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Event Management Instructor Biographies

Kathy Felice
ce_photo_ev_felice Wearing her best dress and eating hot dogs, at the age of 5 Kathy was the guest of honour at a "Happy Little Helper" party organized by her 11-year-old sister. The pride and magic she felt turned out to be the foundation of what was to become her journey of life.

Kathy spent 15 years working in residential and educational settings with individuals that faced a multitude of physical and mental challenges. She pursued her interests through volunteer work coordinating musical productions, building parade floats and haunted houses. She created costumes and mascots, learned balloon decorating and became Kokomo the Clown!

Accepting an entry-level position with the Winter Festival of Lights afforded her the opportunity to learn from the bottom up. Four years later, as festival manager, she produced the 1999 millennium celebrations bringing together 100,000 people in celebration, televised live, at the brink of Niagara Falls. During these years she participated on numerous committees at major festivals throughout the Niagara Region.

Through the coordination of career fairs, employer tours, skill competitions, robotic tournaments, community forums and conferences, Kathy currently assists youth and the unemployed to discover viable career choices. She sponsors special event apprentices and continues to volunteer for causes that touch her heart. A belief in education necessitated her to obtain her Special Event Coordinator and Management Certifications. A belief in people leads her to mentor and inspire others. A belief that magical moments can change lives ensures she creates great events.

Lynn Fletcher
ce_photo_ev_fletcher Lynn began her career in Vancouver after experience and studies in fashion and costume design, floral design, marketing and entrepreneur courses. With 15 years in the industry, 3 international event planning awards and hundreds of weddings to her credit, Lynn Fletcher has the experience and creativity to ensure an event that perfectly reflects the unique vision of each client. Specializing in weddings and other social events, Lynn is honoured to bring her passion for the industry to the Mount Royal Event Management instructor team, mentoring new event managers taking the program.

It all starts with listening. Then, with the boundless enthusiasm of a true romantic, Lynn gets to know each of her clients well, ensuring that their day is a true reflection of who they are. She becomes more than their wedding producer; she becomes a friend and confidant. Lynn has an intuitive instinct for seeing and understanding the needs and desires of brides and grooms. It often is difficult to tell who is more excited about the wedding, her or her clients.

Lynn plays an active role in the event industry as an instructor in the Mount Royal Event Management Certificate program, delivering The Business of Wedding Planning and Event Logistics courses, as well as contributing to the curriculum development for the Event Management program itself. As a member and past board member of the International Special Events Society (ISES), Lynn attends training conferences and trade shows worldwide to ensure that she stays on top of the latest trends and best ideas in the industry. That wealth of knowledge is priceless and her students have an all-access pass!

Visit Lynn's website: www.lynnfletcherweddings.com
View Lynn's "Expert Tip" MRU podcasts

Lori Humphrey Clements
Lori joined the instructional team in the Event Management program in the Fall of 2009. She has been working in the industry for over 14 years with a focus on corporate events, meetings and conferences. Early in her career, Lori was involved in events and programming with the City of Calgary at the Olympic Plaza and Devonian Garden venues. Since then, she has worked with a local festival as well as an event service and rental company. It was Lori’s time spent with a professional association for petroleum geologists that gave her a solid foundation in meeting and conference management as well as a wealth of experience working with volunteer boards, executives and organizing committees. Recently, Lori worked with a Calgary event management firm which gave her an opportunity to work on events with very high-profile clients and dignitaries.

Currently, Lori consults independently which gives her an opportunity to work with a variety of clients including a mental health children’s organization, a trade association, a locally-owned specialized bakery, oil and gas company, various government, academic and nonprofit organizations. Lori is at her best when she is able to support her clients by managing the details and allowing the client to stay focused on their vision. She is thrilled to be a part of the Event Management program and is an advocate for life-long learning. As students gain knowledge from her experiences, she truly believes that she gains inspiration and knowledge from them!

Lori has a Bachelor of Arts, Recreation Administration from the University of Alberta with a pattern of concentration in Tourism and Community Development.

Alissa Hurley Alissa Hurley - Event Management Instructor
Alissa Hurley is Director of Events for Maritz Canada Inc., a global marketing services agency specializing in the human dimension of sales and marketing performance.

With over 18 years of consultative and operational experience, Alissa oversees Maritz’s events practice, which focuses on driving measurable business results through meetings, incentive travel, consumer event marketing and virtual events. Events create rewarding customer experiences for key audiences: employees, channel partners, sales representatives and customers.

Alissa’s team manages hundreds of events a year across several industry sectors including automotive, healthcare, technology and financial services.

Alissa is active in the meetings and events industry, contributing to advisory boards for various hotels, publications, associations and educational institutions. She achieved her Certification in Meetings Management (CMM) in 2003.

