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Lee Doud, 30, head of events, JJ | LA, Los Angeles
Doud developed his love of the events world early. “I began my events career in the nonprofit world when I was just 19 years old. As someone who learns very quickly, I soaked up all the knowledge I could in a very short amount of time. I realized that I could handle the fast-paced, high-stress nature of the work, and that seeing the end product gave me a lot of creative satisfaction,” he says. “My career took off from there as I began to network independently and take on as many projects as I could—both in nonprofit and entertainment, oftentimes blending the two worlds together.”
In his current role with JJ | LA, Doud leads a team of event managers and coordinators, all the while focusing on satisfying the client. His creativity always comes to the fore: “Using my love and knowledge of pop culture and entertainment, I ideate new strategies and creative ways to execute experiences of all shapes and sizes both live events as well as those that exist in the virtual landscape,” he says.
Doud sees the event business as a transformative industry. “I grew up watching shows like the Oscars and Golden Globes, and movies were such a big part of my childhood. It created my love for the entertainment industry, and getting to work in nearly all facets of it now through events has opened my eyes to the endless possibilities that exist for our work,” he says. “Being able to transform a show that’s looking for a new perspective or creating a new show from the ground up can really help to enrich our culture and society—bringing some unity to what can often feel like a divided world.”
Michelle Dunnick, CPCE, 35, director of events and investor relations, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, New Orleans
Dunnick is one busy event pro.
Her day job as director of events and investor relations for United Way of Southeast Louisiana has her planning the association’s large-scale events as well as managing its auxiliary Women United. On top of that, she also serves as immediate past president of the New Orleans Chapter of NACE.
She believes her big dreams make her good at her job. “As a veteran event and logistics professional, I bring hospitality and inclusiveness everywhere I go, from creating profitable relationships to serving internal and external clients as well as serving a company with a mission that echoes this welcoming and inclusionary perspective,” she says. “My drive and dedication show up in many ways, including managing multiple projects at once, thriving off of change and deadlines, targeting and exceeding goals, as well as building community partnerships and relationships that pay off in many ways. I thrive in an environment where I can crush goals independently while working alongside team members and leaders who are passionate and charging towards their own goals, united in our mission as an organization.”
Her dream job: “To oversee a company’s social responsibility initiatives, as it marries my passion for nonprofits and events,” she says. “I would plan and support events that are making a systemic impact on the community that aligns with our initiatives. I’d want to incorporate and encourage initiatives such as diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as green initiatives, to all of my events.”
Byanca Ellul, 26, coordinator of meeting services, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, Chicago
Ellul describes her job as coordinating “small” internal meetings for HIMSS, but it adds up to a big job. She manages venue selection, contracts, food & beverage, and audiovisual, along with helping with registration, signage, food & beverage, housing, the awards program and other logistical needs for the association’s 40,000-attendee global annual conference.
Now working on earning her CMP, Ellul says she avoids the “‘this is how it’s always been done’ mind-set.” She prides herself on being “resilient and resourceful,” and is “always asking questions.”
Her dream job: creating pop-up shops specifically for musicians. “I love the idea of taking an otherwise empty space, like a warehouse, and turning it into an experience for attendees, an opportunity for exposure for an artist, and a way to introduce and improve relationships among vendors,” she explains.
Danielle Furnari, 31, development specialist in event planning, Geisinger Health, Danville, Pa.
Furnari’s team produces both corporate and fundraising events for this group of eight hospitals. She likes the variety: “We have done everything from galas to groundbreakings to a national symposium,” she explains, and adds that her team oversees everything from initial concept to day-of management.
She believes in the power of teamwork for events, not just with her colleagues but also her vendors. “We all have the same goal of making an event a huge success,” she explains. “This includes listening to each other’s ideas and opinions and implementing what is best for the event.”
Her dream job? Doing just the sort of work she does now: “Being a part of an event that raised the most funds we ever have at Geisinger Health for our children’s hospital was truly a dream come true.”
Ify Ifebi, 30, founder/CEO, Vendorspace, Atlanta
Ifebi is breaking new ground with her start-up, which aims to pair vendors with events such as conferences, festivals and the like.
“I’m good at my job because I love what I do!” she explains. “I’ve been in the events industry for over 13 years, producing everything from concerts and festivals to conferences and galas. My passion for creating a memorable experience led me to event tech. My ‘job’ doesn’t feel like work because I am building a tool that I can actually use and one that I know is valuable to so many.”
She is committed to the power of special events. “My dream job in special events would be creating live events for social good,” she says. “I believe entertainment can be a vehicle to positively impact society.”
