Kerry Sunderland
Key Account Manager, Promo Trade
“International Women’s Day is a reminder to celebrate progress, but also to continue championing inclusion, flexibility, and opportunity so that women, in all their roles, are supported to thrive.”
For this year’s International Women’s Day, we’re proud to launch a campaign that spotlights the remarkable women shaping our industry and community. Through a series of profiles, we are sharing the stories of inspiring women who are leading and innovating across our industry!
Read Kerry’s story below.
I’m currently a Key Account Manager within PromoTrade. My focus is on building strong, trusted partnerships with our top accounts and ensuring their needs are understood, prioritized, and delivered on.
What I’m most passionate about is being a true advocate for my customers. I see my role as the bridge between my accounts and Promotrade, making sure their voice is clearly represented internally and that we align our solutions with their goals. It matters to me personally because strong relationships are built on trust, transparency, and follow-through. When my accounts succeed, it reflects the quality of that partnership.
I take pride in not just managing accounts, but genuinely supporting them, anticipating challenges, and helping create opportunities for growth on both sides.
Winning the Emerging Talent Award left me feeling truly amazed and deeply grateful. It was an incredibly proud moment, not just professionally but personally.
Over the past few years, I have faced significant personal challenges, including the heartbreaking loss of my daughter and navigating life as a parent to a son with complex special needs. Those experiences have reshaped me in ways I never expected. They have tested my resilience, strengthened my perspective, and deepened my sense of purpose.
To receive this recognition after everything has meant more than I can fully put into words. It felt like a reminder that even through grief, responsibility, and the hardest days, growth is still possible. It affirmed that perseverance, dedication, and heart matter.
This award is not just a professional milestone for me. It represents strength through adversity, the support of those around me, and the belief that even in the most difficult circumstances, you can still achieve something meaningful.
I’m incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by leaders who inspire and support me in different but equally powerful ways.
My CEO Sanjay Bhalla has been a constant source of inspiration and unwavering support. His belief in me, even during the most challenging periods of my life, has meant more than I can express. He leads with vision and integrity, and his encouragement has given me the confidence to step up, grow, and believe in my own potential. Knowing that someone at that level sees your value and backs you fully creates a strong foundation to perform at your best.
On a daily basis, I’m also driven by my little sister, who is not only family but my boss as Head of Sales. She challenges me, pushes me to raise my standards, and never lets me settle. There’s a unique dynamic in working alongside someone who knows you so well personally, yet holds you to high professional expectations. She motivates me to keep improving, stay focused, and deliver results.
Together, their support and leadership have shaped my journey, helping me grow both personally and professionally.
I have to say the entire industry has been so warm, welcoming and fiercely supportive!! I feel very lucky to have found such a great industry filled with genuine people to work within.
International Women’s Day means a great deal to me, both professionally and personally.
As a working woman and a parent to a son with special needs, I understand firsthand the balance, resilience, and strength that so many women carry every single day. We show up in boardrooms and in living rooms, in meetings and at medical appointments, often moving between roles without pause. That quiet determination deserves recognition.
For me, this day is about valuing the women who drive our workplaces forward with leadership, innovation, and dedication, while also holding together the heart of our homes. It’s about acknowledging the emotional labour, the ambition, the sacrifices, and the achievements that often go unseen.
International Women’s Day is a reminder to celebrate progress, but also to continue championing inclusion, flexibility, and opportunity so that women, in all their roles, are supported to thrive.
Here’s something I’d say to other women, especially reflecting on the challenges I’ve faced: life is unpredictable and often tougher than we imagine, but it’s also incredibly precious. Time is short, and every moment counts—so focus on what truly matters to you.
Don’t be afraid to pursue your ambitions, speak up for yourself, and ask for the support you need. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small, and allow yourself grace when things don’t go as planned. Embrace the people who lift you, and be that person for others too.
Most importantly, live with intention. Whether it’s in your career, your family, or your passions, make the moments count, because they’re the ones that shape your story—and your legacy.