Chapter Leadership - Vancouver Chapter

Gemma Scott, President

Gemma is the Operations Director of Go2 Productions, a leading edge Vancouver-based creative company, specializing in producing immersive experiences, projection mapping and moving art. She believes strongly in change and innovation and with this vision, the team at Go2 pushes the limits of digital art and technology to transform physical spaces into magical events that thrill and inspire.

Gemma’s love of creating inspiring events also lead her to be a licensee and producer of TEDxEastVan, an event dedicated to discovering, sharing and celebrating great ideas and extraordinary people.

More about Gemma: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Shannon Boudreau, President Elect/VP Programs & Education

At the Lazy Gourmet, Shannon oversees the sales team and executes hundreds of events a year, ranging from 6 to 15,000 people. She loves being part of some of the most interesting events in the city, with a team of passionate, creative people. (She also loves getting paid to eat really good food.) Shannon has an inimitable sense of humour – you can see her witty yet educational segments on CTV Morning Live and Noon hour. In her spare time, she loves wine, golfing, theatre and travel and spending time with her cat, Robert Deniro.

More about Shannon: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Dana Arsenault, VP of Membership

Dana has over 6 years’ experience in the Live Events industry, 5 of those being spent in not-for-profit. She is a passionate, creative, and engaging event professional who develops meaningful relationships through all of her work. Dana migrated West from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and has found her home in the mild weather and incredible surroundings of Vancouver. She has risen well in the charitable world, and currently manages award-winning fundraising events for the BC Cancer Foundation. Dana is always happy to meet over a glass of
bubbles to discuss events and this amazing industry!

More about Dana: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Julie Mandarano, VP of Finance

Julie Mandarano is the Event Planner with the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, managing over 20 events per year. With 10 years of event experience, Julie has organized events small and large, including national conferences, golf tournaments, social events, large award galas, and corporate meetings, and loves
infusing fun and creativity in her events to bring unique experiences and engagement to every guest.

When not planning every detail of her life, Julie can be found traveling the world, singing, hanging at the beach, and trying to taste every morsel of food from around the globe.

As ILEA Vancouver’s new VP of Finance, Julie is excited to meet and collaborate with the very inspiring and talented group of professionals that make up Vancouver’s elite event industry.

More about Julie: LinkedIn | Twitter

Buket Donnelly, Director of Membership

Buket has a bachelors degree and 15 years experience in commercial banking. She immigrated from Turkey in 2010 and while she was working at RBC, she volunteered organizing festivals, picnics, balls and Receptions for The Turkish Charity. Her passion grew from there and eventually she opened her own business, Get2Gether Events, in 2014.

She is currently The President of European Festival and The CEO of Get2Gether Consulting Inc.

More about Buket: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Nicole Kost, Director of Sponsorship

Originally from Winnipeg, Nicole moved to Vancouver 3 years ago to pursue opportunities in the Events Industry. She started planning events in high school, and was encouraged by a teacher to enter into the Event Industry. Nicole has a diploma is Special Event Management from George Brown College in Toronto, Ontario and has been working in the events industry for over 8 years. Nicole’s experience is varied, and includes wedding coordination, venue sales, conference coordination, community events management, and volunteer management.

Nicole is currently a Development Coordinator at the BC Cancer Foundation, who works on a variety of projects including: community events, volunteer management and supports Hope Couture, and the Inspiration Gala.

Gillian Wallis, Director of Communications

Gillian’s passion for events stems from her early high school days where she helped plan several proms and homecoming dances. Fast forward a few years and a college degree later, Gillian found her calling helping organize private events and weddings while living in Whistler. After moving to the city Gillian tested out the non-for-profit sector and is responsible for producing several award-winning galas in Vancouver. She has joined forces with Elizabeth Stanley Event Design where she is known for her ability to create extraordinary and memorable events.

