DCI's Team
With a staff of more than 75 talented people, DCI has built the largest assembly of place marketing professionals in the world.
What started as a humble yet ambitious team in 1960’s New York City has grown into a dynamic staff of nearly 100 individuals working from across North America. DCI’s tourism, talent attraction and economic development marketing teams have the skills to create strategic campaigns to attract new business, talent and visitors to your destination.
Leadership
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
As destination marketers, it’s our job to help our clients become heroes in the communities where they live and work.
Fun Fact
The best part of waking up isn’t actually about what’s in his cup. Andy is one of the few people in the world who has never tasted coffee. Not a drop. His aversion has grown into a point of pride (and quirkiness) over the years and he relentlessly protects his “coffee virginity.”
economic development, tourism
Andy Levine
Chairman [email protected]As the son of Ted Levine, founder of Development Counsellors International, Andy was introduced to the world of economic development and travel marketing at birth. Since joining the firm in 1991, Andy has helped launch the company into a new era, advancing the quality of client work performed, growing the number of staff and adding a range of client services offered.
Over the years, Andy helped drive tangible results. On behalf of the South African Tourism Board, he arranged for the Sports Illustrated “Swimsuit Issue” to be shot on location in South Africa. Accompanying the well-known photo essay were 16 pages of editorial content profiling the nation’s tourism offerings. Also, for the Greater New Orleans Region, Andy managed a highly successful editorial placement program with results in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Forbes and CNN. He also developed and continues to direct DCI’s “Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing.” First conducted in 1996, this ongoing survey of corporate executives with site selection responsibilities has emerged as a valuable tool for economic developers seeking to understand the “customer’s perspective” on what works in economic development marketing.
The Johnny Cash song, “I’ve Been Everywhere,” could be Andy’s theme song – and he has the frequent flyer miles to prove it. For Andy, marketing places is dramatically different than promoting consumer products – and much more fun. Exploring entire communities, sorting out the most interesting stories and storytellers, and then communicating these unique offerings to the right audience are what make place marketing the perfect career. He believes every place – cities, regions, states and countries – has a unique story to tell – and DCI’s job is to dig in and find it.
Andy is a graduate of Union College with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I’m able to use my longtime marketing experience to impact the people and economies of communities around the globe. It feels good to do good.
Fun Fact
Not one to let geographic obstacles stand in her way, Julie has an affinity for rowing that landed her on the varsity rowing team at the University of Kansas, as well as the master’s rowing team for the Rocky Mountain Rowing Club. Despite neither Ivy League funding nor location, the teams competed – and medaled! – in regattas nationwide.
economic development
Julie Curtin
President, Economic Development Practice [email protected]Julie is a connector. For more than two decades she has been connecting the leaders, the story tellers, the assets and the themes of destinations with media, site selection consultants, prospects and peers to elevate the economic development and talent attraction success of communities around the globe. As an agency Partner, Julie has played a decades plus role in advancing the tools, talent, and tactics that have helped to position DCI as the Leader in Marketing Places.
She saw the need for senior economic development marketing leaders to connect, so in 2013 she founded and launched The DCI Marketing Summit, a peer-led annual gathering of senior-level economic development marketing minds from around the country who meet to share best and “next” practices in economic development. Limited each year to 25 of the top minds in the industry, the event promotes collaboration, networking and ideation around place marketing at the city, regional, province and state levels.
In addition to her role at DCI, Julie is on the board of directors for the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. In partnership with IEDC, and in an effort to connect diverse young talent with future jobs in economic development, Julie proposed and launched the “Diversity & Equity Fellowship” program in summer of 2022 which provides an 8-week-internship for young people of color to work within an economic development organization with the goal of increasing the diversity of the field over time.
By invitation of Joel Kotkin, Presidential Fellow at Chapman University, Julie co-teaches a “Marketing Cities” course with Kotkin at Chapman University each spring where she connects curious students with fresh thinking around innovative approaches to city marketing, positioning, and promotion.
Julie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from The University of Kansas.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
The tourism industry offers women in the developing world an opportunity to procure honorable employment so that they can elevate their status and extend hope to their families.
Fun Fact
Karyl Leigh is all about campfires and camaraderie. For nearly twenty years, one week each summer, Karyl Leigh pulled on her camping khakis and directed a non-profit summer camp. She designed programming that fostered understanding and promoted personal growth among rural and urban youth who attended.
tourism
Karyl Leigh Barnes
President, Tourism Practice [email protected]Karyl Leigh is the president of DCI’s Tourism Practice. Since joining DCI in 1998 from a New York State DMO, she has led destination strategy and campaign implementation for destinations on every continent except Antarctica. She has been a featured speaker at IACC, IMEX America, IMEX Frankfurt, NATJA, SATW, TMAC and numerous tourism conferences.
Although she was born and raised in a river town in upstate New York, Karyl Leigh always sought adventure abroad. From her first trip to South America at age five, Karyl Leigh was enthralled by the cultures and customs unearthed in every new place she ventured. To date, she’s learned to scuba dive in the Cayman Islands, cycled past tulip fields in Holland, hiked to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu, swum Devil’s Pool at the edge of Victoria Falls, and trekked through the wilderness to witness devils feed at night in Tasmania.
And after diligently pursuing study abroad programs in Australia, Belgium, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom, she landed quite naturally in destination marketing at “The Leader in Marketing Places.” While at DCI, Karyl Leigh has worked with celebrities, such as actors and Olympic athletes, but she remains most enthusiastic about the unique personalities and authentic experiences that permeate destinations themselves.
On the weekends, you’ll find Karyl Leigh paddling the Delaware, Hudson or Long Island Sound in her kayak, alongside her family, and scheming how to save money for their next big adventure.
Karyl Leigh holds a Master of Arts in global marketing communications from Emerson College/Brussels, is professionally accredited in marketing communications by the International Advertising Association and has completed her CDME with Destinations International.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I am motivated by the amazing people that I work with throughout the world. Oh, and getting paid to travel doesn’t really hurt the cause either.
Fun Fact
The Weather Channel is her secret obsession. She never leaves home without checking the weather forecast and is a little obsessed with weather patterns and extreme weather conditions all over the world – not just when she’s traveling. Will you need an umbrella tomorrow? Just ask Daniella and she’ll update you with the 5-day outlook.
tourism
Daniella Middleton
Partner [email protected]Born and raised in New York City, Daniella’s professional and personal experiences can be drilled down to two words: digital traveler. Daniella began her career in destination marketing by managing the North American marketing and sales activities for a portfolio of international clients that included convention bureaus, convention centers, meeting venues and hotels.
During her time at DCI, she has implemented more than 60 roadshows and sales events for clients. In partnership with the International Association of Conference Centers and IMEX Group, Daniella launched research studies that analyzed generational purchasing habits of conference space in North America and Europe. For the U.S. Virgin Islands’ “Procrastination Pays” support campaign for meeting planners, Daniella collaborated with the advertising agency and website design agency to create a microsite, digital collateral and e-marketing announcements.
Daniella’s spark for traveling was ignited when she received a scholarship at age 16 from The Experiment in International Living to spend the summer in Avila, Spain. Her most memorable travel moment to date has been a trip to Ireland with her mom – it was her mom’s first time out of the country and Daniella loved sharing the experience with her.
This native New Yorker has a list of interests that rival the diversity of the city itself. On the weekend, you can find Daniella in the driver’s seat of her beloved VW Jetta running errands in the city, visiting family in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, at a wine bar with friends, or in Miami for a quick beach getaway with her husband.
Daniella earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Brandeis University and her MBA in marketing and strategy from New York University Stern School of Business.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
Every place is made up of people and stories who matter. Their tales need to be told. I’m honored to be one of the many storytellers.
Fun Fact
Not only does Susan love to bring innovation to her clients, but she also loves to bring innovation into her own life by learning new skills. Currently, she’s learning how to knit and sew as well perform on aerial silks. For her, it’s all about proving that you can always learn no matter what your age.
economic development
Susan Brake
Partner [email protected]Susan is all about growth — professional and personal. Under her leadership, DCI’s digital practice has grown to 30 percent of DCI’s revenue. She leads a team of 20+ experts in the areas of digital strategy, website design and development, content marketing, search engine marketing and media buying.
Based on Susan’s strategic advice, desire for innovation and ability to understand client’s unique challenges she and her team have delivered digital marketing campaigns that generate results and awards. She has worked with website developers to create unique tools and functionalities for the economic development industry, including unique interactive maps for regions and neighborhoods, jobs feeds and comparison calculators. She has created a cost-effective website product that allows economic development and tourism organizations to tap into DCI’s 60+ years of place marketing expertise at a fraction of the cost. Susan is often called to present best practices in economic development marketing at industry events and on webinars
Although she’ll always call Kentucky home, Susan loves exploring different cities and cultures and makes it a priority to go on long trips away from the Bluegrass State. It was this drive to learn more about the world that ultimately led Susan to DCI’s doorstep and into the arms of people who love telling the stories of diverse places just as much as she does.
Susan is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University with degrees in journalism and public relations. She is certified in Google Analytics.
Staff
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I’ve seen firsthand the difference believing in a place and working to promote it can make. Improving the quality of life and lifting an entire community is a special honor.
Fun Fact
Kyle likes to push himself out of his comfort zone. He’s been skydiving, ziplining through Mexico and Costa Rica, has been a stunt double in several independent films and even wrestled a six-foot alligator.
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Kyle Amann
Manager, SEM & Media [email protected]Kyle believes in connecting people through technology. As a digital marketer, he has worked in-house with local destination marketing organizations and healthcare systems, as well as on the agency side helping small teams achieve their goals. Drawing from a background in psychology, SEO, branding, social and paid media, Kyle has helped clients drive significant results. As a strong believer that SEO is at the foundation of every marketing strategy, he is determined to expand the meaning of search engine optimization and create leading user experiences across the web.
Raised in Colorado, Kyle grew up spending most of his time outdoors. While hiking, biking and camping, Kyle developed a strong love for photography. His camera has been a way to experience new places. By seeking out unique places, he realized that every place has something that makes it truly special and unique. He’s a strong believer in supporting the people and experiences that make up the DNA of a place.
In his free time, you can find Kyle and his wife exploring the wild landscapes of western Colorado in their van with their two dogs, Oso and Meeko.
Kyle earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from University of Colorado Boulder.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
There is nothing quite like the experience that travel brings. Having the opportunity to ignite that passion for exploration through our work is incredibly rewarding.
Fun Fact
Rebecca is proud to be half Greek and celebrates her culture. A lover of the nation’s traditional foods, she’s always looking for the best baklava, spanakopita, and loukamades (Greek donuts!). Passionate about her culture and heritage, Rebecca is dedicating time to learning the language and hopes to become fluent in the not-so-distant future.
tourism
Rebecca Austin
Senior Account Executive [email protected]Rebecca joined DCI with experience in lifestyle public relations and event marketing. She is adept at securing placements, building buzz and raising attendance for specific events for the tourism destination clients she represents.
On behalf of Visit Huntington Beach, Rebecca generated live broadcast coverage for the annual Surf City Surf Dog event, garnering an audience of more than 3 million viewers in the local drive market. Rebecca also targeted MICE-industry journalists to tout the research efforts and results of DCI’s biannual research study, “A View from Meeting Planners: Winning Strategies in Destination Marketing.” These efforts resulted in 13 placements and more than 400,000 impressions, driving 200 downloads of the study.
Her love of places reaches back to her study abroad experience in Oxford, England, which allowed her to travel through Europe. Rebecca knew then that she wanted to experience as many destinations as she could. After visiting nine countries (and counting), she started a travel blog called RoundTrip Redhead to document and share her experiences as she makes her way around the world.
A lover of life, Rebecca tries to experience as much as she can. Whether the setting is urban, full of nature, or anything in between, she is on board. She is a huge fan of concerts, rooftop views, and checking things off her bucket list. Always up for adventure, Rebecca loves to explore her surroundings both near and far. She can be found at the new coffee shop, on a hiking trail, or spending time with her friends and family.
Rebecca earned her bachelor’s degree in communication and global studies from California Lutheran University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
my work inspires others to discover a new place and help grow a community, and every day I am reminded of just how cool that is!
Fun Fact
You can’t live in Italy and not become “italianized.” On her return to the U.S., Rachel found herself as a contributing writer for the National Italian American Foundation’s Ambassador magazine where she can share her love of culture and food that developed while living overseas.
economic development
Rachel Barvi
Project Manager [email protected]Anything related to places, people and culture is where Rachel shines. She loves her work at DCI, with a client roster spanning from the states of Michigan and Pennsylvania to the Research Triangle in North Carolina and to the economic development arm of Louisiana’s utility company Cleco. She specializes in messaging and brand activations such as collateral creation, blog and newsletter writing, video production and business events planning.
Rachel joined DCI after working in three different European countries over the course of seven years. Most recently, she worked in journalism and TV production in Rome, Italy, interviewing political and religious leaders and telling stories about the history of Rome. She was invited to attend many ambassador events – from the UK to Japan – to report on their many initiatives, and she even collaborated with the U.S. Secret Service to organize the video logistics of a high-ranking government official.
Her experiences living and working in Europe positions her as a strategic team player. Through her work, she was able to adapt to different cultures and work environments, listening to diverse points of view and learning how to embrace those differences to bring a project to completion.
With a childhood split between Vermont and Colorado, and a career that started abroad, Rachel enjoys finding beauty in every place – big or small. It’s no surprise she enjoys the outdoors like skiing, hiking and browsing farmer’s markets. She realizes that every community needs a helping hand and volunteers where she can locally.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communications and minors in business administration and art from Benedictine College in Kansas.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
we get to celebrate and share the work of people who are truly committed to making their cities and communities better every day.
Fun Fact
Bonnie is just as passionate about parks and conservation as she is about storytelling. She earned a Master of Arts in biology specifically to develop the tools to teach others about conservation. She also serves on the Board of Directors and is the Director of Communications for the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan.
Bonnie Bastian
Account Manager [email protected]An accomplished public relations professional, Bonnie is a natural communicator who loves sharing the stories of people and places. She brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing and creating strategic communications programs for clients that bring their stories to the forefront of the news cycle.
Bonnie has worked with such clients as Visit Myrtle Beach, Coastal Mississippi, Midmark, the Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau and TravelZoo. Leading regional communications strategy for the opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, arranging MRI scans for search and rescue dogs deployed to 9/11 sites and taking journalists on a zero-gravity flight are just a few of the amazing projects she been able to lead throughout her career.
A native Cincinnatian, you’ll find her hiking trails around the Midwest, perusing local bookstores and planning her next trip to a National Park or historic bourbon distillery. She loves exploring new places and is well on her way to reaching her goal of visiting all 50 states.
Bonnie earned a Bachelor of Arts in public relations from Xavier University and Master of Arts in biology from Miami University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I want to create communities that are welcoming and inspiring for their residents. My goal is to help people feel supported and enthusiastic about the places they choose to call home.
Fun Fact
Zubaida is a spoken word poet and she started performing in middle school. She has performed at venues like the Apollo Theater, the United Nations, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. She served on New York City’s youth poetry slam team and published her debut chapbook, How to Stop the Burning, in 2019.
economic development, talent attraction
Zubaida Bello
Assistant Account Executive [email protected]Zubaida’s passion for public relations emerged through her love for music, poetry, and art. After honing her own creative skills, Zubaida dedicated herself to helping local artists and community-based nonprofits reach their target audience through public relations. She also led marketing ads and social media campaigns for a tech startup that provided business resources to underrepresented founders. With this experience, Zubaida is further building connections between communities, artists, and businesses to highlight the unique culture every city has to offer.
At DCI, she now has the pleasure of telling the fascinating stories of her client communities such as the North Dakota, Birmingham and Tulsa. By raising these communities’ profiles as best places to live, work and visit, Zubaida is fueled by this purpose-driven work to help people find their next community to call home for a better quality of life.
