Leadership - Capital

Mission

The mission of the PCMA Capital Chapter is to serve the business events industry by connecting our members through advocacy, education, leadership, and volunteerism.

Vision

The PCMA Capital Chapter will thrive as an inclusive and diverse community that embraces change through collaboration, innovation, and education.

Strategic Plan

PCMA Capital Chapter Bylaws

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Mission and Vision Statement

Board of Directors

Leah Lewis, CMP, CEM, DES - President -

Vice President, Education and Events
Motion + Power Manufacturers Alliance

Stephanie Santini, CMP, DES - President-Elect -

Vice President, Meetings
American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)

Constance Samuels - Secretary -

SVP, Events
Opportunity Finance Network (OFN)

Ralph Robinson, CAE, CMP, DES - Treasurer -

Director of Conference Experience and Meeting Operations
National Association of REALTORS®

Carson Edwards, MBA, CDMP, CASE - Immediate Past-President -

Global Account Executive
Marriott International

Christina Pino, CMP, DES - Director, Planner -

Senior Conference Manager
Access Intelligence

Rebecca Kane - Director, Planner -

Founder / Principal
RK Conferences & Events

Melissa Peticolas, CEM, CMP - Director, Supplier -

Account Executive
Vista Convention Services

Jodi VanWoerkom - Director -

Senior Event Manager
Association for Talent Development (ATD)

Danielle Foisy, FASAE, CASE - Director, Supplier -

Director, Business Development & Industry Relations
Transportation Management Services, Inc.

Bianca DeStout - Director -

Senior Sales Manager
Visit Cincy

Rachel Bruce - Director -

Meetings and Exposition Manager
American Pharmacists Association

Ashley Rudy - Administrator -

Account Director
Potomac Management Resources

2025 Committee Chairs

Communications Committee

Chair, Will Trokey, CMP, Visit Greater Palm Springs
Co-Chair, Diane Vidoni, CEM, eMerge Americas

Community Services Committee

Chair, Jon Watson, Visit Detroit
Co-Chair, Trinh Le, Association for Financial Professionals

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee

Chair, April Russell, Georgia World Congress Center Authority
Co-Chair, Romi Zachar, National Defense Industrial Association

Emerging Professionals Committee

Chair, Jill Ferguson, CMM, Meeting Curiosity
Co-Chair, Johnny Penn, CMP, DES, Construction Management Association of America

Government Relations & Advocacy Committee

Chair, Marcus Eng, American Public Transportation Association
Co-Chair, Rebecca Ramsey, DES, Projection

Marketing Committee

Chair, Amy Overstreet, Visit Virginia Beach
Co-Chair, Andrew Peters, National Defense Industrial Association

Membership Engagement Committee

Chair, Shaun DiGiovacchino, Associated Luxury Hotels International
Co-Chair, Colleen Phalen, Miles Partnership

Membership Events Committee

Chair, Gabe Capella, Cadium
Co-Chair, Sara Stehle, Wow Moments Experience & Event Design

NextGen Taskforce Subcommittee

Chair, Erinn Sanders, Heart Rhythm Society
Co-Chair, Noah Cohen

Professional Development Committee

Chair, Carla Bascope Hebble, Hilton
Chair, Pat Reilly, CMP, Pulmonary Hypertension Association
Co-Chair, Elizabeth Breidenbach, CMP, DES, HMCC, National Association of Community Health Centers
Co-Chair, Cori Talbot, CMP, International Spy Museum

Sponsorship Committee

Chair, Germaine Schaefer, Heart Rhythm Society
Chair, Darryl Diamond, CMP, HMCC, Big White Dog Events
Co-Chair, Ally Leff, National Association of Manufacturers
Co-Chair, Jennifer Sullivan, CASE, Visit Nashville
Co-Chair, Josefa Martinez, NeighborWorks America

Past Presidents

2025 Carson Edwards
2024 Rebecca Ramsey
2023 Mary Kreins
2022 Marcus Eng
2021 John Rubsamen
2020 John Rubsamen
2019 Vicki Johnson
2018 Jim Kelley
2017 Diane Kovats
2016 Joy Womack
2015 Mary Gallagher
2014 Annette Suriani
2013 Kirsten Olean
2012 Karin Soyster Fitzgerald
2011 Hunter Clemens
2010 Cecilia Bell
2009 Nancy DeBrosse
2008 Bill Reed
2007 Valerie Sumner
2006 Johnnie White
2005 Amy Calvert
2004 Brad Weaber
2003 Adele Humphries Dicken
2003 Brad Weaber
2002 Janine Pesci
2001 Jack Chiasson
2000 Kathy Callender
1999 Kati Quigley
1998 Ken Esthus
1997 Lee Ann Burr
1996 Pam Jensen
1995 Lauren Kramer -Whelan
1994 Scott Hunt
1993 Debbie Woodcock
1992 Debbie Woodcock

