PPAI has named Paula Shulman, CAS, president of Stamford, Connecticut-based PMS Consulting, as recipient of the Association’s 2020 Woman of Achievement award. Nominator Kippie Helzel, MAS, introduced Shulman during Wednesday’s webinar, “The Power Of Mindfulness To Achieve Your Dreams,” sponsored by the PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference. Shulman will be featured in the August issue of PPB and will officially receive the PPAI Woman of Achievement award on stage during The PPAI Expo 2021 in January.

The PPAI Woman of Achievement award recognizes an individual who has led the way in the advancement of women in the industry, exhibited outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to the industry and her community. The PPAI Woman of Achievement constantly strives to go above and beyond. She leads the way by setting the standard of excellence in the industry. She’s an inspiration to others, a role model and mentor. She simply stands out in a crowd.

“I am honored to receive this award,” says Shulman. “There are so many qualified women who could be recognized for this as well, so the fact that I was chosen by my peers makes receiving this award that much more meaningful to me. Women have made many strides since I first began in this industry. There is so much more still to be accomplished. I am pleased to have been considered as one of the trailblazers.”

With a career spanning more than 40 years in the promotional products industry, Shulman was one of the first women to climb the corporate ladder to become the vice president of sales at supplier Prime Line. Shulman is now involved with PMS Consulting and primarily focuses on strategic guidance for trade shows, sales transition, industry events and new product development. She also holds positions on several industry boards.

“When a woman is not only one of the top people many, many industry people respect, but is always the first one to be a mentor, a friend, take the time to help you, to friend you, then that is a woman who is deserving to receive the PPAI Woman of Achievement award,” says Helzel. “Paula is all this and more. Paula set the standards for a whole lot of women, both in her generation as well as those younger and older. Leading by example and being dedicated to her company and to customers, Paula has also shown her leadership as a mentor and friend to so many, regardless of whether that relationship would help her business or not. She has mentored, friended and helped distributors, suppliers, friends, foes—she would do anything for anybody, always with a ‘why not’ attitude. Paula has set herself as the ultimate example of a woman who believes that when one wins, we all win.”

Shulman is a longtime volunteer and fierce industry advocate and mentor, serving from 2004-2010 on many PPAI advisory, action groups, committees and councils. She has been honored as a PPAI Fellow and was a board trustee for the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) from 2015-2018. Shulman served on the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) board of directors from 2006-2013 and as board president from 2011-2012. She also served on the board of the Premier Group for many years and as chair from 2017-2018. In 2008, she was named an ASI Woman of Distinction

As a longtime volunteer at the Elayne and James Schoke Jewish Family Service of Fairfield County—which carries a mission to help sustain families and individuals through life's challenges and build strong, healthy communities—Shulman dedicates her time to the Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels delivery program. In her work with meal-delivery services, she helps organize and maintain the food pantry and meets with homebound clients to help identify their needs and provide essential kosher meals delivered to their homes, as well as weekly visits to help alleviate loneliness. She serves on the Sisterhood Board of Directors at Temple Beth El. Shulman is committed to helping provide services and funds that benefit the TBE community through religious, social and educational events, including A Hope in Motion team at Stamford Hospital's annual Walk & Run event to support Bennett Cancer Center, High Holidays and Passover food sales, Sisterhood Shabbat, break-fast at conclusion of Yom Kippur and as a volunteer at the Stamford Hospital.

During Wednesday’s “The Power Of Mindfulness To Achieve Your Dreams” webinar, keynoted by Sydra Newell, SnugZ USA’s business development manager, new and returning Women’s Leadership Conference attendees joined together virtually to celebrate and recognize Shulman as the 2020 PPAI Woman of Achievement. To view the webinar recording visit PPAI’s Online Education site and register here.

Shulman is the 16th recipient of the award and is preceded by Carol Aastad, MAS; Margaret Custer-Ford, MAS; Margie Price, MAS; Mary Ann Farmer, MAS; Janelle Nevins; Roni Wright, MAS; Jo-an Lantz, MAS; Maribeth Sandford, CAS; Sheri Lennarson, MAS, Teresa Moisant, MAS; Mary Dobsch; Marsha Londe; Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS; Daryll Griffin, MAS; and Irene Kogutt.