EVENT DYNAMICS
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
At Event Dynamics, we are led by a small but dedicated team of like-minded individuals. We focus to a large degree on philanthropic, academic, broader global health sectors as well as wildlife and environmental conservation meetings, events and conferences, where meeting outcomes truly bring change.
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Learn about our commitment to sustainable events.
Sandra Collier
After a successful career in banqueting and hotel operations in South Africa, Sandra set up a business that specialized in event management and international inbound and outbound group travel and meetings. In 2003, Sandra and her husband fulfilled a long-held dream to work and live in the USA. Her understanding of the meeting and hospitality industry, the challenges and rewards of working in developing countries, and her network of relationships across the globe, have been a strong foundation for growth in the vibrant USA market. Sandra has traveled the globe extensively and is a member of a number of organisations including PCMA (Professional Conference Management Association), WWF, Safari Professionals of the Americas and African Wildlife Foundation.
Charmaine du Plooy
Charmaine was born and raised in Windhoek, Namibia. In the early years of her career, Charmaine moved to South Africa where she studied and then built a career in executive services and events in financial services in Pretoria. Her husband’s employment then took them to The Netherlands which provided opportunities to travel extensively throughout Europe. Their next move was to the USA and, in 2008, Charmaine joined the Event Dynamics team in Seattle, providing event management support and travel services to our clients on the West Coast and throughout the country. In 2011, Charmaine moved with her husband and young family to Ottawa, Canada. Operating a satellite office from there since then, Charmaine has continued to provide event management services for our team in Seattle.
Seraphina Gordon
Seraphina honed her skills through her varied positions in private school administration overseeing admissions, volunteers, office and facilities management, event coordination, and daily operations. She joined the Event Dynamics team in 2014, bringing her high level of attention to detail and a creative talent to the management of international meetings and events. Seraphina’s curious mind and love of the natural world are evident in her work and interests. Since 2014, Seraphina has traveled extensively, working with the events team and leading groups in India, Africa, the United Kingdom, China and Europe. Her many trips to various regions in Africa have revealed a passion for Africa’s wildlife, conservation and communities throughout the continent.
Julie Bonner
Julie was born in Columbus, MS and grew up in Pickens County, Alabama. Julie graduated from Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Averett University in Virginia with a Master’s in Business Administration, and from University of Phoenix with a Doctorate in Management specializing in Organizational Leadership. Julie teaches information technology and management at Central Washington University on campus and online. In 2001, Julie and her family moved to Seattle, and she currently resides in Redmond, WA. Julie has an extensive accounting background, having worked in companies like Starbucks, Georgia Pacific, and Nintendo and consulted through companies like Deloitte Consulting and her own personal consulting business.
Ilse de Villiers
Ilse’s professional background started in Cape Town, South Africa, with product development and project management in the financial services industry. Her experience laid the groundwork for a drive to understand how things tie together in the bigger picture. After moving to Seattle and starting a family, she immersed herself in volunteer work and served as financial manager for a specialized safari and tour company. Firmly believing in the hope created by earning a sustainable income, she co-founded a company that curates gifts and event swag from worldwide vendors, thoughtfully sourced to realize the dreams behind each product. Ilse began collaborating with Event Dynamics in 2016 and the relationship grew over the years.
Diane Kotze
Diane began her career in event management in 2000 in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a solid accounting/office administration background. Moving quickly from Senior Event Manager to Operations Manager, Diane headed an operations team managing large congresses and conferences in South Africa and across the continent. In 2011, Diane moved to Doha, Qatar, taking up a position as Senior Project Manager for the Qatar MICE Development Institute.
Two years later, Diane moved to Dubai, UAE to take up a position with HQ Creative, as Conference and Logistics Manager. Since moving back to Cape Town in 2014, Diane has worked closely with Event Dynamics, consulting and assisting with small and large international events in Africa, Asia and Europe. Diane’s ability to adapt quickly to any situation or environment, to project manage and problem solve, and build trust with local partners, are just some of her key strengths.
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS​
Over the years, we have established a network of professionals in major hubs on all continents with specialist skills in Expo management, Staging and Production, Transport, Safety & Security, Media, and many other skills unique to our clients’ programs and needs.
