MELISSA SHIPENBERG

Early on in my career and prior to entering the Jewish communal field, I was an Account Executive at Philadelphia's largest theme party producers; The Theme Factory. Upon moving to New York in the mid-nineties, I entered the corporate marketing world as the Director of Marketing for Cohen's Fashion Optical - a large retail optical chain with over 200 corporate and franchise locations in the North East. I was responsible for planning and executing corporate meetings, conferences and special events for over 400 employees in New York, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Florida... For more than 20 years, I've had the privilege of planning exceptional and unforgettable events for parties of 8 to 800. The driving force in my event work has always been my belief that parties are important. They are essential celebrations of life that allow us to freeze time and honor meaningful milestones.