Catherine Monson, CEO of Fastsigns, has been elected secretary of the International Franchise Association (IFA). Monson, who was chosen as one of Big Picture’s six Women in Print Award winners earlier this fall, has been active with the IFA as a member of the board and executive committee, chair of the Franchisor Forum, frequent keynoter, and 2009 recipient of the Bonny LeVine award honoring women in franchising. She has helmed Fastsigns since 2009, overseeing more than 630 visual communications franchises worldwide.
“Catherine’s dedication to the franchise business model will be invaluable as we continue to promote the positive contributions franchising brings to economies and communities around the world,” says IFA Chairman Aziz Hashim, in a release.
Monson, who has also been active in lobbying Congress for the rights of franchised businesses, says, “I am truly honored to have been elected Secretary of the IFA, and I am ready to begin working with the IFA leadership team and its members to ensure franchising continues to create opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs, marketers, and business leaders, just like it did for me.”
She will assume her new role beginning February 1, 2017.