2026 Board of Directors

Jackie Ash, CMP, DMCP, CITP

PRESIDENT

Senior Director of Strategic Accounts
Cohera

Krysteena Meredith

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

National Sales Director
San Diego Tourism Authority

TBD

PRESIDENT ELECT

Michael Crockenberg

VP FINANCE (Treasurer)

Director of Group Sales
Pasea Hotel and Spa

Kim Ponsoll

VP MARKETING (Secretary)

Meeting Broker
Meetings Made Easy

Lisa Duarte

DIRECTOR of MARKETING

Account Executive
Cohera

NATE CHILDRESS

VP SPONSORSHIP

Business Development Director, Executive Meetings Management & The Collective
BCD Meetings & Events

Simaan Hawa

DIRECTOR of SPONSORSHIP

Director of Sales & Marketing
Montage Laguna Beach

Lauren O’Sullivan

VP MEMBERSHIP

Director of Global Sales, West
ALHI

Andrew Vasquez

DIRECTOR of MEMBERSHIP

Director of National Accounts
Rancho Bernardo Inn

Ari Gharakhanian

VP EVENTS

Director of Group Sales
Pendry Newport Beach

Katelyn Graber, CMP

DIRECTOR of EVENTS

Meeting Event Manager
Maritz

Holly Smith, CHSE

VP EDUCATION

Director of Global Sales
MGM Resorts International

Natalie Fulton

VP CHARITIES

Business Events Manager
Tourism New Zealand

Patti Rivera

DIRECTOR of LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Director, Special Events
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Krissi Trevino Thomas, CITP

DIRECTOR of INDUSTRY RELATIONS

Senior Director of Strategic Accounts
One10 Marketing

Brigitte Lundrigan, CITP

DIRECTOR of ADVISORY COUNCIL

National Sales Director
Loews Hotels & Resorts

Charlie Smith

DIRECTOR of YOUNG LEADERS

Founder
The Event Smith

Chris DeVito

ADVISOR: SUPPLIER

Senior Director, Global Sales
Peregrine Hospitality

Evan Christman, CIS

ADVISOR: PLANNER

Co-Founder & Creative Lead
SMASHOUSE Creative Events Agency