Executive Q&A: Brenda Kai, Executive Director, EDSF

Q: Tell us about EDSF, who its beneficiaries are, and how it is funded.

A: The Electronic Document Scholarship Foundation (EDSF) was founded in 1996 and is the only foundation dedicated to enhancing the value and relevance of document and graphic communications worldwide. As a nonprofit international organization, our programs are designed to attract the best and brightest to the industry. By granting scholarships, fostering education, promoting research, recognizing leaders, encouraging innovation, and gathering and disseminating knowledge, we are helping to build the next generation of digital content and delivery professionals.

EDSF is not membership based and relies solely on contributions to fund our scholarship programs and is supported by companies and individuals involved in the Document Management and Graphic Communications industry.

In addition to the scholarships funded by the EDSF supporters, the Foundation administers scholarships for the following companies: Axis, Inc., Clampitt Paper, Heidelberg USA, The Lewis M. Gabbe Foundation, The Hoods Memorial Fund, OutputLinks and Questex Media Group.

Q: What is your background and how did you get involved with EDSF?

A: I joined EDSF in 2008. Prior to EDSF I was Vice president of Marketing at Docucorp International, a technology company specializing in Customer Communication Management solutions. I also held senior management positions in marketing and communications at eCosmetic.com and TIG Insurance Company.

When Docucorp merged with another company in 2007 I felt it was time to re-evaluate what I really wanted to accomplish in my career. My husband had recently started his second career by getting his masters degree and fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. He came home with wonderful stories of his students and really felt he was making a difference – something you don’t always get in the corporate world.

I had a conversation with a colleague about the possibility of working for a nonprofit organization instead of a traditional business. Two days later he called about the Executive Director position with EDSF. I can honestly say it’s been the most rewarding three years of my career and I now have my own wonderful stories about helping students.

Q: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement in this market?

A: Our greatest achievement to date has been the ability to grow our scholarship funding despite the worst economic crisis in fifty years. This was only possible due to the incredible support we received from dedicated individuals in the industry and our amazing Board Members that include 4over, AIIM International, Allegra Network, AlphaGraphics, BCT, Böwe Bell + Howell, C.P. Bourg, Canon USA, CGS Publishing Technologies, Eastman Kodak, EFI, Equitrac, FedEx Office, Franchise Services, GMC Software, Hewlett-Packard, InfoPrint, InfoTrends, Mimeo.com, Océ North America, OfficeMax, Pitney Bowes, Presstek, PrinterPresence, Quark, Ricoh, RISO, WhatTheyThink.com and Xerox Corporation. We were able to help a large number of students who had seen other sources of financial aid shrink or disappear altogether. That’s something we are extremely proud to say that we accomplished.

Q: If you could change anything, either about your career, your company, or the market as a whole, what would it be and why?

A: I have been very fortunate to have worked for incredible companies and been exposed to great mentors, so there is not much I would change personally. For EDSF I would like to increase our visibility so that students interested in careers in our field know that scholarship funds are available and for companies, in the industry, to know that when they have vacancies there are incredibly bright, talented EDSF scholarship recipients available to fill those positions.

Q: What do you consider to be the greatest challenge and asset for the industry right now?