MDG GROUP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Account Director
- Associate
With a degree in organizational communication studies from James Madison University and roots in Hawaii, Abbey possesses an aloha spirit as well as a philosophy that obstacles are just opportunities in disguise. Abbey began her journey with the Freeman family, where she expanded her skills in event production and strategic brand management. Since joining mdg, Abbey's innovative communication skills and passionate approach to account services consistently lead to client success. When she's not working, you can find Abbey sipping coffee, traveling and SUPing off the coast of Oahu.
Allyson has extensive experience in the accounting field through working with over 30 companies in multiple industries as a consulting accountant. She holds a bachelor's degree and award for outstanding academic achievement in economics and accounting from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She also holds a California Single Subject Mathematics Credential that allows her to bring a unique approach to her collaboration and management style. Allyson brings her positive energy, passion for numbers, commitment and discernment to further the growth and development of the mdg accounting team. When she's not in the office, Allyson is indulging in the "FunFitFoodieSD" side of herself with her husband in the beautiful, sunny San Diego weather. On weekends, you can find her at San Diego's festivals, Padres games, exercising, trying new restaurants, bowling or playing games.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, International Marketing
With a degree in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing and International Business and a background in market research, Anastasiya is well equipped to deliver on her clients' informational needs. She combines strategy, creativity, innovation, and enthusiasm in her approach to research and helps translate insights into actionable strategies.
Job Titles:
- International Marketing Manager
Andres is an account management aficionado with an extensive background in advertising and marketing. Having worked with clients from multiple sectors-including travel, gaming, non-profit, associations, finance, and government-Andres has a proven track record for building lasting relationships with all variety of clients, as well as internal teams. When he isn't delighting mdg's clients, gaming or traveling, Andres enjoys exploring different neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., the city he's called home since 2017.
With experience working for a diverse range of brands, Angelique brings a well-versed knowledge of social media, print and digital marketing to mdg. Obtaining a bachelor's in business administration from Emory University's Goizueta Business School serves as one of many milestones in her career. She's known for her on-point organizational skills, knack for problem-solving and passion for storytelling. While she's a native Washingtonian, Angelique loves finding new ways to rediscover her city.
Job Titles:
- Group Director, International Strategy
Anjia is mdg's global nomad-in-residence, with almost two decades of experience living and working overseas in South America, the Middle East, Europe, and South Asia. Anjia helps mdg clients navigate foreign markets, cultivate and deepen relationships with key international industry stakeholders, and uncover unique market insights to maximize the value of international outreach. Prior to her work with mdg, Anjia held positions with the departments of Commerce and State, national environmental nonprofit organizations and a global advertising agency.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Organizational Strategy
Annie leads client engagements for mdg's advisory practice clients and brings over 20 years of experience advising leading corporations and organizations on strategy, organizational transformation, process improvement and performance management. Before mdg, Annie led corporate strategy execution and performance management at Mars Incorporated, where she designed and managed board meetings and strategy discussions, oversaw key global corporate initiatives on risk management and performance improvement and identified key internal communications regarding company strategy. Prior to Mars, Annie spent 12 years as a senior manager within Deloitte Consulting's strategy and operations practice, managing teams in strategy, communications, human capital and technology initiatives. Annie has extensive experience spanning technology, healthcare, telecommunications, non-profit and governmental organizations.
Job Titles:
- Research, Data and Insights
- Senior Research Manager
A native of the Jersey Shore, Ayana graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Kean University. Now, a great work environment and strong company ethic have caused what started out as a temporary position to turn into almost 20 years in the industry, igniting her thirst to learn more. She enjoys working with association and corporate clients in using research data to help them better understand the opportunities and challenges of their events. Outside of work, Ayana enjoys shopping, binge watching shows and just enjoying life with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Web Strategy
Though his focus is all things web, Ben aims to be a true Renaissance man, applying his technology savvy and Bachelor of Arts in Writing to provide clients with dynamic web and email solutions that wow users and administrators alike. His other passions include mathematics, which makes him an ideal analytics manager, and music, which makes him fun to hang out with at parties.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Project Management
Caiti started her digital marketing career by managing client campaigns across a wide variety of industries. From there, she dipped her toes into the political world, running high-profile campaigns for major candidates at the local, state and national levels. After a few years on the execution side of digital marketing and a transition to project management, she joined mdg, where she works with the digital, web and data teams to transform client goals into realities. In her free time, you'll find Caiti attending Washington, D.C. sporting events (go Caps!), riding her Peloton and visiting local breweries.
