TWICE is proud to announce the Honorees of the 2026 Powerful Women in Consumer Electronics Award, an annual program created to recognize and celebrate the women who are redefining leadership, mentorship, and innovation across the consumer technology industry.
TWICE is shining a dedicated spotlight on the outstanding women whose talent, dedication, and influence help move our industry forward – every single day. These honorees lead with vision and integrity, mentor the next generation, and build stronger teams, companies, and communities.
“At TWICE, we have the privilege of covering an industry driven by constant innovation,” said Grant Morgan, Senior Editor of TWICE. “What stands out in this year’s class is how deeply innovation and leadership are intertwined. These women are advancing both and bringing others along with them.”
Celebrating Excellence Across the Industry
This year’s Powerful Women in Consumer Electronics honorees represent a broad cross-section of the industry – from retail leaders and manufacturing innovators to integration specialists and technology advocates. Each one excels in her role while lifting others, fostering inclusion, and setting a higher bar for what leadership looks like in consumer tech.
Women on the Rise: Spotlighting Emerging Leaders
As part of this award program, TWICE also proudly celebrates Women on the Rise – a special category honoring emerging leaders whose early accomplishments, vision, and drive are already making waves in the industry. These rising stars embody the spirit of growth, resilience, and possibility that will shape what comes next for consumer electronics.
Meet the 2026 Honorees
Below are the standout professionals selected for the 2026 TWICE Powerful Women in Consumer Electronics and Women on the Rise Awards:
2026 Powerful Women in Consumer Electronics Honorees
Amanda Wildman
Amanda Wildman is a technology integrator, co-owner of TruMedia, and the first female Chairperson of the CEDIA Board of Directors. She and her team have built TruMedia into a family-owned business providing home automation and entertainment solutions across Michigan for more than two decades.
Wildman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin University and has earned CEDIA ESC, CIT-SME, and IST-SME certifications. She has also completed an electrical apprenticeship and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in arts and leadership at the University of Olivet.
She has been involved with CEDIA through volunteer roles, including the Professional Development Advisory Council (PDAC), the Certification Commission, and the Business Working Group. She has also supported CEDIA’s workforce development efforts.
In 2026, Wildman became Chairperson of the CEDIA Board of Directors, becoming the first woman to hold the role since the organization’s founding.
Brooke Stafford
Brooke Stafford is a foundational member of Domestic & General US’s team, where she built and leads the company’s claims function. As one of the earliest hires in the U.S., she has played a role in shaping the claims department, team culture, and overall organization.
Since joining early in the company’s development, Stafford established the claims operation from the ground up and has continued to develop it. She has led initiatives aimed at improving processes and outcomes within the business.
When Domestic & General US needed to implement a Net Promoter Score (NPS) survey program, Stafford worked with existing internal tools to design and launch the program in just over two weeks. Following its implementation, the company’s Better Business Bureau rating increased from 1 star to 4.3 stars.
Stafford leads the claims function while contributing to the company’s operational development.
Grace Dolan
Grace Dolan is a business leader with nearly 20 years of experience across the consumer electronics, telecommunications, and consumer packaged goods sectors. She serves as President of Sharp US Consumer Electronics, where she oversees the U.S. consumer division and leads teams across marketing, sales, and product strategy.
Effective April 1, 2026, Dolan became President of Sharp Home Electronics Company of America, where she oversees the company’s appliance manufacturing facility in Memphis, Tennessee, and its services solutions group. She is the first woman to hold the role.
Prior to joining Sharp, Dolan held senior leadership positions at Samsung, Frontier Communications, GrandPad, and Johnson & Johnson Consumer. In these roles, she led initiatives focused on brand strategy, digital innovation, and business growth, while working across cross-functional teams.
At Sharp, Dolan has focused on aligning product strategy, marketing, and sales while supporting the development of the company’s consumer portfolio.
Ivy Hofstetter
Ivy Hofstetter has been making an impact with Nebraska Furniture Mart all the way back to her start in 2013. As she moved through roles such as Major Appliances Buyer and Luxury/Premium Appliance Buyer, Ivy developed a deep understanding of appliances not just as retail items, but as essential parts of a household’s rhythm. Each promotion built another layer of expertise, another chance to refine how she connected consumers with products that made their homes more efficient, more comfortable, and more personal.
Her ability to combine technical knowledge with a customer‑first mindset eventually led her to the role of Division Merchandising Manager, one of the most senior leadership roles at NFM. She now guides strategy for one of the largest retailers in the United States. Colleagues know her for her calm clarity, steady leadership, and instinct for identifying what people truly need. Qualities that have made her insights valuable even beyond the retail environment.
Ivy is looked to as a leader by both the vendor community and the other NATM Buying Group members. Her insights make the group and the relationships with the vendors stronger than ever. She is often called upon for industry interviews and product development guidance. She has great taste and a vision for what trends will define the appliance industry in the years to come. She has a strong focus on sustainability and has influenced the world’s biggest manufacturers to think likewise. Her influence has helped each of the NFM locations to achieve must-see shopping destination status, drawing customers from far and wide to shop in person.
One of Ivy Hofstetter’s defining strengths is her natural ability to connect with people, whether colleagues, vendors, or customers. She builds true win/win partnerships and is a rock star of the appliance industry.