Amanda Jensen
Amanda has been involved with the event planning industry for close to 10 years. She started her career managing an internationally-renowned tourist attraction that operated as a non-profit organization. Hosting events were a necessity in order to draw in visitors as well as to contribute to operating funds. From there she moved to Victoria, BC to take over the position of Event and Fund Development Manager of a major non-profit organization. This position required grant research and writing in addition to hosting many annual fundraising events and campaigns. The work was extremely fulfilling and solidified her commitment to the event planning industry. Amanda then began her own event planning business, serving both corporate and non-profit clients. This experience is supported by a Bachelor of Management degree from the University of Lethbridge with a double major in marketing and human resource management. Outside of these activities, Amanda keeps herself busy with four young children and can’t quite remember what it means to have "spare time"!

Peter Kaz
ce_photo_ev_kaz Peter Kaz is a dynamic international producer and marketing executive with over 15 years of experience. He has travelled over 250 days a year for over a decade while creating events and marketing campaigns for companies throughout Europe, Asia and North America.

During that time, Peter also assisted in the careers of numerous celebrities before returning to Calgary. Whether it be as music producer, musician, concert producer, event architect, personal manager, fashion show choreographer or DJ, Peter has been blessed to be involved in a wide range of avenues which in turn assists with his creation of memorable events.

Norman Leach
ce_instructor_norman_leach The consummate storyteller, Norman Leach brings to life the lessons learned over 20 years of business, non-profit, government and international trade experience. It is these experiences that make him such a great instructor with the Event Management Certificate, currently teaching Event Risk Management.

Norman is President of Norman Leach and Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in integrated marketing communications. A professional speaker, seminar leader, writer and consultant, Norman has helped hundreds of individuals and companies in their search for a more successful and meaningful life – either at work or at home.

In his other roles Norman has been the CEO of two of Canada’s provincial Chambers of Commerce, has lived and worked in both Japan and Mexico, and travels extensively internationally. He has been recognized for his work with community organizations and charities, winning both the Canada 125 Medal and being named an Honorary Peacekeeper by the Canadian Armed Forces.

Norman is a published author having written for both business and lifestyle magazines. He was also the Editor-in-Chief for 5:01 magazine and is the author of Great Military Leaders, available from Altitude Publishing.

Karen Richards
Creativity and innovation have always been strong forces in Karen’s diverse career. After living abroad in Japan for two years teaching English, Karen returned to Calgary to complete her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Calgary in 1994. After graduation she worked in the oil and gas sector as a communications coordinator while also taking her Graphic Art and Design diploma at SAIT.

In 1997, Karen moved to the Cayman Islands where she worked as a graphic designer at an ad agency and print house for several years before expanding her experience to marketing coordinator and creative director. After category-five Hurricane Ivan hit Grand Cayman, Karen moved back to Calgary and took a position as Marketing and Communications Associate in Mount Royal’s External Relations department in 2005. Since then, Karen has been an integral part of the development, implementation and maintenance of Mount Royal’s brand introduced in 2008 as well as leading the Mount Royal University marketing campaign in 2009. Karen has been involved as strategic and marketing lead with many university events over the past five years such as Shakespeare in the Park, Open House, Convocation and Mount Royal’s signature fundraiser, Pearls of Wisdom.

With a passion for technology and a creative brain, it is a natural that Karen is currently leading the social media marketing movement at Mount Royal, and as a member of the international Word of Mouth Marketing Association, has opened up an entire new world of marketing. Online and social media marketing is a new way of thinking about marketing and turns principles of traditional advertising on its head. Karen brings her extensive knowledge, experience, technical expertise and passion in this emerging field of marketing to the Event Management program, and in 2010 to the Public Relations Certificate program.

Kimberly D. Roberts, CMP, CSEP
From the age of 11, Kimberly Roberts has been planning and producing events. She graduated cum laude from Clark Atlanta University (CAU) in Atlanta with a BA in English. While at CAU, she served as business manager of the university’s gospel choir and spent a summer as a White House intern. She earned her MBA in Marketing from Strayer University in 2006.

In 2000, Kimberly founded Pieces to the Puzzle, Inc., The Upscale Event Planning Company, with clients in the corporate, non-profit and private sectors. She has also been on staff with several major Atlanta organizations, planning meetings nationally and internationally.

Kimberly became a member of the International Special Events Society (ISES) in 2000 and served her local chapter as Community Relations Chairperson from 2002-05. She is still actively involved in the Atlanta chapter. She achieved the Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) designation in 2001.

Kimberly began teaching event planning at Georgia Perimeter College and has taught online with Devry University and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Her love of teaching led her to develop a learning institute geared specifically toward event education. Her forthcoming book, The Anatomy of an Event, will be published in 2011.

Her volunteer work includes community service projects with Big Brother Big Sister of Metropolitan Atlanta, Junior League of DeKalb County, Mary Hall Freedom House, Hands on Atlanta and Fernbank Museum. She is affiliated with The Meeting Planners International and the American Marketing Association, Atlanta Chapter.

In her spare time, Kimberly enjoys travelling, reading and mentoring others who have an interest in entering the event planning industry.

