Breaking Boundaries: Celebrating 25 Trailblazing Women CEOs in the Event Industry
Mar 08, 2024 Shruti Shah
As we mark International Women's Day 2024, it's an opportune moment to honor and celebrate the outstanding achievements of women leaders across the event industry. In an ever-evolving landscape of events, women are consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership, vision, and determination. From managing late-night events to handling packed schedules, or whether it's traveling across the globe, they ensure the success of every event. Their hard work and dedication shape the event industry in powerful ways.
This blog pays tribute to these trailblazing women whose contributions have set a powerful example of inclusion and empowerment. While our list may not encompass every woman, it serves as our humble attempt to represent those who are beacons of inspiration and a testament to the remarkable impact of women's leadership in events.
1. Leslie Nilsson - @BartlebyandSage
Leslie's dual role as CEO & President at @BartlebyandSage highlights her leadership skills and dedication to excellence. Through her guidance, the company excels in delivering top-notch catering and event planning services, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients.
2. Tara Ericson - beMatrix USA
As CEO of beMatrix USA, Tara demonstrates expertise in the events industry, drawing from experience in various sectors. Her leadership drives innovation, providing high-quality solutions tailored to event professionals' needs.
3. Casandra Mead - BlackHouse
Casandra's role as CEO of BlackHouse reflects her visionary leadership in event management. The company's specialization in live, virtual, and hybrid events speaks of her commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across diverse platforms.
4. Denise Jones - CHIN RADIO
Aenise's role as CEO of Jones & Jones and Host/Executive Producer at CHIN RADIO highlights her versatility in the media and entertainment industry. Her leadership fosters business success while reinforcing industry connections through active involvement in organizations like CanSPEP.
5. Lily Morgan - Lily Farm Fresh Event Center
Lily's leadership as CEO of Lily Farm Fresh Event Center underscores her commitment to creating unforgettable event experiences. Her focus on sustainability and community engagement adds value to the company's offerings, making it a standout venue for various events.
6. Amanda Lange - DINEvent
Amanda's position as the Founder & CEO of DINEvent exemplifies her entrepreneurial drive and fervor for event management. Through innovative technological solutions, she has catapulted DINEvent to the forefront of the industry. Offering a streamlined and complimentary platform, DINEvent simplifies the intricacies of planning dining events across North America and parts of Europe, revolutionizing the process for clients worldwide.
7. Sally Roberts - Infinix Global Meetings & Events/Rx Worldwide Meetings
Sally's role as CEO reflects her expertise in orchestrating large-scale events globally. Her dedication to excellence has earned her company a reputation for delivering unparalleled experiences, establishing it as a leader in the industry.
8. Deirdre Machin - The O'Neill Group Inc.
Deirdre's leadership as CEO of The O'Neill Group Inc. spans over 25 years in event management. Her commitment to driving positive change is evident through her involvement in various industry organizations, reinforcing her role as a seasoned professional.
9. Jackie Dodds - JW Group USA
As CEO of JW Group USA, Jackie's leadership underscores her adeptness in catering to a diverse clientele spanning the globe. Specializing in VIP client transfers, catering, hotel and site selection, event management and production, as well as group transportation and logistics, Jackie navigates complex challenges with finesse. Her proficiency has played a pivotal role in propelling the company's exponential growth and sustained success.
10. Rebecca Linder - Linder Global Events
Rebecca's tenure as CEO of Linder Global Events showcases her exceptional ability to cater to a global clientele. With expertise in VIP client transfers, catering, hotel and site selection, event management and production, as well as group transportation and logistics, Rebecca adeptly navigates intricate challenges. Her proficiency has been instrumental in driving the company's remarkable growth and ensuring its continued success.
11. Melissa Spirito - Silhouette Group Inc.
As the Co-Founder and CEO of Silhouette Group Inc., Melissa embodies a commitment to delivering top-tier event planning and management services. Her meticulous attention to detail and unwavering focus on customer satisfaction have solidified the company's reputation for excellence. Melissa's creative flair, vibrant energy, and keen eye for detail are evident in every project and event undertaken by Silhouette Group Inc. The company specializes in curating a diverse range of events, including luxury client entertainment programs, product launches, fashion shows, corporate conferences, non-profit events, galas, and experiential marketing campaigns.
12. Stephanie McVeigh - CEO & Founder
Stephanie's dedication to supporting entrepreneurship and fostering professional development is evident through her company, Strategic Incentive Solutions Inc. Her leadership ensures seamless event execution, offering turn-key services that encompass venue sourcing, contract negotiation, air travel coordination, onsite staffing, and collaboration with internal teams. Furthermore, Stephanie's role as a Brand Ambassador to industry organizations like the DSEF Canada Board of Directors, DSWA, and DSA underscores her commitment to advancing the Meetings, Incentive, Rewards, and Event industry in both the US and Canada.