Job Titles:
- Vice President and Marketing Strategist
Even at the tender age of 8, Caitlin could read the writing on the wall: Lemonade's heyday had come and gone. Thus, she began her marketing career as sole proprietor of the only fresh grapefruit juice stand in the neighborhood. Thanks to the use of innovative thinking, a clear competitive differentiator and a keen understanding of her audience, she enjoyed the sweet (or in this case, sour) taste of success for the first time. In the intervening years, she's used the same recipe to market conferences and trade shows within a wide range of industries, including healthcare, renewable energy, media, technology and luxury goods. Now armed with two Master of Business Administration degrees in Marketing and International Business, Caitlin's tools may be more sophisticated, but her goal is the same: to help clients create and seize opportunities based on market conditions and to stand out in a world of sameness.
Caitlin brings extensive agency experience and knack for visual storytelling to mdg, where she makes everything from concept creation to branding strategy to content development look effortless. She enjoys applying the knowledge she gained while earning her B.A. in graphic design from San Diego State University to projects for clients in, as she says, "an eclectic mix of industries." Outside of work, you'll find Caitlin dancing and singing (badly) at a concert or strolling through an art gallery.
Cassandra has a nearly insatiable curiosity and an entrepreneurial spirit where she is driven by those "aha!" moments, the feeling you get when you discover or execute new marketing methodologies that are truly epiphanic. This has led her to a mix of agency and in-house corporate marketing experiences, where she's marketed everything from security and casino gaming to federal IT, pop culture, book publishing and more. Cassandra is a high-energy, passionate people person and believes that a flexible balance of creativity, attention to detail, collaboration and strategy is recipe in delivering the mdg brand promise to her clients. Originally from Connecticut, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, being outdoors and channeling her inner-Martha Stewart.
Chace speaks Python (the programming language … nothing to do with big snakes) and data fluently. An expert at implementing ETL data processes, she leverages supervised and unsupervised machine learning methods to translate data into powerful insights that facilitate more informed, strategic decision making. Chace holds a degree in machine learning and neural computation, which she puts to work crafting robust dashboards for mdg's clients.
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design, Channing brings 15 years of production and design experience to mdg. Prior to moving to San Diego from Albuquerque, New Mexico, he served as production director for the Albuquerque Business First (a business news publication owned by American City Business Journals), where he received awards for Advertising Design, Publication Design and Typography. Prior to that, Channing worked in design firm/print shop environments, where he managed a multitude of design projects from conception to completion.
Chereen is a gregarious and energetic marketer who takes pride in her precision, and "extra mile" approach when it comes to maximizing growth for her clients at mdg. She has a master's degree from Georgetown University in Culture, Communication, and Technology. Her professional experience includes a decade of domestic and international work in omnichannel marketing and content strategy and development. From Dubai to New York, Chereen has lived and worked around the world, producing viral-content for Forbes and working with clients ranging from Sheikhs to global pharmaceuticals. She has a passion for taking on cooking challenges and exploring different cultures with guests on her podcast.
Job Titles:
- Communications
- Director of Content
Christine is a strategic content marketer who is passionate about developing and leveraging high-quality content to achieve meaningful business results. With 13 years of experience in marketing strategy, digital marketing, community management, and creative content production, Christine has had the pleasure of working with a diverse range of consumer and association clients including Panera Bread, Chevrolet, Hitachi, TBS, ASIS International, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Outside the office, you can find her at the playground with her two kids or trying out a new recipe in her kitchen.
Clinton has more than 12 years of design and development experience in the beautiful world of non-profit associations. With a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from Arkansas State University, Clinton now creates stunning user interfaces that give life and movement to modern day web design. In his spare time, Clinton enjoys the occasional beer at his local pub and bowling.
Connor is a graduate of James Madison University and an experienced association marketer with a strong work ethic and passion for marketing. He is the ultimate people person, priding himself on getting to know the customer and providing them with a personal marketing strategy, customer experience and targeted campaign. Connor is passionate about association conferences, where he gets to meet unique communities of people and immerse himself within the industry. In his free time, he can be found watching football and cheering on the Los Angeles Rams.
Job Titles:
- Research Systems Director
Darren doesn't like to date himself, but has worn many hats conducting primary research in the events industry since 1999. His passion and knack for problem solving allows him to be creative in finding solutions to execute high-quality research for mdg clients. He has developed measurement programs, tools and web applications to aid clients in creating highly effective and cost-efficient solutions to measure event performance. Outside of work, you can find Darren hanging out with his wife and two sons, playing pickleball and basketball, walking his dog Lucy around the neighborhood or at the beach on the Jersey Shore (although he prefers a Caribbean island).
