Cathy O'Connell

Cathy O'Connell, DD, Speaker, Educator, and Motivator, is passionate about creating inspiring and delightful experiences. A charismatic public speaker and dynamic seminar and retreat facilitator, Cathy's strong communication skills and compassionate understanding bring spirit and fun to programs and presentations. Cathy is the co-founder of COJ Events, a luxury destination event planning studio and hospitality consultancy group based in Palm Springs, CA, and Inclusive Wedding Planning, an online platform to elevate diverse experiences in the event world. Before founding COJ Events, Cathy enjoyed a 20-year career as Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for several Silicon Valley corporations, guiding sales and marketing teams through periods of rapid growth and industry transformation. Cathy's dynamic keynote presentations and programs have impacted executives and teams from companies including Hewlett Packard, Oracle, Cisco, and Cornish and Carrey and organizations including the National Association of Catering Managers (NACE), the Council of Communication Managers (CCM), the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), California Association of Boutique & Breakfast Inns (CABBI), the Hospitality, Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), and the International Facilities Management Organization (IFMA). Cathy is also an ordained interfaith minister with a doctorate in theology. She incorporates a body, mind, and spirit approach to life and work success while sharing her gifts of joy and compassion with all she meets. A self-described hotel junky, Cathy lives in La Quinta, CA, with her wife, Dorry, and their canine and feline children!