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The CAM Team

Chicago Association Management has over 30 years of experience working with both major corporations and local associations with consistent success. We offer a team-based approach, assigning an Executive Director and an Association Management Specialist to your account. Our Senior Management Team will also be actively engaged throughout our business relationship to navigate the successful vision and end results you want to achieve.

Managing Director

Ed Graziano (He/Him)
Managing Director
Ed founded Chicago Association Management (CAM) in 2010 as a natural extension of Corporate Event Interactive (CEI) that he founded in 1987. Ed has been building business relationships, overseeing projects and providing strategic thinking and leadership ever since. Ed has helped expand both CEI and CAM to highly-respected firms within the meetings and events industry. Ed leads CAM’s association management business, which currently manages the day-to-day operations, conferences and events for over fourteen professional organizations.
“Ed and his team have become part of our ILCBA family. They are professional, highly organized and responsive. Equally important they allow our leadership team to enjoy the many benefits of being actively engaged in a professional association of your peers, without all the clerical responsibilities bogging us down.”
Mona Naser

Past-President, Illinois Creditors Bar Association

Senior Management Team

John L. Augustyniak (He/Him)
Senior Director of Association Management
John comes to CAM with over 30 plus years experience in the Association Management field specializing in the areas of operational management, governance, leadership development, strategic planning, membership development, and meetings and event planning. John has worked with both professional societies and trade associations with memberships ranging from 300 to over 8,000 members assisting them in realizing and maximizing their potential.  A born and raised Chicagoan, John now resides with his husband in Milwaukee, WI.

Angela McLaughlin (She/Her)
Director of Association Management, Bar Associations & Nonprofit Fundraising Organizations
Angela McLaughlin brings over 30 years of experience across creative industries, not-for-profit, and public sectors, starting in arts and events management in Ireland. Skilled in project development, strategic planning, financial management, fundraising, marketing, and HR, she joined Chicago Association Management in 2021 as Senior Association Manager. Angela holds bachelor’s degrees in Music and English, a master’s in Arts Management, and is a certified life coach. She serves on the board of the Chicago Irish Film Festival and supports various arts and cultural organizations in the city.

Shelbi Hoffman (She/Her)
Director of Association Management Software
Shelbi brings an extensive marketing background with experience in both traditional and web platforms. She has over 25 years experience in marketing and over 10 years experience working specifically with associations. Her experience as a business owner provides a vast range of talents that enable Shelbi to create customized solutions for associations. She is an innovative and versatile thinker with excellent communication skills and a proven ability to deliver results. Shelbi thrives on a challenge and welcomes opportunities to grow in new areas.

Dhrumal (Dhru) Bhatt, MBA
Association Manager & Marketing and Outreach Specialist
Dhru has over 30 years of experience as an Executive Director for national and international associations, specializing in developing diverse revenue streams beyond memberships and sponsorships. His expertise spans medical, dental, legal, technical, scientific, philanthropic, educational, environmental, financial, and other nonprofit organizations. Dhru holds an MBA in Marketing and a Bachelor’s in Organizational Communication from Roosevelt University. His skills include SEO, SEM, SMO, SMM, mobile app strategies, society management, event planning, financial stability, brand positioning, leadership development, strategic planning, and fostering profitable relationships to enhance organizational growth and success.

Linda Whitlock (She/Her)
Executive Producer & Team Building
Linda has designed and executed thousands of interactive events for over 20 years, making innovation and customization integral to Corporate Event Interactive’s (CEI) business model. This, in combination with her leadership and producing acumen, make each event a new experience. An active contributor to the meetings and events industry, Linda is Past President and Board Member of ILEA-Chicago Chapter and plays a key role in several MPI committees. She has guided CEI as President since 2000, earning multiple awards, including: Best Team Building Company, Best Vendor and numerous NICE Awards.

Bill Grusich, CMP- Fellow Emeritus, FASAE 
Association Outreach Specialist
Bill is a household name in the meetings and events industry and a great friend to so many association management professionals.  From his decade long outreach positions with Fairmont Hotels, 2 plus decades owning his own hotel representation firm (Hinton & Grusich) focusing mostly on the Association community, and 13 years as the Senior VP of Sales for Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), Bill is surely a great ally for associations and helping them grow!

Association Managers

Mike Andersen (He/Him)
Association Manager
Since the early 2000s, Michael has navigated the event planning landscape with finesse, holding key positions in leading Destination Management Companies and executing high-profile contracts for renowned marketing agencies nationwide. Michael has successfully managed up to 200 events annually, showcasing his expertise and unwavering positive demeanor under pressure. A Chicago native at heart, Michael balances his professional commitments with his love for adventure and sports. He remains a loyal Chicago Bears fan while also embracing the Detroit Lions as his adopted team.
RJ Coleman (He/Him)
Association Manager
RJ joined the CAM team in 2023 as a communications professional, seasoned creative, and project manager. Previously, he worked for a national residential solar company as an Executive Escalation Specialist and later the Supervisor of Sales Commissions. Earlier, RJ was an Account Executive for a Chicago event marketing agency. RJ has experience in executive summit sales, corporate training, and was a national spokesperson for an edtech startup. RJ holds a theater/acting degree, with numerous stage, TV, and film appearances.

