37. Carleen Gray

GroupeSTAHL North America

2020 Rank: 43

Title: CEO

Industry Experience: 23 years

During the pandemic, a flock of new “homepreneurs” entered the decoration industry, and the heat-printing leaders at GroupeSTAHL have been well-positioned to benefit from the trend, thanks to the technique’s low barrier to entry and versatility. Transfer Express (asi/91804), one of the companies under its umbrella, found success targeting Gen Z influencers on TikTok, for example. That renewed relevance and an unparalleled commitment to industry education helped boost Gray six spots on this year’s list. Gray’s background in marketing has been instrumental in raising the profile of heat printing in the decorating world and beyond, helping the company identify new target markets and boost its online sales.