We are a team of positive, energetic professionals with a dedication to providing exceptional customer service to our clients and stakeholders.
| Name | Chris Dyer |
| Job Title | Founder & CEO |
| Bio | Chris Dyer is a graduate of Kansas State University with a Bachelor's degree in Financial Management. Chris Dyer has led all company operations since its inception in 2006. Chris has built the company with a client-focused perspective, dedicated to making our clients’ lives easier, optimizing the way our organization operates, and creating life-long relationships through exceptional customer service and innovative software solutions. He has led the company to year-over-year growth every single year since the company's inception, even through the immense challenges presented during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
CEO / Founder
| Name | Brandon Ratzloff |
| Job Title | CTO & Director of Digital Solutions |
| Bio | Brandon Ratzloff has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kansas State University with an emphasis on Digital Media. Brandon has been involved in technology and the web development industry for over 20 years. His motivation for self-improvement has pushed him to mature into a leadership role where he has led product-based development projects for over 10 years. The ever-evolving tech space requires adaptability and passion for continual learning, qualities that Brandon embodies. |
CTO & Director, Digital Solutions
| Name | Brittian Parkinson (she/her) |
| Job Title | Vice President, Operations Management |
| Bio | Brittian Parkinson is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Advertising with a minor in Spanish Language. Brittian also recently received the Change Management Practitioner Certification from Prosci. Brittian Parkinson has a decade of experience partnering with membership organizations for operational excellence. Brittian has focused her career on leading and coaching others for nearly a decade and considers herself privileged to pursue that with the Operations Management Unit of Conference Catalysts, LLC. |
VP, Operations Management
| Name | Shelby Lussier |
| Job Title | Vice President, Conference Management Operations |
| Bio | Shelby Lussier is a graduate of Jacksonville University with a double Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Management. In 2022 Shelby received a Certificate in Transformational Leadership from SMU Cox School of Business and in 2023 she received a Certificate in Organizational Leadership from Harvard Business School Online. Shelby has over 6 years of conference management experience with Conference Catalysts, having served as the lead Conference Manager for over 50 major conferences. Shelby has overseen over 300 major conferences while leading our Conference Management Unit. |
VP, Conference Management
| Name | Marissa Willner |
| Job Title | Human Resources Director |
| Bio | Marissa is a graduate of Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Nonprofit Administration with a minor in Marketing from the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs. Marissa Willner is on a mission to bring the “human” back into human resources in an increasingly automated world. She has spent the better part of a decade in human resources and business operations in companies ranging from 50 employees to 50,000+ employees. As the world of work continues to drastically change, Marissa seeks to help people take ownership of their unique skill sets to help their careers thrive. |
Director, Human Resources
| Name | Shelby Lussier |
| Job Title | Vice President, Conference Management Operations |
| Bio | Shelby Lussier is a graduate of Jacksonville University with a double Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Management. In 2022 Shelby received a Certificate in Transformational Leadership from SMU Cox School of Business and in 2023 she received a Certificate in Organizational Leadership from Harvard Business School Online. Shelby has over 6 years of conference management experience with Conference Catalysts, having served as the lead Conference Manager for over 50 major conferences. Shelby has overseen over 300 major conferences while leading our Conference Management Unit. |
VP, Conference Management
Name | Brianna Orr |
Job Title | Senior Conference Portfolio Manager |
Clients I have served | IEEE Circuits and Systems Society (CASS), SysCon (Systems Council), IUS, ISAF (UFFC-S), ICASSP, ISBI (SPS) |
Bio | Brianna Orr is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing & Business Administration. Brianna has over eight years of experience working in the events industry, with a focus on technical conferences. She has multiple years of experience in managing people, as well as overseeing quality control for a business unit. She also has experience with marketing and planning internal events and incentive trips in the insurance industry. |
Senior Conference Portfolio Manager
Name | Laura LeBlanc, CMP |
Job Title | Senior Conference Manager/Associate Director, Innovation |
Clients I have served | DVCon U.S., DVCon Europe, I2MTC, EMBC, ISAF, IFCS, FIE |
Bio | Laura LeBlanc received her Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration/Management from the University of North Texas. Laura is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), receiving her certification in 2020. She was named one of the 2023 Smart Meeting Professionals of the Year and was a panelist for the Partner Summit Panel at CVENT Connect 2022. Laura has successfully executed over 30 domestic and international conferences and tradeshows. These events have ranged in size from 100 to 2,500 attendees, had numerous social events, and exhibit halls with 25+ sponsors/exhibitors. |
