Anaheim, CA – June 15, 2026 – As Women in AV/IT (WAVIT) continues to expand its impact across the audiovisual and technology industries, the organization has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors and the nomination of a new Vice President. Joining the board are Vanessa Tolisano, Gisela Ramirez, Kristy Demsay, Kim Lonas, and Susan Milwit, while Cheryl Walton has been nominated to serve as Vice President.
As WAVIT enters its fourth year, the organization continues to broaden its leadership with representation across sales, operations, HR, channel partnerships, mentorship, diversity initiatives, and emerging technologies.
“These women each bring unique experiences, perspectives, and leadership strengths that will help WAVIT continue expanding its impact across the AV/IT community,” said Althea Ricketts, WAVIT President and VP of Corporate Initiatives at Shure. “From mentorship and DEIB leadership to channel strategy, enterprise operations, and AI-driven innovation, their expertise will help strengthen WAVIT as we continue creating opportunities and visibility for women throughout the industry.”
Meet the New WAVIT Board Members
Vanessa Tolisano
Vanessa Tolisano is a program and operations leader with more than a decade of experience supporting organizations through growth, governance, communication, and operational alignment. She is passionate about mentorship and creating more accessible pathways for women entering AV/IT, particularly those navigating nontraditional career paths. Her involvement in mentorship initiatives, including Rise AV’s inaugural mentor-mentee cohort in the UK, reflects her commitment to helping women grow with confidence and visibility.
Gisela Ramirez
Gisela Ramirez is a recognized Pro AV industry leader with more than 20 years of sales experience and over a decade driving multimillion-dollar growth initiatives across the AV industry. Currently serving as Southeast Territory Manager at Almo Pro AV, Ramirez is known for building scalable partnerships, transforming markets, and mentoring emerging professionals throughout the industry.
Kristy Demsay
Kristy Demsay is a channel and distribution business leader with more than 20 years of experience driving partner engagement, forecasting strategy, and go-to-market execution across complex technology ecosystems. Her background spans manufacturer, distributor, representative, and founder roles, bringing a comprehensive perspective on partnership development, governance, and sustainable growth.
Kim Lonas
Kim Lonas is a strategic human resources and talent acquisition leader with expertise in talent strategy, workforce planning, and organizational culture. She has led people initiatives across global business environments, helping organizations attract and develop talent while fostering cultures of collaboration, belonging, and engagement. Kim is a passionate advocate for mentorship and mental health awareness.
Susan Milwit
Susan Milwit is VP of System Integration at CTI with more than 20 years of experience driving enterprise technology transformation initiatives focused on agentic AI, unified communications, cloud services, and digital transformation. Known for building trusted executive relationships and accelerating business growth, Milwit brings extensive expertise in intelligent automation, enterprise sales strategy, and operational innovation.
The addition of these five leaders marks a significant milestone for WAVIT as the organization continues to expand its programs, mentorship opportunities, scholarships, and community initiatives designed to support women throughout every stage of their AV/IT careers.
To learn more about WAVIT or get involved, visit womeninavit.org.
About WAVIT, Inc.
WAVIT is a 501(c)(3) organization created by and for women in the AV/IT industries. Its mission is to provide a network that supports and empowers women through education, representation, mentorship, and inclusion. WAVIT believes that small ripples create lasting waves and is committed to helping women feel more confident, connected, and supported throughout their careers in AV and technology.
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