Last updated December 2008
Our Staff
|
Lynda Webster Founder and Chairman |
Lizette Corro President and CEO |
Wendy Drake Vice President |
| Jackie Alafoginis Director, Event Marketing |
Stephanie Donohue Director, Event Marketing |
Ellen Blankenstein Director, Event Marketing |
| Jacquelyne M. Willis Director |
Deborah Gitelson Director of Production |
Wendy Solhan Director |
| Lindsay Robbins Associate Director |
Pasan Sumathipala Associate Director of Accounting |
Joyce Knoer Production Associate |
| Amy Dickstein Associate |
Stacey Manning Associate |
Alexandra Libby Associate |
| Mae Pugeda Associate |
Lynda C. Webster, Founder & Chairman
Lynda C. Webster founded The Webster Group out of a passion to help nonprofits design, build and produce financially-successful fundraising events. Ten years later, the business has expanded to include corporate and government event planning, foundation management, fundraising and more.
Drawing from over fifteen years in the field of hotel management, Ms. Webster has worked with a wide range of organizations, a large number of which are nonprofits. Drawing from her luxury hotel experience, The Webster Group is especially well-qualified to handle high-end and VIP events.
Ms. Webster holds Master degrees in Business from Southern Methodist University and International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird). She graduated with honors from Stephens College with a BA in history and foreign languages while earning Certificates of Study in Spain from the Universities of Salamanca, Granada and Madrid.
As a volunteer, Ms. Webster has been involved with over twenty five local charitable and professional organizations, serving in leadership roles with the National Symphony Orchestra, Friends of the National Arboretum, National Center for Leadership, Potomac Meeting Planners International, Greater Washington Society of Association Executives, American Forests and the Shenandoah National Park Trust. Ms. Webster resides in Washington, D.C. with her husband, Judge William H. Webster, former director of both the FBI and CIA, and now a practicing attorney. They enjoy most weekends and an occasional holiday with a golden retriever and border collie at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains near Washington, VA. There they fish, hike and play an occasional game of tennis.
Lizette Corro, President & CEO
Lizette Corro is the President and CEO of The Webster Group. She brings to the company many years of unique experiences in both for-profit and non-profit management, along with her excellence in team management and a wide range of professional contacts. She is a talented strategic planner and fundraiser with experience in foundation management.
Prior to joining the The Webster Group, Ms. Corro was Senior Vice President of Resource Development for America's Promise-The Alliance for Youth. Ms. Corro served as Managing Director of Orr Associates, Inc. In this position she managed highly successful fundraising campaigns and special events for organizations such as: the Alzheimer's Association, Epilepsy Foundation, Marriott Foundation, Operation Smile, American Geriatrics Society, King Hussein Foundation, Save the Children, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, National Partnership for Women and Families, African Forum of Ouaga, International Code Council Foundation, Deafness Research Foundation, Antietam Health Foundation, and DC Central Kitchen. Through her direct involvement, Ms. Corro helped organizations raise millions of dollars and established frameworks and strategies for their continued fundraising efforts.
As an active member of the community, Ms. Corro gives her time to many nonprofit organizations. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Latino Student Fund, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, Post-Classical Ensemble, The Washington Ballet, National Museum of Women in the Arts, and the Board of Visitors at Children's Hospital. Ms. Corro holds dual citizenship in the United States and Panama and is fluent in English and Spanish. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from American University's School of International Service and has completed coursework from the University of Virginia's School of Foreign Service's masters program. A native Washingtonian, Ms. Corro has two children.
As vice president for The Webster Group, Wendy Drake coordinates all aspects of client events from developing and implementing a fundraising plan, to strategic planning, to producing the event. During her time at the Webster Group she has been instrumental in raising over $25 million for nonprofit clients. She has developed an extensive network of clients, associates, and professional contacts across private industry, governmental organizations, and charitable foundations. Ms. Drake leads a talented team of professionals at The Webster Group dedicated to excellence in ensuring the flawless execution of events and fundraising endeavors.