Anita L. Daniel, CMP (She/Her)
Association Manager
Anita is an experienced Event Planner and Program Manager with over 20 years of servicing Chicagoland trade association members in education, healthcare, business leadership, and toys/games. Anita specializes in logistics for trade shows, meetings & conferences, as well as cross-functional team collaboration. With a degree in International Studies from Miami University of Ohio, Anita has a passion for promoting cross-cultural learning and diversity. In her free time Anita attends Board Game Meetups and hangs out with her husband and six kitties.

Kay Gonzalez (She/Her)
Association Manager
Kay Gonzalez is an experienced Non‐Profit Association Manager with a diverse expertise in membership recruitment/retention, sponsorship, database management, and event administration. She excels in expanding member benefits and non-dues revenue, providing strategic marketing guidance to grow associations. Kay is known for exceptional customer service and building strong client relationships. Her background underscores her deep appreciation for detail, organization, and effective communication in the nonprofit sector. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, creating sensory crafts, and spending time with her family and dog.

Cynthia Hayes (She/Her)
Association Manager
Cynthia is a Chicago native with a love of global travel, culinary adventures, and meeting new people. She has over two decades of experience in events working with groups to build connections and master technology around the country within a group and solo as well. She likes to find solutions before a problem arises with less energy expounded; seeing others enjoy themselves is the proverbial scoop of cream atop the apple pie. Ask her which languages she’s studied, about plants, or food, and watch her eyes shimmer!     
Jennifer Heffernan (She/Her)
Association Manager
Jennifer brings a wealth of marketing experience to Chicago Association Management.  Her diverse background includes project management, marketing communications planning, creating e-mail marketing campaigns, event and trade show planning, client relationship building, budgeting, financial reporting and the ability to effectively communicate thoughts and ideas. She is passionate about marketing and finds great satisfaction in seeing a project from conception to implementation.  With a Master’s degree in Marketing Communications Jennifer offers a healthy balance of creative and analytical input to any project.

Brian Lavelle (He/Him)
Association Manager
Brian brings considerable experience in membership management, project management, event planning, and communications to CAM. Prior to joining CAM in 2024, he spent five years as membership and communications director for a professional member association. His CV also includes nearly two decades as a communications director and broadcaster for professional and junior hockey teams. Originally from the Boston area, Brian is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire. He now resides on Chicago’s North Side.

Michael Micek (He/Him)
Association Manager & Outreach Specialist
Michael is an innovative, results-driven leader with decades of business ownership experience. He excels in client service and developing people and organizations to their highest potential. His high energy and team-oriented approach foster positive relationships and maximize performance. Michael’s diverse experience includes roles as a businessman, non-profit board member, fundraiser and national choreographer/dancer. He also loves waterskiing and enjoying time with family and friends.

Scott Westerman (He/Him)
Association Manager
Scott is a seasoned arts administrator, producer, and educator. His experience operating non-profit organizations is extensive having managed projects and productions for various theatre companies, universities, and arts institutions for over 30 years. Scott received his MFA from The George Washington University, has performed on stages and screens all over the country, and is an award winning filmmaker. Scott has a passion for traveling with his wife and kid. If he could choose any super power it would be teleportation.
Sarah Witt (She/Her)
Association Manager
Sarah is an accomplished association, event, and project management professional with over a decade of experience. Her passion for helping organizations succeed is matched by her dedication to hard work and integrity. Sarah excels in communication, interpersonal relations, analytical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership. She thrives on tackling challenges head-on. Based in the suburbs of Chicago, Sarah shares her home with her partner and two cats. In her leisure time, she indulges in crafting, photography, antiquing, and discovering unique places to visit.
Barbara Wahler, LCSW, ObISB (She/Her)
Association Manager
Barbara spent over 30 years as a school counselor/social worker at institutions such as Notre Dame High School for Girls and Acero Charter School Network. She is a psychotherapist in private practice at Re-Visioning Your Life and online at BetterHelp. Most recently she has been a Managing Director at You Are A Star. In her “spare” time, Barbara is involved in two book clubs, an IPO in Rogers Park (Network 49), a community chorus, antiracism work, and generally trying to make the world a better place!
Elmer Haneberg (He/Him)
Association Manager
Elmer is a dedicated professional with over three decades of managerial experience in the non-profit sector. From founding neighborhood organizations to leading as Executive Director and chairing major initiatives like the Chicago National Scout Jamboree Contingent, his leadership spans diverse roles. Elmer holds a JD and M.Div, bringing a unique blend of analytical rigor and social justice awareness to volunteer and association management. Recognized as Chicago’s 35th Ward Volunteer of the Year, he continues to inspire and lead with a lifelong commitment to learning and community service.

