#27 Memo Kahan & Kate Alavez

PromoShop (asi/300446)

2023 Rank: #33

Memo Kahan – CEO

Industry Experience: 32 Years

Previous Appearances on Power 50: 7

Kate Alavez – President

Industry Experience: 18 Years

Previous Appearances on Power 50: 0

A native of Mexico City who emigrated to the United States in his teens, Memo Kahan is one of the few people presiding over a minority-owned business on the Counselor Top 40, and the distributor’s laser focus on creative merch campaigns and sustainable sourcing have helped keep the PromoShop CEO’s influence strong in the industry.

Joining Kahan on the Counselor Power 50 list for the first time this year is Kate Alavez, who late in 2023 was named president of the 26-year-old firm. Alavez has been with PromoShop for 18 years, starting as a sales administrator, before rising through the ranks, with stops as human resources administrator, human resources manager, director of human resources and chief operating officer. When she was promoted to president, Kahan said Alavez “has transformed the way we support our staff and run our business,” and noted that she “represents us to the highest standards.”

Kahan and Alavez point to PromoShop’s technological evolution as the main highlight of 2024, noting the distributor’s redesigned e-commerce solution, enhanced online store platform and brand development. “Key hires, strategic market moves and improved technology have revitalized our organization, allowing our team to excel,” they say. “It’s a win-win for us and our clients.”