I started my professional career as a Network Engineer and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. Being an Entrepreneur, I went to work for myself doing large Network installations. In between projects I would work for AVMG as a Speaker Ready Technician in the early 2000's. I learned Audio Visual equipment and advanced in all areas of Live Events. Speaker Ready, Graphics Operator, Audio, and Projection skills have led me to leadership opportunities. After 20 years of experience of managing and leading many of the largest events, Covid put an end to a successful business. Cadmium provided a new home and place to utilize the skills I have obtained. I thrive in Customer Service and going above and beyond to deliver a superior product.

Born and raised in coastal New Jersey, I graduated from Salisbury University and moved to Maryland in 2011. I spent the first 10 years of my career in accounting and finance at Fortune 500 companies.  To combat my high-stress career, I started training to compete in triathlons, and eventually started a business producing triathlons and other racing events. We later specialized in event technology – delivering real-time race results, same-day photos, and video clips for over 1000 events throughout the US and abroad.

Being married with two young children, we decided to settle down and sell the business, and I'm extremely grateful to have found Cadmium, an event technology company just 6 miles down the road! My family enjoys RV travel, hiking, yoga, swimming, surfing – anything outdoors! I'm looking forward to being a Project Manager and serving clients in a high-paced, growing environment.”

Mike Mahaffey is the Executive Vice President of Show and Event Services at INSPIRE, a leading global event solutions company. Mahaffey is a member of INSPIRE’s executive team leading the overall organization in addition to spearheading the sales and operations teams within INSPIRE’s Show and Event Services division, where they produce more than 2,500 events per year and serve as the in-house technology partners for over 100 of the finest hotels and convention centers across the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. Mahaffey has a wealth of managerial and operational experience in the Show and Event Services industry under his belt, having worked with industry names to manage clients’ live events, build lasting relationships with their members, and guide teams with a strong vision, maximizing value across a range of business solutions. His passion for business market growth and the ever-evolving landscape of the events industry have earned him a reputation for being a solutions-oriented leader, innovator and trusted partner to his clients. 

Alee has over 15 years combined experience in hospitality and hold a Master’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Roosevelt University and has been Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) since January 2016. After five years planning events and activities in higher education, followed by years volunteering as an event manager with various organizations, including nonprofits and community groups. For the nine years prior to joining the Cadmium team, She worked in meetings management for several associations with conferences of up to 25,000 attendees. As a client, Alee worked alongside Cadmium staff on products such as the Mobile App, Scorecards, Harvesters, Proceedings and many others.

Professionally, Jennifer has more than seven years of medical event experience designing and executing educational conferences ranging from 200 to 40,000 attendees. Jennifer earned her Healthcare Meetings Compliance Certificate in 2021 and has a BA in Communication Studies from George Washington University. She loves creating and implementing processes that streamline efficiency and organization! I’m fascinated by humans and the way we communicate. I feel strongly that partnerships and collaboration are the keys to event success.

Jennifer has a rescue tabby cat named Penny, and loves to cook, hike, practice pilates, and explore Denver and the surrounding areas in her free time. Jennifer is hoping to take a vacation to Alaska someday.

Born and raised in Southern Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland in 1998. Began my career as a meeting planner in Washington, DC., had the opportunity to work with some amazing meeting planners at Hanley Wood and Courtesy Associates. After having my son, I relocated to Raleigh and worked for NC State University. While I was a conference manager with the university, we used the CadmiumCD product. I currently reside in Wilmington, North Carolina and work remote for Cadmium as a Project Manager. I look forward to working with clients and helping produce successful programs.

In my free time I love to read, paddleboard, sit on the beach, hike, visit breweries, and go for a ride or camp in our 1973 Classic VW Bus called Bodhi!

Prior to joining Cadmium, I worked in the history and museum field. During that time, I gained experience and skills in event planning, professional development programming, instructional design, and project management. In my previous role, I managed and organized the association’s first virtual conferences. I consider myself a life-long learner and am always eager to dive into new projects. I value organization and clear communication, and I have a passion for creating accessible, inclusive, and engaging experiences. When not at work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our dogs, Juniper and Hazel, playing board games with friends and family, crafting, reading science fiction and fantasy, and learning new things!

Cristyn Johnson is a learning and development leader in the continuing education field. With a passion for helping people learn and grow, she specializes in creating and executing learning strategies and programs based on individual and organizational needs. Cristyn is currently the Director of Education and Engagement at Cadmium, where she oversees all training and education initiatives for the company. In this capacity she builds educational and training programs aimed at increasing mastery of the Cadmium suite of products. Prior to her time at Cadmium, Cristyn worked for a national association, crafting and executing field education strategies focused on growing the capacity of the field at large and increasing the impact members have in their local communities.

