DALLAS, December 3, 2025— The Meeting Professionals International Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising arm of Meeting Professionals International, the world’s largest meeting and events industry association, is pleased to announce the approved slate for the 2026 MPI Foundation Global Board of Trustees.   

The Global Board of Trustees is the governing body of the MPI Foundation, with responsibility for Foundation’s raising and distribution of funds.  
  
"It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the Immediate Past Chair. As we approach 2026, I am pleased to announce an incredible Board of Trustees. I am confident in the future contributions and extend my sincere congratulations to the new trustees." – Susie Townsend, Immediate Past Chair   
  
Trustees will take office effective January 1, 2026, for the term from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.   
  
Our global community is built upon relationships and desire for a greater purpose. Every year, our trustees proudly carry our message and stories of impact as our ambassadors. We’re absolutely thrilled with the new additions complementing an established group of industry leaders!  We truly intend to “celebrate the power of good” wherever and whenever we can!” Kevin Kirby, Executive Director, the MPI Foundation. 

  
Noted below is the full slate of the 2026 MPI Foundation Global Board of Trustees.   
  
2026 MPI Foundation Global Board of Trustees  

The slate of officers (Executive Committee) includes:    

Chair (previously selected) 
Richard Allchild, CMP   
Head of Sales   
IMEX Group   
Brighton, UK   
   
Chair-Elect   
Antonio Ducceschi, CMM, CHBA   
Chief Commercial Officer   
Starhotels Group  
Florence, Italy   
   
Immediate Past Chair    
Rebecca DeLuca, CMP   
Vice President of Destination Sales   
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority   
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA   

 
Vice Chair – Finance    
Karin Davis  
Vice President of Sales   
The Venetian Resort   
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States   
 
Vice Chair – Chapters    
Darlene Kelly-Stewart   
Owner   
Stonehouse Sales & Marketing Services   
Richmond, Ontario, Canada   
  
Vice Chair – Business Development    
Joe Marcy, CMP-Fellow, CITP, CMM   
Director, Business Development   
See Monterey  
Manhattan Beach, California, USA  
   
Vice Chair – Programs   
Angie Ahrens, CMP, CMM   
Director of Global Events 
Intuit 
Atlanta, Georgia, USA   
   
The slate for 2026 Global Board of Trustees:    
Alice Harrington-Caravello   
Vice President, Account Sales & National Group Sales    
Marriott International   
Holtsville, New York, United States    
   
Brent Hill   
Group Vice President  
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts   
Orange Park, Florida, United States  
   
Brian Crumby, CED   
Director of Sales - Key Accounts & Strategic Partnerships   
Caesars Entertainment    
Houston, Texas, United States    
   
Darren Temple 
Chief Growth Officer   
The Expo Group   
Dallas, Texas, United States  

Dzidra Junior, CMP 

Director of Regional Sales 

Boyd Gaming 

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 

Eduardo Galvao   

Executive Director Specialty Markets and Canada  

Hilton Worldwide  

Chicago, IL, USA  
   
Gary Murakami, GTP, GLP, CMP, CMM, DES   
Vice President of Sales and Industry Relations   
Teno Hospitality Group   
San Francisco, California USA   
   
Heather Dow, CPhT, CAE, CPC (HC), HPDE, HMCC   
Senior Manager    
Events & Management Plus, Inc.    
Kingston, Ontario, Canada   

 
J.J. Wills 
SVP, Marketing Programs and Business Development   
ConferenceDirect   
Long Beach, California, United States   

 
John Ehlenfeldt, CDME, CMP   
Regional Director of Sales   
Business Events Montreal   
Long Beach, California, USA   
   

Julie Krueger   
Vice President Global Business Development   
Freeman Company   
Dallas, Texas, United States   

Justin Ball 

President and Founder  

Bespoke Event Group, LLC  

Denver, CO, USA  

 
Megan Archambeault 
Vice President of Sales   
MGM Grand/MGM Resorts   
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States   
   
Nicole Newman 
Global Head of Destinations  
SearchWide Global   
Phoenix, Arizona, United States   
   
Rich Reasons 
Managing Partner 

Velare LX 
Boulder, Colorado, USA   
   
Telesa Via    
Vice President, Luxury and Lifestyle Sales 
ALHI 
Washington D.C., United States    

Valeria Serrano Suzán, PCS 
Managing Director   
CTA Event Designer & DMC   
Cancún, México