OUR Teams

Etherio: Where Synergy
& Success Collide

Our people have a lot of individual talents, interests, and expertise.
Together, we make one amazing team. Just ask our clients.

Allison Abney

Senior Director, Site Selection

Allison is responsible for sourcing and negotiating hotel contracts for various large meetings and events, sourcing top properties for our clients that align with their needs. Allison has over 18 years of experience in the events industry. Previously, she worked in the housing Services industry, specializing in housing management and site selection. Allison earned her B.S. in Hospitality Management from the University of Florida. She serves on the Loews Hotel Customer Advisory Board and the Visit San Antonio Customer Advisory Board. Allison has a slight obsession with her Peloton. Her other hobbies include traveling, reading, attending her kids' sporting events, and watching BRAVO TV.

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Jordan Alexander

Senior Event Manager

Jordan produces impactful meetings and events for a diverse corporate client portfolio. From agenda management to audio-visual production sourcing, Jordan is involved in every step of the conference management process. She has also served as Etherio's social committee chair, fostering our people-first company culture. Prior to joining Etherio, Jordan worked at PullSpark as an account executive and event producer, working closely with clients to maintain and grow relationships and managing event and video projects. Jordan has also worked for Junior League Golf and the Gwinnett Braves. She is a proud graduate of Clemson University. Jordan has played golf her entire life, and she loves to play in tournaments in her free time!

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Alissa Archer, CMP

Director of Events

As director of events, Alissa focuses on project management and logistics for corporate and franchise events. She specializes in budget creation and management, supporting the financial success of our clients. Before she joined Etherio, Alissa was an event manager at AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association). She has also served as project manager at Omnience Events, where she led a logistics team for IBM World of Watson. She holds her B.S. in Psychology and Business Management and a master's degree in public administration (MPA). Alissa is also a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP). Alissa enjoys guided fly fishing with her husband and organizing closets. She is also an identical twin!

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Lisa Burton, CMP

Senior Vice President, Meetings and Events

As the senior vice president of meetings & events, Lisa manges the Etherio Meetings & Events team, overseeing client management, venue sourcing, and event operations. She supports both our internal team members and client teams, providing expert guidance and ensuring that we produce high-quality, impactful meetings and events that fuel success for our clients. Prior to joining Etherio, Lisa gained experience working for a biotechnology association located in Washington, DC and Capitol Hill. Her experience taught her to be adaptable and form strong relationships with clients. Lisa holds a B.A. in Political Science. She is also a member of the Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) and the International Association of Exhibitions and Event (IAEE). Originally from Louisiana, Lisa loves to travel, cook, and attend Louisiana State University sporting events with family and friends. When traveling, she loves trying new food and meeting the local residents.

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Kimarie Chang

Senior Director of Events

Kimarie manages and supports a team of event planners serving our clients. She helps create authentic client relationships and memorable experiences, exceeding the expectations of our customers while enriching the lives and careers of her team of planners. Kimarie began her career at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company before becoming a meeting planner. She has meeting planning experience spanning non-profits, global corporations, and associations. Kimarie earned her degree in rhetoric and communications from the University of Virginia. She serves as an Advisory Board Member with Fairfax County Stronger Together and volunteers with Women Giving Back. Kimarie is an Atlanta native who is excited to move back to the city to be near friends and family.

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Natasha Davis

Senior Event Coordinator

Natasha serves clients by supporting the planning and execution of events. Throughout all stages of the planning process, she ensures that each event meets the client's goal, resulting in meaningful impact. Natasha has always been a planner, but she found her passion for event management in college. Since then, she has honed her skills in hospitality and operations. Natasha earned her B.S. in Organizational Communication from Kennesaw State University. Outside of work, Natasha enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and attending concerts.

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Yvonne Escudié

Senior Site Selection Manager

As a senior site selection manager, Yvonne is responsible for sourcing venues and negotiating contracts for meetings and events of all sizes. Yvonne brings a hospitality background in food and beverage management to her role at Etherio. She used her hands-on knowledge to successfully sell conference centers, hotels, and resorts in the southeast. Yvonne carried her hospitality experience into site selection, and she loves finding the perfect venues for clients. She earned her A.A. in English from Miami Dade College and continued coursework in English at the University of Texas at Arlington. Yvonne is a first-generation American and French is her first language. She spent her summers in France growing up!