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing Manager
Domi brings a world of experience to the mdg team-literally. While working on both the ad agency and client sides in New York City and Central Europe, she oversaw the complete digital marketing process, from marketing strategy and content creation to publication and promotion. When Domi isn't optimizing campaigns for mdg's clients, you'll find her exploring new countries, cultures and foods. She has a master's degree in marketing communications, as well as a special fondness for cappuccinos, minimalism, the great outdoors and sustainable living.
Elena Balint - Chief Strategy Officer
Elena has been advising, planning and executing brand marketing strategies, integrated campaigns, staffing and agency solutions for small businesses, startups and associations. She focuses on understanding the value proposition of brands and developing omnichannel solutions (live, online, social, podcast, etc.) that will optimize participation and engagement. Before joining the strategy team, Elena led marketing and brand strategy for Stand Together, National Geographic Partners, Sharemylesson.com and AdAge.
Eli's fascination with consumer behavior and communications led him to pursue a bachelor's degree in marketing in from San Diego State University and an internship with mdg, where he demonstrated his incredible ability to stay flexible and efficient in the agency world. Now Eli puts his experience (as well as his natural talents) in social media management, tactical planning and the strategic execution of event marketing campaigns to work for mdg's clients. When he's not at the computer or on the phone, you'll find him golfing, catching some rays at the beach, or watching Netflix with his adorable dachshunds, Rex and Zizi.
Emily is a strategic marketing leader and problem-solver who believes that a flexible balance of creativity, logic and innovation is key for delivering the mdg brand promise to her clients. Informed by data-driven insights and inspired by igniting emotional connections, she and her team of marketing aficionados develop marketing strategies that cut through the noise, breathe new life into established brands, uncover game-changing audience insights and execute flawless tactical campaigns to deliver on organizational goals.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Digital Marketing Strategy
Erin brings her customer-first thinking and passion for marketing technology to mdg, where she helps clients uncover new ways to maximize the value of their martech solutions and their ROI. Having led award-winning campaigns for international brands and organizations in the transportation, construction, food, manufacturing, biotech and healthcare spaces, Erin has a knack for driving engagement across all types of audiences. She also has a love for exploring beaches, international travel and her hometown of Washington, D.C., where you'll find her kayaking, biking, singing along at concerts or walking her rescue pup, Carly.
With a passion for storytelling and a background in journalism, Glenda has a special flair for developing narratives that captivate audiences. She brings more than a decade of experience developing brand strategy, experiential marketing and creative content for NBC Sports and the NFL-plus the skills she honed while leading social media and women's programming at Solar Power Events-to the mdg team. While Glenda will always be a proud Washington, D.C./Maryland native, she has an undeniable love for island life, which she developed while earning her bachelor's degree in communications at the University of Hawai'i.
Job Titles:
- Sponsorship Strategy Director
Heather leads the Association segment for Freeman's sponsorship strategy practice, where she partners with clients to create sponsorship strategy, drive growth of attendees, exhibitors and sponsors and create meaningful and memorable live experiences. Her focus is offering strategic guidance and identifying opportunities to enhance experiences, gain deeper engagement and achieve sustainable growth.
Job Titles:
- Agency Sales and Marketing Coordinator
Born in Kazakhstan, raised in Germany and now a San Diegan, Helena speaks three languages - and is fluent in omni-channel marketing tactics. Her background in sales, marketing and project management, strong work ethic and "let's get it done!" attitude make her a valuable partner to both her clients and her mdg teammates. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and is a self-proclaimed "people person." Outside of work, Helena enjoys traveling and basking in the natural beauty of America's Finest City.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Research and Measurement
Ian puts his almost 40 years of expertise working in the trade show and event industry to work by helping exhibition organizers, exhibitors and brand marketers reinforce their brand leadership and deliver on their events' unique value proposition. He is a speaker at industry conferences and has been a faculty member at ExhibitorLive's annual conference for over 25 years. As recent past chair of CEIR's Research Council, Ian is deeply involved in guiding industry research. He was awarded IAEE's Distinguished Services Award and holds an MBA from American University. In his free time, he enjoys travel, playing pickleball and tennis, reading, music, going to the movies and attending concerts (huge Elton fan!) and Broadway shows.
Ibukun has over a decade of experience in the graphic design and web development world. He has created brands, print material and websites for a wide range of clients, including non-profit, legal, entertainment and startups. With a bachelor's degrees in Political Science, History and Journalism from Rutgers University (which he never actually uses), and an overactive imagination, Ibukun may be better suited to be a raconteur than a developer, but the possibilities in code are irresistible. Ibukun enjoys sparkling conversation, quick wit, Game of Thrones and gummy bears.