Wes Scott
ce_photo_ev_scott Wes has recently joined the instructional team of the Event Management program. Wes works with dmg world media, one of the world’s most prominent trade show and media companies. Since joining dmg in 2000 as Sales Manager, he has moved through the ranks in a variety of roles. Wes’s current role is Business Development Director for the Energy Sector. Within this role, he oversees dmg’s petroleum trade shows and conferences, which include the Global Petroleum Show, International Pipeline Exposition, GO-EXPO: Gas and Oil Exposition and Oil Sands Trade Show. Prior to joining dmg world media, Wes was the Business Manager and Publisher for the Petroleum Society of CIM for three years. Wes’s experiences offer over 12 years of management and leadership with a diverse background in business development, sales, marketing, operational and startup experience in global trade show production and print publishing. Wes graduated from Mount Royal with a diploma in Business Administration.

CE Instructor_Niesa Silzer Niesa Silzer
Niesa was on the production team as a stage manager for the North American premieres of Ragtime and Mamma Mia! and went on to tour both shows in Canada and the United States. After seven years of living out of a suitcase, Niesa decided it was time to settle in one city and transferred her skills to event management. She believes that events are the same as theatre – the show must always go on.

Niesa has a diploma in Theatre Arts from Mount Royal College, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University and a Masters of Hospitality Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Niesa now works as an independent meeting planner in Calgary and enjoys working with a wide variety of clients as every day is different and she learns about new industries on a regular basis. As an independent planner, Niesa works on all elements of events from special event galas and fundraisers to tradeshows and a variety of educational events. Niesa has also served on the board of the Calgary chapter of Meeting Professionals International and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners.

Nancy Smith
Nancy is the Director of Vacation Experiences with Travel Alberta, the provincial tourism marketing organization. Nancy has been actively involved in marketing in the tourism industry for over 15 years in Alberta. After completing her Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Administration specializing in tourism marketing from the University of Alberta, Nancy launched her professional career working at one of Calgary’s top attractions, Heritage Park. As part of the marketing team, Nancy helped create a winning marketing strategy that delivered more than a dozen special events every season.

For the past 10 years, Nancy has worked with tourism industry operators, providing marketing coaching and assistance in the development of marketing planning. She often guest lectures on marketing and communications at various institutions around Alberta including – SAIT, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, Red Deer College, Olds College – to great reviews from the students.

A passionate speaker and educator, Nancy has presented over 100 marketing workshops at locations around the province and has spoken at many provincial and several national and international conferences on marketing and online marketing topics.

Nancy is a member of the SKAL, a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world.

In her personal life, Nancy loves to spend time with her son and husband exploring and experiencing all Alberta has to offer.

Matt Squires, BHRM, WPICC
Matt began his career in the food and beverage industry with Delta Hotels, moving from a busser through the line positions up to restaurant manager and then catering manager. He then developed a passion for the sales and events industry, moving to the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff, Alberta. He moved on to higher positions with the Calgary Tower and was involved in opening the glass floor. Matt was also involved in opening the new Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino.

In 2008 Matt and his long-time friend and teammate launched Somnio Creative, a creative ideas agency which takes your imagination or dream and makes it a reality through events, advertising, marketing and web design. He has a passion for education and thus has continued his education throughout his career by obtaining his Hotel & Restaurant Management Diploma from SAIT, his Bachelor of Hotels & Resorts Management from the University of Calgary, his Certified Wedding Coordinator designation from the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada and is now working on his Human Resources Management Certificate from Mount Royal.

Matt has many volunteer achievements. He is the current President for the Meeting Professionals International Greater Calgary Chapter, sat on the Steering Committee for the 2007 Travel Alberta Industry Conference, helped in the coordination of the 2008 Canadian Ultimate Championships as well as many events for cancer benefits. In his personal life, Matt has played rugby for the Canadian National Team, football for the University of Calgary Dinos and is enjoying life with his wife Polena, daughter Shae and his soon-to-arrive twins!

Faith West Gorman
ce_photo_ev_westgorman Faith West Gorman has spent the past 20 years delivering imaginative and original events. In the mid-’90s, she honed her considerable skills in event production, sponsorships and marketing while serving as Executive Director of New Jersey’s largest celebration of the visual and performing arts. She then moved onto corporate work, serving over a decade as the Director of Special Events, Corporate Giving and Donor Relations at a large regional trauma center in northwest New Jersey. In that capacity, she executed corporate events such as successful galas, professional comedy shows, the PGA Championship, celebrity speakers, large community festivals, and meetings and conferences. In 2008, she left the corporate world and established a full-service event management firm, Faith West Events, LLC.

She is the recipient of three IFEA Pinnacle Awards, a JASPER and other awards of distinction. Faith's inspired creativity and award-winning events are not the only features that distinguish this talented event professional. Along with a Master's degree in Management, Faith holds several event certifications including a CFEE (Certified Festival and Event Executive) from International Festival and Events Association®, CSEP (Certified Special Events Professional) from International Special Events Society®, and CMP (Certified Meeting Planner) from Convention Industry Council®. Besides these impressive event credentials, she has also been trained and is certified by the prestigious Protocol School of Washington® as a Corporate Etiquette and International Protocol Consultant and a Level #1 Protocol Officer.