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Barbara Fisher

Site Selection Manager

As site selection manager, Barbara oversees sites logistics and contract management for client projects of 100 sleeping rooms or less. She is the primary internal and external client contact and works closely with hotels and CVBs to find the best venues for client events. Barbara assists the site selection team with data management, and she is the primary contact for the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and Booking Pace Reports. Prior to joining Etherio, Barbara was the executive assistant to the CEO of a hotel purchasing company and managed a vendor program for a hotel franchise company. She received her bachelor's degree from Ohio Wesleyan University. Barbara is an active Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Diabetes Parent Advisory Board member. She is also the social chair of her neighborhood. Traveling is Barbara’s passion! She has been to 35 states and five continents. She looks forward to making those numbers 50 and seven!

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Katie Fuller

Vice President, Incentives

As vice president of incentives, Katie has traveled the globe crafting uncommon experiences for some of the world’s most progressive companies. Katie has personally operated incentive programs in more than 45 countries, promoting employee satisfaction and increased productivity. She sources and plans experiences for companies across an array of industries, ensuring that each organization’s incentive experience is curated to meet their needs and goals. As the former director of marketing for a global technology company, Katie has the foundation to bridge both language and international boundaries by connecting a brand message to an experience. Katie received her bachelor's degree in communication with business minor from the University of Alabama. She serves as a board member and co-chair of the mentor program at Covenant House New Orleans. Katie has successfully flown a fighter jet over the Milford Sound (with help from her co-pilot)!

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Yorke Gale

Account Executive

As an account executive, Yorke manages client relationships and supports our internal team in delivering best-in-class meetings and events for our clients. She identifies opportunities that position our meeting and events team to deliver creative, impactful solutions in support of client retention, growth and success. Before joining Etherio, Yorke was the senior event producer at PRA Business Events. She has over 15 years of experience operating events and managing transportation for an array of corporate clients in a variety of industries. Yorke attended Wofford College, where she earned a degree in business administration and art history. She is the former chapter president of Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Georgia and is a member of Meeting Planners International’s Georgia chapter. Yorke is a mom to two boys. She loves spending time with friends, hiking, live music, k-dramas, baking, cooking, and eating out at restaurants (so she doesn’t have to cook)!

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Taylor Harrell, CMP

Director of Incentives

Taylor is responsible for designing and executing incentive travel programs on behalf of our corporate incentive travel clients. Taylor fosters relationships with clients to ensure the planning and execution of phenomenal incentive trips that exceed expectations. Taylor brings over ten years of experience in the event and incentive industry to her role at Etherio, serving in event managemnt roles in a variety of industries. Most recently, Taylor worked as a senior meeting and incentive manager with Classic Conferences. Taylor earned her B.A. in Journalism with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in English from The University of Mississippi. She is a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Tennessee. In her free time, Taylor enjoys just about any activity that gets her outside and moving. She likes hiking, taking workout classes, playing pickleball and tennis with friends, exploring new bike trails, and being out on the water. During football season, Taylor enjoys spending her weekends cheering on the Ole Miss Rebels and Tennessee Titans.

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Tifanie Haun, CMP

Director, Site Selection

As director of site selection, Tifanie searches for, negotiates, and contracts ideal event venues for medium to large groups. She also leads the Atlanta-based site selection team with a focus on operations, ensuring that our processes are best suited to serve our clients. Prior to joining Etherio, Tifanie gained 8 years of experience in convention center sales. She earned her business management degree from Georgia College & State University. Tifanie’s number one bucket list travel destination is to see the Aurora Borealis in Iceland.

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Juliana Hernandez

Event Manager

As an event manager, Juliana manages event budgets, logistics, and vendors to support the success of client events. Juliana brings experience in customer service to her role at Etherio. She received her B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Florida. Juliana’s guilty pleasure is rewatching Gilmore Girls every fall, because she believes there is truly no better time to watch!

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Christine Hilgert, CMP

Senior Vice President

As senior vice president, Christine focuses on fostering client success, creating meaningful ways to meet objectives, and achieving goals through the attendee journey. She works to ensure that we adapt to our clients’ changing needs, find new opportunities for innovation, and accelerate growth. Christine has worked in the hospitality industry since her first job at a country club at age 15! She’s gained experience in various event management roles throughout her career, working in special events, banquets, and sporting event management prior to joining Etherio. Christine graduated from the Dedman College of Hospitality at Florida State University with a B.S. in Business Administration. She is involved with the Corporate Event Marketing Association and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events. Christine also serves on the Community Action Board of Los Angeles. You can often find her sharing her expertise at industry events or volunteering at Meals on Wheels and Adopt a Golden Atlanta. Christine enjoys travel, paddle boarding, reading, and being outdoors on a sunny day. She loves to learn new things. For example, she earned her Water Sommelier certificate in 2020 and has been a Fencing referrer!