Ingrid has an extensive background in trade association marketing and communications. Her skillset includes creating streamlined and thought-provoking messaging, developing creative event promotions and managing overall brand identity and reputation. Ingrid brings years of experience to mdg. Her adventure began at the Roller Skating Association in Indianapolis, then the Professional Association of Innkeepers in Philadelphia and lastly the National Golf Course Owners Association in Charleston. Ingrid enjoys exploring the city parks with her Shiba Inu dog, Kobe, in her free time.
Jacquelyn joined mdg in 2007 as a member of the account services team. She's since earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of San Diego and has been instrumental in driving and managing the agency's exponential growth. In her current role, she consults directly for and leads teams serving event clients in myriad industries, from food and beverage to technology, healthcare, and more. Specifically, she has developed campaigns to acquire, engage and retain attendees for clients such as the International Baking Industry Exposition, AUVSI XPONENTIAL, and World of Concrete. Jacquelyn has lived, studied, and worked overseas and is currently leading an initiative to streamline the onboarding and training of new agency employees.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director, Creative Services
Jay has extensive experience providing design solutions for innovative shows, national brands and mom and pops alike. Everything Jay does is relationship-based and at mdg, he utilizes this underlying methodology to strengthen his team's creative, maximize impact and deliver results for clients. Jay holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from the Ringling College of Art and Design. He is sometimes mistaken for The Dude and can easily be bribed with a bottle of good bourbon.
With a passion for keeping up with marketing trends and a determination that drives successful campaign results, JC approaches every challenge with the mindset of an invested partner. He comes to mdg with experience developing and leading omni-channel marketing initiatives for agency clients, associations and higher education. He earned his bachelor's degree with a concentration in international marketing from American University and his master's in international marketing from Boston University. When not watching, writing about or attending a soccer match, JC enjoys spending time with his family, going on hikes and planning movie nights.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Research and Measurement
Over a 25+ year career, Jeff's experience in events ranges from being an exhibit manager for a Fortune 100 company to supervising the research programs of multiple shows for a for-profit organizer. More recently, as a market research professional, he has been involved in show management, exhibitor, trade show industry and corporate event research projects. He has developed and conducted quantitative and qualitative studies on show performance, brand perception and industry leadership. On the personal side - after dieting and losing many pandemic pounds - his newest hobby is to explore notable New Jersey eateries with his family and try all their specialties.
Job Titles:
- Talent Acquisition and HR Manager
Jenn has extensive experience in the human resources field within the hospitality and non-profit industries. She holds a bachelor's degree in Communication from University of California, Santa Barbara and specializes in talent acquisition. She has a true passion for finding amazing talent to join the mdg family. Jenn is a San Diego native, and when not enjoying the beautiful California sunshine, she can be found on her mat, practicing yoga.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Strategic Account Management
Jennifer helps mdg's association clients advance a broad range of organizational initiatives. Leveraging in-depth knowledge of industries and audiences, she and her team develop and execute communication and marketing plans to increase membership, promote professional certifications and development opportunities, spark engagement, build participation in events and support sales, sponsorship and revenue objectives. She's a proud Certified Association Executive with two "Power of A" awards from The Center for Association Leadership adorning her bookshelf - along with pictures of her husband, two sons and adorable dog Griff. Her love for association marketing is matched only by her love of sunshine, adventure and dinner parties.
Jess is an experienced association marketer who strongly believes that putting the customer at the forefront of every effort is the key to long-term growth and loyalty. She is obsessed with marketing strategy, customer experience and creating relevant, targeted campaigns for each client. Jess is happiest while on-site at association conferences, where she gets to meet unique communities of people who unite with the specific goal of sharing and learning together. Jess also loves to put her strategy skills to work at board game night or when planning unusual vacations. In her free time, she can be found on a hike with her dog or cuddled up with her cat watching bad TV.
Job Titles:
- Group Director, Paid Media
Hailing from the Southside of Chicago, Joe is a recent SoCal transfer that has led strategy and fulfillment teams across the digital marketing landscape since 2005. He got his start with small business SEM, which led to managing both search and display campaigns for some of the largest advertisers in the country. He partnered with companies from all walks of life-healthcare, technology, retail, CPG, and more-and is now working with mdg's digital activation group managing association and event campaigns through paid search, social media, and programmatic display and video. When he's not thinking about cost per acquisition or conversion rates, Joe can be found paling around the San Diego area with his bulldog/pug hybrid PorkChop.