Zubaida’s strong writing skills and ability to identify the right reporters to tell her clients stories has led her to secure top-tier media placements in publications such as Authority Magazine, Livability.com, TripSavvy, Outsider.com, and USA Today.
Zubaida’s passion for places was influenced by her parents who immigrated to the United States and were dedicated to exploring everything the country had to offer. As a child, Zubaida took road trips across the United States, visiting dozens of major cities and vast farmland. This curiosity of exploration was instilled in her from the very beginning and is now used in her daily work. Zubaida spends most of her time in New York City but she treasures the heritage of every place she visits.
Zubaida has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and African American Studies from Wesleyan University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
Every community has a distinct identity shaped by its people, culture and history. The opportunity to become immersed in these diverse locations and be their storyteller is a truly special experience.
Fun Fact
Taylor’s love for travel led her to a unique study abroad program— going to school on a cruise ship. During this semester, Taylor took classes on the ship as it sailed from country to country. This experience allowed Taylor to explore places such as Japan, Vietnam, Mauritius and South Africa.
economic development
Taylor Bensley
Account Executive [email protected]Taylor Bensley is a PR professional with media relations experience for clients in tourism, hospitality and economic development. Taylor joined DCI as an account executive to work in the Economic Development division.
Prior to joining DCI, she held a role as account executive with Lou Hammond Group, contributing to a range of public relations initiatives for clients in tourism, hospitality and consumer goods industries. She began her career in public relations as a press office intern for the Executive Office of the Governor of Florida and intern for The IRONMAN Group.
Taylor is skilled in crafting compelling pitches and formulating effective media strategies. Her proficiency has allowed her to secure placements for her clients in top-tier publications such as Forbes, Travel + Leisure and AFAR. In addition to media strategy, Taylor is skilled in influencer relations. She has successfully executed several influencer collaborations resulting in an increase of engagement and visibility for her clients.
From a young age, Taylor’s ambition was to work in a field that allowed her to embrace her creativity and engage with people from different backgrounds. During her upbringing, Taylor found herself calling many places home. With each move, her fascination for learning the unique story of each place deepened. As she pursued a degree in communications, Taylor enriched her perspective by studying abroad, which further fueled her passion for communications and learning about diverse communities.
Taylor graduated from the University of Tampa in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Media and Culture and a Minor in Psychology.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
DCI's purpose inspires me because there is an entire world waiting to be discovered by many, yet not everyone gets the opportunity. By capturing the spirit of the unique places we work with, I hope to help extend their magic.
Fun Fact
Taylor's wildest travel adventure led her to the most unexpected spot: Almhult, Sweden! But wait, it wasn't for exploring castles or famous landmarks – it was all about visiting the fascinating IKEA Museum!
economic development
Taylor Bologna
Senior Account Executive [email protected]With a flair for organization and a passion for places, Taylor excels in managing and tracking client projects that reposition places as premier destinations to live and work. Taylor collaboratively crafts innovative solutions to achieve marketing goals while attracting visitors, businesses, and talented minds to their dream destinations.
Taylor’s diverse background shines through past work with Fortune 500 clients to non-profit organizations, spearheading robust issue campaigns, building captivating websites, and managing everything from large-scale databases to social media profiles. With an eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, Taylor is driven by DCI’s mission to uplift and transform communities worldwide.
Taylor’s passion for effective communication drives her work. Her forte lies in crafting and executing powerful marketing campaigns that lead to successful client outcomes. Her strategic approach ensures that each initiative aligns with client’s goals, delivering measurable results. Beyond her professional endeavors, Taylor embraces adventure and finds inspiration in her travels.
Outside of work, Taylor, a proud New Yorker originally, spends time exploring the Washington, D.C. area, a place she’s always wanted to call home. Taylor enjoys embarking on new adventures with her furry companion as well as lending a hand to local dog rescues.
Taylor’s expertise is further enriched by a Master’s Degree in Strategic Public Relations from The George Washington University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
through creative and engaging storytelling, we get to celebrate communities and their champions who are driving change for good through economic development across DCI’s client destinations.
Fun Fact
She loves good, healthy competition! Brittany was a nationally ranked junior tennis player back in the day, but she has since traded in her racket for running gear. These days, she channels her competitive nature into marathon training, hoping to beat her personal best.
economic development
Brittany Borsanyi
Senior Director [email protected]Brittany loves to nerd out over global supply chain trends that impact our nation’s ports and economy, site selection decisions and what the future holds with evolving industries. As a leader on DCI’s economic development public relations team, Brittany brings more than 10 years of media relations experience and helps communities elevate their key differentiators through creative storytelling.
Landing a front-page story in The New York Times, prepping clients behind studio curtains for live TV interviews in New York City and curating itineraries for press visits to client destinations are still Brittany’s “pinch me” moments. As Brittany continues to foster relationships with top-tier media, she now gets to coach teammates and clients toward interviews and results with WSJ, Bloomberg, Forbes, CNBC, Insider, among other national outlets.
Brittany’s passion for places stems from her first trip to Europe where she developed an interest in architecture, exploring different sceneries and supporting local businesses. She also loves a good spontaneous trip. In college, she and her friends agreed to an unplanned trip anywhere on the east coast for spring break. On a map, they landed on Saluda, North Carolina, where they were the only four non-regulars at a local diner. Since then, Brittany has developed a keen interest in places in the U.S. and abroad.
Brittany is a born-and-raised New Yorker but currently calls Cincinnati, Ohio home.
She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in public relations and from Boston University with a Master of Science in public relations.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
learning is a lifelong journey to embrace new experiences. My travels have taught me to ask a lot of questions, because, after all, if you don’t ask, you won’t know.
Fun Fact
As part of her PR role on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, Elizabeth spent an afternoon with Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of England, and Prince Michael of Kent, the late Queen Elizabeth’s first cousin. It made watching The Crown on Netflix all the more enjoyable for her.
tourism
Elizabeth Borsting
Account Manager [email protected]Elizabeth spent her childhood living throughout the United States before settling down in Southern California, where she has worked as a travel writer and publicist and launched her own PR consultancy along the way. By working for such destinations as Discover Los Angeles and the iconic attraction Queen Mary in Long Beach, she’s now funneling her know-how of destination marketing and PR into DCI’s client roster as an account manager.
Within 24 hours of graduating college, Elizabeth was on a plane to London and the adventures have not ceased. She digs into a destination’s culture and people but also values the surprises along the way, like when she met an Irish travel agent who showed her original passenger logs for the Titanic.
Her passion for discovery and inquisitive nature are all part of what drives Elizabeth. It’s no surprise she has authored nine travel guides, the output of all those questions she asks when traveling. Celebrity culture and discovery go hand and hand for her, whether it’s scouting out Julia Child’s home in Paris or the room in Hotel Chelsea occupied by Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols.
If she’s not driving to nearby Santa Barbara for a wine tasting, or even further up the Central Coast, Elizabeth will be riding her bike along the beach with her husband. Lunch in the sun along the bike path is all part of the routine. An avid reader, she’s part of two book clubs, one which pairs a dinner with that week’s read.
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Artsin journalism from California State University, Long Beach.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
It is inspiring to work with others who know the importance of travel on a larger scale. Travel brings personal joy, but it also supports economies and increases prosperity.
Fun Fact
Siobhan doesn’t just drink wine; she knows all about it as well. She is at the advanced level of the WSET-sommelier training. If you need any good recommendations for a vintage, now you know who to ask. It also means she’s a great person to invite to a dinner party!
tourism
Siobhan Chretien
Senior Director [email protected]Siobhan has more than 15 years of executive leadership and destination marketing experience with NTO’s like Destination Canada, leading the strategies for US Leisure and running six international offices to generate growth from emerging markets in the Americas and Asia.
As Executive Director at Destination Canada, Siobhan led the team at her agency’s in-house digital think tank, harnessing real-time data and insight, to create responsive campaigns. Siobhan even led the U.S. leisure strategy to promote the 2010 Winter Olympics for Canada. Her experience working across the industry, including liaising with key stakeholders, travel brands and governmental decision makers, has honed her leadership skills to enact positive change for clients, which she now brings to DCI’s client roster.
Born to French Canadian and Irish parents, Siobhan boasts three passports, which some might call a sign that travel would always be a part of her. Growing up in Canada with some education in Northern Ireland, she learned to appreciate the diversity that travel provides. Siobhan is as happy waking up to go snowboarding as she is spending an afternoon finding the world’s oldest cabaret in Montmartre, Paris.
Siobhan loves to learn and shake things up by changing her environment. Travel feeds her creativity, as well as her literal hunger as she hunts the best local food and drink. Her first stop when traveling is always a local market, to help get a glimpse of how people in the destination actually live. Perched at a local bar chatting up a barkeep or horseback riding in a Brazilian forest, Siobhan always learns about the people around her.
Siobhan holds a Bachelor of Business Administrative honors degree from Trent University and a Business Excellence Diploma in Leadership and Innovation Studies from University of California Berkeley.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
uplifting communities and showcasing what makes them unique not only helps create new jobs but lays the groundwork for a stronger future for the people who call these places home.
Fun Fact
When she’s not reading the news or drafting pitches, you can find Jenni scoping out New York’s best brunch spots and running paths. Growing up in a household of athletes, she’s never been one to turn down a good race. She’s completed half marathons and triathlons and recently crossed the New York Marathon (her first marathon!) off her bucket list.
economic development
Jenni Ciesielski
Account Executive [email protected]Jenni has always considered herself a storyteller – so much so that she would put “About the Author” bios on her homework assignments in elementary school. As a child, she spent family vacations imagining what life would be like growing up in the towns she visited and would often create stories and characters based on them, which made working at a place like DCI a no-brainer.
Jenni’s lifelong love of writing and curiosity about the world around her has taken her down many different paths, including journalism, politics and environmental justice. She began her career in the press office of Governor Roy Cooper, where she learned the ins and outs of rapid response while the state of North Carolina faced multiple hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic. After placing op-eds in more than 30 news outlets across North Carolina, Jenni further honed her media relations skills at the environmental organization Climate Power, where she helped lead communications strategies for states up and down the East Coast.
Since joining DCI’s New York office, Jenni has been thrilled to work with such talented teammates who share her passion for uplifting communities. She grew up outside of Atlanta, GA, and spent 10 years in North Carolina before trading in her Birkenstocks for a New York winter coat last year. While she considers herself a lifelong East Coaster, she loves exploring communities all over the map.
Jenni graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in media and journalism.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
we have the resources to showcase the unique qualities of destinations, and it’s rewarding to see our clients' happiness reflected in influencers' social media content
Fun Fact
A true Canadian, Bridgette has played hockey for 15 years. She has traveled across the United States and Italy to play the sport, which has taught her lessons in teamwork and discipline that are applicable every day to work and life.
tourism
Bridgette Collins
Assistant Account Executive [email protected]A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Bridgette brings her marketing and public relations experience to DCI’s roster of clients. She applies a critical eye whether she’s evaluating a potential influencer collaboration with a client destination or documenting a destination marketing campaign’s success.
Self-motivated and driven, Bridgette thrives when she can apply her creativity and take initiative, especially when working in public relations and influencer marketing. Whether drafting contracts or vetting content partners, she pays attention to every detail to ensure a positive impact on the destinations she represents.
Her passion for travel has led her to destinations worldwide where she has enjoyed discovering new foods, exploring new beaches and engaging in adventurous excursions. Although Italian getaways and the beaches of Punta Cana top her list of destinations to revisit, her bucket list is growing. Bridgette dreams of staying in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora, exploring the temples and ancient history of Greece, and seeing the polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba.
At home in Mississauga, she enjoys weekends being with friends, trying new coffee shops, bowling or competing in a friendly round of mini golf. She’s no stranger to baking in the kitchen or listening to the latest podcast when she’s not palling around with her dog, Teddy.
Bridgette received her Bachelor of Arts and Certificate in business from the University of Guelph and a Graduate Certificate in public relations corporate communications from Sheridan College.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
every place has a history to tell, a culture to share and a community to call home. I love how DCI helps forge meaningful connections between people and these places.
Fun Fact
Rosemary loves to garden. Her favorite plant is a (very old) potted, calamondin orange tree that lives outdoors in the summer. Every fall, the tree produces oranges that Rosemary uses to make a tangy marmalade.
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Rosemary Conroy
Art Director [email protected]Rosemary joined DCI as the company’s Art Director in 2023 after working as a creative director, designer and photo art director in agencies and studios in Boston and Baltimore. She has more than 30 years of experience collaborating with marketing and communications teams on strategic design projects across all media for well-known brands like Vail Resort, Beaver Creek, Talbots, J. Jill and many others.
In her work for numerous DCI economic development, tourism and talent attraction clients, she visually articulates brand messaging to create design solutions that forge strong connections between brands and audiences. Her approach is collaborative and flexible — with a vision for the big picture, an eye for the details and a focus on design that works.
Rosemary holds a B.A. from College of the Holy Cross and graduated from the design program at The Art Institute of Boston. She is also an adjunct communication design professor at MassArt.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
having the ability to combine our shared passion for the world with creativity and analytics offers an opportunity to create a positive change on a global scale.
Fun Fact
Since 2019, Katie is proud to be an active member of an online focus group dedicated to all things related to "Gen Z." From answering in-depth surveys to providing input on viral internet trends, the group's findings are used to influence marketing decisions for brands such as Google, Starbucks, Chase Bank and Converse.
economic development
Katie Crocilla
Manager, SEM & Media [email protected]Katie celebrates wearing many different hats in her career, bringing a multidisciplinary profile to DCI’s economic development clients. With a background in public relations and influencer marketing, her true passion lay in digital marketing with the ability to provide concrete results for brands looking to grow their profiles.
From full-funnel advertising campaigns to spearheading new website builds, Katie has done it all. Her many experiences in email marketing campaigns and SEO strategies are all part of a holistic approach that she takes when creating results for her clients, who benefit from her multidisciplinary background.
Over the course of her career, she has developed winning strategies for brands such as Cuisinart, ECOVACS, Audio-Technica and a variety of others in the consumer technology, housewares, health care and small business industries. On the public relations front, she has secured coverage in top publications such as Forbes, CNET, Engadget and WIRED. On the digital marketing side of the business, she previously developed a multi-funnel paid marketing strategy that increased her client’s conversion rate by 130% in a 4-month period.
Katie discovered her passion for traveling during her semester as an exchange student at the Florence University of the Arts and is grateful to carry that passion over into her work for DCI’s clients. Most often you can find her thrill-seeking when traveling. From paragliding over the Swiss Alps to snowmobiling in Iceland, she is on board to try (almost) anything.
Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in global communications and media from Ramapo College of New Jersey.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I have the opportunity to help create good jobs and economic vitality that can mean hope and prosperity for future generations.
Fun Fact
Dariel wasn’t always typing away from a Manhattan highrise. Growing up as a farmer’s daughter in New York’s Finger Lakes, Dariel knows how to milk a cow, drive a tractor, unload a hay wagon and win blue ribbons at the state fair for baking killer sugar cookies. She also knows the value of hard work.
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Dariel Curren
Executive Vice President [email protected]Place marketing and branding has been Dariel’s life work. For more than three decades, she has worked to elevate destinations for economic development, tourism and talent attraction. Her clients have spanned the world, from Maine to Miami and New York to New Zealand.
With deep experience in public relations, marketing strategy, branding, websites and digital marketing, Dariel currently spearheads DCI’s growing Creative Services team, working on everything from logos to videos to collateral.
Dariel has been a featured speaker for the International Economic Development Council, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, City Nation Place and numerous state economic development organizations. She also teaches the IEDC Marketing and Attraction Course and has been published in the IEDC Journal.
An avid world traveler, Dariel loves learning about new places and “thinking like a journalist” to uncover fresh and surprising stories to tell. She also understands the importance of balancing economic development with preserving open space and environmental stewardship of our forests, farms and waterways. She has been on the board of directors of the Roxbury Land Trust in her hometown in Connecticut for more than 15 years.