Senior Conference Manager/Assoc. Director, Innovation
Name | Claire Folkerts |
Job Title | Senior Conference Manager, Pod Leader |
Clients I have served | IEEE SAUS IEEE SIM, IEEE Sensors in Spotlight IEEE FLEPS, HPLC, AIAA/IEEE DASC |
Bio | Claire is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration - Management with a certificate in Event Management and a minor in International Relations. Before Conference Catalysts, Claire spent time gaining experience in sports event management, student study abroad program coordination, and planning user conferences for academia software. |
Senior Conference Manager/Pod Leader
Name | Caroline Kravec |
Job Title | Senior Conference Manager, Pod Leader |
Clients I have served | IEEE INERTIAL, IEEE BioSensors, IEEE SENSORS, IEEE/ACM ICCAD, IEEE ISCAS |
Bio | Caroline Kravec graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Administration with a focus on Innovation and Organization Management and a certificate in Leadership. Caroline is known for orchestrating seamless events that leave a lasting impact. Throughout their career, Caroline has accumulated an impressive track record of successful conferences across diverse industries. Currently serving as a Senior Conference Manager, Caroline continues to elevate the standards of event management. Her role involves overseeing complex projects, mentoring junior team members, and ensuring that each conference under her purview surpasses client expectations. |
Senior Conference Manager/Pod Leader
Name | Coral Miller |
Job Title | Conference Manager, Pod Leader |
Clients I have served | IEEE RadarConf , IEEE WCCI , IJCNN, FUZZ-IEEE , DEMO, BHI |
Bio | Coral Miller holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing with a minor in Event Management from the University of Florida. With 8 years of experience in the events industry, Coral Miller began her career overseeing student events as part of the Programming Board. Holding the titles of Director of Special Events and Financial Manager, she adeptly managed two monthly events and an annual concert during her tenure. Transitioning to the food and beverage realm of events, Coral served as an Event Agent, specializing in coordinating food and beverage logistics for private events across the United States. For over 4 years, Coral has been an integral part of Conference Catalysts, assuming the roles of Conference Manager and Pod Leader. In her capacity as a Conference Manager, she engages with domestic and international clients daily, orchestrating all facets of event planning, including venue selection, budgeting, food and beverage arrangements, registration, publications, marketing, website management, audiovisual coordination, exhibition setup, contract negotiation, and virtual/hybrid/on-site event execution. Coral is committed to collaborating with you to ensure the success of your events! |
Conference Manager/Pod Leader
Name | Jenna Yockim |
Job Title | Conference Manager, Pod Leader |
Clients I have served | SPS – ISBI, UFFC - Joint Symposium, IUS, ISAF, IFCS, AESS/IMS - AUTOTESTCON |
Bio | Jenna Yockim is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration - Finance and the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management with an MBA in Brand Marketing. Jenna has over a decade of experience in project management and event planning working in the consumer packaged goods, television broadcasting, and non-profit industries. |
Conference Manager/Pod Leader
Name | Alexis Wisdom |
Job Title | Conference Manager |
Clients I have served | ISPCS, ICNS, IAVVC, TEMSCON Global, RASSE, WOLTE |
Bio | Alexis Wisdom is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Tourism, Events, and Recreation Management, with a specialization in Tourism and Hospitality Management. She also obtained a Graduate Certificate in Event Management from the University of Central Florida. Alexis has over 10 years of experience in event management and coordination. This experience spans across hotels, venue and arena management, academic event planning, wedding coordination, and conference management. |
Conference Manager
| Name | Kennedy Knight |
| Job Title | Junior Conference Manager |
| Bio | Kennedy Knight holds a Bachelor's degree in Consumer Sciences from Baylor University. Following her undergraduate studies, she pursued further education and received a Master of Arts degree in Counseling. Over the last eight years, Kennedy has effectively organized and executed a wide range of events, including conferences, retreats, social gatherings, and fundraising initiatives. |
Conference Manager
Name | Kaylee Manning |
Job Title | Associate Conference Manager |
Clients I have served | M&N, AVSS, ICME, GOX, AMPS, FIE, ICIP, TALE |
Bio | Kaylee Manning is a graduate of Florida College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Kaylee spent 5 years as a scheduling and logistics professional in the sub-metering industry, supporting top utility billing companies. She has applied the problem-solving and logistical support skills developed in that role to excel in her position here at Conference Catalysts. |
Associate Conference Manager
Name | Jessie Reisman |
Job Title | Associate Conference Manager |
Clients I have served | AUTOTESTCON and ISSE |
Bio | Jessie Reisman received her Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management from Metro State University located in Denver, Colorado. Jessie Reisman has been working in the Hospitality and Events industry for over 8 years. She began her career as an intern with The Walt Disney Company, which inspired her to grow further in the Hospitality industry. She continued to further her knowledge by working with different hotel brands as an Event Planning Manager. |