Julia excels at keeping campaigns organized and on track, thanks to her affinity for color-coded to-do lists. Having spent her entire career executing membership and event campaigns, she understands the value of a strong CTA and the nimbleness needed to execute a successful plan for non-profit organizations and associations. When she's not crafting new marketing strategies and identifying opportunities for her mdg clients, you'll find her wherever live music is playing and brussels sprouts are on the menu.
Job Titles:
- Director of Public Relations
Julie brings more than a decade of communications experience to mdg and has guided the successful efforts of a wide variety of corporate, association and nonprofit clients. She is experienced in the areas of public relations, social media, advertising, email marketing, website management, corporate communications and investor relations. She takes pride in leading effective integrated strategic communications strategies that support each organization's mission and goals. Julie graduated from Penn State University and lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two daughters. In her free time, she enjoys listening to crime and entertainment podcasts, cheering on the Nittany Lions, meticulously planning her next trip to Disney and being an enthusiastic cheer/soccer/swim/gymnastics mom.
With experience in fashion, retail, action sports, entertainment and health care, Kacia's diverse background serves her well in an agency environment. She holds a Master of Arts in Design Strategy and Innovation from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Saint Anselm College. Kacia's creative serves as the platform on which mdg's results-generating campaigns are built. When she's not in her creative zone you can find her checking dream surf destinations off her bucket list.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Web Strategy
With more than 20 years of professional web and digital communications experience, Karmon Runquist jokes that her career started before Internet Explorer and has outlasted it. She evangelizes about the way digital communications can bring people together and make the world more accessible to everyone. She is happy to chat about the latest web design trends, personalized email, digital signage and social media.
Runquist is an avid reader of everything from urban fantasy novels to 19th-century poetry. She loves to travel and watch cheesy disaster movies.
Kate found her career calling in marketing at the crossroads where words matter, images evoke, experiences transform and actions mean everything. With prior experience as an in-house Marketing Manager, Industry Association Committee Member and member of the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization, her ability to recognize and navigate clients' pain points and business objectives comes intuitively. An innovative thinker, driven by data and fueled by client success, Kate manages the execution of campaigns from conceptual to tactical. When not in the office she can be found at the local yoga studio, exploring around the globe or traveling the world of music as a performance reviewer. Kate is a fourth-generation Californian and settled in San Diego while earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from San Diego State University.
Functioning at the intersection of creativity and strategy, Kate brings years of marketing, communications and public relations experience to mdg. Her passion for the field was affirmed by a fashion show during college in which she was selected to head communications efforts for the show. Over the following decade, Kate has grown her expertise while working with numerous nonprofit organizations, restaurants, events and media companies. Kate is a native of the Washington, D.C., area who enjoys soaking up the sun by the water and volunteering with a local animal rescue.
Katie helps clients understand event performance analytics and obtain insights needed to determine if goals were met. She loves working with clients onsite to draft research questions that meet objectives and feels that nothing is better than a good attendee or exhibitor interview. From extensive experience, she knows that managing details is vital to ensuring a successful research project. When she isn't hard at work, you can find her reading, cooking up the latest New York Times weekly recipe or hanging with her rescue dog, the marvelous Maxie.
Having worked in the consumer goods and manufacturing industries, Katy has diverse experience marketing to retailers, engineers, and other business leaders and - most importantly - she understands how to adapt her approach accordingly. She builds strong relationships with her clients by proactively managing expectations, timelines, and all the other details along the way. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Apparel Merchandising and a minor in Business from Auburn University.
Kelly Parisi - Chief Strategy Officer
With a background in event and product marketing, Kelly helps mdg clients translate audience insights into strategic roadmaps. Kelly brings over a decade of experience in the events and hospitality industry with a deep understanding of the event tech landscape. She's most passionate about understanding audience needs to fuel experience innovation. Kelly earned her bachelor's degree in History and Business from Providence College and spends her free time soaking up all the laughs with her husband and two little boys.
Kerry brings her enthusiasm and experience in payroll, accounting and human resources to the mdg team. After receiving her bachelor's degree in finance from Providence College, she has held positions in private banking, higher education, marketing and technology companies. She loves connecting with people, especially those who share in her obsessions of dogs and East Coast pizza. When Kerry's not spoiling her Shih Tzu, Tucker, she can be found hiking, traveling, getting splat points at Orangetheory or enjoying cocktails with friends and family.