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James Hobbs

Account Executive

As an account executive, James cultivates strong senior executive client relationships, formulates educational and networking programming solutions, assists with event planning and execution, supports our internal and external client teams. James brings over 17 years of experience with in-person, hybrid and virtual events to his role. He also has experience with association management, with expertise in operations, project management, strategic planning, and contract negotiation. James earned his B.A. in Art History from Texas Tech University. James is an artist at heart with a drive to make events a more beautiful place to be. Great design, thought provoking art, exceptional food, good wine, and good company are all his favorite things.

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Darnette Holbert

Senior Event Manager

As a senior conference manager, Darnette focuses on conference logistics, speaker management, and sponsor management. She is responsible for collaborating with both the internal and client team to ensure the planning process runs smoothly and the event meets our client’s needs and goals. Before joining Etherio, Darnette worked as a corporate meeting planner for Blockbuster for more than ten years. Additionally, she was a contractor for the National Hockey League and worked with an agency focused on oncology conferences offering medical CEUs. Darnette earned her B.A. from Florida State University. She volunteers with St. Jude Children's Healthcare, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and Habitat for Humanity. Darnette is a big sports fan — college and pro football, hockey, and racing (F1 and Indy) being her main passions. She also loves to read a good thriller or mystery novel!

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Trish Huntley, CMP

Senior Event Manager

As a senior event manager, Trish supports Etherio’s clients and internal teams, creating impactful events while maintaining operational excellence and financial management. Trish began her career in hotel and hospitality management. She later shifted to event planning in large corporate settings, managing executive events hosted by the highest-level C-suite executives of global corporations. She earned her B.S. in Business Administration from Bryant University, majoring in hospitality marketing. Trish resides in Connecticut with her husband, son, and three hunting dogs. They love all things outdoors: pheasant hunting, pickleball, golf, skiing, and taking in the fresh air!

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Natalia Hurd, CMP

Conference Planner

As a conference planner, Natalia supports each phase of the conference management process, from buidling out conference agenda to managing speakers to handling confernece logistics. She supports both the internal and client teams to ensure the delivery of best-in-class conferences. Prior to Etherio, Natalia served as a marketing program coordinator at Genuine Parts Company (NAPA), supporting all aspects of project execution and coordination of corporate meetings and events. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned her degree in event management from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Natalia is a member of Meeting Professional International (MPI) Georgia. Natalia is originally from Russia and speaks two languages.

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Stacey Jackson

Senior Event Manager

Stacey plans and manages impactful high-level and large-scale Life Sciences pharmaceutical launches, annual meetings, and incentives. She is responsible for end-to-end management, encompassing sourcing, preliminary planning, on-site management, and post-conference budget reconciliation Stacey's hospitality career began at Marriott International, where she was a convention services manager. Her career culminated with the Golden Globe Awards, where she organized VIP events for the 2001 awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. Additionally, she has worked in event planning for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Ernst & Young, JP Morgan, KPMG, and Cox Enterprises. Notably, her role as a meeting planner at IAC in NYC garnered recognition, including the Marketing Employee of the Quarter award from Barry Diller, for her exceptional work in planning celebrity fundraisers, DVF fashion shows, and corporate events. Stacey holds a B.A. in Psychology from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Stacey enjoys traveling, live music and dancing. She was fortunate to have been a student of Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who you might recognize from Dancing with the Stars!

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Paula Korowin, CMP

Senior Event Manager

As a senior event manager, Paula is involved in the planning, execution, and evaluation process for client events. From start to finish, she supports our internal team and the client team to ensure the success of each event. Paula has delivered over 2,500 events and educational programs on behalf of associations, corporations, government organizations, and more. She holds her B.S. in Psychology, B.S. in Organizational Communications, and M.A. in Adult Education - Performance Improvement & Instructional Design. Additionally, Paula is the captain of the Brookshade Women's Tennis team and serves on the Amenity Improvement Committee on behalf of the Brookshade Homeowner’s Association. She is a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Paula enjoys taking jazzercise classes, playing tennis and pickleball, and tackling home renovation and landscaping projects. She loves HGTV!

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Thera Larson

Senior Director of Events

Thera leads a team of meeting planners to execute impactful events on behalf of our clients. From each event’s conception to completion, Thera supports our team and the client to ensure that every step of the process succeeds. Thera brings over 18 years of event planning experience to her role at Etherio, serving in various capacities. She earned her B.S., M.S., and M.B.A. from the University of Maryland. She is a longtime volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House and supports a local animal rescue focused on saving cats and dogs from difficult situations. Since Thera began volunteering with the local animal rescue, she has saved five cats and four dogs — three golden retrievers and a giant bullmastiff!

