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Meeting & Event Planning Instructors

Jill Wien Badger graduated from Florida International University’s School of Hospitality Management and has over twenty years of industry experience. A veteran of Hyatt and Westin Hotels & Resorts with experience in food and beverage management, as well as sales and marketing, she has been a contributor of feature articles for The Meeting Professional Magazine and is a frequent guest lecturer of hospitality topics. (teaches in the San Marcos program)

Marlene Blas, MTA, CMP is the Associate Director for meetings and events at California Western School of Law and holds a Masters in Tourism Administration from The George Washington University. Current appointments include: Membership Advisory Council for Meeting Professionals International, Editorial Advisory Board for Southern California Meetings + Events Magazine and Advisory Board for a peer reviewed journal. Blas is a three-time recipient of the Wyndham International-United Airlines Scholarship, and co-authoring of a meetings and events textbook. Marlene is also the Program Advisor for the Meeting & Event Planning Certificate in San Marcos. (teaches in both the San Marcos & Temecula programs)

Joan Burns, CSEP, is the Owner of Joan Burns Events and has extensive experience in various areas of meeting and event planning and hospitality. She recently served on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Chapter of the International Special Event Society and has developed training for companies in the hotel industry. Joan has been contracted as a business developer, project manager and event coordinator for social and corporate events. (teaches in both the San Marcos & Temecula programs)

Pierre Charmasson, CMP, is currently the Director of Sales for Velocity Audio Visual, Inc., located in San Diego. Pierre has an extensive background in the hospitality industry and is regarded as a well-respected Meeting Professional.  Pierre’s list of credits includes Video & Film Producer/ Director, Live Event Producer, Meeting Manager, Professional Auctioneer and Voice-over Talent. An advocate for continuing education, Pierre enjoys sharing his experiences both on and off the air. (teaches in the San Marcos program)

Sandra Chong, Esq., is currently Assistant General Counsel for San Diego Unified School District. Prior to that, she worked in two law firms where she successfully represented hotels, meeting event planners, and travel agencies in disputes and litigation. She is a frequent lecturer in hospitality law. She has also organized large scale events for and provided legal advice to the Asian Business Association and San Diego Dragon Boat Team. In 2007, San Diego Metropolitan Magazine recognized her as one of San Diego’s top business and civic leaders with the “40 Under 40” award.  (teaches in the San Marcos & Temecula programs)

Lisa English, CMP, CMM has wide-ranging experience in designing and executing meetings and conferences, special events, and incentives. With expertise managing planning teams for corporations, as well as leading operations for a third-party meeting management company, Lisa understands meeting management from multiple perspectives. She received the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 1999 and the Global Certification in Meeting Management (CMM) in 2007. She has completed intensive training with the ROI Institute, executive negotiations training from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, and leadership training from the Center for Creative Leadership. She has served on the MPI Membership Advisory Council, NBTA SMMC Committee, and the PCMA National Marketing Committee. Lisa is uniquely qualified in the area of Strategic Meetings Management (SMM), and is experienced in designing and implementing Strategic Meetings Management Programs (SMMP). Lisa is also the program advisor for the Temecula program.  (teaches in the Temecula program)

Sandy Liarakos, CFRE, CMP serves as Director of Development for College of Sciences during the $500 million capital campaign at San Diego State University. Prior to joining SDSU, Sandy directed comprehensive fundraising programs and special events for Scripps Health Foundation and Sharp HealthCare, both in San Diego.. Sandy Liarakos has more than 22 years’ experience in fundraising, special events, nonprofit management, annual giving and marketing.  Sandy has also worked for the American Cancer Society, Georgia Division as Director of Annual Giving and as Campaign Director for the United Way of San Diego County. In 2009, Sandy was Chair of the National Philanthropy Day recognition event in San Diego, VP of Education for Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2011 and Education Chair, Association of Healthcare Philanthropy, Pacific Conference in 2008. (teaches in the San Marcos program)

Leslie Mercado has been in the hospitality industry for close to 30 years. She began her career as a high school student working at the front desk and restaurant of a small San Diego hotel. She studied business and accounting in college before deciding to pursue a career as a travel consultant. She enrolled in Travel University International where she received certification as a travel agent. Leslie specialized in corporate and incentive travel, as well as group travel. She was responsible for coordinating all of the finite details of a group’s itinerary and escorted many of the groups to various destinations. Leslie decided to make a slight career change within the hospitality industry when her family began to grow and ventured into the world of hotel sales, catering & conference services.  She is currently the Director of Sales for the Temecula Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, the destination marketing organization responsible for promoting tourism to the Temecula Valley.

Ed Nestfield, CMP, is the Director of Catering & Events for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. He is an accomplished leader with more than 10 years of event management experience consistently increasing sales, from conferences to conventions to concerts and catered events. He has a demonstrated track record of managing large scale events and budgets in excess of $1.5 million, including hiring, training and leading a staff of up to 45 employees. (teaches in the San Marcos program)

Lidia Pareno is currently the Catering Manager for Embassy Suites in San Diego-La Jolla. With more than twelve years in Hotel Sales and Hospitality Management, she brings extensive experience in Convention and Conference Services, Social Events, Wedding Planning and Restaurant Management. An alumni from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts College translates into her deep passion for all things food and beverage. Her leadership has lead to her team’s top ranking awards in event sales and prestigious dining recognitions. (Temecula)