Ryan Anderson (He/Him)
Association Manager, Special Projects
Ryan has a M.S. in Sustainable Solutions from Arizona State University and dual bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Electronic Journalism from Butler University. A 2016 National Academies Fellow, he brings extensive environmental non-profit management experience, previously overseeing programs like Midwest Grows Green, Tick IPM Working Group, Pest Defense for Healthy Schools and Green Shield Certified. In his free time, Ryan plays ultimate frisbee and runs an annual ultimate frisbee tournament to fundraise for Midwest Grows Green.

Association Coordinators

Kaitlin Cadagin (She/Her)
Association Coordinator Manager
Kaitlin is a hard-working and self-motivated young professional with a passion for community engagement and professional development. With an undergraduate degree in Education from Illinois State University, Kaitlin is now pursing a Masters in Management from University of Illinois’ College of Business. Kaitlin strengthens the CAM team by always remaining calm under pressure, staying diligently organized, and prioritizing positive and effective communication. A fun fact about Kaitlin is that she is an avid music lover (all genres) and HAS to attend at least one live concert a month!

Dani Feigenberg (She/Her)
Association Coordinator
Dani hails from Lincoln Park and is dog mom to the goodest boy, Finley. For over 10 years, Dani has been honing her abilities and experience in sales, customer service, and operations. Having developed her skills across various industries, including F&B/hospitality, DMC management, and logistics, Dani brings her attention to detail, innovative problem-solving, and creativity to the table. On her days off, Dani spends time developing her creative brand, “Goddess Grove Studio,” and can most likely be found crocheting in a comfy corner.

Shawn Jezak (She/Her)
Association & Membership Coordinator
Shawn has over 17 years of experience in the association management industry, specializing in member support and outreach. Shawn is detail-oriented and customer-service-driven. She helps association members connect with each other and with the services that support their professional development. Shawn likes to think outside the box and develop creative solutions.
Lauren Plavnick (She/Her)
Association Coordinator
With years of experience in both the nonprofit and association industries, Lauren loves to help members by using her top-notch communication skills. Whether it be data analysis or prompt customer service, Lauren excels at fostering associations’ growth guiding them to realize their full potential. She’s an outgoing individual who is extremely resourceful and a fast learner, so taking on new projects and learning the ins and outs is one of her favorite things.

Victoria Ruiz (She/Her)
Association Coordinator
Victoria Ruiz (Vic) brings four years of experience in marketing and coordination to the team. Her strengths include exceptional interpersonal skills, great problem-solving and the ability to forge valuable connections. A fun fact about Vic is that she is bilingual, which helps her engage with diverse communities effectively.

Jodi Whitlock (She/Her)
Association Coordinator
Jodi has been involved with events for 30 years and association management since 2008. She can occasionally be spotted on team building programs and running around the University of Illinois College of Medicine, where she also plans events and wellness programming. She resides in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, and is currently working on her Masters in Health Professions Education, which she is hoping to finish sometime in 2026!

Finance Team

Rebecca Harbeck (She/Her)
Director of Finance
As our Director of Finance, Rebecca is the architect of fiscal success at CAM. With a strong foundation in finance and a commitment to optimizing financial performance, she steers our organization toward profitability. Rebecca manages budgeting, financial planning, and compliance, ensuring that our financial operations run seamlessly. Her dedication to precision and teamwork is integral to our success and makes her an invaluable asset to our team. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys playing pickleball and teaching ESL.

Ammie Galvez-Holt (She/Her)
Bookkeeper
Ammie joined CAM in February 2024 as a Bookkeeper with over 4 years of experience in finance and accounting. She’s held roles in both private and non-profit sectors, including as a Bookkeeper-Program Accountant. Originally from the Philippines, Ammie has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration-Financial Management from Wesleyan University-Philippines and joined a Cultural Exchange Program in New York City in 2019. She believes if we recognize the value that each person holds, we can better understand one another and we can work together for impactful positive change.

Shiying Lei (She/Her)
Bookkeeper
Shiying (Mandarin: pronounced “Shuh-yeeng”; Cantonese: pronounced “See-yeeng”) is a dedicated bookkeeper currently employed at CAM. She specializes in maintaining and analyzing financial records for associations and nonprofit clients. Shiying has previously worked at the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and AM Center, where she improved financial processes and accuracy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Fluent in both Mandarin and Cantonese, Shiying brings strong organizational skills and attention to detail to her team.