Kate started her career in the hospitality industry, graduating with a BS from UCF, working in hotels and theme parks for companies like Walt Disney World and Hilton in Orlando, FL. When Kate moved to the DMV area, she pivoted from a focus on event management to a focus on project management. Kate worked for the Design-Build Institute of America implementing Elevate for their education courses, which is what introduced her to Elevate. Kate recently achieved both her CAPM and PMP. Kate is excited to be with Cadmium as an Elevate Implementation Project Manager. In her free time, she loves long walks with a good audio book, watching movies, trying new food and live music.

Cristyn Johnson is a learning and development leader in the continuing education field. With a passion for helping people learn and grow, she specializes in creating and executing learning strategies and programs based on individual and organizational needs. Cristyn is currently the Director of Education and Engagement at Cadmium, where she oversees all training and education initiatives for the company. In this capacity she builds educational and training programs aimed at increasing mastery of the Cadmium suite of products. Prior to her time at Cadmium, Cristyn worked for a national association, crafting and executing field education strategies focused on growing the capacity of the field at large and increasing the impact members have in their local communities.

Paul Zickert, Vice President of Partnerships, Cadmium. Over the past 22 years Paul has been involved with technology and sales within the healthcare, trade show and corporate events industries. Paul previously worked at CVS Health, CDW, Flexera and GES. Recently at GES he led the global team for product and pre-sales for client facing technology. Paul has spoken at events such as Dreamforce (Salesforce.com annual event), CAEM, IAEE, CEMA and more. For 2022 he was selected to be on the IAEE Tech Committee. Paul loves technology, the data that tells a story and the overall success technology brings in helping people reinvision their roles and the efficiency gains technology can bring.

Joe is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bear Analytics – a technology company that powers event success. Obsessed by the fundamental belief that data-driven insights make for better event outcomes and experiences, Joe and the team at Bear Analytics created Bear IQ. Bear IQ is the industry-leading event analytics platform that powers the measurement, design, and growth of the world’s best experiences – all possible via the data you’re already collecting.

Formerly the principal strategist behind the strategic development of BIO’s One-on-One Partnering System, a web-based, SaaS platform, focused on providing biotech and pharma companies an efficient system for engaging in face-to-face interactions at an international portfolio of events

Jennifer Kerhin, CEO of SB Expos & Events, has more than 20 years of experience working with association tradeshows. Jennifer has a certification in meeting planner (CMP) and exhibition management (CEM), an MBA from Johns Hopkins University, and substantial executive-level association experience.

SB specializes in association events. As a technology-driven company, we are uniquely positioned to integrate live and hybrid components to maximize your association event’s potential. We develop non-dues revenue from association meetings through exhibits, sponsorships, registration, and advertising while reducing association expenses by optimizing event management practices.

Understanding that active involvement within associations is the key to success, Jennifer is a committed member and volunteer in IAEE. She has been a speaker at ASAE’s Annual Meeting and IAEE’s ExpoExpo! She also founded the IAEE DC Chapter Women Leadership bookclub.

Having served as a Senior IT Event Manager, an IT Project Manager, a Consultant, and an IT Director, James knows IT and how it impacts the customer experience. With a strong track record as an IT Project Manager in the entertainment industry, James also has experience working with cyber security, nonprofits, streaming media, video, audio engineering, and production management. James excels at developing, planning, and implementing information technology strategies that meet our client's business needs deliver optimal return on investment, and maintain utmost security while ensuring that the event network infrastructure adequately supports all computing and communication needs. In addition to extensive IT and project management expertise, James has a degree in Networking and Systems Administration Technology. Although he enjoys nerding out on IT, James is incredibly communicative, personable, and approachable. When he's not planning or strategizing premium events, he likes to fish and relax in his native Texas.

Derek oversees INSPIRE’s Show and Event Services Sales Division, client acquisition and management, and
industry strategy. Over the past 26 years Derek has held various technical, managerial and sales positions
including the account management for 70 trade association, corporate and government clientele.
Derek recently completed his third term on the Meeting Professionals International Potomac Chapter Board of
Directors. In this capacity he was charged with overseeing the chapter’s signature Annual Conference
& Expo and served in a Director of Meetings capacity, providing him continual and unique insight into the event
planning needs and challenges that the INSPIRE customers face on a day to day basis.

As Chief Learning Strategist & Founder of InspirEd, Tracy King leverages her more than 20 years in workforce development, consulting with organizations on education strategy and learning design. Tracy is the author of Competitive Advantage, advising on how to grow reliably profitable and sustainable continuing education programs that transform learners. Tracy is a thought leader, invited speaker, master learning designer and DELP Scholar. Her work has been featured on NBC, ABC, FOX, USA Today, Forbes and hundreds of nationally syndicated television, newspaper, and magazine outlets. She’s featured as a chapter author in the award-winning Routledge text, Microlearning in the Digital Age: The Design and Delivery of Learning in Snippets.

