Resume

EVENT LEADERSHIP

University of Portland - Portland, OR

Director of Conferences & Special Projects | 02/2023 - current

Associate Director of University Events | 07/2015 - 02/2023

Assistant Director of University Events | 07/2014 - 07/2015

Referred into initial role by industry contact to work in fast-paced department handling 14,500 meetings/events per year that range in size from 25-6,000 attendees and $600,000 in annual spend. Proposed then was accepted into new role handling development of conferences and pre-college programs. Supervise two full-time and 20 part-time employees, led financial strategy for event operations by directing a $500,000 budget, and managed a 50-client portfolio. Set up a dedicated revenue pipeline that fills facility space vacancies during downtimes. Currently plan, manage, implement, and execute events for clients including intern housing program, on-campus lectures, dining, rooming, classes, graduation, pre-college program, and reunions. Provide direction to teams including championing event operations best practices, efficiency, and customer service while also managing/overseeing all vendor operations/contracts.

• In year one, revenues increased by 101% YOY growth; in year two, growth continued by 50% YOY. Achieved this by recruiting new business clients who booked empty facilities during summer and signed the university's largest client for summer conferences.

• Surpassed $1 million in summer conference revenue in 2026, the highest annual total in University of Portland's history, a 396% increase since the department's 2022 baseline.

• Retains 90% of clients across 56 annual summer conference groups, including the University's largest conference account by revenue, which returns on a recurring 3-year cycle; clients consistently cite personalized service and follow-through as the reason they keep coming back.

• Partnered with Facilities and Residence Life to establish the University's first residence-hall furniture standard, reworking storage closets across every residence building and building cross-departmental alignment on an issue unresolved for 5+ years, removing a key capacity constraint on continued summer conference growth.

• Leads the strategic vision and execution of high-profile events, collaborating directly with university executives, including the President's Office, President's Leadership Council, Board of Regents and Deans, to deliver events that align with institutional goals and strengthen stakeholder relationships.

• Trusted as the go-to leader for the University's highest-profile, once-in-a-generation events, from designing the inaugural welcome program for UP's 21st president to serving on the primary planning team for the University's 125th Anniversary celebration.

• Conceived and launched the University's inaugural pre-college program in 2025, hosting 18 students on campus; of the 12 rising seniors who attended, 11 applied to UP and 5 confirmed enrollment as incoming undergraduates in Fall 2026, a 42% senior-to-enrollment yield.

• Modernized Commencement planning for the University's largest event by replacing a 200+ page printed working document with a live, continuously updated online version, and instituted daily team check-ins during event week to keep the full planning team aligned in real time.

• Grew the internship housing program to $228,225 in cumulative revenue across four years (2023-2026), a 54% increase in student participants (13 to 20), enabling students from outside the Portland area to reside on campus.

• Built an internal conference planning app on Airtable, giving planners and staff one centralized source for all conference information; cut internal email volume by 10% and sped up post-conference invoicing, helping staff bill faster and clients pay sooner.

• Spearheaded the development of creative, distinctly branded event experiences that reinforced the University's identity and mission, including a custom commencement event solution. Produced 1,000+ customized boxes for graduating seniors to make up for inability to participate in commencement in-person.

• Led initiatives to enhance inclusivity in event planning, incorporating ASL live captioning, sensory-inclusive booths, and multilingual services to ensure a welcoming and accessible experience for all participants, aligning with the University's mission of diversity and inclusion.

• Saved organization $45,000 annually after pivoting to paid cap-and-gown services versus providing items complimentary to graduating students.

Portland Timbers and Thorns – Portland, OR

Timbers2 Event Manager | 12/2014 – 06/2018

Special Events Assistant | 01/2014 – 12/2014

Special Events Intern | 10/2013 – 12/2013

Converted internship into permanent role then progressively promoted. Coordinated 15 game-day events with up to 1,500 attendees, and worked with staff teams of up to 20 employees. Acted as liaison between Portland Timbers and University of Portland, handling game management, operations, concessions, housekeeping, guest services, team operations, sponsorship, and security to ensure successful game operations. Enforced venue and industry standards including severe-weather procedures, fire code, capacity, safety and security measures. Acted as event lead through communicating event day changes, supervising guest service attendants, and enforcing stadium policies and procedures. Coordinated with internal and external vendors/departments including catering, operations, finance, sponsorship, housekeeping and other services.

Boosted sales 15% after leading launch that added Providence Park's first-ever website dedicated to event bookings; created online portfolio that showed event possibilities to inspire potential clients into booking.

EDUCATION

AFFILIATIONS / INVOLVEMENT

Member, Association of Collegiate Conference and Event Directors International (2017 - current)

Member, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Oregon Chapter (2019 - current)

Member, North American Association of Commencement Officers (2025 - current)

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