With 18 years of event marketing experience, a Master of Science in Business Administration and an uncanny ability to switch from left-brain to right-brain thinking (and back again), Hardcastle blends focus and discipline with innovative thinking and creativity to craft unique solutions for agency clients. She's a CEM faculty member, a Krakoff Leaders Institute alumna, the editor of mdg's marketing newsletter, a presenter of industry seminars on strategic marketing planning and, most importantly, an integral collaborator for several prominent association and event clients across in the country. She's also a mom, runner, reader, lover of east coast cities and west coast beaches and is known to eat lunch at her desk as early as 9:15 a.m.
With a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Design, Kristen brings experience designing for a variety of industries, including government, healthcare, finance and education. Passionate and detail-oriented, she loves finding creative solutions and helping bring client visions to life. When she is not designing, you can find Kristen testing out new recipes or checking out the many museums DC has to offer.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager
- Senior Account Director
Lindsay is a proven project manager for a variety of mediums, including public relations, direct mail, and relationship management. Prior to joining mdg, Lindsay worked primarily with federal and local government clients to execute integrated marketing campaigns and develop print collateral. Lindsay earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a minor in Graphic Design from Longwood University.
With a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University and marketing and event planning experience, Liz is equipped to take on any client challenge and turn it into an opportunity. She finds joy in building relationships, executing multi-channel marketing plans and learning new things. Outside of work, Liz is a fitness enthusiast, reader, scrapbooker and avid watcher of Friends reruns.
Meg comes to mdg with an extensive background in trade association marketing, member engagement and meeting planning. She prides herself on her attention to detail and loves diving deep into each campaign to discover creative ideas and tactics to deliver to her clients. A native Virginian, she is a proud VCU alumni with a passion for storytelling. In her spare time, you can catch her taking long walks around her neighborhood, catching up on her must-see movie list and writing her next screenplay.
By approaching campaigns from both the creative and strategic perspectives, Melanie helps mdg's account and creative teams implement innovative campaigns that generate positive results. Her diverse background includes executing data-driven strategies in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, sports marketing and entertainment. When she's not in the office, you can find her trying out different restaurants in the DMV (D.C., Maryland and Virginia) area, embarking on a new DIY project and listening to anything true crime.
Job Titles:
- Web Developer and Ux / Ui Specialist
Combining knowledge in international relations acquired from the University of Toronto with experience as a web editor and developer, Michael possesses a unique skill set spanning the creative and technical sides of web publishing. With a history of developing innovative solutions that bridge the gap between the needs of his clients and the challenges of implementation in an ever-changing digital world, Michael is a welcome addition to the mdg web team. He hails from the frigid north (Rochester, New York to be exact) and is now enjoying life a little closer to the equator.
Michelle has over 20 years of experience working in corporate and non-profit marketing departments. She enjoys working with clients and taking their digital and print projects from vision to reality. She is a relocated Brit, who after many years of being in America, still loves all things British. Michelle has an undergraduate degree in Journalism with a Graphic Design concentration from Liberty University.
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing Manager
Nicolas graduated from Syracuse University in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in communications. Outside of college, Nic continues to have a passion for learning. During his tenure at North America's premier gelato display and equipment company, Nic's role encompassed marketing, communication and advertising. While not a fan of gelato, Nic was able to get the scoop on paid advertising campaigns for social media, display and SEM.
A New Jersey native, Rachel received her bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Maryland and earned a Master of Science in marketing from Johns Hopkins University. She loved the D.C. area so much, she decided to make it her adopted home. Rachel came to mdg with extensive agency experience after spending nearly 15 years honing her marketing skills at several associations. She has a knack for truly understanding the client's needs and translating that to winning marketing strategies and successful campaigns. When she's not busy running client campaigns, you can spot Rachel running trails, at Orangetheory classes, cheering on the Terps and Nats and posting about the D.C.-area food scene.
Rachel is a dynamic marketer with an eye for branding and design. Prior to joining mdg, she executed integrated marketing campaigns in the Public Relations and Communications events sector, where she honed her skills in social media, analytics, SEO and digital marketing. Rachel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and minors in Graphic Design and Business from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.
Job Titles:
- Account Director
- Associate
Rachel's love of marketing, events and project management led her to the corporate and non-profit arenas, where she drove lead acquisition and pipeline advancement for numerous organizations through the use of email campaigns, multi-channel nurture programs and participation in large industry trade shows. She's also played a significant role in organizing highly successful fundraising events. Rachel earned a BS in business administration with an emphasis in marketing from the University of Colorado and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. When she isn't traveling, you'll find her at the beach with her dog, Mousse, binge watching the latest crime documentary series while doing jigsaw puzzles or (attempting to) surf.