Committee Chairs & Co-Chairs

Germaine Lutman Schaefer

– Community Services Chair –

Associate Vice President, Meetings & Events
Heart Rhythm Society

Christina Pino, CMP, DES

– Communications Chair –

Conference Manager
Access Intelligence

Laurie Nelson-Choice

– Diversity Equity & Inclusion Chair –

Director of Diversity and National Sales
Visit Baltimore

Sandy Yi-Davis, MBA, CMP, DES

– Government Relations & Advocacy Chair –

Head of Event Design
Strategic Meeting International

Rebecca Royal

– Marketing Chair –

Director of Meetings & Events
Potomac Management Resources

Leah Jones, CMP, CAE, DES

– Professional Development Chair –

Sr. Director, Meetings & Events
Auto Care Association

Noreen Cournoyer

– Sponsorship Chair –

Associate Director, Conference Services
Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA)

Elizabeth Maddox, CMP, CAE

– Membership Co-Chair –

Director, Conference & Event Services
American Society of Civil Engineers

Lee Callicutt, CSTP

– Membership Co-Chair –

Destination Sales ManagerDestination Sales Manager
Visit Montgomery

Sue Stemley, CASE, DES, CTA H.

– Membership Co-Chair –

Meeting Sales Manager, Eastern RegionMeeting Sales Manager, Eastern Region
Visit Anaheim

Kelly Blecke

– Community Services Co-Chair –

Director Citywide Accounts DC, MD, VA
SF Travel Association

Robin Troutman

– Diversity Equity & Inclusion Co-Chair –

Deputy Director
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

Rebecca Kane, CMP, DES

– Communications Co-Chair –

Director of Meetings and Events
American Feed Industry Association

Jerome Bruce

– Emerging Professionals Co-Chair –

Director of Meetings
AGA

Robert Smith

– Emerging Professionals Co-Chair –

Sr. Vice President, Partner Engagement
National Institute of Building SciencesNational

Alex Hurd, CMP

– Government Relations & Advocacy Co-Chair –

Destination Expert
Discover Newport

Jodi VanWoerkom, CMP, VEIP

– Professional Development Co-Chair –

Event Manager
Association for Talent Development (ATD)

Mission

Vision

Strategic Plan PCMA Capital Chapter Bylaws

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Mission and Vision Statement

Board of Directors

Leah Lewis, CMP, CEM, DES - President -

Stephanie Santini, CMP, DES - President-Elect -

Constance Samuels - Secretary -

Ralph Robinson, CAE, CMP, DES - Treasurer -

Carson Edwards, MBA, CDMP, CASE - Immediate Past-President -

Christina Pino, CMP, DES - Director, Planner -

Rebecca Kane - Director, Planner -

Melissa Peticolas, CEM, CMP - Director, Supplier -

Jodi VanWoerkom - Director -

Danielle Foisy, FASAE, CASE - Director, Supplier -

Bianca DeStout - Director -

Rachel Bruce - Director -

Ashley Rudy - Administrator -

2025 Committee Chairs

Communications Committee

Community Services Committee

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee

Emerging Professionals Committee

Government Relations & Advocacy Committee

Marketing Committee

Membership Engagement Committee

Membership Events Committee

NextGen Taskforce Subcommittee

Professional Development Committee

Sponsorship Committee

Past Presidents

Committee Chairs & Co-Chairs

Germaine Lutman Schaefer

– Community Services Chair –

Christina Pino, CMP, DES

– Communications Chair –

Laurie Nelson-Choice

– Diversity Equity & Inclusion Chair –

Sandy Yi-Davis, MBA, CMP, DES

– Government Relations & Advocacy Chair –

Rebecca Royal

– Marketing Chair –

Leah Jones, CMP, CAE, DES

– Professional Development Chair –

Noreen Cournoyer

– Sponsorship Chair –

Elizabeth Maddox, CMP, CAE

– Membership Co-Chair –

Lee Callicutt, CSTP

– Membership Co-Chair –

Sue Stemley, CASE, DES, CTA H.

– Membership Co-Chair –

Kelly Blecke

– Community Services Co-Chair –

Robin Troutman

– Diversity Equity & Inclusion Co-Chair –

Rebecca Kane, CMP, DES

– Communications Co-Chair –

Jerome Bruce

– Emerging Professionals Co-Chair –

Robert Smith

– Emerging Professionals Co-Chair –

Alex Hurd, CMP

– Government Relations & Advocacy Co-Chair –

Jodi VanWoerkom, CMP, VEIP

– Professional Development Co-Chair –

Geralyn Krist, CMP-Fellow, DES

– Sponsorship Co-Chair –

Connect with Leaders Who Inspire and Support You

Strategic Plan

PCMA Capital Chapter Bylaws