Associate Conference Manager
| Name | Mina Link |
| Job Title | Associate Conference Manager |
| Bio | Mina Link is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Sports & Event Management. Mina has been with Conference Catalysts since May of 2023 and has worked in the roles of Conference Management Intern, CM Unit Assistant, and Associate Conference Manager. During her time with Conference Catalysts, she has gained experience in various areas of the conference management process. Prior to her time at Conference Catalysts, Mina worked as a Server/Event Captain for a Catering Company and Facilities Manager for a multi-day, multi-event camp that served over 3,000 attendees. |
Associate Conference Manager
| Name | Hannah Zehner |
| Job Title | Conference Management Administrative Assistant |
| Bio | Hannah Zehner is a student at Santa Fe College working towards her Associate's degree. Once completed she will transfer to a 4-year university to earn her Bachelor's degree in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management. Hannah has over 6 years of customer service and 1.5 years working as an event catering captain, working events of all types and sizes. |
Associate Conference Manager
Associate Conference Manager
Conference Management Intern
| Name | Brittian Parkinson (she/her) |
| Job Title | Vice President, Operations Management |
| Bio | Brittian Parkinson is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Advertising with a minor in Spanish Language. Brittian also recently received the Change Management Practitioner Certification from Prosci. Brittian Parkinson has a decade of experience partnering with membership organizations for operational excellence. Brittian has focused her career on leading and coaching others for nearly a decade and considers herself privileged to pursue that with the Operations Management Unit of Conference Catalysts, LLC. |
VP, Operations Management
Name | Brooke Johnson |
Job Title | Senior Operations Manager |
Clients I have served | Sensors Council |
Bio | Brooke Johnson received a Bachelor's degree in Event Management from Iowa State University. Brooke brings over a decade of event and operations management expertise to her professional portfolio. Brooke began her career in corporate events before joining Conference Catalysts in 2017. Throughout her time at Conference Catalysts, Brooke has adeptly served eight operations management clients, accumulating invaluable experience and refining best practices, equipping her to deliver exceptional support. |
Senior Operations Manager
Name | Amanda Osborn, MBA |
Job Title | Senior Operations Manager |
Clients I have served | AESS, CEDA, Systems Council |
Bio | Amanda Osborn received her Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Maryland Global Campus and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing with a Business Law concentration, from Drake University. Amanda has over 13 years of experience in client relations, operations management, and marketing including social media management, website project management, graphic design, event planning, business development, and administrative support. She has served in positions within the Federal Government, a global law firm, college athletics departments, radio entertainment, and global finance. |
Senior Operations Manager
Name | Colleen Brick |
Job Title | Senior Operations Manager |
Clients I have served | UFFC-S |
Bio | Colleen is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Engineering with a concentration in Geology. Colleen has worked in non-profit management since 2017, gaining expertise in nonprofit operations management, conference management, sponsorship & exhibitor sales, marketing, special event organization, contracting, and nonprofit governance. In 2019 Colleen was awarded the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) 30 Under 30 Young Professional Award. In her current role at Conference Catalysts, she serves as an Operations Manager, overseeing operational aspects for the clients that she serves. |
Senior Operations Manager
Name | Katie Becker Colón |
Job Title | Senior Operations Manager |
Clients I have served | GRSS, VTS, INNS |
Bio | Katie graduated magna cum laude from Coe College with a Bachelor's degree in Theatre. Katie worked as a theatre professional and arts administrator for 15+ years before joining the Conference Catalysts Operations team. |
Senior Operations Manager
Name | Molly Brackin |
Job Title | Operations Manager |
Clients I have served | CASS |
Bio | Molly Brackin is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree in Sport and Event Management. Molly Brackin has several years of experience in customer service and operations. |
Operations Manager
Name | Margaret Brown |
Job Title | Operations Manager |
Clients I have served | EdSoc, ITSS |
Bio | Margaret Brown is a graduate of Bellarmine University with a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Design, Art & Technology, with a minor in Marketing Communications. Margaret Brown has experience working in volunteer management, event planning, and people management which has served her well during her time at Conference Catalysts. |
Operations Manager
Name | Emilee Kramer |
Job Title | Junior Operations Manager |
Clients I have served | CSC, UFFC-S |
Bio | Emilee is a graduate of Texas A&M University - Texarkana with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Emilee has over three years’ experience in administrative support including support of C-Suite executives and executive meeting planning. |
Junior Operations Manager
Name | Hailey Neumann |
Job Title | Junior Operations Manager |
Clients I have served | INNS, GRSS, VTS |
