This month’s Ambassador spotlight is on Kristina Sever, Associate Director, The University of Oklahoma Printing and Mailing Services.
Kristina began her career at a commercial print company. Hired as the receptionist, over the next 10 years, Kristina worked her way up the ladder. She learned how to operate the digital printers, and was soon running the department. From there, she was trained on imposition and prepress operations.
When she heard of an opening at the University of Oklahoma, Kristina made the leap to the in-plant world. In her words, this was an opportunity to work for the “best of the best”. It meant a long-term career, with managerial support, and the opportunity for advancement.
That path meant taking a position in customer service, what some might consider a step backwards. However, in time, Kristina was promoted to Customer Service Manager. From there, she became the Assistant Director of Mailing Services and Customer Service, before assuming her current role as Associate Director.
Kristina acknowledges that a key part of her growth has been working for Director (and former IPMA President) Sherri Isbell. Having Sherri as both a leader and mentor has been invaluable. Kristina has learned not just about the industry, but the importance of compassion and understanding.
And she learned about IPMA. About 7 years ago, Kristina started attending the IPMA Educational Conferences. There she discovered the IPMA community, a community based in sharing knowledge and supporting each other.
Becoming an Ambassador allows Kristina to be more involved, and give back to the organization that has given so much to her. One of her goals is to help grow IPMA. With the ongoing generational shift, and leaders retiring, it’s important to reach out to newcomers. Through the Ambassadors, she intends to make regional introductions for mutual support and collaboration.
As Kristina concluded, a few of the most fulfilling aspects of being involved in IPMA are mentoring industry newcomers and connecting with others who share a passion for printing and our great industry.
Note: Sherri, Kristina and their team were the 2026 Best of Show Winner at the IPMA Educational Conference in Greenville, SC.
Mark M. Fallon is president and CEO of The Berkshire Company, a consulting firm specializing in mail and document processing strategies. The company develops customized solutions integrating proven management concepts with emerging technologies to achieve total process management. He offers a vision of the document that integrates technology, data quality, process integrity, and electronic delivery. His successes are based upon using leadership to implement innovative solutions in the document process. You can contact Mark at mmf@berkshire-company.com.