Dariel enjoys quiet country places as much as the hippest urban spots on the planet. She spent summers on Martha’s Vineyard during college and then developed the travel bug, backpacking across Europe and taking vacations in Greece, Spain, Belize, the Caribbean and too many American destinations to count.
Dariel holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and American literature from Brown University, where she was a four-year starter on the women’s basketball team.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
A weekend getaway is carefree for travelers, but reality remains on Monday for residents. As a traveler I’ve developed a sense of responsibility to the people in places I visit.
Fun Fact
Brent was an NCAA assistant golf coach for two seasons at Hawaii Pacific University. As quite possibly the worst-golfing golf coach in America, Brent specialized in the logistics and recruiting operations of running a golf team, and those particular skills were much more on par with his talents and strengths.
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Brent Curry
Senior Manager, SEM & Media [email protected]Brent is a natural storyteller with experience in journalism, public and media relations, advertising and social media management. He has plied his trade for a minor league baseball team, a university and the U.S. Army. A career communicator, Brent combines his education and experience with his devotion to destinations to produce results for his clients.
A born and bred Clevelander, he didn’t stick around long, despite his city pride. He lived in Erie, Pennsylvania, for his studies and worked his first full-time job there. Escaping Erie’s infamous winters he moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he lived for a decade. Most recently he moved to New York City but isn’t sold on the pizza quite yet.
Brent’s wanderlust started at an early age with family car trips across the U.S. Once in college, he studied abroad in Australia’s Queensland and fell in love with international travel. After several summers of backpacking in Europe, he wanted to experience long-term travel. Eventually, Brent took a mid-career solo travel sabbatical for two and a half years, visiting 67 nations on all seven continents. These experiences have transformed Brent and made him a passionate supporter of the people and places he’s visited. While he is physically located in New York City, his mind is likely traveling the globe.
On weekends, you’ll find Brent traveling or planning a trip with his fiancé, Marcella. If not, he’s probably watching his beloved Cleveland Browns, Guardians, or Cavs. Or, quite possibly, he is combining the two and traveling to a live sporting event. So far, he’s seen games in 48 professional venues.
Brent earned his Bachelor of Arts in communication from Gannon University and his Master of Science in communication from Hawaii Pacific University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
my work can directly impact the people within the destinations I serve. I want to continue to support, protect and honor the people and cultures I encounter around the world.
Fun Fact
Talk about close encounters! While escorting a press trip in Rwanda, Laura participated in a gorilla trekking experience that was anything but forgettable. At one point on the excursion, a young male gorilla dared to push her, but fortunately, the encounter went no further, and Laura wasn’t hanging around for a selfie with him.
tourism
Laura Cyrille
Account Director [email protected]Laura brings deep tourism, hospitality and consumer marketing experience to DCI. She has worked with media and influencers to increase awareness of mega-consumer brands, but her heart is in promoting the world’s top travel destinations. Destinations around the globe have benefited from her marketing prowess that has helped Visit Rwanda break into the U.S. tourism market by successfully telling the nation’s travel story.
Travel remains her major passion, and after taking a short break to work in consumer and beauty public relations, she’s committed to working with destinations and feeding her wanderlust. At DCI, she combines her passion for travel with her consumer marketing experience to raise the bar on destination marketing efforts for the agency’s clients.
When traveling for her own enrichment, Laura absorbs the unique culture and history of a destination while identifying the similarities between people and cultures. She’s been all over the world, but exploring more of Africa, specifically Ghana, South Africa and Kenya is still on her bucket list.
Growing up with both Haitian and American influences contributed to her love for all things related to culture and travel. Notably, Laura was the first of her family to be born in the U.S. and she’s proud of her Haitian heritage. A fan of television, cinema, and music, she’s always looking for the artistic expressions that make a place and its culture tick.
Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in public relations from St. John’s University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
we lift up communities often overlooked. Different cities, different people, different stories—they all have a place at DCI. It's not who you are or what you are; it's just that you are.
Fun Fact
Despite competing at a statewide level for pole vaulting, a multistate-wide level for soccer, and a national level for pickleball, Caleb does not consider himself a competitive person.
economic development, tourism
Caleb Deckert
Coordinator, SEM & Media [email protected]Caleb joined DCI in 2024 to lean into his passion for SEO, marketing and learning. As a coordinator on the SEM & Media team, Caleb provides support for both SEO and paid media programs.
Having worked in an agency setting and as the sole marketer for a small distributor, Caleb is an outside-the-box thinker, always trying to find more efficient ways to complete tasks. Self-described as a “high extrovert,” he is always ready to hop into a meeting to discuss projects, critiques or brainstorm.
Caleb was born in southern California and lived in both Virginia and Florida before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina. He enjoys being around people and being physically active. With a goal to visit every national park, he has already knocked more than 30 off his list.
Caleb graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and a Minor in Event Management. He also holds certifications in Google Analytics 4, Google Display ads and Google search ads.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
our work is so much deeper than marketing a single product or company. I have the privilege of being a storyteller for communities – which is incredibly rewarding.
Fun Fact
After always wanting to learn French as a child, Rachel went on to study the language in high school and college. Her fluency, however, didn’t really improve until she met her husband, a French native, while studying abroad. They are raising two bilingual children whose French abilities are on track to surpass Rachel’s any day now.
economic development
Rachel Deloffre
Vice President, Creative Services [email protected]Passionate about helping places tell their unique stories, Rachel crafts creative campaigns, creates thoughtful messaging and develops standout marketing strategies for communities large and small. Rachel has worked with more than 30 economic development clients helping them to position their communities for talent and business investment. She is a regular speaker on branding and marketing topics at IEDC’s Marketing Course and Colorado’s Basic Economic Development Course.
As a senior leader on DCI’s creative services team, Rachel helps communities create new brands and oversees integrated marketing programs. She has worked with places ranging from British Columbia, Canada and the state of Kansas to St. Petersburg, Florida and rural Colorado.
Rachel also brings industry expertise in marketing to site selection consultants through coordinating numerous events and her work with the Site Selectors Guild. She launched a marketing campaign and developed a program for elevating Guild member thought leadership, media relations, digital marketing and more. She also oversees DCI’s database of site selection consultants.
In addition to her work on the creative services team, Rachel has developed a well-rounded place marketing skill set. She has worked on economic development websites, implemented digital media campaigns and conducted media relations, placing articles in top business publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and CNBC on behalf of her clients.
Based in Denver, Rachel enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two young kids – whether it’s a mountain getaway, hike or hanging out in their own backyard.
She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Arts in public relations, advertising and French.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
DCI’s purpose Inspires me because … the world is a vast place with billions of people and hundreds of places, and by traveling, we experience new cultures, languages, traditions, and cuisines.
Fun Fact
A writer at heart, Arunima loves to pen poetry and short stories and shares them online on her blog and Instagram, cultivating an online following of readers. She is currently working on a novelette and hopes to finish it this year, eager to get started on her next written work.
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Arunima Dey
Manager, SEM & Media [email protected]Arunima brings more than a decade worth of experience in digital marketing to the DCI team. She specializes in digital advertising and has extensive knowledge of social media marketing and SEO. In addition, she has a background in literature and filmmaking, which helps her look at marketing with a unique perspective.
At her previous agency, Arunima led a team of developers, designers and content writers to revamp a San Francisco-based tech company’s website. Through her ideas and execution, the company saw a growth of 37% in lead acquisition in the very first year.
In her first three months at DCI, Arunima increased Visit Buena Park’s click-through-rate on Google Search by 23% and on YouTube by 18% as compared to the previous year. While working on Facebook ads for Wake County Economic Development, Arunima led a 251% increase in clicks and a 280% surge in impressions as compared to the previous year.
Originally from Kolkata, India, Arunima now calls the city of Toronto her home. She believes in the big picture but feels the little pixels make life beautiful. Arunima inherited her love for travel from her parents. Her first unofficial trip was to Delhi while she was still in her mother’s belly.
Since she was a baby, her family would make two yearly trips to various places in India and abroad. Arunima is extremely passionate about food, culture, and language, and traveling to experience all three has been on her bucket list since she was 10 years old.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts from St. Xavier’s College and Master of Arts in communication from Symbiosis International University in India. She holds certificates from Stanford University, UC Irvine, University of Virginia, Meta, and Google, among others.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
Every community and destination has a unique story. We’re the lucky ones who get to dig deep into the research to help shape, tell and amplify these stories to positively impact real people and their communities.
Fun Fact
As Robyn and her husband begin to prepare for the “empty nest” phase with her children starting to leave for college, they’re testing new hobbies hoping one will stick. She’s sampled golf, pickleball, and tennis to name a few! Suggestions are welcome!
economic development, tourism
Robyn Domber
Senior Vice President, Research [email protected]DCI believes all successful marketing is rooted in thorough research, and no one knows that better than Robyn. As the head of DCI’s research division, she oversees all client research initiatives across our tourism, economic development and talent attraction service areas. Through customized qualitative and quantitative research studies, Robyn delivers insights that guide the most effective public relations, marketing and organizational strategies for all clients.
Robyn brings more than 23 years of economic development, site selection and market research experience which has allowed the growth of our suite of research offerings and allowed DCI to deliver the most powerful insights to our clients and the industry through our expanded our thought leadership studies including Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing; Talent Wars; Capturing the Canadian Consumer; the State of Site Selection (in cooperation with the Site Selectors Guild) and the Meeting Room of the Future series (in cooperation with the International Association of Conference Centers).
Prior to DCI, Rombyn accumulated more than 15 years working in the fields of economic development and site selection consulting. Most recently, she was the Director of Economic Development Services for the Wadley-Donovan Group. She rose through the ranks at DCI to become senior VP of research in 2022 and continues to guide a growing research team.
She earned a Master of Science degree in urban and regional planning at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and her Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
When what you do every day is focused on helping others live a better life, there’s not a greater satisfaction in the world.
Fun Fact
Work hard, play hard. When Steve’s not in the office, he has challenged himself on some of the world’s most epic cycling rides. The Col du Tourmalet. Mount Ventoux. Passo dello Stelvio. He’s done them all, along with summiting two 14,000-foot peaks by bike (Pike’s Peak and Mount Evans).
economic development, talent attraction
Steve Duncan
Managing Director, C Studios [email protected]Never stop learning. That’s a theme across Steve’s career, from his start as a public relations intern at DCI nearly two decades ago to his current post in Europe launching our international joint venture with OCO Global called C Studios.
Steve is a strategic advisor to his economic development clients, which have included best-in-class investment promotion agencies CINDE, JETRO, EDB Singapore, Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency and Greater Zurich Area through the years. His expertise lies in creating digital lead generation programs, marketing strategies, and initiatives to help motivate businesses to invest and talent to relocate.
His career has seen many successes, such as managing Invest Puerto Rico’s $6.8 million media budget following Hurricane Maria, resulting in a 1,400%+ increase in lead forms and 2,500 sign-ups for the island’s investor portal. Additionally, Steve has authored multiple thought-leadership reports including Ready or Not: The Value and Future of Site Readiness Programs; The State of Digital Advertising in Economic Development; 8 Digital Advertising Tips for EDOs; Know Your C-Suite; and An Executive Perception of Europe. He has also been a keynote speaker at industry conferences on the topics of entrepreneurship, economic development marketing, lead generation, talent attraction, and digital marketing.
In his current role as Managing Director of C Studios, Steve is expand DCI’s digital marketing services abroad with an emphasis on business and talent attraction across the EMEA market. Along with our colleagues at OCO Global, we’re also able to better align marketing with business development to provide EDOs with a more robust platform for company engagement.
Steve graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Communications.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
understanding our impact on the lives of people living, traveling and working in the places we serve makes me a better marketer, traveler and global citizen.
Fun Fact
Patience is an at-home chef who enjoys documenting her ambitious cooking projects on Instagram for friends, family and clients to follow along. When she’s not cooking up a storm herself, she’s exploring new restaurants and eateries throughout New York City. Ask her for recommendations – especially if you’re coming to Brooklyn!
talent attraction
Patience Fairbrother
Vice President, Talent Attraction [email protected]As Vice President, Talent Attraction, Patience oversees DCI’s Talent Attraction practice area, which helps cities, states, regions and countries to attract the workforce of the future through custom research and targeted marketing campaigns. Prior to that, she served as DCI’s Vice President, Brand & Digital Strategy, spearheading dozens of economic development, tourism and talent attraction brands and websites designed to drive leads, visitation and relocation.
Patience’s work has been recognized in the Summit Creative Awards, AVA Digital Awards, Horizon Interactive Awards, International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Excellence in Economic Development Awards, and MarCom Awards.
She has been a featured speaker on place marketing research and best practices at conferences including Young Smart & Local, Destinations International, ECONOMIX, and the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Annual Conference, and in communities from Buffalo to Birmingham. Patience also serves as co-chair of DCI’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) initiative.
This native of the Berkshires grew up learning to appreciate the benefits of small town life. When she chose to attend Kenyon College in rural Ohio, she learned to love even-smaller-town life, only to fall in love with global cities like Paris, Rome and Amsterdam during her travels abroad. Luckily for Patience, a career in representing places—from small cities, to large states, to entire countries—means she never has to choose which she prefers.
Since moving to New York, Patience has eaten her way across a variety of neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan. When she’s not indulging her taste buds, you’ll find her working on her headstand at her favorite yoga studio.
Patience is a graduate of Kenyon College holding a Bachelor of Science in psychology.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I believe that every place has a unique story waiting to be discovered, and I'm thrilled to be part of a team that brings these stories to life through innovative marketing.
Fun Fact
Richie is not only dedicated to helping places shine through digital marketing but also has a knack for music. In his spare time, he enjoys composing progressive rock music and exploring new ways to blend sounds, showcasing his creative spirit both in and out of the office.
economic development, tourism
Richie Gaiser
Senior Manager, SEM & Media [email protected]Richie is a digital marketing maverick who has made it his mission to empower businesses and organizations with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly connected world. As a Senior Digital Marketing Manager at DCI, Richie plays a pivotal role in delivering top-notch marketing solutions to clients in both economic development and tourism sectors.
Equipped with exceptional strategic thinking and a keen eye for detail, Richie has achieved impressive results for clients through his expertise in search engine optimization, social media management, content creation, and digital ad strategy. His commitment to staying ahead of industry trends enables him to provide innovative and effective solutions that make a genuine impact on the organizations he works with.
A strong believer in the power of storytelling, Richie’s passion for exploring new places and learning about diverse cultures is evident in his work. He enjoys using his creativity and marketing know-how to amplify the unique stories that make each destination special, ultimately contributing to their growth and success.His passion for places and his drive to make a difference have led him to become an integral part of the DCI team.
Richie, born in Manassas, Virginia, has a deep love of travel. He has vacationed in the German Alps — where his German minor came in handy — climbed to the top of the Zugspitze, dined at the Eiffel Tower in Paris and slid down the dunes in White Sands, New Mexico.
Richie graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in marketing and management, where he honed his skills in digital marketing, analytics, and strategy.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
it aligns with my values of making a positive impact in the world and creating better opportunities for individuals and communities, ultimately contributing to the betterment of society.
Fun Fact
Keep an eye out for Emily in NYC where this foodie loves exploring all the amazing restaurants and bars the city has to offer. With more than 100 different spots under her belt, she's always up for trying something new and exciting. You might even run into her at your favorite dining spot!
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Emily Gao
Coordinator, SEM & Media [email protected]Emily is passionate about data-driven insights and paid media management. With extensive experience in various customer and client support positions, she is an expert in advertising, front-end communication, and back-end data analysis across multiple industries. At Development Counsellors International, she manages client campaigns, optimizes digital marketing strategies, and provides actionable insights by analyzing data. Emily is a problem-solver who constantly seeks ways to improve processes and deliver better results to her clients.