Recently, Ms. Drake was the Project Manager for The Air Force Memorial Dedication Weekend, a three-day celebration covering five different events and over 40-50,000 people, including President George W. Bush, our nation's veterans, military officers, general public, and celebrities. Our efforts with the Air Force Memorial Dedication weekend have earned The Webster Group an international nomination for best nonprofit event for 2006 by the International Special Events Society (ISES).
Ms. Drake has worked with a variety of clients including the African Center, American Air Museum in Britain, KIPP DC Key Academy, Master Chorale of Washington, the National Sleep Foundation, Pentagon Memorial Fund, Inc., Population Reference Bureau, USAID.
Prior to The Webster Group, Ms. Drake was a director with Orr Associates, Inc. (OAI), a DC-based fundraising and events management firm. Ms. Drake also worked with USAID and the Government of Bulgaria Finance Project led by ARD Bulgaria. During this project she assessed local business opportunities and conducted a screening process' for the creation of a tourism enterprise incubator; developed business plans for local entrepreneurs and designed and delivered development action plans and a marketing strategy for the project.
Ms. Drake is a member of Society of Government Meeting Professionals, ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership, The Linden Circle (Meridian International) and Washington Women in Wine.
Ms. Drake received a Master of Business Administration from the George Washington University in 2002 and holds a Bachelor of Science from Drury University in Springfield, MO. She lives with her husband and daughter in Falls Church, VA.
Jackie Alafoginis, Director, Event Marketing
Jackie Alafoginis has more than eight years of fundraising and event management experience.
As Director, event marketing for The Webster Group, Ms. Alafoginis coordinates all aspects of fundraising and marketing aspects for our clients.
Prior to joining The Webster Group, Ms. Alafoginis was the event manager for Fight For Children and managed School Night and Fight Night, their signature events. School Night annually raised $5 million and supported various nonprofit educational organizations in Washington, DC. Fight Night, which annually raises over $2 million, supports various nonprofit healthcare and mentoring organizations in Washington, DC. In addition, Ms. Alafoginis was a team leader for the Rockin' the Corps event at Camp Pendleton in California; this event was attended by over 50,000 Marines and their families, and raised millions of dollars to support America's troops. Ms. Alafoginis worked at Fight For Children for over six years, strengthening her skills in marketing, fundraising and development, logistical coordination, vendor negotiations, budget management and reputable contacts in the entertainment industry.
Ms. Alafoginis started her career at Events Management, Inc. in January, 1998, quickly navigating the road to strong event planning and execution. She focused on medium- to large-scale nonprofit fundraising events, ensuring a successful outcome
Ellen Blankenstein, Director, Event Marketing
Ellen Blankenstein brings over eight years of experience in fundraising, event coordination, sponsorship benefits, contract negotiations, copy writing and committee management.
As director, event marketing for The Webster Group, Ms. Blankenstein coordinates the fundraising and marketing aspects for our clients.
Prior to joining the Webster Group, Ms. Blankenstein was a director at Natalie P. Shear Associates, an event and fundraising management firm. In this role, she was responsible for managing the fundraising and event coordination for a wide range of clients. She was also involved in committee development and sponsorship outreach.
Prior to joining Natalie P. Shear Associates, Ms. Blankenstein was the development manager at Fight For Children, a Washington, D.C. based nonprofit organization benefiting education and healthcare initiatives for children. In that capacity, Ms. Blankenstein spearheaded fundraising activities for Fight For Children's signature events: Fight Night and School Night which raise more than $5 million annually for local healthcare and education organizations. Prior to joining Fight for Children Ms. Blankenstein played an integral part in creating The Kids’ Extravalooza, an inaugural event launching the National Children's Museum.
At the Webster Group, Ms. Blankenstein directs Knock-Out Abuse Against Women, a nonprofit which supports women and children who have suffered as victims of domestic violence. In this capacity, she is responsible for event management and fundraising for the organization's dinner which raises over $500,000 each annually.
