The President’s Award is presented to a member for outstanding contributions to NAPO. It traditionally highlights a significant contribution that has benefited NAPO and the general membership.

Imagine that your name was just announced as the winner of the NAPO President’s Award, and now you are scrambling to figure out what to say to accept the award. You scan the room of hundreds of your peers, but their faces are a blur. You know you will begin with “Thank you” but then what? This was the position in which Lori Vande Krol found herself at the NAPO Conference in Fort Worth earlier this year.

We asked Lori a few questions to find out more about her road to achieving this accomplishment:

• How did you feel, and what did you think, when you heard your name called for the award?

I was surprised and humbled when Ellen started describing the winner of the award, and then read my name.  I remember standing on stage to receive the award, but hardly noticed anything else as I was in shock.  To be recognized for working hard for an industry I love was such an amazing feeling.

• How long had you been a NAPO member when you decided to volunteer? What inspired you to volunteer?

I knew after attending my first conference that I wanted to become more connected and work towards a leadership position within NAPO. Also, I live in a state without a Chapter (Iowa), so volunteering was a great way to meet people.  I reached out to volunteer with NAPO about a year after joining, when a request for a Leadership Development Task Force was publicized.

• What has been your most rewarding project and why?

When I ran for the NAPO Board in 2015, one of my goals was to help determine whether productivity consulting had a place in NAPO and if so, how we could better represent this segment of our membership.  As a member of the Productivity Task Force, I was involved with almost every step of this long, detailed process and am very proud of the work and care that the team put in to make sure we were moving forward with the best solution for NAPO and its members.

• What are you currently working on for NAPO?

I continue to lead NAPO’s survey efforts – internally and externally – to better understand our members, our industry, the public’s needs, and the public’s views of our industry.  I am also creating my first NAPO University course.

• Describe your most gratifying NAPO or business experience.

My most gratifying experience has been working with so many talented, smart people through the NAPO Board and various committees and task forces.  It’s so much fun to work with people of varying backgrounds, interests, and passions and to see this all come together to make our industry stronger and better.

Do you share Lori Vande Krol’s passion and drive? Perhaps in Orlando at the 2020 Conference, you will find yourself walking toward the podium scrambling for the words to say thank you for winning the NAPO President’s Award!

About the Author: Pam Bowers is a member of NAPO’s Awards and Recognition Committee. She is the owner of Chaos Pros, LLC in Frisco, Texas and currently serving as BP Director on the Board of the NAPO DFW Chapter and has been a NAPO Member since 2007.