Job Titles:
- Account Director
- Associate
Rae has a proven ability to grow trusted relationships and understand client needs to achieve their business goals. She came to mdg with agency experience executing cross-channel strategy approaches for customer solutions, focusing on Search, Social, Display and SEO which has been a great addition to the event marketing landscape.
Rae graduated with a bachelor's in Business Economics with a concentration on Marketing and minor in Business Communications, which provided the foundation for her account management career. Originally from New York, she enjoys live music, traveling, and getting engrossed in a good book.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Project Management
Roberto has been managing creative and technical projects in advertising agencies and in-house marketing departments since the early 2000s. Having worked in corporate, agency and nonprofit settings, he has a wide breadth of experience in digital, web, video and other mediums. Finding creative solutions to minimize roadblocks and keep projects running smoothly makes him happy.
Rogers Young has been in the accounting space for over 20 years supporting technological, nonprofit and government contracting industries. In his spare time, he enjoys raising his beautiful daughters, indulging in all of what life has to offer and in constant pursuit of trying to procure the latest limited-edition sneakers.
Ryan has harnessed a lifelong passion for figuring out how things work into a varied skill set across many disciplines in the digital realm. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The School of Visual Arts, Ryan has earned recognition for his paintings, for innovative web projects, and for his work in animation - including a Daytime Emmy Award nomination. When not plugging away behind a monitor, Ryan can be found enjoying the beautiful Virginia outdoors with his family.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director, Insights and Data Marketing Strategy
Safa is a dynamic and driven research and marketing professional with more than 10 years of experience in digital brand strategy, consumer behavior, media consumption insights, and campaign management. She started her career in Dubai where she spearheaded data-driven strategies and built research products that drove business results for her clients on the agency side and her departments on the client side (with a focus on the Luxury, retail, and FMCG industries). She has a Masters in Media Studies, her experience, education and passion comes from leveraging data and insights to better understand target audiences' behaviors, user experience and content consumption habits to craft effective digital marketing strategies that are culturally relevant but also deliver great business results. Safa currently lives in D.C. and when she's not working, she loves to travel all over the world, experience new cultures and foods, and watch her favorite shows with her partner.
Priding himself on his versatile skill set and outgoing personality, Sam is ready and willing to take on any challenge and find out what makes others tick. A graduate of the University of Virginia, where he majored in media studies and English, Sam's invaluable energy, creativity and artistic prowess provide a welcome spark to marketing endeavors at mdg. Outside of work, you'll likely find Sam searching for his next pair of sneakers, watching standup comedy or playing tennis.
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing Manager
Samantha is a passionate digital marketing professional with an extensive background in hospitality and a bachelor's degree in Business Marketing from SDSU. As part of the mdg digital team, Samantha consistently strives to exceed client expectations by creating and executing results-driven strategies and buzzworthy campaigns. Outside of the office, you'll likely find Samantha hiking with her dog Jax, sweating it out in hot yoga, or consuming way too much coffee
As both a dreamer and a doer, Sara is adept at distilling big-picture ideas into actionable solutions. Her strengths lie in creating bespoke strategies (both short and long-term) for her clients and shepherding them from conception to completion. After nearly three decades in Washington, D.C., Sara packed up her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a focus in Public Relations from the University of Maryland, and brought it to London, UK, where she can serve European clients' needs.
Sara began her career in hospitality PR, managing social media channels and drumming up press for notable Washington, D.C. nosheries - including the famed Le Diplomate. Her love for the events space eventually brought her to mdg, where she joined the Account Services team and assisted clients in navigating the murky waters of marketing live events during a pandemic. Now, as the director of social media, Sara helps clients leverage their social channels to stay on trend, garner engagement and foster community. When she isn't hard at work, you'll find her out at a new restaurant with her husband, head down in a good book or in the backwoods of Clifton, Va., with her dog Lincoln.
As an integrated marketing professional and former improv geek, Shannon brings both creativity and strategic thinking to the mdg team. She developed a love for data (as well as a good A/B test) while working with world-class non-profits - including theaters, museums and zoos - and believes that organization and collaboration are the keys to successful campaigns. After spending the early years of her life as a quasi-nomad, Shannon put down roots in the Chicago area, where she enjoys the city's legendary restaurant scene, live shows and sporting events.
Passionate about emotional engagement and awareness, Shanté has a wealth of knowledge in brand and experiential marketing. She obtained an MBA with a concentration in Marketing, which catalyzed her understanding of and stellar execution within account, logistics and event management roles. Shanté enjoys great food, fashion, traveling and spending quality time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Vice President and Marketing Strategist
Shauna is a strategic problem-solver and ardent project manager. A creative thinker and detailed executer, she utilizes data-informed decision making to guide association clients through project timelines with a results-focused eye. Prior to joining mdg, Shauna served the public sector events market, including government and education technology with re-evaluation and re-positioning campaigns. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a double major in English and Sociology.