Previous to her work at Fight For Children, Ms. Blankenstein served as a publicist for the public relations division of TMP Worldwide which represented telecommunications clients. She served as programs coordinator for the Northern Virginia Technology Council where she was responsible for the logistics of over 100 meetings annually.
Ms. Blankenstein graduated magna cum laude from George Washington University with a degree in Psychology.
Stephanie Donohue, Event Marketing
Stephanie Donohue brings with her almost ten years of marketing and event management experience. Her clients include the Heritage Foundation, Georgetown University Law Center and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.
Prior to working with The Webster Group, Ms. Donohue was the Marketing and Internal Events Manager at PGI, The Strategic Event Agency which was later acquired by TBA Global Events. At PGI / TBA, Ms. Donohue worked on projects ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale events and campaigns. In addition, Ms. Donohue played an integral part in the company’s marketing and branding transition from PGI to TBA Global Events.
Ms. Donohue has also served as Associate Director at Orr Associates, Inc., a Washington, DC-based fundraising and events management firm. While at Orr Associates, she helped produce a variety of events ranging from charity movie premiers to corporate galas.
As a Director for The Webster Group, Ms. Donohue works on both the Marketing and Production side of the business. Depending on a clients’ particular needs she can easily manage all aspects of strategic fundraising or event production. A very detail oriented and organized professional she works with her clients every step of the way to ensure success.
A graduate of the University of Maryland, Ms. Donohue is a native Washingtonian, but has also spent many years in New York City and San Francisco.
Deborah Gitelson, Director of Production
Deborah Gitelson has fifteen years of event production experience. She manages all logistical elements of special events including galas, dinners, fashion shows, memorial unveilings, congressional receptions, large scale entertainment productions and marathon walks from Washington, DC to New York to Los Angeles.
As director of production at The Webster Group, Ms. Gitelson prepares and manages event budgets, subcontractors, timelines, creative design, venues, entertainment and is a proven negotiator. She is a proven negotiator with each aspect of event production. On event day she effectively oversees load-in, catering operations, design set-up, and rehearsals. Ms. Gitelson works with clients to develop event concepts and themes; once set, she coordinates the production elements of the event and 'calls' any program or show. Among her many skills, she has particular expertise in production elements including all audio and video aspects and advanced digital media.
Recently, Ms. Gitelson was the director of production for The Air Force Memorial Dedication Weekend, a three-day celebration covering five different events and over 40-50,000 people, including President George W. Bush, our nation's veterans, military officers, general public, and celebrities. Our efforts with the Air Force Memorial Dedication weekend have earned The Webster Group an international nomination for best nonprofit event for 2006 by the International Special Events Society (ISES).
She has produced events for Common Sense Media, Air Force Memorial Foundation, The Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary, The National Building Museum, National Sleep Foundation and Fight for Children, Inc.
Prior to her work at The Webster Group, Ms. Gitelson was Director of Production for Orr Associates, Inc. (OAI), a DC-based fundraising and events management firm. Ms. Gitelson also worked in the fashion industry for Ralph Lauren handling public relations and special events for his retail stores in New York City. She then moved to Washington, DC, and was introduced to the nonprofit world by working for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as director of special events.
A graduate of the University of Maryland, Ms. Gitelson is a native Washingtonian. She resides in Maryland with her husband and two children.
Wendy Solhan is a consultant to The Webster Group. She brings to the company many years of experience in marketing and business development management for public/private partnership organizations in south Florida, where she resided for 25 years. Prior to her association with The Webster Group, Wendy was director of marketing and cultural tourism development for the Sarasota County Arts Council, and held the positions of vice-president of funding and development and vice-president of marketing for the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, the region’s official economic development organization. Wendy’s proven skills range from building strategic private and public sector alliances and developing sustainable funding programs to conceiving and managing production of supporting communications, including art, editorial and business management of national and regional magazines. Wendy’s background in the for-profit sector includes several years as an advertising account executive for Palm Beach Life Magazine, a Cox Enterprises, Inc. publication; and as co-owner and co-director of a retail art gallery serving individual and corporate clients throughout the south Florida region.
