Danean Allan is a dedicated member of the sales team at Armellini Logistics, where she brings 13 years of specialized experience and exposure to the unique logistical challenges within the floral industry. She holds a degree in International Business Management with a concentration in Spanish from Marietta College. Her degree provides a valuable foundation for navigating the global aspects of logistics and client relations. Her role goes beyond traditional sales; Danean acts as a strategic logistics partner, leveraging her deep industry knowledge to forge the kind of strong, lasting client relationships built on mutual trust and understanding. With a genuine passion for the intricate world of the flower industry, Danean is committed to driving operational success and ensuring the consistent, timely delivery of sensitive floral cargo in a dynamic market. She understands the critical role that efficient logistics plays in the supply chain and is dedicated to fostering strong relationships across the industry. A proud native of Pittsburgh, Danean embodies the “City of Champions” spirit, carrying her city’s grit, dedication, and loyalty into her professional life. When she’s not optimizing transportation, you can find her cheering on the Steelers.

Jackie Bruce is a Professor of Leadership at NC State. She’s worked with small organizations, large companies and multinational corporations throughout her career and is often sought out for leadership training and development and conflict management issues.  She has authored 61 peer reviewed articles and presented her work all around the world more than 100 times. She enjoys collaborating with colleagues both in the US and abroad on projects that center training the next generation of leaders who can critically engage across disciplines, with pragmatism, and compassion.

Liana Cedano is a senior executive assistant with experience spanning wholesale, retail, and corporate headquarters operations within the floral industry. Her career has given her a comprehensive understanding of how floral businesses function, from the day-to-day work on the shop floor to the coordination required at an executive level.

Earlier in her career, Liana held hands-on roles in both wholesale and retail settings, working as a processor, delivery driver, and sales support team member. These experiences shaped her practical, people-centered approach and gave her a strong appreciation for the operational realities that keep floral businesses running smoothly.

Today, Liana supports executive leadership at a headquarters office overseeing multiple retail locations, where she focuses on organization, communication, and operational support. As a speaker, she brings a grounded perspective rooted in real-world experience and a genuine passion for the floral industry, emphasizing the importance of understanding every role that contributes to long-term success.” 

Christine Guenther is the owner and General Manager of WildFlower | stem + sundry, a progressive retail floral operation with 28 employees and two boutique gift shops located in Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland. 

 In 2016, she entered the industry with the purchase of a local florist and leveraged her 13 years of restaurant management experience to grow and cultivate what is now the WildFlower brand.  

 Christine lives in Annapolis, MD along with husband & fellow “Local Flower Dealer” Joey and their two children.  

Corrine Heck is the founder and CEO of Details Flowers Software, a program she created to help florists and event planners.  She has worked in nearly every aspect of the floral and event industry for over 20+ years and spends her days working to create new innovations to help budding florists and seasoned veterans.  

Details Flowers Software’s mission is to cultivate happy and loyal customers by building software with florists in mind. Details’ improves profitability, productivity, and organization for all shapes and sizes of floral businesses. The company has grown to include a tight-knit team of employees supporting hundreds of floral designers from around the world. Details Flowers Software is a proudly female-owned, operated, and developed business that does it all in-house. 

In 2016, Corrine presented Details Flowers Software at the Rollins College Venture Pitch and won the presentation and Grand Prize. Most recently, Corrine was honored at the Society of American Florists National Convention when she was inducted into the Professional Floral Communicators – International.  Her dedication to the floral industry and continued advocacy for floral education shines through her various public speaking engagements. Details Flowers Software is also recognized as the official software for the American Institute of Floral Designers National Symposium and the key procurement software tool.  

Details Flowers Software is headquartered in Ormond Beach, Florida, where Corrine lives with her husband of 22 years, Gregory, and their three children.

Paige Kennicott is the current sales manager at Kennicott Kuts, a family-owned farm specializing in all field grown products. Kennicott grew up in the flower industry and is an eighth-generation grower. Growing up, she spent a lot of time on the farms playing and planting while her dad was working the fields and harvesting. Kennicott attended Michigan State University where she graduated with a degree in business management. After graduating, she worked and managed the Kennicott family farm in Wisconsin where she was in charge of harvesting, field work, processing, and packaging. In 2018, she became the sales manager for all of the farm locations and continued to help out during peak harvest seasons. She has enjoyed getting more involved in the floral industry and associations in the past year, and loves creating new relationships with great friends and members of the floral community.

Dr. Knuth’s research area focuses on consumer and market research experience by focusing on the interface between people and plants, helping the horticulture industry understand consumer preferences, perceptions, and motivations. Historically, Dr. Knuth has evaluated trade flows of horticulture products in the United States, assessed the supply chain in the cut flower industry, investigated profit margins in substituting species in floral arrangements, and estimated consumer acceptance of retail messaging.