Connect: https://www.inspired-ed.com/

Marketing executive with over 15 years of experience developing and leading teams to define and deliver differentiated brand experiences that grow market share and build customer loyalty. Jessie has spent the last 8 years in the event marketing and continuing education sector. Jessie currently serves as a SaaS-oriented Marketing Director for Cadmium. Cadmium is an all-in-one event and learning platform. Cadmium simplifies the production of live, hybrid, and virtual events and maximizes the value of online learning with a single, flexible platform designed to capture the chemistry of people, ideas, and knowledge.

Jessie holds an MBA from the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Science in business with a concentration in marketing from the University of Massachusetts.

Joe is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bear Analytics – a technology company that powers event success. Obsessed by the fundamental belief that data-driven insights make for better event outcomes and experiences, Joe and the team at Bear Analytics created Bear IQ. Bear IQ is the industry-leading event analytics platform that powers the measurement, design, and growth of the world’s best experiences – all possible via the data you’re already collecting.

Formerly the principal strategist behind the strategic development of BIO’s One-on-One Partnering System, a web-based, SaaS platform, focused on providing biotech and pharma companies an efficient system for engaging in face-to-face interactions at an international portfolio of events

Having served as a Senior IT Event Manager, an IT Project Manager, a Consultant, and an IT Director, James knows IT and how it impacts the customer experience. With a strong track record as an IT Project Manager in the entertainment industry, James also has experience working with cyber security, nonprofits, streaming media, video, audio engineering, and production management. James excels at developing, planning, and implementing information technology strategies that meet our client's business needs deliver optimal return on investment, and maintain utmost security while ensuring that the event network infrastructure adequately supports all computing and communication needs. In addition to extensive IT and project management expertise, James has a degree in Networking and Systems Administration Technology. Although he enjoys nerding out on IT, James is incredibly communicative, personable, and approachable. When he's not planning or strategizing premium events, he likes to fish and relax in his native Texas.

I started my professional career as a Network Engineer and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. Being an Entrepreneur, I went to work for myself doing large Network installations. In between projects I would work for AVMG as a Speaker Ready Technician in the early 2000's. I learned Audio Visual equipment and advanced in all areas of Live Events. Speaker Ready, Graphics Operator, Audio, and Projection skills have led me to leadership opportunities. After 20 years of experience of managing and leading many of the largest events, Covid put an end to a successful business. Cadmium provided a new home and place to utilize the skills I have obtained. I thrive in Customer Service and going above and beyond to deliver a superior product.

Samantha earned her undergrad at Northwestern University with a focus on communications. She has been with the American Association of Oral of Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) for nearly 14 years— recently moved into her new role as the Continuing Education Director. She has several years (pre-pandemic) experience with hybrid events, but it wasn't until 2020 that, like many others, AAOMS had to go fully virtual for their Annual Meeting. 

Christy Summers, is the Digital Events Manager and process guru with Medical Practice Management Association. She brings a blend of subject matter expertise in medical practice management, project management, and logistical expertise to deliver highly rated digital conferences and online education for the MGMA audience. She excels at diagnosing issues in current processes and implementing solutions to streamline them. Christy's rich and diverse experience as a medical practice manager for over a decade with the Military and private practices allows her to see projects logistically from inception to execution, while always prioritizing the end users' experience.

Ms. Jennifer (Jen) Varhalla  has a Bachelor in English from Loyola University Chicago and a Master’s in Business Administration from Concordia University Chicago. Jen is the Manager of Professional Development for the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA).  She has been with the AANA for fourteen years, come this October. Within the fourteen years, she worked in numerous roles related to accreditation of nurse anesthesia programs, continuing education/professional development for members and students, and a lead role in the initiation, creation and implementation of AANA’s first ever hybrid Mid-Year Assembly and hybrid Annual Congress events.

Along with adapting the AANA’s largest live in-person meetings into hybrid events, she works closely with the AANA’s Professional Development Committee, to generate new evidence-based content for members. She also helps to maintain the AANA’s, American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accreditation, as a provider of nursing continuing professional development credits.

I joined the Cadmium team as Technical Product Manager of the EthosCE LMS in 2019 with 10+ years of technical leadership experience. Starting out as a web developer, I learned the ins and outs of the web application market working in sectors including higher education, tourism, fitness, and fintech. I recently transitioned to a new role at Cadmium, Director of Product & Engineering, Learning Management Systems.