Ms. Solhan has given her time to many non-profit organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Safe Harbor Animal Rescue, the Florida Department of Children and Families, and several arts in education programs. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Vermont and has completed over 200 hours of seminar coursework in business development, marketing, economic development and publishing. Ms. Solhan has one grown child and lives with her husband in Virginia.
Lindsay Robbins, Associate Director
Lindsay Robbins graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication.
As an Associate Director for The Webster Group, Ms. Robbins has worked with a variety of clients on marketing, fundraising, strategic planning and development projects. These clients include the Pentagon Memorial Fund’s Memorial Dedication, Georgetown University Law Center’s Sandra Day O’Connor Project on the State of the Judiciary, the Deafness Research Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, and Texas State Society of Washington, DC’s 2009 Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball.
In addition to her work at The Webster Group, Ms. Robbins has also recently worked on events with AARP, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and The Epilepsy Foundation.
Prior to joining The Webster Group, Ms. Robbins gained experience in event planning while interning at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, in Washington, DC. She worked in the Major Gifts Department, where she was involved with major Center events such as Jazz in Our Time, Millennium Stage Celebration, and Spring Gala.
Ms. Robbins also interned at Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM). She assisted in the planning and execution of 2006 Summit, a premier educational marketing and management conference. These positions have provided Ms. Robbins with invaluable experiences and opportunities. Ms. Robbins' event planning and management skills are also aided by her four years of sales experience.
Pasan Sumathipala, Associate Director of Accounting
Pasan Sumathipala has more than fifteen years of accounting, financial management and auditing experience.
As the Associate Director of Accounting for The Webster Group, Mr. Sumathipala manages the accounting department.
Prior to joining The Webster Group, Mr. Sumathipala was at Tedia Company in Fairfield, Ohio. In addition, he has worked with multinational organization in Sri Lanka with his professional accounting qualifications obtained from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.
A graduate of Cincinnati State Technical College, Ohio. Mr. Sumathipala migrated to the United States in 2003 and currently resides in Maryland with his wife.
Jacquelyne M. Willis, Director
Jacquelyne Willis brings over fifteen years of experience in fundraising, event and, sponsorship benefits, contract negotiations, copy writing and committee management to this team.
As director, event marketing and production management for The Webster Group, Ms. Willis coordinates the event and conference management, production, fundraising, marketing aspects for our clients.
Jacquelyne M. Willis brings a wealth of experience to the Webster Group as director of marketing and production. With more than 18 years in a variety of corporate philanthropic positions, Ms. Willis develops and delivers exceptional messages that heighten brand identity and market share.
Ms. Willis previously held numerous high-level marketing and community affairs positions with some of the nation's preeminent networks. Most recently, she excelled for eight years as vice president, special events & sponsorship at the cable giant BET Networks, a division of Viacom. Ms. Willis' accolades include the management of local, national and international event productions that intensified awareness and excitement of televised programming events and corporate public affairs initiatives.
Prior to BET, Ms. Willis spent more than nine years at the renowned Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) advancing to senior director, special events & conference management. She developed many distinguished special event programs and promotions, including producing the annual meetings of PBS national affiliates drawing more than 2,000 participants.
A longtime Washingtonian and product of Howard University's communications and early childhood education programs, Ms. Willis is an active member of the area's philanthropic community. She serves on the board of directors of the local chapter of Girls Incorporated and is part of a special executive group of the metropolitan area's Boys and Girls Club. Ms. Willis is also a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
Amy Dickstein is one of Webster’s newest associates, joining in August 2008. Since then, she has worked with a variety of clients, including the Pentagon Memorial Fund, Family Services, and the Châteauville Foundation.
Prior to joining The Webster Group, Ms. Dickstein worked for Smithfield Foods as a marketing intern, assisting with a complete package redesign. In addition to her familiarity with marketing materials, Ms. Dickstein does have past event management experience from four years on her college’s programming board. Planning and implementing concerts, festivals and speakers for both the campus and the community has given her invaluable hands-on experience.
