This month, during the opening night of the Winter Las Vegas Market (Jan. 18 – 22), WithIt, the Women’s Leadership Development Network, will present its Legacy Award to Carolyn Kinder, product designer and founder of Carolyn Kinder Inc. and Carolyn Kinder International, during the 2015 WOW Awards dinner and ceremony.

The annual awards recognize business leaders who have contributed to the success of the home furnishings industries and have demonstrated significant impact on their companies, the industry, or both. WithIt has presented the honor since 1999.

Carolyn Kinder

Kinder's career started as an artist and blossomed into an entrepreneurial success story. Carolyn Kinder Inc. was founded in 1992 and began licensing product designs for category leaders in the industry. Over the years, her work has been favored by Thomas Lighting, Stanley Mirror, Home Depot, Sears’ The Great Indoors and JCPenney.

With headquarters in China, Carolyn Kinder International—which Kinder founded in 2002—is a multi-dimensional company that focuses on sourcing, design development, multi-product licensing partnerships, and direct importing for the home furnishings industry.

In addition to honoring Kinder’s legacy in the industry, WithIt will present WOW Awards in four additional categories: Education, Mentoring, Leadership and "Future Leader." Recipients in each category will be announced during the event.

“The WOW Awards are an opportunity to honor executives of significant achievement, at a glamorous event unlike any other in our industry,” said Sara Lyke, executive director of WithIt.

The awards are presented on Sunday, Jan. 18 at the International Market Centers. Cocktails begin at 6:30 p.m., with the seated dinner and awards presentation beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $150 each and can be purchased online.