Originally from China, Emily loves to travel and explore different cultures. She has visited over 30 cities in China. She continues to explore other parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and South America, viewing travel as a crucial aspect of life, a way to broaden an individual’s vision and learn new things about the world. Besides her interest in travel, Emily is a music fanatic, attending musicals, orchestral concerts, and various other events in her free time.
She is highly motivated and always goes the extra mile to ensure her clients are satisfied with the results. With her expertise in marketing and passion for travel and music, Emily is a well-rounded professional who can help businesses take their marketing to the next level. She is a go-to person for companies looking to exceed their marketing expectations.
Emily is a graduate of Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in business and communication and holds certifications in Google Ads-Search, Google Ads- Video, and Google Ads- Display.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
the history and the people we meet along the way help us appreciate what we have and inspires us to make the world a better place for everyone.
Fun Fact
When there is a moment of downtime there is always a task at hand to make his home more enjoyable. Every year Kevin awaits the May 15 “no more frost” date and there are always plenty of plants to be purchased, re-potted or reborn as his garden flourishes in the springtime warmth.
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Kevin Gardiner
Creative Director [email protected]With more than 30 years of branding, advertising, television and digital marketing experience, Kevin has worked with agencies and retail brands across the U.S. including LL Bean, 1800 Flowers, Bloomingdale’s, CVS, Neiman Marcus, The Home Depot and Sundance.
Kevin grew up in a family of six children with whom he is very close. Growing up in Boston and spending childhood summers on Cape Cod and the West Coast of Ireland, Kevin got hooked on traveling when he took a solo trip to Cozumel off the coast of the Yucatán. A love of the Spanish language was born which led to many trips throughout South America, Central America and more than a dozen visits to Spain. An opportunity to live abroad in London for three years afforded Kevin the chance to make quick trips throughout Europe including Scandinavia, The Baltics, and unique islands like Iceland, Malta, Jersey and Majorca. Kevin always has his next trip planned.
Travel and talent have always been a passion for Kevin, paired with more than a decade of consulting with top brands. An expert in talent acquisition and a specialist in relocating creative executives to markets all over the U.S., Kevin is a native Bostonian where he attended Northeastern University. He is now a New Yorker with past experiences living in London, Seattle, Barcelona and San Francisco.
He is married and always playing sous chef to his favorite cook, his husband Eric. Kevin is an experienced skier, sailor and a lifelong fan of the Red Sox and Fenway Park where he worked his summers as a teenager selling hot dogs to hungry fans. Kevin has 11 nieces and nephews.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
the marketing work we do to attract visitors, residents and businesses to our client regions ultimately creates jobs and betters the economy for local communities.
Fun Fact
It’s not just in her work role that she seeks to do good. As a proud alumna of Michigan State University, Hanna gives back to the College of Communication Arts & Sciences by sitting on the Advertising & Public Relations Department’s Professional Advisory Board and regularly guest lecturing on social media, digital marketing and public relations.
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Hanna Gbordzoe
Vice President, Digital [email protected]Hanna leads DCI’s digital team of social media managers, content marketers, website project managers, SEO specialists and digital media planners. Through her own efforts and by inspiring others, the team crafts and deploys creative digital content that drives engagement with economic development organizations, talent attraction campaigns, and tourism and destination marketing brands. She has her finger on the pulse of digital marketing trends and what works to reach audiences and stakeholders from talent and travelers to prospects and investors.
Throughout her career at DCI, Hanna has supported places including Michigan (her home state!), the Netherlands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Orlando, Charleston, Baton Rouge, cities across Texas and Florida – plus the states themselves – and more.
Notably, Hanna leads the digital content strategy for the Netherlands’ foreign investment promotion efforts in North America, overseeing everything from brand social media and executive LinkedIn content to blogs and e-newsletters. She also led a complete revamp of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ social media presence – from audit and strategy to execution – including the Department of Tourism’s first Instagram Reels and a first-for-the-organization user generated content (UGC) program, which together increased engagement by more than 125% in six months.
Even outside of the office, Hanna loves experiencing cultures throughout the world. She has been to four continents but hopes to visit all seven, and is also on her way to visiting all 50 states. Notable travel experiences include a solo trip to South Korea, attending the Amsterdam Music Festival in the Netherlands, seeing the church her grandfather was baptized at in Germany, experiencing Saudi Arabia, segway-ing around Paris, surfing in Hawaii, (mini) golfing in Scotland, and exploring the natural terrain in Iceland. New York City remains her favorite city.
Hanna earned a Bachelor of Arts in advertising and public relations from Michigan State University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I’m a big advocate for creating positive change within communities. It’s an honor to be part of initiatives that benefit the locals and the overall development of our client destinations.
Fun Fact
As an immigrant herself, Vanessa acts as an advocate for immigrant women in the Latinx community. When she’s not promoting destinations, she edits a blog and curates a social media presence to provide resources and create a community for women, to help inform, educate, and empower them in whatever way she can.
tourism
Vanessa Gonzalez-Hernandez
Director, Travel Trade [email protected]Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Vanessa relocated to New York and began her marketing career as an account executive for a New York multicultural marketing agency. She parlayed her experience into a role with the Trade Commission of Peru in New York, managing events and serving as a destination ambassador at trade shows. Eventually her passion for sales, marketing and travel led her to Mava Travel, a leading tour operator, where she spearheaded B2B2C efforts. Now at DCI, she leverages her relationships with the travel trade to drive consumer bookings to destinations worldwide.
Among her achievements, Vanessa spearheaded an event and integrated marketing campaign for Visit Monaco designed to reconnect trade professionals with luxury hotels in the Principality prior to the launch of new direct service from the New York Metro area.
Her family worked in the tourism industry, so business acumen has always been part of Vanessa’s life. Working with a tour operator in Peru further whet Vanessa’s appetite for travel. Coming to New York City represented an exciting shift in her life, and much of her nuclear family eventually followed her to the city.
As a New Yorker, she will happily spend weekends playing tourist, exploring the microcosm of cultures that fill every neighborhood. After more than a decade, it fails to bore her! She’ll lace up her runners for a jog down the Hudson River Park or catch up on podcasts for some personal time. Come Sunday, she’ll gather with her family, husband and their Yorkie terrier for food and games.
Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Arts in advertising and marketing communications from FIT (the Fashion Institute of Technology) and a Master of Science in tourism management from New York University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
our work helps build community pride. The more locals see their culture and traditions generating economic support for their communities, the more they will create art and celebrate local traditions.
Fun Fact
She’s an expert destination marketer by day, but Beatriz moonlights as a budding start-up owner, selling her own brand to audiences. She always wanted to be an entrepreneur, and in 2021, she finally went for it, launching her own skincare line to help fight dry skin and living her dream.
tourism
Beatriz Guerrero
Senior Account Executive [email protected]Born and raised in the shadow of the Big Apple, Beatriz has worked in public relations and events throughout her professional career. Her big brand experience honed through engagements with Starz Network, Telemundo, Viacom, Epic Records, Island Records and Warner Music, now serves her destination marketing efforts. Beatriz is well-versed in producing media events from conception to completion and prides herself on her feature editorial placements.
A guru of event planning at KB Venture Group, in one single year Beatriz developed, and implemented 86 consumer and media events in four major U.S. markets – New York, New Jersey, Miami and Los Angeles – including pop-up shops, tasting events, and release parties for Def Jam, Warner Music, and Epic Records.
Her love of travel emanates from her mother, whose 32-year career at United Airlines meant Beatriz was always traveling during her childhood. She continues to traipse the country, exploring smaller cities and destinations on the weekend. Her family is important to her, and her trips to visit them in the Dominican Republic are still very much a part of her travel adventures. Walking through terminals and seeing departure information for all the different cities worldwide that she wanted to visit kept her hungry for travel and for the discoveries that come with experiencing new cultures.
She thrives seeing how people abroad live and enjoy life. While she recently ticked Paris off her bucket list, Beatriz is setting her eyes on Japan for the next big adventure.
Beatriz holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Saint Peter’s University in New Jersey.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
it enables me to be a part of a greater good while following my passion for digital marketing and applying it to my other passion, destinations.
Fun Fact
Giving back is fundamental, and Sumiti is a do-gooder without reservations. She helps prove that doing the right thing doesn’t mean sacrificing economically. She volunteered for Sustainability Leadership, an NGO that works to help businesses work more sustainably while improving profitability, helping mesh her expertise with global causes that benefit the greater good.
tourism
Sumiti Gupta
Director, Digital Advertising & Analytics [email protected]As a digital strategist, Sumiti has experience in nearly every facet of digital marketing. Her deep industry knowledge and data-driven approach to all advertising campaigns help drive success for clients as they seek to engage consumers online.
Sumiti has led digital advertising programs targeting travelers, business executives and talent for such international destinations as Belize and Zurich, and cities across the U.S. including Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh and Redding. Specifically, for the Belize Tourism Board, Sumiti launched a digital marketing strategy that led to 75 percent growth in Google searches for Belize, according to Google’s Travel Analytics. in her role as a digital marketing manager, Sumiti cut reporting time to clients by 75% by creating an automated data studio reporting system that increased efficiency for both her team and its clients.
Leading an international life, Sumiti naturally tends towards embracing new places and looking for what makes a destination tick. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it drives Sumiti. She loves to learn and broaden her horizons, whether it’s far away in Singapore or closer in Denver. Currently, she’s dreaming of Europe, planning her next big trans-Atlantic excursion.
Living a life shared between Canada and India, Sumiti has spent several years away from her home country. She’s easily kept in touch with daily video calls, helping keep her close to her family. Now in Canada, she balances her life between the excitement of exploring the diversity of big cities like Toronto and escaping to the natural beauty of small towns like Stratford.
Sumiti holds a Bachelor of Arts in information technology from MMU in India and a Master of Arts in mass communication and journalism from Panjab University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
exploring new cultures and learning about them is at the heart of everything I do, and sharing this passion with future travelers through our client work is important to me.
Fun Fact
While she’s not about to land a leading role – not just yet anyway – Carla did spend five years learning about theater and acting, and channels that love into exploring New York’s theater scene, both Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. There’s no better city for her to be in as a thespian.
tourism
Carla Jaulent
Assistant Account Executive [email protected]Carla was born and raised in Barcelona, where she began her career in media and marketing. Working at a global marketing PR firm and as a journalist at a Barcelona TV station, Carla learned all about media relations from both angles. Now in New York, she is bringing her international perspectives to DCI’s tourism client roster.
In previous roles, she was a reporter for the entertainment program “Connecticat.” Carla presented nightly news on Spanish TV, honing a media presence and storytelling technique all her own. At the agency Both People & Comms, she wrote press releases and organized press conferences for BCN Cultura, Casa Seat and Servihabitat.
Now, tourism is her motivation. Culture, travel, and people drive Carla. Her journalistic training and love of storytelling stem from an inherent desire to write — a passion that dates to her childhood. Daily, she balances discovering new places with maintaining connections to the old ones.
Embracing and exploring different cultures is at the heart of Carla’s obsession with travel. The people, above all, weave their spell on her when she travels to a new city or region. She seeks personal connections as entry points into a destination, whether she’s at a Parisian bistro or, one day, on a beach in Bali.
Carla spends her free time exploring everything New York City offers. Whether sitting in Bryant Park with iced coffee or jogging through Central Park, she thrives on sunny days. If rain is in the forecast, she’s happy reading in a bar or sharing a drink with friends on a rooftop.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and cultural industries from the University of Barcelona.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
where you're from and where you have been shapes how you look at the world and how you treat others. DCI allows me to embrace and learn about different communities.
Fun Fact
Being a vegetarian itself isn’t a defining feature of Evangeline’s life, but how she stopped being one is its own story. She broke a seven year streak of not eating meat in order to sample a deep-fried tarantula. It’s not a dish she would order again, but it’s a travel memory she won’t soon forget.
tourism
Evangeline Jessop
Destination Marketer [email protected]From a little town in England to the Big Apple, Evangeline brings her media experience to DCI’s client roster of destination clients. She spearheads media outreach, media mission planning and event implementation for clients, including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Visit North Carolina.
Writing at a newspaper and collaborating with the social media team has honed her digital writing skills that she applies to media outreach. A former sports show host and a rugby league marketer, she has gained insight into the multiple facets of media. During her most-recent role at a business incubator, she wrote and created video content for social media.
In Cambodia, one of Evangeline’s most-beloved destinations, she volunteered with communities, trekked through the jungle and even lived in monasteries with monks. Her favorite part of traveling is being immersed into new cultures and learning about the locals. She hopes to climb to the Mount Everest base camp in Nepal.
While she used to spend weekends paddleboarding England’s beaches, Evangeline now enjoys exploring the other side of the Atlantic in New York City. She’s discovering new running routes, coffee shops and vintage record shops throughout the city. New York City’s endless opportunities are a welcome change to her quiet childhood in an English village.
Evangeline holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Salford in Manchester, U.K., where she studied multimedia journalism.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
we impact people’s lives by helping drive economic growth in our client communities. I am always learning in my role, as the communities that we represent grow and evolve.
Fun Fact
Katarzyna completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees within four years, while juggling 5 classes per semester and several extracurriculars and part-time jobs. She also completed a long-distance high school program in Polish, in addition to graduating from high school in the U.S. Sensing a pattern yet?
economic development
Katarzyna Jezak
Senior Account Executive [email protected]With a background in journalism and digital marketing, and degrees in English literature, Katarzyna is now directing her robust storytelling repertoire to discover and amplify stories about the client communities that she serves. Some of her proudest publicist moments have been landing placements in Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Business Journals, Reuters, Black Enterprise and Governing, as well as setting up interviews with Reuters and The Wall Street Journal for a media tour in New York City.
Katarzyna’s client roster includes Tulsa, Oklahoma; North Dakota, Indiana and Charleston, South Carolina. She loves having the opportunity to dive into a wide variety of topics while brainstorming new pitch ideas, from commercial real estate and the future of EVs to venture capital.
During college, she was a writer and editor for BU’s independent student newspaper, The Daily Free Press, in addition to being involved in research, working as a production assistant at a theater and tutoring adults from different countries in English.
While she now lives in New York, Katarzyna grew up in suburban Massachusetts and spent most of her summers in Poland, where her family is from. Her frequent travels across the ocean inspired her love of exploring new places. Most recently, she’s had the opportunity to venture out to El Salvador, Greece and Japan. When she’s not planning her next trip, Katarzyna enjoys reading, writing, spending time outdoors, checking out new restaurants with friends and exploring New York City.
Katarzyna graduated magna cum laude from Boston University with a Bachelor and a Master of Arts in English, with a minor in history.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I establish meaningful connections around the world. It serves the moral philosophy that people are just people, and we all deserve the chance to be seen and celebrated.
Fun Fact
Before she started engaging in marketing for her clients, Tania was featured on HGTV Canada’s show Colin and Justin’s Home Heist. Along with her bubbly family, Tania was selected by the home designers to renovate their home for free. It was a success, and it became the season’s most-viewed episode.
tourism
Tania Kedikian
Account Director [email protected]Tania brings her experience in radio broadcasting and nonprofit public relations to the DCI team. From promotions and events with Bell Media and international film organization TIFF, Tania’s experiences have deepened her understanding of communication strategies and how to target the right audience for a brand.
To stimulate tourism in Barbados during the COVID-19 pandemic, the island launched the Welcome Stamp Visa program, which invited remote workers to live and work in Barbados. Tania’s earned media efforts garnered 4.8 billion impressions along with 1,800 stories in such outlets as Breakfast Television, CBC News, CTV News, Global News, MSN Canada, National Post and The Vancouver Sun.
Tania grew up in the Greater Toronto area. She credits her immigrant parents, with Italian and Armenian backgrounds, for cultivating her interest in the many places of the world and their food, entertainment, and people. The Caribbean has always held a special place in her heart. Unsurprisingly, her favorite destination is Jamaica, which she visits at least once a year to see friends and family.