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Gregg Lauer, CMP

Senior Site Selection Manager

Gregg collaborates with clients to identify, research, and recommend venues that support our clients in achieving the goals and objectives of their meetings and events. He applies industry knowledge and experience to contract negotiations, securing the best properties at the best rates for our clients. Prior to joining Etherio, Gregg held director-level positions in both hotel convention services and corporate meeting planning. Gregg holds his B.A. in Communications and his CMP certification. He is also an active member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and serves as the Vice Chair of the CMP Study Group Committee for the MPI Georgia Chapter. Gregg’s world is ruled by his two rescue dogs — Katie, a feisty miniature pinscher, and Louis (pronounced Louie), a super smart and sweet rat terrier chihuahua mix.

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Cathy Letourneaux, CASE

Senior Site Selection Manager

As a senior site selection manager, Cathy supports our association and corporate clients by securing the best meeting and event locations that align with their needs. She uses her expertise and connections to search, evaluate, present, and help contract hotels and venues around the world. Before joining Etherio, Cathy worked in hotel sales for 12 years, learning the art of sales, negotiations, and relationship building. She also served as a meeting planner for an association for three years. Cathy earned her B.S. in Marketing with a minor in child development from the University of Kentucky. Cathy is a Certified Association Sales Executive (CASE) and volunteers annually with Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child. Cathy was born and raised in Maui, following in her father's footsteps. She was also an exchange student in high school in the Netherlands and taught conversational English in Japan for a year. Cathy is passionate about exploring other cultures.

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Jasmine Lindor-Cole

Senior Event Coordinator

As a senior event coordinator, Jasmine is responsible for planning and organizing various aspects of client events to ensure their successful execution. This includes supporting registration, housing, exhibitor services, logistics, and more. Prior to joining Etherio, Jasmine began her career in hospitality by working in the catering industry for several years. She also worked for an event planning company where she planned and executed a diverse array of events, spanning from birthday celebrations to product launches. She received her bachelor's degree from North Carolina A&T State University. Jasmine is a former college athlete, an amateur baker, and a proud dog mom.

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Marcie Maddox

Event Manager

As an event manager, Marcie supports our clients by managing corporate conferences, conventions, and incentive groups of all sizes. Depending on the event, Marcie acts as the project lead or supports a team by owning an area of conference logistics. Before joining Etherio, Marcie worked in event planning for Sea Island, a Forbes five-star resort, planning events for Sea Island Club members and managing the corporate donations program. She also served as a general manager at Marriott. Marcie received her B.S. in Education from the University of Georgia. She serves on the University of Georgia Libraries Board of Visitors and volunteers with MorningStar Children and Family Services supporting fundraising events and campaigns. Marcie’s friend, who is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller, used both Marcie’s and Marcie’s husband’s names as the main character in one of her books.

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Sydney Marette

Senior Event Manager

Sydney is a senior meeting planner in Etherio's Lifes Sciences division. She responsible for the planning and execution of product launches, sales meetings, and a wide range of other internal meetings for pharmaceutical companies. Sydney is well-versed in the nuances and special considerations required for life sciences meetings. Sydney has been in the Pharma space for her entire career. She has experience with HCP meetings, internal sales meetings, and congress management. Sydney earned her degree in journalism from Indiana University, as well as specializations in public relations and advertising. Sydney's favorite part of her job is getting to travel to new places!

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Meredith Martin, CMP

Senior Director of Incentives

Meredith specializes in crafting uncommon, out-of-the-box incentive experiences focused on building and strengthening client culture across senior leadership teams and top performers. Before joining Etherio, Meredith was a meeting planner for Allstate Insurance Company, where she planned incentive trips and business meetings. She also supported the strategic vision for awards and recognition across the enterprise. Additionally, Meredith spent ten years in hospitality sales and events, supporting hotels and resorts across the southeast. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in communications with a focus on public relations. Meredith earned her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2017.

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Sandra McQueen

Senior Event Coordinator

As a senior event coordinator, Sandra is responsible for managing registration and housing for meetings of all sizes. Sandra has supported clients across diverse market segments, including manufacturing, non-profit, religious, and technology. Before joining Etherio, Sandra worked for the American Cancer Society for 15 years as a registration manager and meeting planner. She is a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Georgia where she volunteered on the committee that developed the first mobile app for the MPI Georgia chapter. Sandra played English Handbells for six years, from grade school to high school!