Bio | Hailey Neumann is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in International Studies with a core focus in Comparative Culture and Identity. Hailey played Women's Soccer for the University of Michigan through May 2020. Hailey has multiple years of experience working in customer support and client services throughout numerous industries including retail, golf and ski resorts, and sports centers. |
Junior Operations Manager
Name | Meghan Smith |
Job Title | Junior Operations Manager |
Clients I have served | Sensors Council |
Bio | Meghan Smith pursued studies in Piano Pedagogy at Bob Jones University. She brings with her over six years of experience in client relationship management, corporate event planning, and C-Suite support in a variety of industries. |
Junior Operations Manager
Name | Laura Paul |
Job Title | Junior Operations Manager |
Clients I have served | Systems Council, AESS, CEDA |
Bio | Laura Paul is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Tourism, and Special Events and a Graduate Certificate in Event Management. In addition, she has completed certificate programs with Troy University (Leadership 101) and Florida Atlantic University (Hospitality and Tourism Management). Laura Paul has over 15 years of experience working across the gamut of event-based, administrative, and customer-facing roles, where she has produced events, facilitated client experiences, and managed daily operations |
Junior Operations Manager
Name | Cayla Hollis-Emery |
Job Title | Junior Operations Manager |
Clients I have served | INNS |
Bio | Cayla Hollis-Emery is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a double Bachelor's degree in International Studies and French, as well as a Graduate Certificate in French to English Translation. Cayla has multiple years of operations experience working in international education, cultural programming, and travel. |
Junior Operations Manager
| Name | Brandon Ratzloff |
| Job Title | CTO & Director of Digital Solutions |
| Bio | Brandon Ratzloff has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kansas State University with an emphasis on Digital Media. Brandon has been involved in technology and the web development industry for over 20 years. His motivation for self-improvement has pushed him to mature into a leadership role where he has led product-based development projects for over 10 years. The ever-evolving tech space requires adaptability and passion for continual learning, qualities that Brandon embodies. |
CTO & Director, Digital Solutions
| Name | Steven Williams |
| Job Title | Front-End Developer & UX Designer |
| Bio | Steven Williams has a background in electronics and office technology from East Arkansas Community College. Steven Williams serves as the Front-End Developer & UX Designer for Conference Catalysts. Steven is a world-class graphic designer with an extensive background in 3D art and animation and editorial design, where he has contributed to major video game titles and international catalog publications before joining Conference Catalysts in January 2016. This background helps him bring visually appealing yet functional products to our clients. Steven has provided comprehensive branding and design for hundreds of conferences. |
Front-End Developer & UX Designer
| Name | Rob Sembrat |
| Job Title | CATALYZE Product Development Manager / Drupal Full StackDeveloper |
| Bio | Rob is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. He has since completed additional technical training with the well-regarded DrupalEasy Academy. Rob has over a decade of volunteer experience with associations, serving in several positions on the Board of Directors, including Past President. His diverse career background also includes many years as a professional hotel concierge and supporting roles in arts & entertainment and biomedical research. He remains passionate about creatively connecting people, places, and ideas, and enjoys doing so in service to the various society clients of CATALYZE. |
CATALYZE Product Development Manager, Drupal Full Stack Developer
Name | Rachel Edmunds |
Job Title | Web Content Manager |
Clients I have served | ACC, CDC, CCTA, MMM |
Bio | Rachel is a graduate of Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design. Rachel has spent over 10 years assisting technical departments with web and design-related projects. She brings a fresh eye and valuable feedback to the company. |
Web Content Manager
| Name | Michelle Raymond |
| Job Title | Web Content Manager |
| Bio | Michelle Raymond is a graduate of Capella University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. She also holds a certificate in Software Asset Management. Michelle Raymond has over 30 years of experience in the education and technology industry supporting C-level executives and website content editing. Her current role consists of maintaining web content for approximately 15 clients. Her previous endeavor was as a procurement specialist for a digital marketing firm where she managed information technology software, hardware purchasing, and maintenance contracts. She enjoys spending time with her two granddaughters, on beach vacations, and loves to read in her spare time. |
Web Content Manager
| Name | Camilo Reina Munoz, MA |
| Job Title | Assistant Web Content Manager |
| Bio | Camilo Reina Munoz is a graduate of Santa Fe College with a B.A.S. in Organizational Management and of the University of Florida with an M.A. in Medicine. Camilo has been building and maintaining websites across various companies and organizations for over two decades. He specializes in graphic design, copywriting, content management, and digital marketing strategy. |
Assistant Web Content Manager
Senior Full-Stack Developer
