Board of Directors

Viveca McDonald, MBA, DES
Corporate Executive Meeting Manager, West Region
VISIT DENVER
President@mpirmc.org

Viveca, an Ohio native, holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dayton and a dual B.A in Communication and Labor Relations from Rutgers University, where she was also a Track & Field student athlete. Viveca began her career at Macy's and Kroger as a merchandising and operations manager that focused on brand development and driving customer engagement.

Currently, serving as the Corporate Sales Meeting Manager, West Region for Visit Denver, Viveca markets the city of Denver to conventions and leisure travelers for the economic benefit of the community. Viveca also serves on the Denver Public Art Selection committee for the DEN expansion project. Additionally, Viveca is on the University of Dayton Alumni Association leadership board representing the Denver Community. Viveca is passionate about the Arts, travel, equity, and getting out into the great outdoors! 

Jeanette Stensgaard, MBA, CMP, HMCC
Chief Brilliance Officer 
ShePlans Co
presidentelect@mpirmc.org

Matt Kalb, CMP CEM-AP
Immediate Past President
T3 Expo
Ipp@mpirmc.org

With over 15 years in the events industry, Matt has learned a thing or two about creating unforgettable experiences. As an international CEM Instructor, he loves sharing his knowledge and helping others grow. A firm believer in learning by doing and embracing the lessons failure has to offer, he’s passionate about bringing a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the table, and he’s always up for a challenge! When he’s not orchestrating extraordinary events, you might find him scuba diving, embarking on new adventures, getting lost in a non-fiction book, or finding zen through cross-stitching.

Iliana Ruminski
Director of Sales
Hyatt Place Keystone
vpfinance@mpirmc.org

Iliana has worked in the hospitality industry for over 15 years, beginning her career at the front desk, as most of us do. She worked her way up to Sales and found her niche, making connections and lifetime relationships with clients. Bringing her boutique luxury experience to the high country, she is excited to create memorable experiences for both her clients and staff.

As an active community member locally and within the industry, she is the current VP of Education for MPI RMC.. She volunteers at least once a month within the industry and also with her daughter's school and local food banks and enjoys baking at altitude. 

Also as a Colorado Native, she loves things all Colorado from hiking with the pups, paddleboarding, exploring and hitting the slopes with the kiddos and husband. 

Hayley Harmon
Holiday Inn Estes Park
Group Sales Manager
vpcomms@mpirmc.org

Hayley holds a degree in Hospitality Business Management from Washington State University. After several years of experience in Operations in Denver’s hotel industry, Hayley discovered a passion for sales, which led to a career transition to a Sales Manager. Currently serving as a Sales Manager at the Holiday Inn Estes Park, where she focuses on corporate, religious, and government segments, building strong relationships and delivering exceptional customer service. Both in her personal and professional life Hayley has a passion for creating memorable events. Outside of work, Hayley enjoys spending time with her dog, Butterfinger, and exploring the beautiful scenery of Colorado. 

Meghan Keelean, CMP
National Conference of State Legislatures
Associate Director, Meetings
vpeducation@mpirmc.org

Meeting and event manager with 15 years of experience. In my current role, I plan meetings and conferences for a large government association. I work with internal staff and external vendors and partners on meetings as small as 15 people and as large as 6500 people. I manage logistics and AV for the the annual meeting. I also have experience in F&B/catering, special events, transportation, contract negotiation, vendor management, site selection, education and speaker management, exhibits and sponsorship, volunteers and committee management. 

Brooke Eder, MS, DES
Marketing Event Manager
Sysdig
vpmembership@mpirmc.org

Brooke is a passionate and dedicated professional event planner with a diverse background encompassing event planning, marketing, software sales, and technology consulting. With a natural talent for connecting people and a love for bringing them together, Brooke excels in creating meetings and events that foster engagement, impart knowledge, and achieve goals. Both in her personal and professional life, Brooke is consistently involved in planning enjoyable and unforgettable experiences for those around her. Her technology expertise complements her ability to plan and facilitate captivating events, seamlessly combining her skills from both realms. Having recently obtained her Master’s degree in Meeting and Event Management from San Diego State University, Brooke thrives in the fast-paced and ever-evolving landscape of the events industry.

Outside of work, Brooke is an avid animal lover passionate about dog rescue. She is also a dog mom to Stanley. Brooke enjoys attending live music events, exploring new restaurants, collecting houseplants, and skiing in her free time.

Pablo Zacarias
Global Event and Sponsorship Specialist
Aviation - ISAC
dirmembercare@mpirmc.org

 

With 3.5+ years as a Program Manager, my expertise lies in crafting tailored event experiences that resonate with diverse audiences. My dedication to service excellence has consistently resulted in highly engaging and successful events, underpinned by my skills in hospitality and social networking. My passions in the industry involve strategic event planning and fostering relationships within the hospitality sector, ensuring that every encounter is not just an event but a memorable experience for all stakeholders.

Ben Wood
Encompass Event Group
Director of Client Partnerships
dirrecruitment@mpirmc.org

I am the Director of Client Partnerships at Encompass Event Group, a leading live events production company that delivers experiential events nationwide for agencies, nonprofits, and corporations.

With over 10 years of experience selling and producing original content for both linear and streaming platforms, I have a passion for building connections, storytelling, and executing technical productions.

