March 14, 2023
Left to right: Stefani Donabedian, Brittany Sherwood, Julie Creedon-Linton, CERP and Sarah Wilper, CERP, at The ARA Show 2023
To celebrate Women’s History Month in March, In Your Region shines a spotlight on the prominent leadership roles women in rental are playing across the American Rental Association’s (ARA) Region One.
“Region One is led by an amazing group of people. We are fortunate to have such a strong and dedicated group of women who embody the forward direction of women in our industry. Each of these leaders brings passion, creativity and commitment to their states and our region, and I could not be more proud of them. They set an example for other women in the industry and for other regions. It is critical for women to serve as leaders in rental, but also to serve as an illustration of how we all work together, regardless of gender,” says Sarah Wilper, CERP, executive vice president, Taylor Rental Center, Manchester, Conn., and ARA Region One director, who began her three-year term in the role at the conclusion of The ARA Show™ in Orlando in February. Wilper — who was introduced to ARA members during the association’s 2022 national board candidate approval process — succeeded Julie Creedon-Linton, CERP, of Creedon & Co., Worcester, Mass.
In addition to Wilper, the following women owners and operators are making a significant mark in the industry in ARA’s Region One by serving in the presidential roles of their respective state chapters:
Brittany Sherwood, owner/lead event coordinator, Tents Unlimited, Torrington, Conn. serves as president of the ARA of Connecticut board of directors. A member of her state chapter board since 2017, Sherwood also has represented Connecticut rental operators in Washington, D.C., as part of ARA’s National Legislative Caucus and is a member of ARA’s Young Professional Network (YPN). “My goal is to engage more members in the state in our activities, make sure they are aware of all ARA has to offer and really help them get the most out of their membership,” Sherwood said when she began her term as state chapter president in 2022.
Stefani Donabedian, marketing director, Mobile Air & Power Rentals, Worcester, Mass., serves as president of the ARA of Massachusetts. Donabedian joined her state chapter board of directors in January 2020 and became president one year later. She is part of ARA’s YPN and also serves on the Young Professionals Committee. In 2022, Donabedian was named one of Rental Management’s “12 to watch under 40.” As ARA of Massachusetts’ president, she says her goal has been to “listen to what the board finds important and find new ways to bring those ideas to fruition. This will provide our members with answers and resources to help them not just stay on their feet and recover but also to grow their businesses.”
Allison McIntosh
Allison McIntosh, operations manager, Taylor True Value Rental, Concord, N.H., serves as president of the ARA of New Hampshire. In addition to serving on her state chapter board since 2021, the YPN member recently took over co-ownership of her company from the family that established the business more than 50 years ago. Read about McIntosh and her partner’s acquisition of the company here.
The following equipment and event rental professionals in Region One also are exemplifying the spirit of ARA’s Women in Rental initiative through their volunteer service on the board of directors of their state chapter:
Laura Albert, Interstate Rental Service, Boston — ARA of Massachusetts board of directors
Lisa Allen, Party Time Rental, Gorham, Maine — ARA of Maine board of directors
Bridget Baresel, B & S Sales, Hanson, Mass. — ARA of Maine board of directors
Judy Fishgold, Altra Rental & Supply, Ontario, N.Y. — ARA of New York board of directors
Heather Frank, Fred’s Tents and Canopies, Waterford, N.Y. — ARA of Connecticut board of directors
Lauren Phillips, Point of Rental Software, Fort Worth, Texas — ARA of New York board of directors
Toneisha Ramcharran, Ramar Event Productions, Lakeville, Conn. — ARA of Connecticut board of directors