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Anne Medovarsky

Senior Event Manager

As a senior event manager, Anne works with both our internal and external client teams to execute impactful events for our corporate clients. From inception to post-event reporting, she supports the client in every phase of the event management process. Anne has over 20 years of experience working in the events industry. She graduated from Michigan State University. Anne is married with two sons, and they have a crazy rescue dog named Señor Carlos. Anne has been walking over 100 miles per month since April 2020. Her dog initially liked it, but now he hides when he sees her putting her tennis shoes on!

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Katherine Morgan

Senior Director, Events

Katherine is responsible for overseeing the event process to ensure that our event management division produces world class events that delight and inspire our clients and those they serve. Prior to joining Etherio, Katherine gained over fifteen years of industry experience in hospitality and event management. Since joining Etherio, she has had the pleasure of working with government, non-profit, corporate, and association clients in a variety of industries. Katherine received her B.S. from Christopher Newport University and her M.S.Ed from Old Dominion University. Katherine’s love of events began with a graduate school class project that became a career. Katherine loves sports and she enjoys following her favorite teams.

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Carley Morris

Senior Event Coordinator

Carley’s role at Etherio involves assisting in many areas of the event management process to ensure the success of our client events. Carley is always striving to improve processes and create the most memorable experiences for our clients and the people that matter most to them. Since the age of 16, Carley has worked in the hospitality industry. She loves that no workday is the same, with new challenges and surprises each day! Carley graduated from Kennesaw State University and holds a B.S. in Marketing and Event Management. Outside of work, Carley enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking her pug, Annabelle, to the dog park, reading thriller novels, and occasionally treating herself to retail therapy.

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Melina Moser

Event Manager

Melina manages the full event cycle for small to medium sized meetings and supports team members on larger conferences. She is responsible for maintaining a positive working relationships with clients and managing the reporting process to ensure event goals are met. Melina brings five years of experience in non-profit and corporate events to her role, ranging from world health conferences to company incentive trips. In her previous role, she was the sole event planner responsible for all internal employee events. She earned her B.S. in Hospitality Administration with a focus in Event Management from Georgia State University. She is a member of Women in Sports & Events (WISE) and the International Live Events Association (ILEA). Melina loves playing with her dog, Olive, and traveling to new cities domestically and internationally. She is also an aunt, and she loves spending time with her niece.

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Alex Murphy

Senior Director, Site Selection

As senior director of site selection, Alex is focused on negotiating contracts, building industry connections, and securing ideal venues for our clients. She heads up our internal site selection team, fostering success for both our team members and clients. Alex is passionate about collaboration, client relationships, and venue negotiations. Prior to joining Etherio, Alex worked in the hospitality industry in Europe before joining Ritz Carlton hotel management. She attended Kaufmaennische Handelsschule Baden, a business school in Switzerland. Alex serves on customer advisory boards for Teneo, Louisville, KY, and Indianapolis, IN. She is also involved in VIP Sport and Holding Out Help Utah. Alex is a Swiss native who is fluent in 5 languages. She also loves dancing — you can often find her closing the dance floor down!

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Kendal Pitlik

Senior Event Coordinator

As a senior event coordinator, Kendal works with a team to provide comprehensive event management services to associations. She supports several clients with registration, communication, and community management. Prior to joining Etherio, Kendal gained over four years of operations experience at Walt Disney World Resort. She also served as an event management intern at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Kendal earned her B.S. in Event Management, her M.S. in Hospitality and Tourism, and a Graduate Certificate in Event Management from the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Kendal loves traveling to experience new places and cultures with her family and friends. Her favorite travel memory is watching the Monaco Grand Prix on her birthday!

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Ashley Pruitt

Senior Site Selection Manager

As a senior site selection manager, Ashley manages venue sourcing for associations, corporate groups, and incentive groups. She is focused on small to mid-sized programs, serving as the primary client contact. Ashley also collaborates closely with hotels and CVB partners, ensuring we source only the best venues and activities for our clients. Ashley has a background in convention housing and event management for conferences and incentives. She also has experience with special projects such as registration, corporate travel, and room block management. Ashley earned her B.S. from the University of North Georgia. Ashely loves to go on adventures with her energetic German Shorthaired Pointer named Sanford (after Sanford Stadium at UGA)!

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Kowana Ragland, CMP

Vice President, Association Events

As vice president of association events, Kowana leads a team of event planners in executing best in class and impactful events for our association clients. Kowana also provides strategic guidance and serves as a center of excellence for all association meetings ensuring that Etherio produces events that delight and inspire our customers. Prior to joining Etherio, Kowana planned city-wide conferences in major US cities for a North Carolina association. Most recently, Kowana has done extensive work within both the meeting planning and association management divisions at Etherio. She was a senior event manager for several years, planning and implementing many large conferences before being promoted to senior director. Kowana earned her B.S. in Administrative Services from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She has twice been named a “Meeting Professional to Watch” by ConventionSouth Magazine. Kowana is currently active in her alma mater's local alumni chapter executive board, serving as corresponding secretary. She also serves as the lead ambassador for Ladies of A&T (LOAT, LLC) in Atlanta. When she's not working, Kowana enjoys spending quality time with friends and family — that is, when she's not watching reality TV!