City life never disappointed her, but her recent move has led to a love for the countryside. She now lives north of Toronto, where she can still access the city quickly, but enjoys tons of greenery and easy access to a quiet beach. Her children, dogs and the beach are the three things she can’t live without (well, maybe pizza, too). Wherever the best coffee is served is where Tania will be.
She holds a post-graduate certification in public relations and corporate communications and a diploma in broadcasting radio from Seneca College and a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from York University. She currently serves on the board of directors for Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC).
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
Our work in the digital realm can translate into real, positive impact when the clients we serve are able to attract new business and residents to strengthen their communities and economies.
Fun Fact
In college, Jeremiah led the organization of a conference for hundreds of Asian American students on the East Coast, which was rudely interrupted by what is called a "bomb cyclone" – a winter storm formation that disrupted travel plans, turned Cornell's campus into an arctic tundra, and caused general mayhem. Fortunately, everyone remained safe and the conference turned out to be a success – but Jeremiah will forever be wary of unusual weather patterns.
economic development, tourism
Jeremiah Kim
Manager, Digital [email protected]Jeremiah leads content marketing programs for a range of economic development organizations and talent attraction brands. He brings a knack for storytelling across mediums, an eagle eye for both minute details and broad strategy, and a keen grasp of the unique personality and appeal of each place he works with. Jeremiah keeps a close watch on the latest industry trends and is constantly thinking of ways to optimize and breathe new life into a client’s efforts to connect with key audiences and stakeholders.
During his time at DCI, Jeremiah has supported places like the Netherlands, Florida, Michigan Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Tulsa, Pittsburgh, Colorado Springs and more. He has worn many different hats – project manager, digital strategist, copywriter, editor, graphic designer, video creator – with the aim of delivering high-performing content across social media, blogs, videos, websites, email marketing and digital ads.
Born and raised in Texas, Jeremiah gained an early passion for seeing new places as a swimmer who traveled to countless competitions within the state and across the country for nearly two decades. This was augmented by his family’s rich multicultural background, with roots in South Korea, Argentina and the United States. Now based in Philadelphia, Jeremiah does much of his ideation while running alongside the Schuylkill River each morning. He continues to travel whenever he can, having recently visited France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Korea, Spain and Portugal. He is also a fan of America’s great, storied cities and national parks, and plans to visit as many as he can in his lifetime.
Jeremiah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Cornell University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I have seen first-hand how efficient place marketing can shine a light on a community, encourage job growth, help the economy and genuinely improve the quality of life for residents.
Fun Fact
A digital nomad at heart, Cilia has moved over a dozen times and called 11 places home across five states and four countries on two continents. Planning ahead, Cilia and her husband purchased a 1971 Airstream a few years ago, which they intend to renovate into a home on wheels that can traverse the globe for their retirement.
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Cilia Kohn
Director, Digital [email protected]A DCI “boomeranger,” Cilia has spent time on both the agency and client side of economic development. She supported FDI efforts at UK Trade & Investment in New York for three years before she moved westward and joined DCI’s economic development PR team in Denver. A few years later, she moved to western Colorado and served a seven-year stint as Director of Marketing and Communications for the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, a regional economic development organization. She returned to DCI in 2022, where she currently leads a fast-paced and expanding website division.
Cilia is a strategic thinker and passionate storyteller. She loves to dig into website analytics and best practices to provide clients with data-driven website strategies as much as she loves to wordsmith and translate your messaging for a digital audience. To date, Cilia has worked with dozens of clients throughout the U.S. and internationally on websites that attract business, talent and visitors to regions both large and small.
A Swedish transplant, Cilia grew up in Europe and spent vacations driving from Sweden to Spain and stopping everywhere in between. She moved to New York for college, where she fell in love with the city and her future husband. Today, when she’s not at her remote desk in North Carolina, Cilia is exploring the great outdoors with her family and their beloved pup.
Cilia holds a Bachelor of Science in advertising and marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in journalism from Columbia University in New York, as well as certificates in economics and philosophy from Stockholm University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
It motivates me to engage my passion for creating a better digital world for everyone by continually learning and applying my skills to impact people's lives positively.
Fun Fact
Tayo is passionate about staying current with the latest technologies and trends in the digital landscape. He believes in constantly challenging himself to learn new things. and when he is not busy learning, he enjoys playing FPS games, which he considers a fun way to improve his problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Akintayo Kolade
Manager, Data & Analytics [email protected]Tayo is a digital solution expert passionate about optimizing websites and transforming digital experiences, with over a decade of experience in the industry.
As a results-oriented professional with a proven track record of delivering successful projects across various industries, his strategic technical advice and innovative approach have helped clients overcome unique challenges and achieve their goals. His recent success with the York University Website Optimization Project, which won the Best of Council on Approved Student Education (CASE) Award of Excellence District II 2022, speaks volumes about his skills and expertise.
Tayo’s deep understanding of the ever-changing digital landscape and commitment to helping businesses stay ahead by providing cutting-edge solutions and insights set him apart from other digital solutions experts. His experience and knowledge have allowed him to identify and capitalize on emerging trends, ensuring his clients remain relevant and competitive.
Outside of work, Tayo is a passionate traveler who loves to explore new places and learn about different cultures. His thirst for knowledge and adventure has taken him to other parts of the world, and he brings that same sense of curiosity and wonder to his work. Tayo’s love for diverse cultures and cities led him to DCI, where he found a team of people who share his passion for storytelling and showcasing the unique features of different places.
Whether optimizing websites or exploring new destinations, Tayo brings the same dedication and enthusiasm to everything he does.
He holds a Master of Science in Information Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics with a PMI-PMP & ACP certification.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
Since I was young, travel has been a precious part of my life, and with DCI I get to help make the dreams of other passionate travelers a reality.
Fun Fact
Despite growing up with three athletically inclined older brothers who set her up in net for street hockey games and played catch to practice for football, Ashley simply cannot play any sport well. She has tried soccer, hockey, figure skating, gymnastics, flag football, volleyball, basketball and tennis, all of which taught her that she is better suited to reading books.
tourism
Ashley Kotar
Senior Manager [email protected]A seasoned publicist, Ashley has helped publicize travel brands from Barbados to Tahiti and Belize to California, educate Canadian travelers and drive visitor arrivals. Before joining DCI, Ashley gained media relations experience by working at Ketchum Public Relations Canada, where she contributed to the Mastercard and Outdoorsy accounts, among others.
Her marketing work with Belize during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic generated 158M impressions, with 86M impressions driving directly to the destination’s website during 2020. She also managed the Visit California Canada Facebook page. Under her guidance the Facebook page saw a 90% increase in page views, 41% increase in organic impressions and a 300% increase in engagement within the first month.
As part of VisitScotland Business Events’ (VSBE) swift response to COVID-19, Ashley hosted a virtual media event that ended up winning two Gold Stella Awards for the Best International CVB in North Americas Regions in 2020 and 2021 by NorthStar Meetings Group.
Ashley has always been obsessed with globes and maps and plotting her next adventure. In 2015, she packed a bag and traveled as long and far as she could (and as far as her dollars would take her), checking off bucket list destinations like Paris, Amsterdam, Chiang Mai, Vang Vieng and the Gili Islands. Her love of travel inspired her to pursue an internship in Florence, Italy, where she spent three months living and working. Her latest adventure was a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway in California.
When she’s not traveling or planning her next trip, Ashley squeezes in as much time as she can with her family and friends and (most importantly) her French bulldog, Lola.
She earned her master’s degree at McMaster University and her postgraduate certification in public relations and corporate communications from Seneca College.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
travel is a deeply personal experience and broadens people's perspectives, inspiring them to care more deeply about the world beyond their immediate surroundings.
Fun Fact
Pamela is true to her Canadian roots and is a diehard fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Her love of ice hockey runs deep, and she supports her team to the end, despite the grammatical dilemma that their name presents. She can overlook it out of love for the team.
tourism
Pamela Laite
Director, Business Events [email protected]Pamela has spent her career in destination marketing. For two years she led operations, sales and marketing at Attractions Ontario in Canada. Then, for 14 years as senior director for Tourism Toronto, Pamela drove business meetings, conventions and leisure travel to Toronto. Eventually she transitioned to agency life, representing international destinations to meeting planners and the travel trade.
Her results speak for themselves. For Visit Berlin, Pamela hosted the IMEX America booth, securing and conducting more than 30 appointments with qualified meeting planners in three days. For the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Pamela pitched, secured and closed a major business event that will welcome more than 6,000 association attendees to Thailand in 2024. Prior to DCI, for Destination Toronto, Pamela worked with a cross-organizational committee to create a community-driven and collaborative approach to business events, which resulted in 20 percent greater economic impact for the destination and its stakeholders.
A native of Newfoundland, Canada, Pamela spent family vacations in Florida for years. It was on this American panhandle where Pamela’s love of the beach, sunshine and travel began. A quest for new destinations and cultures led her to the United Kingdom and New Zealand on student working visas. Armed with her passport, she is always happy to explore and strike up a conversation with a local in a pub. No matter how far she roams, she always returns home to Newfoundland whenever she can.
When she is not working, Pamela focuses on work life satisfaction by practicing hot yoga and boxing, going on local adventures with her son and watching the British soap opera Coronation Street.
Pamela is a graduate of Ryerson University’s tourism management program in Toronto.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I shape stories and stimulate positive conversations around destinations and cultures. Our work at DCI allows me to explore my passions for traveling and public relations in impactful ways.
Fun Fact
She’s a real swipe collector. Instead of buying keychains and magnets, Hannah collects public transportation reloadable passes, such as the Octopus card from Hong Kong, the Oyster card from London and the Opal card from Sydney. One never knows when they’ll be back in a destination. Best to be prepared!
tourism
Hannah Lajara
Senior Account Executive [email protected]Hannah honed her public relations experience in the Philippines, where she developed an expertise in account management, editorial campaigns and media relations throughout various industries. She has represented such corporate brands as Microsoft, Nestle and Unisys. Now she channels her expertise into DCI’s destination clients.
At DCI, Hannah has assisted in pitching and securing media interest for the Belize Tourism Board, resulting in dozens of media placements across national broadcast, digital and print publications including Cityline, Toronto Star, Toronto Sun and Notable Life. While supporting the marketing efforts of a B2B client, Expedia Group, Hannah helped secure more than 26 pieces of media coverage, generating 9.3 million trade media impressions.
Hannah’s retired seafaring father, who taught her how to use maps when she was a child, helped develop her love for traveling. Her family traveled locally — seeing some of the best of the Philippines’ 7,100 islands — until Hannah explored beyond her borders to visit countries in Asia, Australia and the United Kingdom. She thrives when engaging with new cultures, sampling cuisine and exploring new cities.
Hannah is inspired most by destinations as she moves through them. An avid fan of public transportation for the surprising and sometimes-bizarre people-watching, she often boards a train or bus headed downtown, with no itinerary, watching locals go about their daily lives and finding the extraordinary in ordinary life.
Hannah earned her master’s degree in professional communication at Toronto Metropolitan University and her postgraduate certification in public relations and corporate communications from Seneca College.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
we have the ability and responsibility to create lasting positive change in communities around the world through impactful storytelling and creative marketing campaigns that we generate.
Fun Fact
Kayla is a huge dog lover. Growing up her family always had at least one pup in the house. From an English Spring Spaniel, a Greyhound and a mixed breed rescued off the streets of Taiwan to multiple Miniature Dachshunds, all shapes and sizes were welcomed in her house. Today, Kayla owns a 100lb German Shepherd named JMo.
tourism
Kayla Leska
Vice President [email protected]Kayla oversees communications strategy for DCI’s tourism public relations clients and directs tourism crisis/recovery communication efforts. Her leadership has led to countless wins for destination clients.
For example, as part Visit California’s earned media campaign to promote dispersal from the Golden State’s gateway cities and into rural areas, Kayla secured coverage in top tier publications. For Travel Iowa, she successfully leveraged the presidential candidate caucus to generate two major features — in the Sunday Travel Section and the Wednesday Dining Section — in The New York Times.
On behalf of Discover The Palm Beaches, Kayla secured 50-plus editorial meetings in one year as a part of media missions to multiple North American cities. This experience contributed to coverage in Atlanta Journal Constitution, Chicago Tribune, CNN, Family Fun, New York Post, and others.
Growing up in the small town of Clinton, NY, Kayla knew early on that suburban life was not for her. After setting her eyes on New York City for the first time, she made up her mind that one day she would be a city girl. Spending most of her summers camping throughout the Northeast with her family, she developed a love for adventure early on. Fast-forward nearly two decades later, Kayla is proud to call New York City home and enjoys spending her free time exploring the many cultures that make up the Big Apple. She still carves out time, howeer, to explore her natural surroundings on every trip she undertakes.
On the weekend you’ll find Kayla attempting to body surf on the beaches of Long Island, running in the park with her dog or eating through New York City one borough at a time.
Kayla earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations at SUNY Oswego.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
our work has a substantial impact on the economic health of communities around the world. When regions invest in themselves, we see the people within them thrive.
Fun Fact
It wasn’t always KPIs and media pitches! Prior to pursuing her career in marketing and communications, Lina studied animal science at Michigan State University and spent nearly two years as a veterinary assistant. While her path has changed substantially since then, she’s still incredibly passionate about animal health and welfare.
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Lina Lintemuth
Director, Content Marketing [email protected]Lina joined DCI after nearly four years in the economic development industry, managing marketing and communications for The Right Place, Inc. in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She worked extensively in the digital and content marketing spaces, including social media management, paid advertising, email marketing, website management, content creation and more.
Her work showcases her talents. Lina led a social media audit and developed a content strategy for the United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism’s social media platforms. The content she created resulted in a 160% increase in total engagements. For Visit Redding, Lina conducted a digital content audit and SEO research. She leveraged the research findings and industry best practices to create a comprehensive blog and email marketing strategy that drove engagement with the destination’s new website.
Lina’s passion for places was cultivated at a young age. Born a German-American dual citizen, she loves that her maternal family still resides in Germany today. Lina has visited many cities in Germany, both large and small. She also traveled to Greece, where she was able to climb to the top of the Acropolis of Lindos. In the U.S., Lina has been on multiple cross-country road trips, visiting cities from coast to coast.
When Lina isn’t binge-reading a new series or getting a Peloton ride in, she keeps busy with one of her many other creative outlets. She loves to paint, write, do makeup, and try her hand at cooking or baking new things. She has a rescue pup named Atlas, considers herself an amateur gardener, and will never turn down a good charcuterie board.
Lina holds a Bachelor of Business degree in public relations from Ferris State University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I use my passion for designing impactful work to entice people to explore unique places and cultures. It is inspiring to know that I’ve contributed to helping communities thrive.
Fun Fact
After getting her driver’s license after college, Chezkalyn noticed numerous cool license plates ranging from funny to interesting. It was an advantage of finally being in the driver’s seat. She now captures them in her Instagram stories where you can find all of the archives of her findings in her Highlights.
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Chezkalyn Lopez
Senior Designer [email protected]Chezkalyn works closely with all of DCI’s account teams to design creative assets for place marketing campaigns – from infographics and collateral material to graphics for digital platforms and custom event décor.
Chezkalyn has designed collateral, infographics, brochures and digital advertisements for a wide range of place clients including Hobbs, New Mexico; Houston, Texas; Northern Virginia and Greenville, North Carolina. She builds “Tourism Look Book,” which provides DCI clients and prospects with visual examples of event décor, trade show booth design, collateral material, billboards and digital marketing creative.
Growing up in New York City, Chezkalyn learned to love exploring new places and daydreaming about her next adventure. Throughout her youth, each year she traveled with her whole family to cities in U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. After finally getting her driver’s license when she graduated from college, she flew out to California with her friends and had an unforgettable road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles along the Pacific Coast Highway. She now has an itch to explore all America’s national parks. Her count to date? Three out of 62.