Full-Stack Developer
| Name | Yvonne Soto |
| Job Title | Marketing Manager |
| Bio | Yvonne Soto is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor's degree in Retail Marketing and Product Development and a minor in business administration. Yvonne Soto has over a decade of experience working in the marketing industry in B2B and B2C. Yvonne currently works closely with internal teams, their clients, and Conference Catalysts. She uses her strategic thinking to develop initiatives that help drive success through diverse marketing efforts. Previously, Yvonne's leadership encompassed comprehensive marketing programs, fostering collaboration across various teams to achieve success. Her experience also involved leading marketing initiatives that ensured brand consistency, strong partner relationships, and significant ROI through digital transformation. |
Marketing Manager
Name | Lacey Glasscock |
Job Title | Digital Marketing Strategist and Staff Photographer |
Clients I have served | IEEE Circuits and Systems Society, IEEE Magnetics Society |
Bio | Lacey Glasscock is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Art with a concentration on Visual Art Emerging Media Management. Lacey has over a decade of experience in creative industries specializing in photography, brand development, and digital marketing strategies. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for innovation, Lacey has successfully collaborated with numerous clients to elevate their brand identity and achieve their marketing objectives. |
Digital Marketing Strategist/Staff Photographer
| Name | Mack Hough |
| Job Title | Graphic Designer |
| Bio | Mack Hough serves as a Graphic Designer for Conference Catalysts, LLC and has 10 years of experience in magazine layout and publications. He graduated from Flagler College with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Mack has a variety of graphic design skills that range from vector artwork, logo design, and photo manipulation. Mack is a graduate of Leadership Gainesville and the winner of an Addy award for Best Ad Design for an Outside Client. |
Graphic Designer
| Name | Allison Buschur |
| Job Title | Marketing Communications Specialist |
| Bio | Allison is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Allison has over 9 years of experience providing marketing support to internal teams and external clients in a wide range of industries, including 3 years in the trade show industry. |
Marketing Communications Specialist
| Name | Marissa Willner |
| Job Title | Human Resources Director |
| Bio | Marissa is a graduate of Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Nonprofit Administration with a minor in Marketing from the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs. Marissa Willner is on a mission to bring the “human” back into human resources in an increasingly automated world. She has spent the better part of a decade in human resources and business operations in companies ranging from 50 employees to 50,000+ employees. As the world of work continues to drastically change, Marissa seeks to help people take ownership of their unique skill sets to help their careers thrive. |
Director, Human Resources
| Name | Ashlin Rauso |
| Job Title | Human Resources Assistant |
| Bio | Ashlin Rauso is a graduate of Liberty University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Ashlin is a dedicated HR professional with 2.5 years of experience who is passionate about creating positive work environments. Having worked with small businesses and large corporations, she focuses on ensuring every employee feels heard, appreciated, and valued. Ashlin’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive organizational culture drives her efforts to enhance employee well-being and engagement. |
Human Resources Assistant
| Name | Carley Latiolais |
| Job Title | Accounting Assistant |
| Bio | Carley Latiolais is a graduate of Lamar University with a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Accounting. Carley Latiolais has 4 years of experience working in the accounting field. |
Accounting Assistant
| Name | Lauren Donovan |
| Job Title | Executive Assistant |
| Bio | Lauren Donovan is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism, with a specialization in Event Management. Lauren Donovan has been with Conference Catalysts for over 5 years. After college graduation, she worked in the Operations Management Unit and then in 2019, returned to the company as an Executive Assistant. |
Executive Assistant
| Name | Janell Sims |
| Job Title | Executive Assistant |
| Bio | Janell Sims is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Administration. Janell has over a decade of experience providing critical operational support and database management skills in various disciplines including legal, forensic engineering, and event management. Janell first joined the Conference Catalysts team in 2014 as an Assistant Event Manager. Beginning in 2018, she returned to the company and has served recurrently as an Executive Assistant. |
Executive Assistant
| Name | Marie Vazquez |
| Job Title | Office Assistant |
| Bio | Marie Vazquez is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Women's Studies. Marie Vazquez has been with Conference Catalysts since 2024. As Office Assistant, Ms. Vazquez, is a critical asset, providing invaluable assistance across multiple departments. She manages inventory, oversees all shipping and receiving operations, and handles various additional responsibilities within our company. Her diverse skill set and dedication contribute to the efficient functioning of Conference Catalysts LLC. |
Gainesville Office Assistant
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