Meet the Women in Consumer Technology 2024 Legacy Awards Honorees
Stephanie Keough, Chief Merchant, World Wide Stereo
Stephanie Keough is the Chief Merchant at World Wide Stereo, an award-winning residential technology integration firm with premium retail showrooms in the Philadelphia area and national ecommerce experience. Stephanie joined the World Wide Stereo team in 2013 after a successful 20 year career in design and merchandising in the fashion industry. Brought in to initially focus on new acquisitions, she quickly expanded her role in the organization becoming a Senior Buyer in 2015 and is now the company’s Chief Merchant. As a key member of the executive team, her role includes the strategic vison and management of all brands, categories and market footprint within World Wide Stereo’s successful multi-channel business model inclusive of brick and mortar, custom integration, and ecommerce. Stephanie’s positive and passionate energy for the industry has brought important recognition as one of Dealerscope’s Most Influential Buyers and Most Powerful Women in Consumer Electronics. Stephanie joined the Prosource Audio Committee in 2015 and is currently the Chairperson. She shares the company’s motto of “Doing Well By Doing Good” which has contributed to World Wide Stereo’s multi-channel success.
Roseanne Lang, Executive Director, Tradeshows & Events, Crestron
Rosanne Lang began her career at Crestron over 30 years ago. In those three decades she grew from the sole member of the newly created marketing department to Executive Director of Tradeshow and Events. As Crestron grew so did Rosanne’s skillset. From writing the first CresNet II symbols manual with founder George Feldstein to fostering relationships with a global network of sales representatives. Rosanne oversawthe expansion of Crestron’s Customer Experience Centers, increased Crestron’s exhibit presence from 400 sq ft to over 12,000 sq ft. She spearheaded Crestron Velocity, Crestron’s first all sales meeting for 3 days of education, collaboration & team building as well as Crestron Next, Crestron’s pivot to it first fully virtual event, managing almost14,000 registrants with over 10,000 participants with 108 countries represented; then took Crestron Next on the road for 8 months to a dozen cities.
Every year, Rosanne leads her team in managing over 100 tradeshows and events annually in all markets across the nation. She is a force in creating better experiences for the attendee and more value to exhibitors who participate at these industry events. Rosanne has served on CEDIA EXPO, InfoComm and ISE Steering Committees and Exhibitor Advisory Boards. She’s an advocate, not just for Crestron but all exhibitors.
Melissa Matalon – Vice President, Membership, CTA
Melissa Matalon is the Vice President of Membership at the Consumer Technology Association™ (CTA), the U.S. Trade association representing more than 1300 consumer technology companies, and which owns and produces CES® – The Global Stage for Innovation. Melissa oversees all functions of membership including member engagement, retention, and growth. Her responsibilities include revenue generation and leading a team who manage member programs and development. Prior to her 13-year tenure at CTA, Melissa worked for the non-profit organization Girls, Inc. and in health care consulting.
Maryellen Oswald — Partnerships Business Development Manager, Somfy
With over 25 years of dedicated involvement in the consumer technology industry, she has navigated diverse roles and experiences that have enriched her career. Beginning as a project manager in publishing, she swiftly transitioned through various facets of marketing and events, eventually culminating in the role of Founder & Publisher of Connected Design Magazine—an endeavor that remains a significant milestone.
Presently, she contributes her expertise to Somfy Systems as the Partnerships Business Development Manager, steering the Custom Install channel. In this capacity, she merges her passion for technology with an acute understanding of design principles, a passion that led her back to school in 2021 to delve into interior design. This journey helped her understand the intricacies of the interior design realm, envisioning ways to seamlessly integrate technology into the products they offer.
Beyond the professional sphere, she is an avid sports enthusiast, finding joy in playing golf and relishing visits to local wineries. Her dedication to family and the pursuit of excellence both professionally and personally has allowed her to mentor other women in their industry. In 2020, she was recognized and awarded one of Dealerscope’s Most Powerful Women in Consumer Technology.
Her journey has been fueled by an unyielding enthusiasm for smart home technology, a fascination with design, and an amazing group of women who help lead the way.
Woman to Watch
Erin Thomas, General Manager, SaaviHome
You’ll rarely catch Erin Thomas, General Manager of SaaviHome, without a smile on her face. With over a decade of small business development experience, Erin joined the SaaviHome team- and CE industry- in 2020, bringing positive energy and a fresh set of eyes to a successful and growing integration company. She has since risen to General Manager, leading the day-to-day operations and serving as the in-house window treatment expert of the Denver based firm. Additionally, Erin has been instrumental in the recent launch of the SaaviHome Franchise Company.
The Carol Campbell Inspiration Award
Jamie Briesemeister, Co-founder and CEO, Integration Controls
Jamie Briesemeister is the co-founder and CEO of Integration Controls, a company that simplifies and enriches the life of homeowners through curated technologies, connected by design. As the leader of this home automation company, Jamie also engages the design/build community to provide education and design assistance, focused on home technology. She is currently the Vice-Chairperson on the board for the Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association (CEDIA). Jamie is a member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, the American Society of Interior Designers, and the local Home Builder’s Association Chapter. In these groups, she promotes collaboration, camaraderie, and inclusion of technology in the designed environment. As a CEDIA Outreach Instructor (COI), she also offers CEUs and educational sessions for architects, interior designers, and others in the design/build profession. She is a thought leader on industry panels, a keynote speaker, and has won multiple awards including being named a “Young Turk”, a 2019 Powerful Woman in Consumer Technology, Volunteer of the Year for CEDIA, and TITAN 100. Outside of the office, Jamie enjoys time without technology: hiking, gardening, doing yoga and traveling with – or without her family.