Chezkalyn’s appreciation for the arts started at a young age. She was interested in photography in high school and started shooting both film and digital which she’s done ever since. As an artist, she is passionate about documenting candid memories and events on which to look back. She also loves to do “unboxing and review” product videos which are available on her YouTube channel.
Chezkalyn graduated magna cum laude with a with a BFA in Electronic Design and Multimedia from City College of New York (CUNY).
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I am passionate about an environment where all perspectives are valued and people are celebrated for their unique ways of thinking. I love working with inspiring storytellers, and travelers.
Fun Fact
Wendy loves sports and being active. On most days you will find her on a field cheering on one of her daughters. No stranger to competition herself, she has been playing on a women’s softball team for more than ten years, and they have won the championship two times.
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Wendy Macca
Director of People & Culture [email protected]Wendy is a modern leader who helps employees identify their professional goals and encourages them to find ways to do their best work. She believes that people are what drives a work culture, and in turn strong cultures drive innovation and personal growth. Over the years her work has focused on partnering with businesses to champion an engaged, celebrated, and inspired work community.
Currently, she brings that focus to DCI’s talent strategy, learning culture, people data and analytics, funneling her knowledge into all programs aligned to better the employee experience and to attract the best possible candidates to new roles.
Her career has stretched across more than twenty years of experience in human resources and people operations. Previous roles have given her vast and diversified experience as a people leader in the digital media, agency, and technology space. She has led talent programs at global companies such as Novartis and WebMD but also has worked with various start-ups helping to build cultures and empower teams. As a seasoned generalist, she is versed in people operations, leadership development and creating rewarding employee experiences.
Compassion, active listening, empathy, and a strong sense of humor are what Webdy believes are essential elements to fulfilling her duties to the best of her ability. She looks at all sides and will crowd sources for feedback when building programs. Wendy believes we should always be expanding our intellectual curiosity and helps drive DCI’s core value of knowledge sharing.
Wendy holds a Bachelor of Science in human resources from the University of Delaware.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
Compelling stories exist everywhere, and we have the opportunity to build connections that inspire learning and innovation around the world.
Fun Fact
Nic is an accomplished singer with classical training and experience in chamber choirs, a cappella and more! While living in D.C., he sang in a professional capacity with the choir in the iconic Foundry United Methodist Church and continues to perform as a singer-songwriter at venues around New York City.
economic development
Nic Marcotrigiano
Account Executive [email protected]With a long track record in public relations and government affairs, Nic joined DCI’s public relations team in 2024 after working with clients in healthcare, financial services, technology and legal reform – to name just a few. While working in the New York State Assembly, he deepened his understanding of state and local government while spreading the word about his office’s legislative and community work.
Leveraging his experience in public affairs, Nic immerses himself in clients’ history and current dynamics to shape compelling storylines that meet the demands of the media landscape. He excels in identifying opportunities and writing bylines that establish local decision makers as thought leaders in their fields.
Nic is a born-and-bred New Yorker. Growing up on Long Island, he could often be found studying maps, globes and Google Earth, as well as reading and writing stories – two passions he now brings to his work at DCI.
Nic’s family instilled in him a love of travel from an early age, often taking long road trips to visit battlefields like Yorktown and Gettysburg, national parks (Shenandoah is a personal favorite) and baseball stadiums. When visiting a new place, he loves to walk around residential neighborhoods or stop in at a dive bar to sample a local brew and chat.
When he’s not working or traveling, Nic can be found picking up trash with Brooklyn volunteer groups Clean Up Crown Heights and Community Cleanup PLG, playing trivia with friends or simply curling up with a sci-fi novel and his roommate’s cat.
Nic holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Haverford College.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
Every day I can engage with people from different backgrounds, cultures and worlds. It's amazing how my passion for places has transformed into a job that gives back to others.
Fun Fact
When Elisa hears the words “Italian ice,” she has a very different idea in her mind of what it means than most Americans may have. She tried many different sports as a child but ended up passing Italian national favorites like soccer to play ice hockey and speed skating instead.
tourism
Elisa Marongiu
Sales Executive [email protected]Elisa is putting her international project management experience, and her multiple degrees, to good use. She joined DCI with experience project managing for Amnesty International and marketing at a cultural exchange organization.
Today, she focuses on implementing sales and marketing initiatives in partnership with DCI’s Business Events marketing team. For example, Elisa increased interest among North American meeting planners in Abu Dhabi by mining new sales leads and augmenting contacts in the database.
A native of Turin, Elisa’s family is spread across France and Italy, instilling a deep connection to travel and discovery as a child. Working as an au pair in the United States, her desire to explore took her across North America, but she’s far from finished with her adventures.
She’s not an Italian stereotype, but Elisa does admit her fondness for cooking and eating does border on predictable. Her years as an au pair have opened her eyes to meeting and engaging with new people. Throw her together with people from all over the world and she’s the kind of person who will find ways to connect to anyone, no matter their origins.
Exploring New York and New Jersey keeps her busy when she’s not in the kitchen following some new recipe. She’ll trade the kitchen for a new restaurant or any new food that’s popped up on her radar. Also look for her in a local stadium, attending a sports event, having taken a shine to American athletics.
Elisa holds a Master of Science in economics from the University of Turin, a Master of Science in marketing management from the Niccolò Cusano University and a social media marketing certificate from LIU Post University in Long Island, New York.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I believe that a passion for travel and a passion for places bring people together. I live my life with the intent to do good work that makes a difference.
Fun Fact
Maddie started gymnastics at the age of two and didn’t stop flipping for another 20 years! She was on the acrobatics and tumbling team at Baylor University but has since hung up her tumbling shoes. These days she likes to stay active by going for walks with her dog or playing tennis, albeit very poorly.
economic development
Maddie McNamee
Senior Marketing Specialist [email protected]Born and raised in small-town Missouri, Maddie discovered her passion for writing, storytelling and marketing while helping others to improve her craft at her university writing center. Since then she has made a career of all things related to the written word. An experience interning with the international home and lifestyle company Magnolia paved her way for joining DCI. Now, Maddie is in charge of all things related to marketing DCI and gets to put her love of storytelling to use everyday.
A bookworm her entire life, Maddie first discovered her passion for places through books and magazines. She grew up wanting to go on the adventures she always read about and in the winter of 2022, she got the opportunity to travel around Italy on a two-week trip learning about the life of the great Dante Alighieri. She is always planning her next adventure to bucket list destinations like England, New Zealand, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Maddie spends most of her free time wandering around looking for eclectic coffee shops or old bookstores. As a devoted dog mom, you might also find her walking (or getting dragged by) her Sheepadoodle to the park! If she’s not sipping on coffee or reading a book on the weekend, you might catch Maddie strolling around the farmer’s market, grabbing dinner with friends, or cozying up on the couch with a good movie.
Maddie holds a Bachelor of Arts in professional writing and rhetoric and a minor in women’s and gender studies from Baylor University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I’m able to use my digital marketing knowledge to empower our clients’ regions, to increase accessibility, and to connect talent with the perfect place to thrive.
Fun Fact
Her love of nature has led her to pursue many volunteer and education opportunities with different wildlife organizations. She completed a course at the Denver Audubon earning the title of Master Naturalist in Colorado. Her long-term goal is to help rehabilitate bats or possums – outside of office hours, of course.
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Shanleigh McStay
Director, Digital Strategy [email protected]In need of a data-driven and creative website strategy that truly resonates with your audience? It’s time to connect with Shanleigh McStay.
Shanleigh oversees strategy and implementation across a variety of economic development and talent attraction websites. Her superpower is transforming vast amounts of information into a streamlined and efficient sitemap. With almost a decade of experience leading website strategy, design, content, and development, she is a respected speaker at industry conferences, sharing expertise on website best practices.
As someone who has lived in ten different cities, Shanleigh understands the importance of storytelling and connection. When she builds a website, she prioritizes crafting an experience that will resonate with audiences. For her, it’s not just about creating a site, but also about providing a digital space to share unique and meaningful stories.
As an avid follower of digital marketing trends, Shanleigh constantly seeks novel techniques to help her clients succeed. From start to finish, she is the ultimate partner in creating an effective website.
When Shanleigh was a child, she wanted to be Indiana Jones so badly that her parents jokingly called her “Shanleigh-ana Jones.” She has been inspired by travel, adventure and the unknown her entire life. She believes that there is nothing quite like being somewhere new and learning to love it in your own way.
On her weekends, you’ll find Shanleigh outside, hiking and generally enjoying all things related to nature. As a non-skier, she tends to stick to the foothills in the winter, but come summer, she will be out in the mountains with friends every chance she gets.
Shanleigh is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Science in strategic communication and marketing. She is certified in WCAG ADA compliance.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
We have the ability to share the stories of communities and organizations that don’t have the resources to do so on their own. It is gratifying to uplift these places and help the people within them grow.
Fun Fact
Drisha was on her high school robotics team and competed twice at the Robotics World Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. Drisha loves to cook for her friends and family and can whip up just about anything if you give her a recipe. Her favorite items to make are spinach, artichoke dip, and shrimp tacos. Breaking Bad is one of Drisha’s all-time favorite TV shows. She has even been to the Breaking Bad-inspired bar in the UK. While in Cannes, France, Drisha spotted celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert DeNiro attending the Cannes Film Festival.
economic development
Drisha Mishra
Assistant Account Executive [email protected]Drisha is an assistant account executive on DCI’s Lifestyle PR team. In her previous job at a NYC-based boutique PR agency, she represented clients within the tech sector, ranging from aviation to e-commerce and supply chain industries. Drisha is excited about crafting narratives that revolve around talent attraction and quality of life, effectively translating complex industry details into compelling storylines.
Drawing from her multicultural background, Drisha traces her fascination with places and their stories back to her upbringing. Influenced by her parents, who immigrated from India, she developed an insatiable curiosity to explore every nook and cranny of the United States. From visiting iconic sites such as Crater Lake in Oregon to immersing herself in the vibrancy of Mackinac Island and indulging in jet skiing adventures in Florida, her family’s domestic journeys ignited a passion that would eventually extend internationally. Drisha’s global expeditions encompassed visiting extended family in India, volunteering in El Salvador, and embarking on a transformative backpacking journey across Europe.
Beyond her ventures into the world and her professional endeavors, Drisha finds balance in her life by hitting the gym and testing out Brooklyn’s culinary scene with her friends. She also enjoys spending quality time with her family in New Jersey. An ardent makeup enthusiast, food connoisseur, skilled painter and nurturing plant mom, Drisha has diverse interests that reflect her creative spirit and appreciation for life.
Drisha graduated from Seton Hall University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations and journalism.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
at its core DCI is committed to bringing out the best in any destination that we represent. Tourism and economic development have very practical and meaningful outcomes in people’s lives.
Fun Fact
The late travel writer and host Anthony Bourdain once approached Nkechi backstage at one of her events, recognizing her Nigerian name. He talked about his previous trip to Lagos. Because she has a strict rule about taking photos with celebrities, she didn’t capture the moment, and mildly regrets it, but she keeps the memory with her.
economic development
Nkechi Mitchell
Project Manager, Digital [email protected]Nkechi started working in the magazine and publishing world before branching out into corporate and education events. Eventually she landed in tourism, most recently working with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to market and promote the city as a leading business events destination. Born in Nigeria but having called six countries home, she brings all of her international business experience, like working with the African Travel Association, to continue working in MICE sales for DCI.
From Nigeria to Israel, Canada to Cairo, Nkechi has been traveling before she knew what traveling was. She thrives on discovering new people and places, especially when living somewhere for extended periods of time and getting to experience the overlooked side of a destination. She connects to a place through its people and, of course, its food, whether it’s a soul-food joint in Savannah, Georgia, or high-end tastings in Bangkok.
The daughter of an ambassador, Nkechi’s global upbringing always made it clear that the world was bigger than her own experiences. Her large immediate family spans three countries but technology keeps them together and communicating daily. She’s lived all over the world and is settled (for now) in Brooklyn with her daughters and husband.
Just ask her two young daughters to find out what Nkechi will be doing each weekend as they explore New York’s parks and bakeries together. Otherwise, she’ll be reading or feasting on whatever amazing dish her husband is currently perfecting, and catching up on her movies once the kids go to bed. A glass of wine on a Brooklyn stoop with friends isn’t out of the question, either.
Nkechi holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Spelman College in Atlanta and a Master of Science in tourism management from New York University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I have always considered travel and exposure and different cultures to be vital in expanding my own interests and worldview. I’m proud to contribute to helping others discover the same thing.
Fun Fact
While she’s not setting up an altar to the number gods, Nancy does acknowledge the curiosity of numerology in her life. Nancy’s birthday is 5/5 and her twins were born on 11/11. She met her husband on 4/5 and also started her first day at DCI on 4/5. Coincidences or signs?
tourism
Nancy Otten
Talent Scout [email protected]Before joining Development Counsellors International in 2016 Nancy spent a decade in outside sales and marketing working for several companies in the workers compensation industry. Nancy was able to pioneer new revenue streams from various sources in the workers compensation space. Throughout her career she covered the NYC metro area, NJ, CO, TX, MN & AZ.
Today she is charged with finding and securing DCI’s newest talent, harnessing the power of LinkedIn and job boards to attract new marketers from around the world.
Nancy’s first taste of international travel was at age 13 when her grandmother took her to Italy on vacation. After that she knew she wanted to see the world. But first she wanted to travel within the states to experience the different regions. She gets the travel bug often and thoroughly enjoys planning family trips to new destinations, ensuring that they’re both adventurous and that she’ll get a taste for the local culture.
On the weekend you’ll find Nancy watching her sons play sports as well as hiking, biking, camping, or skiing with her family. You can also find her in the kitchen whipping up meals for her family or catching a show on HGTV since she is forever designing new spaces within her home. Nancy likes nothing more than spending time with her husband and 2 sons. Some of her favorite moments are backyard BBQ’s with a competitive game of corn hole or frisbee throwing.
Nancy received her bachelor’s degree from Fordham University in The Bronx, NY.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
through the power of PR I help people find their next community to call home where they feel like they belong and can have a better quality of life.
Fun Fact
Symeria embodies an adventurous spirit which feeds her curiosity of people, places and experiences. Whether it's skydiving, trying bizarre foods or wandering through a small village, she believes these encounters are vital to her livelihood. Simply put, she lives by St, Augustine’s quote, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
economic development, talent attraction
Symeria Palmer
Account Director [email protected]As an accomplished public relations professional, Symeria sits at the intersection of the economic development, talent attraction and tourism industries where she brings nearly 10 years of PR experience. She has the pleasure of telling the unique stories of communities to position them as top places to live, work and visit.
In her current role as Account Director, Symeria specializes in livability and lifestyle PR where she strategically helps communities identify their value proposition as a great place to live and work to attract the best talent to their community. As more people are in search of a better quality of life and higher paying jobs, she enjoys serving in this “matchmaker” position by using the power of research and storytelling to lead a variety of national talent attraction campaigns on behalf of rising communities such as Birmingham, Cincinnati, North Dakota and Tulsa.
She has a proven track record of consistently garnering substantial coverage in top tier media platforms such as Conde Nast Traveler, CNN, Daily Beast, Essence Magazine, Forbes, Good Morning America, Livability.com, Matador Network, The New York Times, USA Today, and many more.
Symeria also serves as a thought leader at industry conferences and panels, speaking on trends across talent attraction, tourism and DEI. But her passion for serving as a trusted counsel for her clients and the industry at large doesn’t end there. She truly believes at the root of all of her work lives DEI. Therefore, she’s proud to co-lead DCI’s internal DEI program which was awarded the “Best Internal DEI Initiative” honor in the Boutique Agency Category by the Diversity Action Alliance in June 2022.