More about Gillian: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Karen St. Aubin, Immediate Past President

With over 15 years working as an event management team-of-one in her various roles in the non-profit world, Karen manages all aspects of event production from concept to planning and execution, through promotion and marketing to post-event analysis. Her event experience runs the gamut from corporate meetings, charity fundraising events and gala dinners to international conferences and the largest Chamber Music Festival in the world…and plenty in between. Karen is currently the Director of Membership for the Trial Lawyers Association of BC.

Karen’s exposure to and experience in event planning began as a young child surrounded by the protocol and pageantry of the military while living in Canada and Europe, and a teaser of time in the Middle East. She loves a properly set table and happily admits that her favourite reference book is Emily Post’s Etiquette.
More about Karen: Twitter | LinkedIn

Jennifer Harper-Uncao, VP Sponsorship

With over 18 years of event management experience, Jennifer Harper Uncao specializes in event management, executing over 50 signature galas; weddings and mass participation events across BC. Jennifer worked with the BC Cancer Foundation as their Senior Director of Special Events for ov and has been dedicated to delivering first class flawless events and prides herself on relationship building and scaling up organizations through innovation. Under Jennifer’s leadership, the BC Cancer Foundation’s Inspiration Gala raised over $22 Million over the past 11 years supporting breakthrough research at the BC Cancer Agency.

As of June 2016, Jennifer started Elevate Strategies, a company specializing in transforming and elevating events and fundraising initiatives through innovation and leadership development.

More about Jennifer: LinkedIn

Chantelle Dalton, VP of Communications

With over 6 years’ of experience in event management, Chantelle loves the details, the beauty and the overall celebration that surrounds each event. Over the years, Chantelle has worked with corporate companies planning their international conventions, incentive trips, trade-shows and grand openings around the world. Throughout this time, Chantelle also organized multiple weddings and private events before finally landing in the not-for-profit sector coordinating fundraising events for the BC Cancer Foundation. As the VP of Communications, Chantelle is excited to bring her knowledge and passion for events to help engage the ILEA Vancouver community.

More about Chantelle: Website | LinkedIn

Alex Bickers, Director of Programs

Alex Bickers is an award winning event producer, leader, and creative consultant. 2018 marked Alex Bickers’ 25th year in the event industry, and although he is formally educated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, Alex thrives in creating the best experience for his clients, team and audience in his role as the Director of Sales and events with Elizabeth Stanley Event Design.

Since 2015 Alex has served on the Board of ILEA Vancouver, recently completing 2 consecutive terms as Chapter President. During his tenure, Alex created the first ever ILEA Vancouver scholarship program in support of emerging event professionals.In 2017, Alex was awarded the Stacy Wyatt Spirit of the Industry Award at the Canadian Event Industry Awards. This prestigious award is bestowed upon the Canadian Event Professional that has shown exemplary service and commitment in all aspects of their career. Alex is committed to making exceptional contributions to the industry as a whole through his mentorship of students, and his service to his community, team, and clients.

More about Alex: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Shayla Gabriel, Director of Programs

Inspired by her childhood full of attending Pow-Wows and family gatherings, Shayla Gabriel moved to Vancouver to study Event Management at the Art Institute of Vancouver. Since then, she has grown to appreciate the art and logistics behind putting together
events of any size.

Shayla is currently an Event Planner at the Lazy Gourmet, which combines her love of events, food, and a great cocktail! She can’t wait to bring her passion and knowledge to the ILEA Board this year.

More about Shayla: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Rob Porter, Director of Programs

Robert has over 18 years of experience in the Live Events industry. With a background in Hospitality and Event Design, Robert has a strong passion for creating memorable events with a personal guest experiences. Robert has brought his creativity and personable energy to our Leadership Team.

Robert is the owner and creative director of Elizabeth Stanley Event Design, a Vancouver based event design and decor rental company. Robert and his team design and manage a number of events and collaborate with many other industry professionals to service a variety of live events each year.

More about Robert: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook