Board of Directors

Matt Kalb, CMP CEM-AP
President Elect
T3 Expo
PresidentElect@mpirmc.org

Matt Kalb, CEM-AP, CMP, started in the event industry in 2009 working for S.A.F.E. Management as an Operations Manager with the Baltimore Ravens. After working Super Bowl XLIV (44), he took an opportunity to work with Hargrove, Inc. as an Account Executive in Lanham, Maryland. 

In 2017, Matthew moved to Denver and began a career with GES as a Sales Manager in their Tradeshow and Conferences Division. In 2020 he transitioned to a Phoenix based association WorldatWork as a Manager, Exhibits & Sponsorship Sales. As events began their comeback following the pandemic, he was recruited to help PRG as their new Director of Business Development in June of 2021. 

He has a strong customer service background and his attention to detail and ability to think outside the box, has positioned him a leading innovator in the industry. He is a recipient of the CONNECT Associations 40 under 40 recognition and part of the inaugural class of the CEM-AP designation.

Viveca McDonald, MBA, DES
Corporate Executive Meeting Manager, West Region
VISIT DENVER
PresidentElect@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! 

Angela (Fig) Wirkler, CMP
Director of Sales
Boulder CVB 
IPP@mpirmc.org

Fig is an energetic, passionate, and service-focused professional, wife, and mom of two. Her athletic fueled past, combined with her experience in the travel and hotel industry has led Fig to her current role as the Director of Sales at Visit Boulder. She specializes in bringing meetings and conferences to Boulder, CO. Handling all markets west of the Mississippi, Fig believes that developing strong relationships is the foundation of everything both professionally and in her personal life. Fig is passionate about connecting and bringing people together.

She is always eager to learn more about the industry, with specific interests in hands-on event planning, managing tradeshow logistics and sales activity, which led Fig to pursue her CMP designation in 2020. 

She has been honored as one of Smart Meeting Magazine’s 2020 Smart Women in Meeting Industry Rising Star. She has served on the Destinations International Alumni Council since 2020 and the MPI Rocky Mountain Chapter Board of Directors since 2019.  
Outside of work, Fig enjoys spending time with her family outdoors exploring the great state of Colorado.

Jeanette Stensgaard, MBA, CMP, HMCC
Director of Conferences & Events 
Kidney Cancer Association
vpfinance@mpirmc.org

Jeanette, a nearly 17-year veteran of the meetings industry, works remotely for the Kidney Cancer Association, as the Senior Director of Education and Events, where she executes large-scale, CME-accredited, global conferences. She also volunteers as the Director of Fundraising for the MPI Rocky Mountain Chapter Board of Directors, and an advisor on the EastWest Travel Advisory Board.

Jeanette’s passion for meetings started with her first industry-related job with the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds where she started as their administrative assistant, and quickly learned she loved meetings, members, and meaningful missions! As a 10- year CMP, holding an MBA, and MPI certifications in Contracting and Negotiation, Healthcare Meetings Compliance, and Meeting and Event Strategy, industry trend analysis and strategy are not only her livelihood, but they are also her passion.

Jeanette loves public speaking and has been featured in Smart Meetings Magazine and Colorado Meetings and Events Magazine. She has been the recipient of the MPI Rocky Mountain Chapter Rising Star and the Smart Meetings - Meeting Professional of the Year awards. Outside of work, Jeanette lives in Aurora, Colorado with her two amazing boys and an incredibly supportive husband. She has three sweet dogs, and a [healthy] obsession with Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

Rachel Milligan
Hilton Denver City Center
Sales Manager
vpcommunication@mpirmc.org

Rachel graduated from Indiana University in 2018 with a degree in Tourism & Event Management and moved out to Colorado to pursue her passions that same year. After working on the front line of hotels, she began her career with Vail Resorts in 2019, moving to her current role as a National Sales Manager in 2021. She sits on the EpicPromise Employee Foundation committee, assisting with the awarding of emergency grants and educational scholarships to employees and their families, as well as volunteering through community service projects. She serves as the Director of Publications on the 2023/2024 MPI Board of Directors. Come rain, heat, or snow, you can find her exploring the mountains with her boyfriend and pup, Blizzard.

Iliana Ruminski
Senior National Sales Manager
Breckenridge Ski Resorts | Vail Resorts, Inc
vpeducation@mpirmc.org

I am a Colorado Native and am passionate about all things Colorado, am active in my community and company. My successes have come from my experience in hospitality and entrepreneurial spirit with growth into leadership roles from single property to multi-property with brands and non-affiliated brands, both managed and owned. The base of my accomplishments that have founded my success are mentorships from successful peers within the industry providing me with candid feedback and leadership mindset. This translates into being highly driven to meet goals through thoughtful analysis, collaboration, open communication and implementing strategies and tactics with the agility to pivot based on trends, occupancy and market. All of this cannot be accomplished without the foundational core of a cohesive, strong and supported team.

Breckenridge is truly the Perfect Mountain. Perfect Mountain Town.

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.

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

Born salesperson and expert negotiator with decades of sales and management experience. Specializing in hospitality and large-scale meetings and events.
Director of Publications 

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
dirseandsa@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

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

 

Jazmyn Johannassen
Student
MSU Denver
dirmarketing@mpirmc.org

I graduated with my Event & Meeting Management Degree with a minor in Management from Metropolitan State University of Denver. My past experiences have shown that I work great with leading a team, work well with others to build relationships, and always take pride in my work to get the job done. My interests are in the hospitality field as a Event Coordinator, specifically working big events that involve catered and private events. In addition, one day I hope to become Event designer doing big events for my clients around the world if I have to travel for my job. I do work great with others, being able to solve problems and come up with solutions for customers' needs when needed as well as the energy, enthusiasm, and passion for what I do. My leadership skills when it comes down to it, always shows that I am determined to create the best service possible for whomever I meet.

Trey Weaver, CMP CFMP, HMCC, CTA
Sr. Manager, Meetings & Education
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
dirublications@mpirmc.org

Events professional, non-profit specialist, LGBTQ+ advocate, lover of Dr Pepper and puns.

Areas of experience: Conventions • Conferences • Tradeshows • Meetings • Incentive Trips/Travel • Festivals

Non-profit operations/management

Sectors of experience:
Association/Non-profit • Corporate • Government • Medical/Pharmaceutical • Diversity • Fraternal

Participant experience is the ultimate make-or-break for successful events. I bring over 20 years experience across a range of industries to create programs that achieve goals and leave a lasting impact on participants. I have an immense drive and passion for ensuring high quality professionalism, empowering engagement, and both participant and client satisfaction.

Sara Olán
Independent Event Contractor
Sara Olan Solutions (SOS)
Dirfulfillment@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.

Meghan Keelean, CMP
National Conference of State Legislatures
Associate Director, Meetings
direducation@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. 

Resa Meagher
INSPIRE Global Event Solutions
Senior Director of Business Development
DirLeadershipDevelopment@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.

 

Jenn Koelliker
Alphagraphics
Director of Events
diroutreach@mpirmc.org

With over a decade of experience in event management, my current role as Director of Events at Fortidia US has strengthened my skills in strategy, leadership, and communication. Previously, I led CannOccasions with these competencies, ensuring each client's success. My mission aligns to my volunteer board position with MPI's dedication to creating memorable experiences connecting communities. Allowing attendees to thrive in environments that value educational and impactful gatherings.

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.

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