Competitive Edge (CE), a nationally recognized branded merchandise agency and one of the promotional products industry's Top 100 distributors, is pleased to announce two executive leadership promotions that reinforce the company's commitment to continued growth, exceptional client experiences, and organizational excellence.
Effective immediately, Dawn Janis has been promoted to Chief Sales Officer (CSO) and Jill Wygonik has been promoted to Chief Experience Officer (CXO).
These promotions reflect Competitive Edge's strategic investment in leadership as the company continues to expand its global footprint, while remaining focused on delivering exceptional experiences for clients, employees, supplier partners, and the communities it serves.
Dawn Janis Promoted to Chief Sales Officer
Since joining Competitive Edge in 2022, Dawn has been instrumental in strengthening the company's sales organization and driving continued business growth. Her strategic leadership, industry expertise, and unwavering commitment to client success have helped position
Competitive Edge for continued expansion.
As Chief Sales Officer, Dawn will lead the company's national sales strategy, oversee business development initiatives, mentor and develop the sales organization, and collaborate with the executive leadership team to drive long-term, sustainable growth.
With more than 25 years of experience in the promotional products industry, Dawn is recognized as one of the industry's respected leaders. She holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing from Illinois State University and has earned the prestigious Master Advertising Specialist (MAS)
certification. She previously served as President of PPAChicago and has been an active volunteer with MiPPA, OPPA and PPAI. Her many contributions to the industry have earned her numerous accolades, including the Gold Pyramid Award.
Jill Wygonik Promoted to Chief Experience Officer
Jill's promotion to Chief Experience Officer recognizes her leadership in shaping the Competitive Edge experience for employees, clients, supplier partners, and the broader community.
Jill’s experience crosses key verticals including promotional products, automotive marketing, luxury home and commercial space design and project management. Her unique cross-functional background serves as a foundation from which she excels in strategic planning,
marketing, luxury design, and large-scale project management. Jill leads with a philosophy rooted in creative strategy and a deep understanding of the human experience. Jill's degree in Psychology from Michigan State University laid the foundation for the strategic thinking and
problem-solving skills she brings to every aspect of her work and life.
As Chief Experience Officer, Jill will lead the continued evolution of the Competitive Edge experience, aligning strategy, culture, and brand to position the company for its next phase of growth, while preserving the people-first philosophy that has long defined Competitive Edge.
Leadership for the Future
"These promotions represent far more than new titles," said Mary Jo Tomasini, Founder and CEO of Competitive Edge. "They represent the future of Competitive Edge and our commitment to building an organization that continues to grow without ever losing sight of what matters most: our people, our clients, and the relationships that have been the foundation of our success for more than 33 years.
Dawn has elevated our sales organization through her vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to client success. Jill has transformed the way we think about the employee and client experience while strengthening the culture that makes Competitive Edge unique. Together, they complement one another exceptionally well, and I am incredibly excited to have them helping lead our company into its next chapter." Paula Wygonik, President and Co-Owner of Competitive Edge, added. "Strong organizations are built by strong leaders who care deeply about people. Dawn and Jill each bring unique strengths, perspectives, and passion to their roles, and both have earned the respect of our team, our clients, and our supplier partners.These promotions reflect not only what they have accomplished but also the confidence we have in the future they will help create."
Dawn shared, "I am honored to serve as Competitive Edge's Chief Sales Officer. I have the privilege of working alongside an exceptional team that is passionate about helping our clients succeed. I look forward to continuing to invest in our people, strengthen customer relationships,
and build on the momentum we've created together."
Jill added: "I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity and honored to step into this role alongside such a remarkable team. Competitive Edge is at a pivotal point in our growth, and I'm excited to help build on that momentum and continue to change the way organizations think about
branded merchandise. Merch should be an experience, and our team is elevating the role it plays in modern brand strategy.”
These executive appointments reflect Competitive Edge's ongoing investment in leadership development and its long-term vision for sustainable growth, innovation, and exceptional service.