Ms. Dickstein graduated from the College of William & Mary with a degree in marketing and a minor in history. While attending, she participated in several student organizations in addition to the programming board, as well as spending a semester abroad in Italy. Raising over $15,000 for Orphanage Outreach to send a volunteer team to the Dominican Republic started Ms. Dickstein’s efforts in fundraising. She is excited to build on these skills and learn all that she can as a member of the Webster Group.
Joyce Knoer, Production Associate
Joyce Knoer joined the Webster Group in June of 2008 after graduating in May from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration and Marketing.
Ms. Knoer developed an interest in event planning and non-profit work through a marketing internship with the United Way. Ms. Knoer also interned at a special event and marketing firm in Minnesota, where she helped to market and produce various recreation and sports related events.
During her college career, Ms. Knoer studied in Rome, Italy and her love for travel continues. As a new Washington, DC resident, she enjoys taking advantage of all that the city has to offer. She is very happy to be a part of the Webster Group team and is excited to continue developing her skills in the event planning industry.
Alexandra Libby, a native Washingtonian, joined The Webster Group in March, 2008. She has worked with a variety of clients on marketing, production, fundraising and business development projects. These clients include the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, the Department of Homeland Security’s Annual Security Conference, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Women Chefs & Restaurateurs, and the Texas State Society of Washington, DC’s 2009 Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball and Texas Fair.
Ms. Libby attended the Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, MD and majored in Geological and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University. Prior to joining The Webster Group, Ms. Libby was a mining engineer at Brown & Caldwell, an environmental engineering and consulting firm in Phoenix, AZ. She has always taken an active interest in charitable work. She was a volunteer tutor for The Latino Student Fund in Washington, DC for four years, and went on to serve as the Chair of their Young Benefactors’ Committee for their Annual Gala in April, 2008. She has also planned and hosted a successful fundraiser for The Polaris Project, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC that combats human trafficking and assists victims of it.
After working in the Americas Marketing Division of IBM for 9 years, Stacey Manning left the marketing world to pursue a career in event planning. She enjoys planning corporate meetings and conferences as well as weddings and other social celebrations. Ms. Manning most recently held the position of Associate Planner at Finishing Touches Events in Bethesda, Maryland, where she gained experience planning weddings and non-profit events in the DC Metropolitan area.
Ms. Manning graduated from the College of William & Mary in Virginia and obtained her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Maryland in 2003. In 2006, she completed the Event Management Certificate Program at George Washington University and became an active member of the International Special Events Society’s DC Chapter.
Since joining The Webster Group in January, 2008, Ms. Manning has worked with a variety of clients including the Family Services Agency, The Women’s Center, Summer Opera Theater Company, Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy, and the Lupus Foundation of America.
Ms. Manning lives in Olney, MD with her husband, Kris, their Australian Shepherd and two cats.
Mae Pugeda joined the Webster Group as an associate in August 2008. Prior to working at the company, she was a marketing associate at the Advisory Board Company, sharing best-practice healthcare research with top-performing hospitals nationwide.
Graduating from Georgetown University as an International Health major in 2007, Ms. Pugeda has worked with a variety of non-profit organizations in their planning and implementation of health-promotion events and conferences. She interned abroad in Perth, Australia at Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services, an Aboriginal health clinic. There, she coordinated events for their Health Promotions Unit including a community health fair and a women’s health awareness day. She also interned at Asian American LEAD, a non-profit organization advocating to increase the opportunities and abilities of low-income Asian American children.
While at Georgetown, Ms. Pugeda was the captain of the Hoya Dance Team and volunteered at both Cesar Chavez Public Charter School and Asian American LEAD as an after-school dance instructor and cheerleading coach. Through her various experiences with health promotion, Ms. Pugeda has found a passion for planning events (big or small) in the hopes of making a difference and sending an important message out to the greater community. She is enthusiastic to continue growing and developing these skills at the Webster Group.