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Gabby Reid

Senior Event Coordinator

As a senior event coordinator, Gabby manages registration and mobile app implementation at various client events. She also provides logistical support for events to ensure their success. Before joining Etherio, Gabby worked as an intern for a non-profit organization, planning and executing events for the community. She served on the marketing committee in her sorority where she had the opportunity to manage events, which is where she discovered her love for event planning. Gabby holds her B.B.A. in Marketing. She is involved in the Professional Convention Management Association southeast chapter. Gabby loves trying new restaurants, foods, and workout classes.

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Julie Rule, CMP

Senior Event Manager

As a senior event manager at Etherio, Julie is responsible for event management, starting from the beginning of conception through to the execution and final budget reconciliation. She handles the day-to-day operations of large-scale meetings and all related event logistics. Prior to joining Etherio, Julie worked in hotel sales and convention services for a Destination Management Company and a Convention and Visitors Bureau. She also brings 25 years of experience as a meeting planner for Fortune 500 companies, specializing in annual conventions, board meetings, and incentive trips. Most recently, Julie gained experience providing event management services through her own LLC. She is a graduate of The University of Oklahoma with a B.B.A. in Marketing. Additionally, Julie is the chair of her neighborhood HOA's Social Team, where she is responsible for planning annual events. The beach is Julie’s happy place. She lives in Tampa, FL and loves the year-round fresh air and sunshine. She’s even learning to play golf!

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Eli Sananes, HMCC

Managing Director

Eli oversees Etherio's Life Sciences business unit, servicing a vast portfolio of pharmaceutical and late-stage biopharmaceutical companies. He manages the operation of a wide variety of global meetings, including commercial, medical, and international congresses. He is also a part of Etherio's Executive Leadership Committee, playing an integral role in developing our strategy and vision as an organization. Eli brings years of experience in the hospitality industry to his role. He has worked in sales and marketing with the Boca Raton Resort & Club, Inter-Continental Hotels, and Hilton Hotels. Eli is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickenson University with a degree in hotel and restaurant management. When he’s not working, Eli enjoys outdoor activities and checking items off his bucket list with his family. Some of his adventures include zip lining in Costa Rica and a catamaran sail in Mykonos.

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Natasha Shallow

Senior Event Manager

As a senior event manager, Natasha handles multiple facets of the event management process, such as exhibitor and sponsor management, event design, and more. She builds relationships with clients to ensure that events align with their needs and vision. Prior to joining Etherio, Natasha gained over 15 years of experience in events while working at a convention center in Atlanta, Georgia. She attended Morris Brown College where she earned her B.A. in Mass Communication and Media Studies. Natasha is the president of Saint Vincent and Grenadines Association of Georgia. She also founded 3 Diamonds Foundation, a nonprofit serving underprivileged children on the island of St. Vincent and Grenadines. Natasha was born and raised on a small Caribbean Island, St. Vincent and Grenadines.

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Bryden Simmons

Senior Event Coordinator

As a senior event coordinator, Bryden is responsible for planning and executing events for corporate clients. She primarily focuses on event registration and planning logistics. Bryden works on a variety of event types, supporting events of various sizes across a range of industries. Before joining Etherio, Bryden worked in the events industry as a wedding coordinator. She then gained experience in venue management and catering at a local Atlanta brewery. Bryden has also worked in guest services for the Atlanta Braves. She received her B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina. One of Bryden’s favorite activities is attending Atlanta Braves baseball games. She even has a World Series ring from her time working with the Braves.

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Rebecca Smith, CMP

Senior Event Manager

As a conference manager, Rebecca leads annual programs, managing large food and beverage budgets, logistics, exhibits, and sponsorships. Before joining Etherio, Rebecca worked at Verizon, specializing in conferences, special events, and employee engagement. Rebecca is a proud graduate of Georgia State University, where she earned her degree in business administration. She volunteers with Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Georgia and Meals on Wheels. Rebecca loves to visit new countries and try new foods. She has been to six out of seven continents. She is also a runner who has finished six marathons.

