HIGH POINT, N.C., Sept. 22, 2026 — WithIt, the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industries, has appointed Cheryl Dobbins Hege director of advancement and marketing. In the role, she will help strengthen industry partnerships and sponsorships, grow membership and engagement, and expand WithIt’s visibility and reach.
Dobbins Hege brings more than 15 years of home furnishings industry experience spanning partnership development, sponsorships, marketing, public relations and communications. She spent six years with ANDMORE as senior marketing manager, leading marketing and engagement initiatives for High Point and Las Vegas markets and working closely with designers, showrooms, retailers and industry partners. Earlier in her career, she worked with McNeill Communications, a public relations and marketing agency representing home furnishings companies, where she supported clients at High Point Market.
Dobbins Hege also spent six years as a WithIt corporate member through ANDMORE. During that time, she attended the organization’s WOW Awards, Education Breakfast, networking events and annual Professional Conference, giving her firsthand knowledge of its programs and membership community.
“Cheryl brings industry knowledge, strong relationships and a breadth of marketing experience that will be valuable as we continue to grow WithIt’s reach and impact,” said Amy Van Dorp, executive director of WithIt. “Her experience building partnerships and connecting organizations with their audiences will serve WithIt well. As we look toward our 30th anniversary next year, we’re excited to have Cheryl on the team helping us build on that momentum.”
WithIt provides leadership development, education, mentoring and networking opportunities for women across the home and furnishings industries. Its mentoring programs connect women at different stages of their careers, while its academic scholarships and student initiatives help introduce and connect the next generation of women to the industry.
“I’ve seen the value of WithIt and its mission firsthand, so the opportunity to bring my experience to an organization I already knew well felt like a natural fit,” Dobbins Hege said. “I’m excited to help more people understand what WithIt brings to our industry and strengthen our connections with members, sponsors and industry partners. I’m especially passionate about supporting the next generation of women entering our industry while continuing to provide opportunities for women at every stage of their careers.”
Dobbins Hege joined WithIt in August and is initially focused on strengthening the organization’s brand, messaging, public relations and industry visibility while working alongside longtime Development Director Cathy Smith. Over the coming months, development responsibilities will transition to Dobbins Hege ahead of Smith’s planned retirement in 2027, providing continuity for WithIt’s sponsorships, partnerships and broader advancement efforts.
About WithIt
WithIt (Women In The Home Furnishings Industry Today) is the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industry. Founded in 1997 on the core belief that women should play a major role in the growth and development of the home and furnishings industries, WithIt has grown to include an international membership of innovators, influencers, thought leaders and senior executives from leading home furnishings brands and retailers. The nonprofit organization works to uplift women through relationship building, networking, education, mentoring and leadership opportunities. The WithIt Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3), provides scholarships to students pursuing majors related to the home and furnishings industry, as well as to professional women in the industry pursuing continuing education. WithIt’s work to create opportunities for women leaders and support women throughout their careers is made possible in part by national sponsors that are active partners in the organization’s growth, including ANDMORE, Tempur Sealy, Myriad Software, FurnitureDealer.net, J.B. Hunt Final Mile, Serta Simmons, Synchrony and more.