Symeria received a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations and film & video at Georgia State University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
understanding and highlighting people and places with curiosity and empathy is at the heart of my life’s passion – and that’s exactly what we do at DCI.
Fun Fact
Kala always knew she wanted to work in the media and began her own empire as a child. When she acquired her first laptop in elementary school, she distributed a homemade newspaper to her family members, researching world news and relating it back to her household, even though the pay was terrible!
economic development
Kala Parkinson
Assistant Account Executive [email protected]With a background in newspaper reporting and magazine writing, Kala is excited to now approach the world of media from a different perspective through the lens of public relations. She enjoys building relationships with sources, understanding the intricacies of the personal stories that contribute to the larger fabric of a community.
During her time as a reporter in southwest Colorado, Kala was asked to speak on a panel at the Denver Press Club about an educational topic she covered. Previous to this, Kala served as co-editor in chief of her university’s Orange and Blue Magazine, where she oversaw editorial, photography, blogs, marketing, social media and copyediting. Her writing is also featured in publications such as Luxe Interiors + Design magazine, her hometown’s Naples Illustrated magazine and WUFT News, her university’s NPR-affiliated news channel. Currently, this reporter-turned-publicist has earned media results in publications like Forbes, Thrillist and the Financial Times on behalf of her clients.
Kala hails from Naples, Florida. Spending most of her life within minutes of the beach, she is adjusting to the high altitude and low temperatures amid the Rocky Mountains in her new home state of Colorado— and loving every minute of it.
Her father is from England, and her mother worked for Delta Airlines. Her love for travel – and a thirst for discovering new cultures and places – was ingrained in Kala from a young age. To this day, there is something about floating through the skies, in between home and a destination, that makes Kala feel more alive than anything else. Destination marketing has proved to be a compelling intersection of Kala’s personal and professional values.
Kala holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and a minor in communication studies from the University of Florida.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I can connect the rest of the world to the destinations we represent, and it's rewarding to know that someone may consider living or traveling there because of our work.
Fun Fact
Chiara elevates communities even when she’s not at work. Every month she volunteers for a nonprofit organization called Sprout, which organizes engaging day trips in New York City for adults with developmental disabilities. Her favorite trip is when they attend a bowling party, hitting the lanes and feasting on pizza.
tourism
Chiara Peretti
Account Director [email protected]Chiara joined DCI after working for the University of Venice in Italy. She has made her mark at DCI by landing placement after placement for clients from Loudoun County to Florida.
On behalf of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Chiara coordinated a media day at the Greenwich Polo Club, drawing media from Fodor’s, Harper’s Bazaar, Thrillist, Travel + Leisure and Vogue. As part of Visit Florida’s efforts to promote Super Bowl LV, Chiara secured broadcast interviews with the Mayor of Tampa and Visit Tampa’s CEO. Lifestyle segments featuring local chefs and Clearwater Aquarium’s Nicolas the Dolphin resulted in coverage on ABC’s Good Morning America, ABC’s America This Morning, NBC’s Today, Today’s Hoda & Jenna, and countless others. And for Tahiti Tourisme, Chiara helped execute a six-city roadshow across Canada, securing more than 240 attendees.
As a native of Italy, Chiara took full advantage of easy access to neighboring countries, sampling as many cultures as possible. So far, she has visited than 20 countries: from the lavender fields of southern France to a solo backpack trek through Argentine Patagonia.
Energetic and fun-loving, Chiara is constantly planning the next dinner with friends, day trip, movie night or comedy show in Brooklyn. She loves interacting with other people, especially those from different backgrounds and cultures. A passionate photographer, she documents her colorful adventures through her Instagram profile. On the weekend, you’re most likely to find Chiara joining a photo walk downtown, trying a new restaurant in the East Village or kayaking on the Hudson River.
Chiara graduated from the University of Padua with a bachelor’s degree in European studies and a master’s degree in international relations.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I like to look at the big picture and how, through travel, we can gain a greater understanding of and appreciation for other cultures while leveraging the opportunity to elevate lives and positively impact both smaller communities and the earth as a whole.
Fun Fact
Cathy, an avid reader and climber, recalls her mom often finding her young daughter quietly enjoying a book while being perched high in the branches of a tree or at the highest spot she could find. One of her heroes is French climber Catherine Destivelle, who is known as the “Rock Queen” and is considered the sport’s greatest-ever female climber.
tourism
Cathy Preece
Senior Vice President [email protected]During her more than 20 years of experience in public relations and marketing, Cathy has worked with numerous destinations, hotels and top travel and lifestyle brands worldwide. Her extensive integrated marketing communications expertise helps travel clients tell their stories through earned and social media, provides crisis communications counsel to navigate difficult situations and develops strategic partnerships that place DCI’s travel brands in front of prospective travelers.
She applies her understanding of and in-depth expertise in advertising, branding and even airlift analysis to her approach to building successful data-led client programs. Cathy is a multi-time HSMAI award winner and a by-invite-only judge who is a firm believer in stretching budgets to achieve maximum results.
Throughout her career, Cathy has developed strong and lasting relationships within the tourism sector, from media members to ministers. Having witnessed countless times the lasting and positive impact that responsible, sustainable tourism can have on people and communities, she has become an advocate for uplifting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that are highly dependent on tourism to drive their economies.
Cathy holds a multidisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree in business, English and sociology from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stonybrook.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I get to do work that actually matters. I am helping to shape the stories of communities and share those stories with the world.
Fun Fact
Sarah worked at six newspapers in different cities before age 22. Her journalism career spanned America's newsrooms in Vermillion, S.D.; Mitchell, SD; Rapid City, SD; Bakersfield, CA.; Omaha, NE.; and Sioux Falls, SD She’s covered police standoffs, waded through knee-deep floodwaters to cover natural disasters, and written stories covering all angles of business and real estate.
economic development
Sarah Reinecke
Vice President [email protected]Sarah’s a storyteller who seeks to uncover the unique stories of places. She swapped her journalism career for place marketing when she joined DCI and has since worked for dozens of places across the globe.
Sarah spearheads a variety of creative services projects ranging from developing strategic, research-driven marketing strategies to crafting messaging campaigns, designing videos and other clever marketing activations and overseeing public relations campaigns.
Sarah launched talent, tourism and economic development brands and messaging campaigns for various client regions, including leading a branding and messaging project for the North African country of Tunisia, aiming to take the destination “beyond the beach” and position it as a culturally rich destination for global visitors.
Sarah excels at identifying creative solutions that help destinations stand out as prime locations for business, talent and visitors. She expertly crafts messages and outlines strategic, innovative marketing strategies and campaigns that enable clients to reach their target audiences. She’s also overseen several client media missions to New York City, securing meetings with top-tier media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg News and Reuters.
Sarah’s desire to see the world started when she was little and watched through the windows of the family motorhome as they bumped along Midwest highways for camping trips. Sarah loves venturing off the grid to explore new places at every chance she gets.
She is a lover of nature and the outdoors, yoga, live music and food. Sarah seeks out adventures whenever she can, whether that means traversing the globe, or simply exploring everything that’s within road trip distance from home. You can often find her basking in the sunshine while camping, snowboarding, hiking, rafting and traveling.
Sarah graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Arts in print journalism.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
We are a small part of a big impact. Each company expansion and location means better funded schools, cleaner parks, more reliable roads and more prosperous people in our client communities.
Fun Fact
You will rarely see Nick in-person without at least a few dog hairs on him, no matter how many lint rollers he goes through. His two pugs, Carlos and Mateo, love to make cameos in the background of virtual calls and send mementos in the form of fur every time Nick leaves the apartment.
economic development
Nick Reshan
Account Director [email protected]With years of in-house economic development and agency experience under his belt and a lifelong passion for places, Nick brings top-notch client service to creative and site selector marketing projects each day.
Based in New York, Nick leads creative development including comprehensive marketing strategies, new and refreshed branding, compelling messaging platforms, collateral and campaign concepts. He also oversees work spanning research, media relations and digital marketing and is an active contributor to DCI’s thought leadership, frequently attending industry conferences by the International Economic Development Council and the Site Selectors Guild, penning agency blogs on the best practices and trends in economic development marketing and leading the agency’s 40 Under 40 in Economic Development awards program.
In addition to creative services on behalf of communities, Nick co-leads DCI’s site selection consultant marketing services and manages DCI’s relationship with the Site Selectors Guild. Nick’s site selector marketing leadership includes developing long-term strategies for clients to reach and build relationships with this influential audience, overseeing and executing site selector events and developing targeted content.
From Alberta to Aruba, Michigan to Pennsylvania, and Arlington, Texas to Greenville, North Carolina, communities of all geographies and sizes have been among Nick’s client roster at DCI. Prior to DCI, Nick served as marketing manager at Big Duck, a Brooklyn-based agency developing nonprofit brands, campaigns and teams. Nick built the foundation of his economic development marketing expertise over five and a half years at One Columbus in his native Columbus, Ohio where he led award-winning creative development, integrations with the research and business development team and ongoing analytics to fine-tune the marketing program.
Nick graduated from Denison University with a Bachelor of Arts in communication and studio art.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I have had the opportunity to create new technologies that help communities present themselves to the world.
Fun Fact
Ian is passionate about the outdoors. His favorite activities include rock climbing, skiing, hiking, bivouacking, and camping. When he’s not traveling or spending time with his wife Natalia, an architect, you can find Ian on his bike. His favorite competitive sport is cyclocross racing, which he describes as combining the “funnest” aspects of mountain biking and road racing, requiring riders to frequently dismount and carry their bikes over obstacles.
Ian Richer
VP Digital Experiences [email protected]Ian is a visionary in the world of digital design and branding. With over 15 years of experience, he has lent his creative expertise to renowned brands such as Coca-Cola, The North Face, Travelocity, Living Social, and ESPN. Ian’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish his own studio in 2004, where he found his true calling in destination marketing. He has since developed iconic brand identities for ski resorts like Alta Ski Area, Park City Mountain Resort, Snowbird, and Ski Salt Lake, as well as for coastal California destinations including Visit Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach.
Ian’s foundation in the arts was built at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He began his career in publication and editorial design, contributing to prominent magazines like Outside, Nickelodeon, and Shape. His transition to digital design was marked by significant roles within New York City’s dynamic agency scene. In 2015, he brought his big thinking creative vision to DCI as Creative Director.
Driven by a love for travel and exploration, Ian’s adventures have taken him across the globe. He has trekked through the rugged terrains of Nepal and Tibet, wandered through the vibrant cultures of South America and India, and most recently, explored the unique landscapes of Japan, Okinawa, and lesser-known regions of the Far East.
Key Accomplishments:
- Spearheaded the rebranding of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency website, InvestinHolland.com, with DCI, earning accolades for its innovative, geo-targeted content delivery.
- Created the California Collective brand, unifying several smaller destination marketing organizations under a cohesive identity in collaboration with DCI.
- Currently guiding the rebranding of Northern Colorado, developing a new logo, tagline, and website that reflect his extensive branding experience.
- Revamped DCI’s own digital presence by rebranding aboutdci.com and locationadvisors.net.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
it allows me to create narratives that connect people to the world around them through the art of storytelling.
Fun Fact
He’s a fan of the beach – and marketing destinations with some of the world’s most beautiful ones – but Efrain also loves riding the waves. A true regatta enthusiast, having competed in several regattas in the bareboat and IC-24 categories in the British Virgin Islands, Efrain knows his way around the water with an oar!
tourism
Efrain Rivera
Account Director [email protected]Efrain was born and raised in Puerto Rico, but his B2B and B2C public relations efforts have extended throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America. He joined DCI with experience in public relations, crisis communications and corporate communications, including engagements with both the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau and the British Virgin Islands. Today he applies this knowledge to motivating U.S. travelers to explore destinations worldwide.
A childhood spent along the beaches in Puerto Rico instilled a passion for the outdoors in Efrain. His love for discovering nature’s beauty has never waned and he still spends his time soaking up the sun on sandy beaches.
Eventually Efrain moved to Puerto Rico’s capital city, but his love of places grew as he added more stamps to his passport. He worked briefly in politics while living in D.C., a city that introduced him to history and culture, not to mention a new world of gastronomy that he continues to explore when pursuing his true passion for traveling. He thrives when discovering new experiences, and he’s primed to start planning his next big international trip to Amsterdam before ticking off other bucket list destinations.
Today, Orlando is where Efrain calls home. On the weekends, if he’s not headed out to one of Florida’s pristine sandy beaches, he likes to explore the state’s many botanical gardens to commune with nature. He’s always on the lookout for a reason to visit some of Orlando’s major attractions when family and friends come to visit. Otherwise, he’s at home enjoying a good book or watching the next trending thriller on TV.
Efrain holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and a Master of Arts in public relations from the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
each place, from the smallest town to the biggest city, has something unique that needs to be shared with the world. Revealing these stories through our work is extraordinarily rewarding.
Fun Fact
As an Italian, Anna can appreciate wine, but it’s all that is shaken and/or stirred that she likes the most. Anna has an encyclopedic knowledge of which gin goes with which tonic, linked to her hobby of cocktail making. She’s always happy to trade a wine glass for a martini glass if given the option.
tourism
Anna Rossetto
Account Executive [email protected]Hailing from Italy, Anna joined DCI with a background in content creation, event planning and luxury publishing. At DCI, she dives head-first into media relations, spearheading media outreach, media mission planning and event implementation for DCI’s roster of destination clients.
For Chickasaw Country, Anna researched story angles to position the region as the nation’s leading First American destination for arts and culture. For Visit Loudoun, Anna researched fall experiences to formulate a pitch that sparked interest from Fodor’s, New York Amsterdam News and Travel+Leisure
When she wasn’t satisfied with her job in Italy, she set her sights high and moved to America, rewriting her own story with a brand new chapter. Prior to relocating to the U.S., Anna split her adult life between Italy and Spain. Road trips through Northern Spain and the French Riviera, all the way down the Italian coasts got her excited to experience more of the world. Her move over the ocean after completing graduate school has opened her eyes to a new world of possibilities in a city that is just as known for its travelers as her hometown of Venice, Italy. Instead of hopping gondolas, she’s exploring the city by taxi and subway.
Today, New York City is a virtual playground for Anna who spends her free time wandering and discovering every corner of the city she can. A new cuisine to discover? She’ll taste it. A new restaurant? She’ll book a table. A rooftop bar with a sunset view of the city skyline? You’ll find her there, or maybe in Montauk, gobbling up some lobster rolls.
Anna holds a Bachelor of Arts in cultural mediation and a Master of Arts in international communication and cooperation from the University of Padua.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
destinations aren't just places. They're stories of people and cultures just waiting to be told. Our work not only helps people hear these stories, but empowers communities to tell them.
Fun Fact
Talk about one lucky baby! One of Gabi’s first trips was to none other than Disneyland. Not only did she get to go to “The Happiest Place on Earth,” but she won the trip for her and her family as Canada’s Cutest Baby, which her family had entered by accident.
tourism
Gabi Sandler
Senior Account Executive [email protected]Gabi blends her writing, public relations and social media experience to implement destination marketing campaigns that target Canadian and U.S. travelers. In addition to marketing to English-speaking travelers, she specializes in targeting the French-Canadian market.
A Canadian with South African roots, Gabi has made the journey back to the motherland every single year – a total of 25 times! Growing up the daughter of immigrants, Gabi recognized the beauty of travel and started exploring the world at an early age. She has been fortunate to tour, volunteer and explore a variety of places. After university, Gabi visited 15 countries in eight months, learning about local communities and trying anything that would give her that exhilarating “culture shock.”
Gabi assisted in organizing and executing a two-day Toronto business tour for South Africa Tourism. Her media outreach garnered media meetings with top-tier travel trade and consumer outlets, including Canadian Geographic, Canadian Travel Press and Travelweek.
For Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., she developed story ideas that resulted in more than 10 million consumer impressions and coverage in such major Canadian media outlets as Reader’s Digest and WestJet Magazine.