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Lauren Suttle

Senior Event Manager

Lauren Suttle is the project lead for several client programs. She works with our internal team and directly with the client to facilitate events that support their goals and fuel growth. Before joining Etherio, Lauren worked in corporate events. Notably, she worked at RealPage with their corporate events team where she managed several vertical sales teams and their tradeshows, events, and budget plans. She also handled speaker management for RealPage's user conference, RealWorld. Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Lauren has three young sons, and most of her time outside of work is spent with family. She also loves to travel and be a tourist in new places.

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Melanie Taylor

Director of Incentive Travel Programs

Melanie is a seasoned strategic event professional passionate about creating unforgettable client experiences. As Director of Incentives, Melanie is responsible for planning and executing incentive travel programs while fostering and growing partnerships across several key corporate clients. With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Melanie has successfully orchestrated many events across various industries. From incentive programs to corporate conferences and HCP meetings, Melanie meticulously manages each program with a focus on seamless execution and personalized service. Melanie is a member of the inaugural class of the Temple University Event Leadership Program and earned her Certified Meeting Professional credentials in 2009. Active in MPI and SITE, Melanie is dedicated to staying connected with industry trends and best practices. She also finds fulfillment in volunteering to support our military as a proud Army mom. Beyond her professional pursuits, she also enjoys walks with her dog Sadie, trying out new recipes in the kitchen, and expressing her creativity through painting. Being a huge fan of football, Melanie, spends the season cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Suzanne Taylor

Event Manager

As an event manager, Suzanne manages small and medium meetings and supports large conferences. Additionally, she provides onsite vendor management, collaborates with marketing to create engaging themes and designs, and manages post-event feedback to improve future meetings and events. Prior to joining Etherio, Suzanne worked in a variety of roles at an EdTech company as an Events Manager. She planned and executed events, including a user conference, a leadership camp for students and educators, an upscale two-day prospecting event with educational thought leaders, and private dinners and parties. Additionally, she supported the sales team in large urban districts and at trade shows and conferences. Suzanne holds her A.S. in Business Administration and certifications in marketing and digital marketing. She’s also an active volunteer with Magic Wand Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to empower youth to follow their passions and build resilience. One of the most fun experiences Suzanne has had was being chosen by MasterCard to appear in a TV commercial and print ad. She also represented MasterCard on the television show The View, where she and Whoopi Goldberg gave a viewer a vacation to the United Kingdom!

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Kim Thomssen

Client Program Administrator

As a client program administrator, Kim works in conjunction with the training team at Home Depot and assists with logistics for the weekly Home Depot University program. Before joining Etherio, Kim was the Sales Support Team lead for Hilton’s Luxury properties. She previously also served as the training coordinator for Longhorn Steakhouses and Capital Grille Restaurants. Additionally, Kim has eperience as a corporate travel agent. She graduated from Hammel Business College in Akron, Ohio. Kim has an identical twin sister!

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Kristy Tran

Senior Event Coordinator

Kristy works on a client team to plan and execute events tailored to our client's unique goals and vision. Working closely with vendors, event staff, and stakeholders, Kristy helps ensure that events run smoothly and successfully. Prior to joining Etherio, Kristy worked in talent acquisition and recruiting. Most recently, she spearheaded a corporate internship program and executed special events on and off campus. Kristy earned her bachelor's degree from Georgia State University. Kristy's hobbies include snowboarding, yoga, and baking. She is also scuba-certified!

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Ramsey Wagner

Account Executive

As an account executive, Ramsey partners with clients to cultivate relationships, expand service offerings, and support the production of innovative, seamless programs. She acts as a bridge between our internal operations team and the client to cultivate a seamless planning experience. Ramsey began her hospitality career at Biltmore Estates working in food and beverage, followed by roles in convention services and sales. She is a proud graduate of Florida State University. Ramsey is involved at the Cobb Chamber as an ambassador, and she volunteers with Junior League of Cobb-Marietta. Ramsey is passionate about family and sports. She is a huge fan of Florida State and the Atlanta Braves — chop on!

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Tina Weede, CITP, CIS, CRP

Senior Vice President, Meetings and Events

Tina fuels success for our Meetings & Events team by managing operations and team development. She creates and implements best-in-class processes and procedures in alignment with our goals and objectives. Additionally, Tina is responsible for creating cross-functional teams to support clients' needs and foster support and guidance for all team members. Tina has a professional background in advertising. She has held leadership positions with several organizations, notably as president of USMotivation. In 2017, she launched GRATITUDESgroup, a talent optimization and culture engineering agency headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Tina attended Appalachian University, the University of North Carolina Asheville, and The Art Institute of Atlanta. She has served as the vice president of research and content and sat on the Board of Trustees for The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) Foundation, where she is still a very active member. She is also a former president of Recognition Professionals International (RPI). Tina supports the Boyce Ansley School, an elementary school that supports children facing homelessness, and The Aruna Project, a nonprofit working towards sustained, lifelong freedom for survivors of human trafficking. She also volunteers at Buckhead Church. Tina owns a non-profit called GRATITUDESheart, which supports Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and the Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer. Her purpose statement is "Every Day I Get to Enhance the Quality of People's Lives."