13. Dana Logrippo - Ignite Experience Agency
Dana's role as Founder & CEO of Ignite Experience Agency showcases her passion for crafting engaging events that leave a lasting impact. With a focus on audience interaction and social engagement, her agency stands out in the industry. For over 11 years, Ignite Experience Agency has been dedicated to creating unforgettable moments through innovative live events.
14. Nadene Orr - We've Got the Keys and Fantasy Fest Key West
Nadene's role as President & CEO of We've Got the Keys and Festival Director for Fantasy Fest Key West showcases her expertise in Destination Management Services - planning corporate Incentive Travel Programs & Meetings event management. Her 25 years leadership ensures the success of Fantasy Fest, an annual festival attracting thousands of attendees to Key West, Florida.
15. Romasha Nath - Whitecube Business Events
Romasha's tenure as Founder & CEO of Whitecube Business Events reflects her commitment to providing comprehensive event management solutions. Her company specializes in organizing corporate conferences, exhibitions, and seminars, ensuring seamless experiences for covering all stakeholders such as partners, employees, customers, investors, and the community for high-growth businesses.
16. Heather Odendaal - WNORTH and Bluebird Strategy
Heather's leadership as Founder and CEO of WNORTH highlights her dedication to empowering women in business. Through WNORTH, she provides networking opportunities, leadership development programs, and conferences tailored to women executives, fostering their professional growth and success. She's also a founder of Bluebird Strategy, supporting clients in planning destination events & conferences.
17. Alicia Schiro - Aced It Events
Alicia's leadership as Founder & CEO of Aced It Events showcases her expertise in event planning and execution. Her company specializes in organizing corporate events, product launches, and experiential marketing campaigns, delivering outstanding results for clients across industries engaging the consumer with interactive and one-of-a-kind event concepts.
18. Stefanie Lerner - Encore Creative & Go Time Design
Stefanie Lerner's title as "The Leader" aptly reflects her role as CEO of both Encore Creative & Go Time Design. With a wealth of experience in the events industry, Stefanie leads her teams with vision and passion. Under her guidance, Encore Creative excels in creating immersive event experiences, while Go Time Design specializes in innovative branding and marketing solutions. Stefanie's leadership fosters creativity, excellence, and client satisfaction, making her companies go-to choices for impactful events and dynamic branding strategies.
19. Erika Kulovitz - Akire Productions
Erika's role as Founder, CEO, Executive Producer of Akire Productions signifies her leadership in the entertainment industry, with a production company that creates, designs, and produces live, virtual, and hybrid event experiences. Her team works on events of all sizes, from large-scale corporate events to non-profit galas, film screenings, multi-day conferences, and everything in between. They work tirelessly to deliver solid results for their clients on every project.
20. Justine Converse - Brigade Events
Justine's leadership as Founder and CEO of Brigade Events showcases her talent for producing impactful and memorable events. Her company specializes in creating immersive experiences that connect brands with their audiences, earning recognition for creativity and innovation in event design.
21. Anita Jentzen - Detail planners
Anita's role as CEO and Owner of detail planners showcases her expertise in creating flawless and memorable events. Her company specializes in event planning and coordination, offering personalized services that exceed clients' expectations. They excel in planning and execution of the complete life cycle of the event.
22. Diana Hisey - Event Design International
Diana's leadership as CEO of Event Design International reflects her dedication to transforming event visions into reality. Her company specializes in event design and production, delivering breathtaking experiences that elevate brands and leave a lasting impact on attendees.
23. Paula Breed - Monalto Corporate Events
Paula's position as President and CEO of Monalto Corporate Events showcases her expertise in corporate event planning. Her company specializes in creating customized experiences for corporate clients, earning recognition for professionalism and attention to detail.
24. Paulette Wolf - Paulette Wolf Events & Entertainment
Paulette's leadership as CEO of Paulette Wolf Events & Entertainment showcases her expertise in event planning and entertainment. Her company, with 40 years of experience in producing high-profile events and live performances for fortune 500, has earned acclaim for creativity and professionalism.
25. Fiona Volmrich - VIP Incentives, Inc.
Fiona's position as Chief Executive Officer of VIP Incentives, Inc. signifies her expertise in rewards and recognition programs. She is specialized in planning and delivering extraordinary and memorable high-touch events for clients around the world.
These stories illuminate the path towards greater inclusion and diversity in the event industry. As women navigate the challenging waters of this dynamic field, their resilience and ingenuity continue to redefine success. With each triumph, they not only shatter stereotypes but also pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive future.
Today, Eventcombo extends its heartfelt wishes that their success echoes not just today, but every single day. Happy International Women's Day!