Kelly Davis
Kelly Davis is Chief Financial Officer for Sony Electronics, with more than 30 years of experience in finance and marketing within the consumer electronics industry. She oversees North American finance and operations, including corporate planning, strategy, accounting, credit, sales operations, logistics, and customer service.
During her tenure, Davis has led transformation efforts across the organization and held leadership roles within Sony Electronics’ Digital Imaging and other divisions. Under her oversight, the Digital Imaging business unit became the company’s most profitable division.
In addition to her operational responsibilities, Davis supports initiatives related to employee engagement and inclusion. She serves as Executive Sponsor of Sony’s Equality ALLiance employee network and is a board member of the San Diego American Heart Association.
Laura Gaitan
Laura Gaitan is President of New Leaf Service Contracts, Inc., a company specializing in extended warranty and protection programs for retailers, manufacturers, and service partners. Based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, she leads the company’s strategic growth and operations across its service offerings.
In her role, Gaitan focuses on customer-oriented service programs that support product value and customer engagement within the consumer electronics and appliance markets. Under her leadership, the company has expanded partnerships and developed its protection program offerings.
Gaitan oversees both strategic initiatives and day-to-day operations, with responsibility for maintaining service delivery across partners and customers. She also leads internal team development and organizational processes.
Her work supports New Leaf’s role within the broader consumer electronics service ecosystem.
Marty Ellingson
Marty Ellingson is Senior Director and Head of Global Experience Design at Resideo, where she leads the team responsible for user experience and product design for Honeywell Home smart home solutions. She has more than 25 years of experience in product and experience design, including over a decade focused on thermostat innovation.
Ellingson’s work centers on combining visual design, user interfaces, and connected home technology to create products that integrate into daily use. She also leads design teams with a focus on collaboration and mentorship.
She recently led the design of the Honeywell Home X8S smart thermostat, focusing on user interaction and customization. The product features a touchscreen interface and a customizable display designed to present information such as weather, air quality, or time based on user preference.
Her approach incorporates user feedback and draws on the Honeywell Home product legacy while contributing to the development of connected home devices.
Sarah Fournier-Gonzalez
Sarah Fournier-Gonzalez is Vice President of Sales, North America, for OPIA, a sales promotion agency that develops and manages campaigns across industries, including consumer electronics and appliances.
In her role, she oversees sales strategy and works with manufacturers and retail partners on promotional programs designed to support product sell-through and brand positioning. Her work focuses on structured, performance-based promotions within a changing retail and economic environment.
Fournier-Gonzalez also manages relationships with global brands and retail partners, contributing to campaign development and execution. She leads team operations with an emphasis on accountability and performance.
She has been recognized internally at OPIA with awards, including the Global Superstar Award and Best Team Award, and has completed the Women’s Leadership Program at Yale University.
Stephanie Scola
Stephanie Scola is President of KEF America and has more than 20 years of experience in high-fidelity audio and digital strategy. Since joining the company in 2006, she has played a role in building its marketing function and expanding brand visibility.
Her work has focused on digital initiatives and marketing efforts that support KEF’s global positioning and product communication. She has been involved in developing strategies to present the company’s audio products to a broad audience.
Scola leads KEF America’s operations while continuing to oversee brand and marketing direction.
Valentina Videva Dufresne
Valentina Videva Dufresne is President of North America and a member of the Group Executive Committee at Zehnder Group AG, where she leads the company’s portfolio of indoor climate technologies, including balanced ventilation systems, radiant heating and cooling, air distribution solutions, and the Runtal radiator collection.
Under her leadership, Zehnder North America is executing a multi-year growth strategy focused on innovation, operational excellence, and market expansion. She has unified multiple product brands and manufacturing operations across the U.S. and Canada while advancing industry thought leadership in indoor air quality, building performance, and sustainable design.
Prior to Zehnder, Dufresne spent nearly two decades at Sensata Technologies in senior leadership roles, including Vice President and General Manager of a $700M global business. She holds an Executive MBA from MIT and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Norwich University.
2026 Women on the Rise Honorees
Kylie Brienza
Kylie Brienza is an account and product management leader with experience driving growth for consumer electronics and retail brands. She has led category strategies that improved assortment, pricing, and promotions for a major grocery cooperative and supported the launch of home appliance innovations at global manufacturers.
In her current role as an account lead, Brienza manages end-to-end client relationships, using data and insights to create programs that increase sales and strengthen brand loyalty.
She is recognized for her collaborative approach across sales, marketing, and operations teams and for taking on complex initiatives, demonstrating emerging leadership in the consumer electronics and retail sectors.
Madeline Dachs
Madeline Dachs is a communications and public relations leader at HARMAN International, supporting global brand initiatives across its portfolio, including JBL. She focuses on campaigns, media engagement, and large-scale events that enhance brand visibility and market presence.
Dachs has contributed to major initiatives such as JBL’s 80th anniversary and has taken on increasing strategic responsibility, helping shape brand direction and guide high-impact communications globally.
She is recognized as an emerging leader in the consumer technology industry for her strategic approach and executional precision.
Building a Lasting Community
This recognition is about more than just an annual list – it’s about shining a light on the growing community of incredible women who are making a difference in the industry. Through their stories, TWICE aims to inspire, connect, and champion the women whose leadership is building a more dynamic, inclusive, and resilient industry for everyone.
Congratulations to our 2026 Powerful Women in Consumer Electronics and Women on the Rise – and thank you for setting the standard for what’s possible!