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Niki Wilkins

Travel Manager

Niki is the travel manager on behalf of all Etherio brands. She brings an innovative approach to negotiating mutually beneficial solutions for Etherio and our clients by optimizing commercial and private airline contracts and relationships. She also assists with choosing the best corporate travel partners for our business. Before joining Etherio, Niki worked for The Home Depot's Travel and Events Management Departments for 13 years. She managed the Travel Department for Wachovia Bank in downtown Atlanta. Additionally, Niki has experience at American Express assisting the Centurion Members and at Continental Airlines as a flight attendant. She received her associate's degree from Virginia Western in Roanoke, Virginia, and her Certified Travel Associate degree from Lucas Travel School in North Carolina. Additionally, Niki attended the University of Georgia, where she received a Conference and Meeting Management Certification. Niki volunteers at the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Special Pops Tennis Program serving children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Niki has a passion for travel and exploration. She dreamed of being a flight attendant, and that's exactly what she did after graduating college!

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Dawn Will, CMP, HMCC, MMP

Vice President, Life Sciences

As vice president of life sciences, Dawn is responsible for managing client relationships, supporting the business development process, and overseeing all operational aspects of Etherio Life Sciences. Dawn plays an integral role in delivering operational excellence and managing account relationships, fostering success for our team and our clients. Dawn brings over 30 years of experience in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals industry, most recently serving as senior director of global meetings and conventions for Regeneron, a leading biotechnology company. She has also held leadership positions with Pfizer, FreemanXP supporting Sanofi, and the United States Air Force. She holds an M.B.A. in Healthcare Administration from National University. Dawn is also an active member of the Healthcare Convention and Exhibitor Association, Meeting Professionals International, and the MPI-MD Advisory Council. Dawn loves to hike with her dog Snoopy and all his four-legged friends (sometimes up to 12 other dogs)! She also enjoys vacationing on the beach, skiing on the slopes, or just spending quality time with family and friends.

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Ashleigh Wilson

Site Selection Manager

Ashleigh provides detailed venue research and contracting services for association and corporate clients. She is passionate about helping clients achieve their goals by providing best-in-class site selection services. Ashleigh began her hospitality career at White Lodging Services as a Red Coat. She contributed to the hotel’s #1 Red Coat Satisfaction Program in 2010, propelling her career as a conference services manager. Ashleigh contributed to the property’s #1 Event Satisfaction Hotels Award of North America by Travel + Leisure Magazine in 2012. Ashleigh has also supported events like the Kentucky Derby and the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards. Ashleigh completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Louisville. Ashleigh has a passion for fitness and cheerleading. She loves spending time with family, traveling, and having full conversations with her Pomeranian dog as if he understands her!

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Kori Preston

Event Manager

As an event manager, Kori is responsible for the day-to-day management of communications, registration, housing, and logistics for client programs across an array of industries. Before joining Etherio, Kori managed a private event venue, gaining experience with contract negotiation, customer relations, and day-of coordination involving multiple vendors. Kori holds a bachelor's degree in business administration. You can often find Kori volunteering with local non-profit organizations in Atlanta. Kori and her spouse love to build LEGO sets together. She has many LEGO flower bouquets, while he enjoys building Star Wars sets. Kori also enjoys attending concerts in the many music venues Atlanta has to offer.

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Tara Zeravsky, CMP

Senior Association and Conference Manager

Tara is an association manager supporting the Popular Culture Association, fostering success by managing day-to-day operations, membership, logistics, and more. She is also a conference planner supporting several other association management clients. Prior to joining Etherio, Tara worked in event management at Tupperware, planning annual sales meetings, incentive trips, and educational seminars. She holds her B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Human Resource Management. Tara is a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Georgia. She also volunteers at Petsmart in the cat adoption area with her daughter. Tara recently adopted three kittens, bringing the Zeravsky zoo to five cats and two dogs. She is a self-proclaimed “old cat lady” before her time!

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Together, We Thrive

With Etherio behind you, you’ll tap into a partnership that magnifies your meeting planning prowess and association management strategies. Experience streamlined operations, elevated engagement, and improved ROI as we collaborate to make every meeting and initiative a smashing success.