Outside of her work, Gabi is never one to turn down an adventure yet knows that there’s no place like home. She loves to explore diverse neighborhoods and uncover where the locals like to hang out. Gabi will bus, bike or even walk for however long it takes to get somewhere that she has her heart set on.
She holds a Bachelor of Science with honors in drama and psychology from Queens University and a certification in public relations from the Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I believe that when people and the places they love come together, something beautiful happens. Being able to help tell the stories of the places we represent has a great impact and allows us to do good.
Fun Fact
Isabella’s introduction to the marketing industry wasn’t a usual one. When given the task of marketing a smoothie bowl food truck on Instagram during a summer job, she fell in love with the power of branding and storytelling to new markets. This impromptu opportunity resulted in Isabella switching her major halfway through college from Pre-med to Creative Advertising, where her passion for the industry began.
economic development
Isabella Schincariol
Specialist, Social Media [email protected]With a passion for storytelling in the digital sphere, Isabella implements digital marketing campaigns for tourism, talent attraction and economic development clients around the globe.
Before Isabella joined DCI, she worked as fashion director for a lifestyle magazine at Michigan State University, where she explored the art of storytelling through clothing. She has also worked as a social media specialist crafting brand messaging for small businesses in industries ranging from inclusive skincare to whole foods.
Isabella had the privilege of moving to Italy during college to study international marketing and was lucky enough to cross some of her dream destinations off her travel bucket list! Some of her favorite travel memories include meeting her Italian family members for the first time in San Vito al Tagliamento, spending her birthday under the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and getting lost with her friends in Vienna. Her favorite city remains Rome, which she called home for six months.
When Isabella isn’t working, you can find her trying to perfect new espresso recipes, grabbing dinner with friends, curating Pinterest mood boards, or dreaming of her next travel destination. Isabella continues to foster her love of storytelling in her free time, spending days off reading, writing, and watching new movies.
Isabella holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in creative advertising and art direction from Michigan State University. Go Green!
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
We have the ability to use our passion for places to tell our clients’ stories, help their communities grow and succeed, and ultimately, improve the lives of people worldwide.
Fun Fact
Although she grew up in Florida, Carly has always been a mountain girl at heart. Before moving to Charlotte, she spent family vacations or went to summer camp in Western North Carolina nearly every year of her life. When spending time in the mountains, you’ll find her hiking, exploring or enjoying a beer at a brewery.
economic development
Carly Steele Johnson
Senior Director, SEM & Media [email protected]As Senior Director of SEM & Media, Carly oversees DCI’s SEM & Media service team and works to help clients all over the world improve their digital footprint. Her combined industry knowledge and technical expertise help DCI’s clients meet their goals and reach their target audiences.
With over a decade of digital marketing and SEO experience, Carly had led and contributed to dozens of successful client engagements, including Columbus, Cincinnati, Orlando, Philadelphia and Switzerland. She’s also designed and led SEO strategies in economic development, talent attraction and tourism for Pittsburgh, Fairfax County, FPL, Belize, Costa Rica and more.
Before arriving at DCI, Carly created and managed digital campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, international companies and high-growth startups including Office Depot, ADT and Paychex. Her original campaign ideas led to national media coverage from Fast Company, The Today Show, and HuffPost.
The daughter and granddaughter of pilots, Carly has loved to travel since before she can even remember. Growing up in Tampa, she often took family trips to the North Carolina mountains and visited family in Virginia and Connecticut. Since jetting off to London for a summer abroad, she has visited 17 countries and hopes to visit every continent in her lifetime. When traveling, you’ll find Carly hiking, trying local restaurants and bars, and visiting historical landmarks.
Having spent more than 30 years in sunny Florida, Carly now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, son and West Highland terrier. They love to take road trips, usually to one of North Carolina’s beautiful mountain towns.
Carly is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English creative writing and has a Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing from Florida International University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
the collective influence of skill and talent should never be underestimated. Today, a dynamic marriage between fundamental economic principles and digital strategy elevates quality of life for people worldwide.
Fun Fact
While she’s out and about exploring the city, Merissa finds joy in documenting her shenanigans on her personal blog, The Metropolitan Islander. She also sprinkles in a few pertinent takeaways from her professional life in New York City, so fellow DCI team members have been warned that they could potentially make an inadvertent appearance!
economic development, tourism
Merissa Stephen
Specialist, SEM & Media [email protected]Merissa joined DCI with professional experience in journalism, e-commerce and public relations. A keen interest in copywriting, an enthusiasm for fresh data insights and a love for connecting to audiences drive her people-first approach to client solutions. She is passionate about cutting through the noise of the busy digital media landscape.
Merissa specializes in SEO and paid media campaign implementation, applying industry insights and analytics to achieve multichannel conversions and increased client visibility. Her previous experience with influencer partnerships, social media copywriting and product development heightened brand awareness for K-Beauty brands in major U.S. markets, leading to successful product launches, increase in sales from emerging target audiences and strong partnerships with retailers such as IPSY and Nordstrom Rack.
Born in the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, Merissa inherited a love for the unique attributes of culture that shape the strength of a community and give life to colorful traditions. At her first job, Merissa contributed more than 300 articles as a reporter with a national newspaper covering both hard and soft news topics, which included events such as the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival. She appreciates the good that sustainable business investment can have for places of all sizes and uses digital marketing as a means to close socioeconomic gaps and to limit disparities among people.
On weekends, Merissa can be found exploring the food scene wherever she is. With so many flavors to savor, Merissa enjoys culinary experiences influenced by local traditions and cultures. She may even be commemorating her day with a little sketch or a bit of watercolor as she unwinds with some artistic expression.
Merissa graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in advertising and marketing communications and a minor in economics.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
I’m able to leverage the media to elevate the voices of people who deserve to be heard and shine a light on the stories that need to be told.
Fun Fact
On a sunny day, you’ll find Caitlin doing yoga, reading in a park, camping in the mountains, or seeing live music. As a resident of Colorado, she loves exploring the Rocky Mountains and enjoying all the amazing sites and wonders the state has to offer.
economic development
Caitlin Teare
Vice President, Public Relations [email protected]After nearly five years of working as a political communicator in the United States Congress, Caitlin joined DCI’s economic development team. Her experience working in strategic communications in both the public and private sectors, coupled with a background in economic development policies and initiatives, allow Caitlin to provide her clients with unique insight on the media landscape and creative approaches to the development and implementation of integrated public relations campaigns.
Leveraging her keen insight on the national media landscape and relationships with top-tier reporters, Caitlin has secured numerous transformational stories on behalf of her clients in a variety of media outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, Wired, Financial Times, CNN and more.
Among her achievements, she helped secure comprehensive analysis of the revitalization of Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in Politico Magazine and has organized media tours in Chicago and New York securing appointments with top-tier outlets.
From business owners and company executives to governors and senators, Caitlin has advised leaders from both the private and public sectors on communications and media relations strategies.
Growing up in Nebraska, Caitlin will always call the Midwest home. She studied in Italy during college and took advantage of her time abroad by traveling across Europe and Africa. From hiking the Cinque Terre to camping in the Sahara Desert, Caitlin has since loved exploring new places and experiencing different cultures.
Caitlin holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Creighton University and a Master of Public Administration from American University.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
building connections and sharing knowledge is part of who I am. I admire the hard work our team puts in so destinations and communities can strive toward a greater tomorrow.
Fun Fact
Karen says the second scariest moment in her life was being stuck in a typhoon-caused flood when she lived in Japan. The scariest moment? When her flight in India was struck by lightning during monsoon season. Not surprisingly, this inadvertent storm chaser still gets nervous flying in any sort of inclement weather.
tourism
Karen Villa
Sales Executive [email protected]Karen was born in Havana, raised in Miami and subsequently spent most of her adult life engaging with new cultures and places. After teaching English in Japan, she moved to New York to be a convention sales specialist for the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Karen brings her business events marketing experiences and a multicultural approach to DCI’s business travel efforts.
Among her professional accomplishments, Karen built a database of 200 meeting planners and 170 suppliers for JNTO to engage when she worked as a convention marketer. She regularly drafted, edited and released newsletters for JNTO, reaching more than 20,000 meeting planners with engaging content.
As a child, she dreamed of befriending people from around the world, which became a catalyst to her teaching English to college-level exchange students. Teaching English in Japan changed Karen’s life by cementing her love for foreign cultures in Asia and elsewhere. Connecting with people and cultures is at the heart of Karen’s life. Forming friendships with people from China to Brazil motivated her to pursue a career in the international sector.
Always looking for in-destination good food and adventures, she has her eye on Morocco and Peru, among an ever-growing bucket list of places to visit.
Call her retro, but Karen is all about roller-skating, when the weather allows it. During the summer, she’s a regular at the roller disco in Manhattan’s Central Park, where she’s bound to be trying new skating tricks. Karen also likes catching a Broadway musical, playing board games and spending time with friends.
Karen earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and a minor in Japanese with a certification for Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) from the University of Florida.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
Our world is made up of the small stories of everyday people. Digging into the perceptions of a CEO, a stay-at-home parent considering re-entry into the workforce, or a traveling retiree reveals real truths and helps us shape the stories we tell on behalf of our client communities.
Fun Fact
Payton utilizes his culinary background to recreate his favorite meals from around the world, usually from scratch. This involves multiple iterations and too many trips to the store. The kitchen is a revolving door of ingredients; it’s always a mess and it’s (almost) always delicious.
economic development, tourism, talent attraction
Payton Walker
Research Associate [email protected]Payton is a passionate insight detective and data nerd! He loves discovering the human truths that drive decision-making across DCI’s target audiences – including economic development, talent and tourism stakeholders. He is a master at transforming complex data and everyday experiences into thoughtful stories that shape effective marketing and communication strategies.
Payton has worked on strategy and innovation for some of the biggest names in the tech and consumer packaged goods industries. He has played a key role in defining marketing, communication and strategy for your favorite streaming shows and at-home products. Payton brings qualitative and quantitative research skills and a wealth of understanding about people and how they make decisions.
Moving outside of California for the first time, Payton recently landed in New York. He can’t wait to explore all this side of the country offers and enjoys observing new places, cultures and regional food. As an avid traveler, he’s thrilled to work in an industry that aligns with one of his passions, and he’s excited about the prospect of shorter flights to Europe.
Payton graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz, earning a Philosophy degree. He’s also certified in data analysis.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
It allows me to be a part of the process by ensuring that the DCI Team puts their best face forward when working with client communities during major growth.
Fun Fact
In junior high school, Intisar had a dream – to become a tap dancer. The only problem? She couldn’t bring herself to perform in front of an audience. She would go to every rehearsal and practice, but was always a “no show” for shows. Despite never realizing this dream, she still knows how to sell a performance with “jazz hands.”
economic development, tourism
Intisar Wilson
Director, Operations Support [email protected]Intisar joined DCI in 2001 to support account service teams in implementing place marketing campaigns. She rose in the ranks to oversee a team of six program coordinators before transitioning into an operations role for the agency. Today, serving as part of the agency’s executive leadership team, Intisar guides agency operations in its offices across the U.S. and Canada.
As part of DCI’s executive team, Intisar manages the entire onboarding process for new hires, organizing each orientation schedule, providing welcome packets and ensuring each individual is prepared to hit the ground running. She continues to support them with tech issues, acting as the liaison with the IT administrator.
In addition to her operations oversight, Intisar has served as DCI’s lead podcast editor for such programs as The Project Podcast and Site Selection Matters. She also manages DCI’s CRM system and partner relationships. Hundreds of clients, partners and prospect files stay organized thanks to Intisar who ensures that DCI engages with each individual at just the right time.
Outside of work, this born and raised Brooklynite now lives on Long Island. A New Yorker through and through who loves all things fashion, Intisar also celebrates her Southern roots and loves the region’s slower pace of life. It’s no wonder she likes to kick back and travel throughout the Caribbean, finding St. Croix and Jamaica irresistible. One thing she’s realized between traveling the world and meeting clients from Texas to Tasmania? People everywhere are basically the same – they share a common humanity.
When she’s not at work or on the road, Intisar spends Saturday with her son and date nights with her husband – likely dressed to the nines!
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
discovering unique stories about the places we explore is what makes those experiences exciting and meaningful. Serving as a champion for our client communities gives me an active role in making sure those stories are shared.
Fun Fact
Caleb likes to think of himself as food enthusiast and philomath. When he’s not binge-watching cooking shows, you’ll find him experimenting with new recipes or writing about the latest food trends. He loves trying new local eateries but has a special obsession with sushi—seriously, the staff at his favorite spot know him by name. Got a favorite local spot or a must-try dish? Caleb would love to hear all about it!
talent attraction
Caleb Woods
Senior Specialist, Talent Attraction [email protected]Caleb’s colleagues and friends often describe him as an energetic, innovative and passionate individual. With a background in communication development and social media management, Caleb has worked within a wide range of companies and industries that have sharpened his internal and external communication skills.
One of his favorite professional experiences was when he worked with tech startups in Sydney, Australia. It was there that he discovered his knack for identifying problems and coming up with solutions, as well as his passion for experiencing new cultures and places. He brings these passions and problem-solving abilities to DCI, where he manages the implementation of talent attraction campaigns across North America.
Prior to DCI, Caleb assisted with managing and leading the communication efforts for the economic development, public policy and talent attraction teams for the local chamber of commerce in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Caleb also served on the Board of Directors for Horizon Family Services, a non-profit that provides opportunities to improve the lives of individuals and families throughout the Eastern Iowa community by offering Meals on Wheels for elderly individuals, financial services, neighborhood transportation and much more.
Caleb is always looking for opportunities to grow as a professional and leader. He is a two-time guest speaker at the National Women Lead Change Conference in Cedar Rapids, where he shared his insights on the power of networking and the evolution of digital communications. He also volunteers as a student mentor at Iowa BIG in hopes of inspiring the next generation of community leaders.
Caleb graduated magna cum laude from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and a minor in Communication Studies.
DCI's Purpose Inspires Me Because...
it drives me to elevate the beautiful cultures of various destinations, to expand their global footprint and to increase economic development through traditional and emerging media channels.
Fun Fact
Before exercising her marketing muscles, Ayana was Division 1 collegiate athlete. She competed for four years as a member of the track and field team at West Virginia University but has since traded in track meets for globetrotting and storytelling. But if she’s cheering, “Go Mountaineers!” you will now know why.
tourism
Ayana Young
Account Director [email protected]Ayana has left her mark on the public relations industry during her career in multiple hospitality and leisure domains, including sports, tourism, wine and spirits, and entertainment. Driven by an underlying passion for elevating underrepresented narratives in the media, she brings her media relations and storytelling prowess to DCI’s client tourism roster.
Her efforts have garnered global, national and local media placements for clients in Ebony, Essence, Forbes, The New York Times, USA Today, Yahoo! News and the Washington Post. In addition, Ayana has subspecialized in broadcast media placements, landing segments on BBC, CNBC ESPN, FOX News, “Good Morning America,” “Today” and “NBC Nightly News.”
At DCI, working for destinations is important to Ayana, whose family instilled a love of travel in her as a child. Annual family trips to various destinations and sporting events allowed her to see beyond her hometown of New York, which helped her establish a deep appreciation for food and culture. In the future, she hopes to visit the Ayana Resort in Bali, Indonesia, and the Aiyana Resort & Spa in Tanzania, Africa.
Beyond work and travel, Ayana provides support for Black and brown families who are receiving cancer treatment. After losing her own mother to cancer in 2018, she found that sharing stories has been a powerful way to connect with people and cope with pain, and she hopes to bring this sort of catharsis to others.
On the weekends, Ayana is likely scouting out a new favorite restaurant or unique dishes to eat around New York City. At home, she’s no stranger to being curled up on the couch and watching sports with her two dogs, Blackie and Gurl.
Ayana earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from West Virginia University and a master’s degree in communication from Syracuse University.