As a journalist turned marketing copywriter, Sheree brings more than a decade of experience and wide range of skills to mdg. Her affinity for the written word prompted her to pursue a double major in communications and English with a journalism emphasis at Boise State University. After earning her degree, Sheree put her writing and editing savvy to work for publications and tech companies in Boise, San Francisco and Seattle before moving to San Diego and joining the mdg team. She adores alliteration, gets a kick out of eliminating superfluous commas and will seize any opportunity she has to use the word "revamp." When she isn't crafting content that both delights and inspires action, you'll find her relaxing at the beach or heading to the airport to start a new adventure.
With a diverse work background, Stacy has been involved in marketing and advertising for many different industries: motorcycles, crafting supplies, and commercial real estate, just to name a few. Her progression into a traffic management role was a natural one because she enjoys daily multi-tasking, detailed organization, and having her hands on projects that flow through every department of the agency. When she's not at work, she loves anything related to the ocean and taking pictures. Her perfect San Diego afternoon would include fish tacos and a cold beer by the water.
With a master's degree in Visual Communication from Burg Giebichenstein (University of Art and Design) in hand, Susanne packed her bags and moved from Germany to the United States in 1999. mdg discovered her in 2004, while working as a photographer's assistant on a photo shoot, and she's been creating award-winning work for the agency's clients ever since. Prior to joining mdg, Susanne worked as a freelance designer for the San Diego Museum of Man and for Stahlphotographics, where she continues to moonlight during her free time.
Job Titles:
- Agency Sales and Marketing Manager
With a degree in Theatre and German from NYU, Sveta's experience living in multiple countries and speaking multiple languages brings a global-cultural aspect to her work at mdg. Her fine arts background infuses her marketing work with empathy and storytelling, from content creation and project management to data analysis and multi-channel strategy. Outside of work, you can find her teaching dance, reading like her life depends on it, hand lettering, and exploring nature and the arts and culture scene.
Focused on delivering value through execution, Tan's ambition aligned him with mdg. With a bachelor's degree in marketing and sales management from San Diego State University and a passion for visual art, Tan combined his strategical analysis and creative conceptual abilities to drive growth across multiple industries within several agencies. Having spent years developing technical organization and management skills, he is an effective project coordinator determined to maximize efficiency and satisfaction for both teammates and clients.
Job Titles:
- Digital Design Specialist
An electronic media guru and IT expert, Tom manages the development and execution of our clients' websites, email broadcasts and dynamic media campaigns. With a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from California State University at Fresno and several years of experience working for companies like DirecTV and Apple, Tom has been an essential member of mdg's creative team since 2005.
Evidenced by his long and winding academic journey-which includes three degrees and stops on all three coasts (hello, Chicago)-Tyler's insatiable curiosity and pursuit of learning shaped a mindset that continually delivers new ideas to clients and colleagues to help overcome the most intractable challenges.
A writer at heart, Tyler's free time is spent tinkering with two unfinished novels, seeing every new movie or show people tell you to see and chasing new experiences wherever they may come.
Tyler received his bachelor's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Illinois State University. He brings experience in project management, creative problem-solving and team synergy building to mdg. In his free time, Tyler likes to - regrettably - root for Chicago sports teams.
Vanessa brings two decades of writing and editing experience to mdg, having created content for Fortune 500 companies and industries ranging from gourmet food to fashion to online learning. Whatever the topic or industry, her goal remains the same: to fully understand the audience and their motivations so she can create a powerful, engaging message that truly connects. Prior to joining mdg, Vanessa developed digital and editorial content for QVC; print advertising for Macy's East; and long-form direct mail and online marketing copy for The Great Courses. Vanessa received her Bachelor of Arts in Magazine Journalism and Master of Arts in Museum Studies, both from Syracuse University.
With more than 20 years in senior leadership positions in the industry, Vincent is generally recognized as a content development and execution specialist. During his career, he's had two international postings, launched events on five continents and developed highly specialized conferences in technology, life sciences and healthcare. Vinnie is also the past Chairman of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), the leading organization in the conference and trade show industry.
Whitney brings a multifaceted skill set to mdg. With a background in content creation, social media marketing and visual design, she supports campaigns from a strategic and creative standpoint. When she isn't in the office, Whitney loves to relax, try new food spots with friends and travel.