Gift for Life, the gift and home industries’ longest-running, volunteer-led, national charitable organization, today announced that Doug Cofiell, CEO of Ivystone, will be honored with its 2025 Industry Achievement Award on June 18, 2025, in Dallas, TX. Gift for Life’s Industry Achievement Award, which has been presented at Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ Retailer Excellence Awards (REA) since 2009, recognizes overall excellence and contribution to the gift and home industry – whether as a thought leader, standard-bearer or overall industry influencer.
“The Gift for Life Board of Directors unanimously chose Doug as this year’s Industry Achievement Award honoree,” said Sarah Mount, chair of the Gift for Life board. “We are thrilled to recognize Doug for his remarkable leadership, his dedication to Ivystone’s growth and the lasting impact he has had on the industry.”
Cofiell joined Ivystone, a sales agency providing wholesale gift, home and fashion accessories to retailers, in 1989 as a sales representative, acquired the business from his father in 1997 and has served as CEO since 2010.
Under his leadership, Ivystone has grown through a series of 17 mergers/acquisitions starting in 2001 with drummers, inc. and including agencies such as Sales Partners, Blue Birch, and HomeStyle. Today, Ivystone provides both regional and national representation, with showrooms in Atlanta, Dallas and Las Vegas.
This continued growth has strengthened Ivystone’s industry presence, fostering collaboration and innovation across its expanding portfolio. Simblist, CMA, and, most recently, OneCoast are also part of the Ivystone family. Cofiell’s vision and innovative strategies have driven Ivystone’s success while preserving its people-focused culture.
Cofiell is also a partner in Schauben & Co. and Aesthetic Movement.
"I am truly honored to be nominated by the Gift for Life board for this prestigious industry award. I humbly accept this recognition and celebrate it with our team members, business partners, customers and industry friends who continue to support us,” said Cofiell. “At Ivystone, we believe that empowering our people to lead, grow and innovate is what builds a truly great company, and I am grateful to be part of such an inspiring team."
In addition to his role at Ivystone, Cofiell is a longstanding member of Vistage International, a prominent business organization for CEOs. He has also served as President & Chairman of the Board for the Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA).
The 2025 Gift for Life Industry Achievement Award will be presented to Doug Cofiell at the 74th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards (REAs) on June 18, 2025, at the Dallas Union Station Grand Hall. Donations in celebration of Cofiell’s honor will benefit World Central Kitchen’s worldwide crisis-related hunger relief efforts. Donate at www.giftforlife.org/donate.
Past recipients of Gift for Life’s Industry Achievement Award include: Dorothy Belshaw of ANDMORE (2024); Todd and Jannetta Litzman of MarketTime (2023); Warren Shoulberg (2022); Patti Carpenter (2021); Adam Glassman of O, The Oprah Magazine (2020); Anna and Nathan Bond of Rifle Paper (2019); Mitch and Seth Nash of Blue Q (2018); The Beekman Boys (2017); Julie Chavez and Joe Cerbo of Chavez for Charity (2016); Tom Mirabile of Lifetime Brands (2015); Dave Thomas and Kevin Mundt of HomArt (2014); Gregg Corzine and David Klass of Archipelago (2013); Les Mandelbaum and Paul Rowan of UMBRA (2012); Michael Aram of Michael Aram (2011); Randy Eller of Eller Enterprises (2010); and Bobbie Gottlieb of Two's Company (2009).
Since 1951, Gifts & Decorative Accessories has been hosting the Retailer Excellence Awards, celebrating the best of the best in seven niche categories: Specialty Store, Multiple Locations, Visual Merchandising, Store Events, Store Design/Redesign, Social Media Outreach, Online Initiatives, and Socially Responsible. Awards are also presented to Manufacturer of the Year and Regional Sales Representative of the Year. Information, nomination and entry forms, and registration details for the 74th Retailer Excellence Awards are available at www.retailerexcellenceawards.com.
Gift for Life was founded by Peter Schauben in 1992 in response to the tragic loss of industry lives to AIDS. The organization’s first meeting at the National Stationery Show brought together a cross-section of the industry’s leading publishers, market centers, sales reps, manufacturers, and retailers – all willing to convene and work together towards a common goal. Since that time, Gift for Life has raised nearly $6 million for AIDS research, education, treatment and care through nationwide at-market events, cause marketing programs and direct donations. In 2021, Gift for Life pivoted towards online digital events with a specific emphasis on supporting World Central Kitchen’s COVID-related hunger relief. Since that time, Gift for Life has led gift and home industry efforts to fund provision of nearly 100,000 hot, nutritious meals to communities impacted by crisis and conflict worldwide. Gift for Life, the gift and home industries’ longest-running, volunteer-led, national charitable organization, continues to support year-round programs that address hunger relief, as well as annual support for AIDS Walk NY which benefits GMHC’s HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and advocacy programs. More information is available at www.giftforlife.org.
Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises, while working to build resilient food systems with locally led solutions. Applying a model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 300 million nourishing meals around the world. When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need. By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of local restaurants, food trucks, or emergency kitchens, WCK serves comforting meals to survivors of disasters quickly and effectively. To support regional economies, WCK prioritizes purchasing local ingredients to cook with or distribute directly to families in need. WCK knows that good food provides not only nourishment, but also comfort and hope, especially in times of crisis. Learn more at www.wck.org.
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