#21 Memo Kahan & Kate Alavez

PromoShop (asi/300446)

2024 Rank: #27

Memo Kahan – CEO

Industry Experience: 33 years

Previous Appearances on Counselor Power 50: 8

Kate Alavez – President

Industry Experience: 19 years

Previous Appearances on Counselor Power 50: 1

Memo Kahan and Kate Alavez rise six spots on this year’s list, thanks to an influence bump noted by their Counselor Power 50 peers. For PromoShop (asi/300446), the last couple of years have been full of change, says Alavez, who became president in late 2023, after nearly two decades with the company. She adds that 2025 has been the year the team has “truly found our stride.”

Among the biggest recent achievements for the leadership team was the late 2024 acquisition of Del Mar, CA-based JR Resources, which expanded the organization and injected fresh energy and talent into the team, Alavez says.

A focus on people – supported by cutting-edge technology – is of paramount importance for PromoShop’s success and continued growth, according to Kahan. “How we work with our people and grow together will always be a priority,” he adds.

That people-centric approach extends both to PromoShop’s clientele and its partnerships with suppliers, and Alavez notes that the Los Angeles-based distributorship has made it a point to deepen its supply chain relationships and take a more intentional approach to how it engages with the promo community.

“We’re committed to being better listeners and more collaborative problem-solvers, with a focus on creating meaningful impact,” Alavez says. “Our goal is to build circular partnerships – ones that reflect our values, showcase our team’s strengths and uplift the communities we’re part of.”

And though economic uncertainties brought on by the shifting tariff landscape have made forecasting a challenge for the PromoShop leaders, they point out that their strong relationships with both suppliers and customers have allowed for honest conversations to help explain and mitigate those trials.