As an executive producer, I have developed and sold TV series to various networks, such as Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Notable credits include 11 Minutes, Making Fun, The Home Edit, The Case of JonBenet Ramsey, and Well Done with Sebastian Maniscalco. I have strong skills in video production and production logistics, and I am always eager to learn new trends in the industry and connect with other creative professionals.

Richelle Kemper
Sr. Sales Manager
Denver Marriott Westminster
dirspecialevents@mpirmc.org

In my positions as Director of Catering and Director of Convention Services for Marriott and Sheraton Hotels, I’ve spent years working closely with companies, associations, and outside venues planning, executing and managing galas, fundraisers, meetings, receptions, luncheons and much more. 

Some of the qualities I believe make a great event planner:
-Relationships with each vendor, client, Board of Directors, management and all associates
-Formulating and staying within a budget
-Producing events that promote inclusiveness within the community
-Listening to and acting on constructive feedback
-Documentation and clear communication to the venue, staff, committee members, Board of Directors and of course the attendees
-Collaboration with all outlets and vendors 
-Suggesting and executing events that promote community, create amazing memories and providing excitement

Eric Holmes
Assistant Director of Sales & Marketing
The Jacquard Hotel and Rooftop
dirfundraising@mpirmc.org

Eric Holmes is a born salesperson and expert negotiator with decades of sales and management experience. Currently serving as the Assistant Director of Sales & Marketing at The Jacquard Hotel and Rooftop, Eric has developed a strong specialization in hospitality and large-scale meetings and events.

Though he began his sales career at just 14 years old, Eric is relatively new to the hospitality industry. However, he quickly discovered that the dynamic, people-focused nature of the industry aligns perfectly with his passion and skill set. He has found his true calling among the hospitality professionals and has developed a deep connection with his peers, particularly within MPI RMC.
Eric's extensive background in sales, combined with his keen eye for detail and ability to build lasting relationships, makes him a valuable asset to the teams and clients he serves. Whether leading high-profile events or negotiating key partnerships, Eric's commitment to excellence is evident in everything he does.

Meg Caldwell, CMP
National Sales Manager
Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center in Breckenridge CO
dirpublications@mpirmc.org

Jennifer Hinton, CMP
Head of Strategic Events
Canvas Credit Union
direducation@mpirmc.org

Resa Meagher
INSPIRE Global Event Solutions
Senior Director of Business Development
dirleadershipdev@mpirmc.org

I stand at the intersection of corporate growth and personal well-being; as INSPIRE's Senior Director of Business Development, and a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Weaving a tapestry of strategic partnerships, my role encompasses expanding INSPIRE's influence within the association, government, and corporate sectors through innovative solutions.

My practice as a Health and Wellness Coach specializes in women's hormone health, integrating a holistic approach to nurturing individual transformations. Leveraging skills in behavior change and communication, I'm dedicated to empowering clients to achieve their wellness objectives.

 

Rachel MilliganSenior Sales ManagerPark Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spadiroutreach@mpirmc.org

Freddie Templeton (ED)
Rocky Mountain Event Consultants, LLC
(720) 733-8000
ExecutiveDirector@mpirmc.org

 

Keith Templeton (CA)
Rocky Mountain Event Consultants, LLC
(720) 733-8000
admin@mpirmc.org

 

Rocky Mountain Event Consultants is a full-service event planning company specializing in developing and managing associations, corporate events, award galas, festivals and more. We help clients create an event vision or theme, handle location procurement, catering, decorating, program speaker management, entertainment, audio visual, design, promotion, marketing, public and media relations and more!

As Executive Director for the Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain Chapter (MPIRMC), a client for whom Rocky Mountain Event Consultants provides full-service association management services, Freddie Templeton is responsible for working with the MPIRMC board of directors to facilitate strategic planning for the association. She also provides support services including communications, database management, membership operations, financial management and meeting/event planning and execution. Freddie joined the MPIRMC team in 2005.

Freddie brings a background in meeting planning, event management, business development and leadership training while Keith, Managing Partner brings promotion, design, and printing to their clients.

Sara Olán-Peterson, HMCC, CGMP, AI Certified
Owner & Event Principle
Convene OPS
support@mpirmc.org

Sara Olán-Peterson is an event professional with a multitude of experiences in the hospitality industry. 

Sara started in her journey into hospitality by word of mouth from a fellow classmate in Chicano Studies. Captivated by interest and possibilities she investigated what a career in Hospitality would entail; turns out it was a realistic fit! Sara graduated with her B.A in Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management from MSU Denver in 2015. Sara is not only a first-generation college graduate but is also the first in her family to graduate high school.

Sara is and has always been known as a “hustler”, simultaneously working various customer focused positions while also getting herself involved in the community; Excitingly she will be the incoming Director of Fulfillment for the 2023-2024 MPIRMC Board of Directors. Sara has a keen eye for detail, a welcoming demeanor and a strong work ethic putting 100% into everything she does with integrity and positivity. 

This year, Sara is still bustling but has now embarked on a new journey of entrepreneurship with starting Convene OPS, a business that provides a task-focused support system to aid her fellow event planners and colleagues in the industry.    

When not immersed in logistics, Sara can be found enjoying time with her newly wedded husband, Ryan and their two pups (Reese & Spud), watching weather-related television, learning new phrases in different languages and being a cliche outdoor-loving Colorado native with a craft beverage in hand.

Timothy Gunn
Director of Chapter Operations
Meeting Professionals International
tgunn@mpiweb.org I www.mpiweb.org