations, Fern
Secretary: Patrick Smith, managing director, The Americas, The Leading Hotels of the World
Treasurer: Mark Alt, vice president, Maritz Automotive, Maritz

During the IRF’s January board meeting, Min Choi, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Germania Insurance, were named to the IRF Board of Trustees. Continuing their terms on the IRF Board of Trustees are:

Mike May, president, Brightspot Incentives and Events (Immediate Past Chair)
Susan Adams, vice president of travel and engagement, Next Level Performance
Cosimo Bruzzese, vice president of business development, global sales, PRA
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
Bich-Lien Kaldahl, Airline Advisor
Soma Kim, account director, incentive sales, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Rodney Morrow, director of sales and marketing, Fairmont Pittsburgh
Dawn Ryburn, director, program management and communications, Ricoh USA, Inc.
Karen Suttle, manager, corporate gifts central, Maui Jim Sunglasses
Betty Weinkle, vice president, partnership, Blackhawk Network

“The members of the IRF Board of Trustees bring a tremendous level of expertise and passion for the incentives industry,” says Chair Kari Vrba, chief commercial officer at MotivAction, an Augeo company. “I’m excited to work with this talented group as we develop the IRF’s strategy to deliver relevant and impactful research and education to existing and new audiences over the next five years."