New York, NY, February 22, 2024 – ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today announced the distinguished honorees for the upcoming ADL National Home Furnishings Industry Awards Tribute Dinner, scheduled to take place at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City on June 20, 2024. This annual event pays tribute to individuals whose outstanding leadership, unwavering dedication and profound commitment to their respective industries and communities exemplify the essence of the ADL and the core principles of our nation.
“At a time when antisemitism has risen to historic levels across the U.S. and globally, we are so pleased to honor these three furniture industry executives who are leaders in their own right and who have been incredible supporters of our mission to fight hate and extremism,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “Time and again these executives have modeled responsible leadership, and we are so pleased to be able to commend them publicly and celebrate their achievements.”
This year’s honorees are David Kaplan, SVP General Merchandise Manager, HomeGoods; Caroline Hipple, CEO of HB2 Resources, and Curtis Howse, CEO of Home and Auto at Synchrony. Through their exemplary leadership, steadfast dedication, and humanitarian endeavors, these three industry executives have significantly advanced the ADL's mission and fostered a more equitable and just society for all.
The 2024 honorees are:
David Kaplan, Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager, HomeGoods | HomeSense (a division of The TJX Companies, Inc.). With nearly four decades of experience in wholesale and retail enterprises, predominantly in the home furnishings sector, David Kaplan has been instrumental in the exponential growth of HomeGoods since joining the company in 2005. Under his stewardship, HomeGoods and HomeSense have burgeoned to nearly 1,000 stores, establishing themselves as premier off-price home fashion retailers in the United States.
Caroline Hipple, CEO of HB2 Resources. Caroline is an industry strategist, adventurous merchant, culture advocate and fearless problem solver, who currently serves as the CEO of HB2 Resources, having recently concluded their 16-year reinvention assignment, most recently as President of Norwalk Furniture. Norwalk Furniture is a leading custom upholstery specialist in Norwalk, Ohio. Prior to Norwalk, Caroline founded the industry consulting practice, HB2 Resources which helps clients grow their businesses through innovative start-ups and turn arounds.
- Curtis Howse, CEO Home and Auto Synchrony. Curtis is Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the $30B Home & Auto business platform at Synchrony, one of the nation’s premier consumer financial services companies. Curtis has more than 25 years of global leadership experience with General Electric and Synchrony. Curtis has held multiple senior leadership roles including EVP/CEO of the Payment Solutions business and EVP/Head of the Direct-to-Consumer business which included Synchrony Bank, a $63B+ consumer bank platform offering an array of deposit, savings, and credit card solutions.
The National Home Furnishings Industry Tribute Dinner is held annually to raise funds in support of ADL’s mission to fight antisemitism and hate. The event is being organized with leadership from ADL Home Furnishings Industry Chair Neil Goldberg of Raymour & Flanigan, along with Marketing and Education Committee Chairs Ellen Gefen of The Gefen Company and Larry Klaben of Morris Furniture Company.
The ADL Furniture Division invites new partners, both organizations and individuals, to join in the collective effort to eradicate hate and bias by promoting inclusion, diversity, and understanding within the Home Furnishing Industry. For further information, please visit https://www.adl.org/homefurnishings2024
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at www.adl.org.