She currently is an Assistant Professor in Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University. Dr. Knuth teaches Greenhouse Management, Floriculture Production, Floral Design, and Horticulture Marketing. Dr. Knuth received her PhD from Texas A&M University in Horticultural Science with a certificate in Applied Statistics. From there, she was a postdoctoral research associate at University of Florida in the Food & Resource Economics Department. Dr. Knuth received GPN Magazine’s 40 under 40 award in 2021, is a member of AFE’s Young Professionals Council, and a 2017 AmericanHort Scholar.

Emily Lackovic is a Visual Design Specialist at Smithers-Oasis North America, creating visual work across tradeshows, publications, packaging, and digital platforms.  She joined the company three years ago and brings a thoughtful, creative approach to every project she works on.

Before entering the floral industry, Emily spent several years as a freelance designer, helping local businesses develop clear, authentic brand identities. Those early experiences shaped her flexible design style and gave her a strong appreciation for how good visual communication supports real people and real needs. 

In her current role, she enjoys blending creativity with problemsolving, turning ideas into designs that feel inviting, purposeful, and fun. 

Emily lives in Akron, Ohio with her husband, Goran, and their three cats Pea B, Jay, and Sammie. Outside of work, she loves gardening and experimenting with new art mediums, always exploring something colorful and new. 

Denise LaFrenier, SPHR, is the Senior Human Resources Manager for Family Flowers, bringing more than 15 years of human resources experience to the organization. She has spent the last several years immersed in the floral industry, supporting teams in a fast-paced, seasonal environment where people, creativity, and customer experience are at the heart of the business. She is deeply committed to contributing to the continued growth and professionalism of the floral industry and specializes in helping organizations take the next step in their growth by building scalable people practices, strengthening leadership, and supporting teams through change. Denise is passionate about building strong cultures, supporting frontline employees, and helping teams thrive, especially during the industry’s busiest and most exciting moments.   

Talmage McLaurin began his floral career in a family-owned flower business. In 1990, he launched a 23-year career in floral publishing, during which he contributed to more than 400 issues of Florists’ Review and Super Floral magazines and was featured in more than 20 books for florists as the creative director and publisher for Florists’ Review Enterprises.

He was inducted into American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) in 1988 and has made eight presentations at their National Symposiums. In 2008, Talmage received the AIFD award of Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry.

Talmage resides in Ft. Lauderdale and is part of the creative team at Sunshine Bouquet in Miami.

Ryan Marrero is the Assistant Sales Manager at Equiflor/Rio Roses. In this role, he is responsible for working with the sales department to ensure customer satisfaction.  With a genuine passion for the flower business for the past 20 years, Ryan is committed to driving growth and ensuring its continued success in a dynamic market. He believes in the power of flowers and is dedicated to fostering strong relationships within the industry. 

With a foundation in grassroots marketing and high-end fashion, Sahid Nahim brings a unique blend of creativity, strategy, and people-centered experience to the floral industry. His early work in luxury branding and customer experience taught him the value of purpose, connection, and community—principles that continue to guide his work today. Over two decades ago, he entered the floral industry, working alongside industry pioneers such as Esmeralda Farms and Royal Flowers. That journey sparked a mission to support floral businesses through strategic growth, meaningful visibility, and authentic relationships. 

As the founder of New Bloom Solutions and New Bloom Media, he leads a media and matchmaking company that helps floral businesses across the Americas grow with purpose. He specializes in strategic consulting, cross-border market expansion, and relationship-driven marketing, working with companies from Latin America, the U.S., and beyond. He also hosts The Bloom Show, a media platform amplifying voices across the industry through interviews, panels, and community-driven conversations. A speaker, panel host, and committee member for That Flower Feeling and Seed Your Future, he is deeply invested in building sustainable, people-first communities that strengthen the floral industry from the inside out. 

Eileen Weber, a second-generation florist and Co-Owner of Lake Forest Flowers, brings passion, creativity, and dedication to every arrangement and event. Raised in the floral industry, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Horticultural Production and Marketing from Purdue University before joining her family’s business. She later completed her MBA at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management to enhance her leadership and business expertise.  

Deeply committed to her community and profession, Eileen was inducted into the American Academy of Floriculture in 2014. She is an active member of the Junior Garden Club of Lake Forest and the Garden Clubs of America, as well as a Director at Large. Additionally, she serves as 4th Ward Alderman including Chair of the Finance & Civic Beautification Committees for the City of Lake Forest, IL and chairs the School Advisory Council at the School of St. Mary, where her two sons are students. 

Eileen finds joy in building personal connections and spreading happiness through flowers. Her passion for exceeding expectations and her unique, unforgettable floral designs ensure every event is as beautiful as it is memorab 

Lori is the Chief Financial Officer for a family-owned business, Lafayette Florist in Lafayette, Colorado.  The 74-year-old establishment is in its 3rd generation and grooming the 4th for the future.  Lori has served on SAF’s Board of Directors, Retail Council, and numerous SAF committees.  She currently sits on the Board of Directors for Denver Wholesale Florists Company (DWF) and is the President of SAF.