thINK Taps New Leaders to Drive Inkjet's Role in Modern Marketing

BOCA RATON, FL – April 09, 2026 – thINK, the independent community for Canon U.S.A. production inkjet customers, today announced a significant refresh of its leadership, signaling a strategic move to guide its members through a rapidly evolving print landscape. The organization named existing board members Chris Wells as President and Eric Hollingsworth as Vice President, while appointing two influential industry figures, Dina Kessler and Julie McMahon, to its 2026 Board of Directors.

The appointments are more than a routine change of officers; they represent a deliberate effort to align the community's focus with the dominant trends shaping the future of print: digital transformation, data-driven marketing, and enterprise-level strategy. This new leadership collective is poised to steer the 2,000-member-strong organization beyond the technical aspects of inkjet and toward a more integrated role in modern marketing ecosystems.

A Board Built for a New Era of Print

The new leadership team brings a formidable combination of experience. Chris Wells, of DSG-UW, and Eric Hollingsworth, from high-volume transactional printer RevSpring, will provide continuity and deep operational knowledge in their new roles as President and Vice President, respectively. However, it is the addition of the new board members that most clearly indicates thINK’s future direction.

Dina Kessler, President of Kessler Creative, is a recognized force in the direct marketing world. Her firm specializes in high-impact omnichannel campaigns, bridging the gap between creative strategy and operational excellence. With deep expertise in direct mail, production inkjet, and integrated marketing, Kessler has a proven track record of helping brands navigate the print landscape with data-driven strategies. Her active leadership in postal advisory councils further solidifies her authority in the mail-centric print world.

Julie McMahon brings a powerful enterprise perspective as Senior Vice President of the Marketing Strategy Unit at Canon U.S.A., Inc. With over three decades of experience, McMahon is known for modernizing traditional marketing into data-driven growth engines and has been instrumental in scaling Canon's digital capabilities. Her presence on the board signifies a deeper alignment between the user community and the manufacturer's strategic vision for production print.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dina and Julie to the thINK Board,” said Chris Wells, the newly appointed President of thINK. “Their leadership, industry insight, and passion for advancing print will be instrumental as we continue to evolve our community and deliver meaningful experiences for our members. Both bring unique perspectives that will help shape the future of inkjet and the businesses that rely on it.”

Aligning with a Transforming Inkjet Market

These leadership changes are strategically timed. The global production inkjet market is experiencing robust growth, with some projections showing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 9% and a market value expected to exceed $118 billion by 2036. This expansion is driven by a profound shift in how print is used.

Key opportunities lie in personalization and variable data printing (VDP), where inkjet technology excels. Customers now expect tailored messaging, and businesses that leverage data to customize print materials are seeing higher engagement and better ROI. The new board’s expertise directly addresses this trend. Kessler’s background in data-driven direct mail and McMahon’s experience in enterprise marketing strategy are perfectly suited to help thINK members capitalize on the demand for hyper-personalized, integrated campaigns.

Furthermore, the industry is increasingly adopting automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. Wells himself has previously urged print businesses to incorporate AI-driven insights to stay relevant. The new leadership is well-equipped to guide conversations and develop resources around these advanced technologies, ensuring members are prepared for the next wave of innovation.

Strengthening the Canon-Community Partnership

Canon U.S.A.’s role as an executive sponsor is a cornerstone of the thINK community, providing members with free access to a wealth of resources, educational events, and networking opportunities. The appointment of Canon’s own SVP of Marketing Strategy to the board deepens this symbiotic relationship, creating a powerful feedback loop between the users of the technology and the company engineering it.

This move ensures that the community’s real-world challenges and opportunities directly inform Canon’s strategic planning and product development. It also provides thINK members with invaluable insight into the manufacturer's long-term vision.

“thINK continues to be a cornerstone for collaboration and progress in the production print space,” noted Pete Kowalczuk, Executive Vice President of Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Dina and Julie’s leadership will further strengthen the organization’s ability to inspire new ideas and deliver meaningful business impact for its members.”

Eric Hawkinson, Executive Director of thINK, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the quality of the new appointments. “The addition of Dina and Julie reflects the caliber of talent and commitment that defines thINK,” he stated. “Their combined experience will help drive forward-thinking conversations and practical strategies that benefit our entire member base.”

Setting the Stage for thINK Ahead 2026

The first major platform for this new leadership to outline their vision will be the annual thINK Ahead conference, scheduled for July 13–15, 2026, at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. The event, which has grown to be the largest user group conference for inkjet production printing, is a critical forum for networking, education, and strategic planning.

With a board now rich in marketing and digital strategy expertise, the 2026 conference is expected to feature an even greater focus on integrating print with broader business objectives. Sessions will likely delve deeper into creating effective omnichannel campaigns, leveraging data and AI for better outcomes, and proving the ROI of print in a digital-first world. The conference will serve as a vital touchpoint for industry pioneers, the new Board of Directors, and print professionals to share insights and accelerate business growth in a rapidly changing market.