Carrie Wright (She/Her)
Financial Specialist
Carrie brings over 20 years of experience in the accounting and customer service industry to our team. With a love of numbers and her strong analytical skills, she is able to accurately assist customers in a clear and concise manner to show the most profitability. She believes in teamwork, learning new things and taking on challenges. She has a passion to help everyone achieve their greatest goals and to exceed expectations. Carrie is actively involved with her 4 children’s school, their sports and her community.

Marketing & Communications Team

Katie Pearson (She/Her)
Director of Marketing and Communications, Graphic Designer
Following her third-grade teacher’s advice, Kate’s parents sent her to art school, sparking her journey into graphic design and marketing. With vast industry experience, she uses her favorite words (ADOBE, JOY, and FLEXIBILITY) to craft strategic marketing plans. Kate has worked with Big Ten Athletic teams, hall of fames, corporate branding, non-profits, and start-ups. Fun fact: she met her husband while working at Iowa’s First Tiny House Festival. Regardless of your budget, project or timeline, she brings the same passion and energy to make you shine.
Katherine Kot (She/Her)
Lead Social Media Strategist
Katie has spent her professional career in the public relations and marketing arena. With a degree in multimedia journalism and mass communications, her passion for social media implementation and film has always been at center stage. Katie has implemented social media strategies and consulted associations on best social posting practices to drive engagement, growth and impressions. Her experience in journalism, photography and film go hand-in-hand with her push for original content creation across all social platforms.
Megan Evans (She/Her)
Director of Design & Lead Graphic Designer
Megan brings a wealth of expertise in graphic design and digital marketing. With an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a minor in Marketing & Communications, Megan also completed a two-year advertising portfolio school in Atlanta, Georgia, focusing on Graphic Design and Art Direction. She excels in leveraging her creative skills to develop cohesive digital and print campaigns, combining visual designs with robust marketing strategies. Her passion for creativity and strategic thinking makes her an invaluable asset in cultivating impactful marketing initiatives.  
Saylor Boss (She/Her)
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Saylor earned a degree in Organizational Communication from Michigan State University and brings a passion for quality work, teamwork, and continuous learning to her role on the CAM team. Her primary focus includes managing client website updates and email marketing campaigns. Throughout her tenure at CAM, Saylor has actively participated in diverse projects beyond marketing, enhancing her skill set and fulfilling her curiosity for new knowledge. Outside of work, she enjoys adventuring with her dog, reading, and volunteering with police horses.
Kara Spreng (She/Her)
Graphic Designer
Kara holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Michigan State University. With a deep understanding of visual communication and design, she is a skilled designer driven by her passion for creativity and media. The core values that guide Kara’s work include adaptability, strong communication, and dependability, all of which ensure the delivery of exceptional results for our clients. A fun fact about Kara is that she was born on leap day!

Keiaffa Levi (She/Her)
Social Media Strategist
Keiaffa is dedicated to transforming brands and individuals into digital powerhouses through purpose-driven engagement and impactful social media strategies. Her journey began with a passion for social media management, and she has since become a trusted expert in the field. Keiaffa’s extensive experience includes developing comprehensive social media strategies, providing insights on social media trends and analytics, managing high-profile accounts, and driving measurable growth for her clients. Keiaffa began her social media career overseas when she and her husband moved to Germany during his military service.

Jennifer Lane
Graphic Designer
Jennifer’s passion for marketing and design began in high school on the yearbook staff. She has worked with companies like Fujitsu Network Communications, Sarreid Ltd, and US Foods Inc., blending her creative side while still utilizing her technical and organizational skills. Jennifer’s bubbly personality easily shines in collaboration and engagement and she genuinely has fun planning, developing, and executing large group events and sales activities, which round out the full spectrum of the creative and energetic side of the business.

Stephanie Mizell (She/Her)
Graphic Designer
With a degree in Graphic Communications, Stephanie is proud to serve on the Marketing team. With over 15 years of experience in the dynamic field of marketing, her journey has been a colorful blend of creativity and strategy. Stephanie’s professional voyage has been marked by versatility. From designing captivating visuals to steering social media strategies, email campaigns, website design, she has demonstrated expertise in various areas. Stephanie has dedicated over a decade to the sector, honing skills in Adobe, Design, Layout, Social Media Management, Video and Digital Marketing, and Email Marketing. 

 

Meetings & Events Team

Kelly O’Brien (She/Her)
Director of Meeting & Events
Kelly is a seasoned corporate event and meeting planner with over 25 years of experience. She has built relationships with key vendors, executed hundreds of successful events, and managed everything from educational seminars, conferences, and tradeshows to large-scale client entertainment events. Kelly holds a Bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago. Based in the Greater Chicago Area, she continues to thrive in the field of special events and production management, utilizing her extensive experience and impeccable attention to detail to create memorable and successful events for her clients.

Dana Pikowitz (She/They)
Events Coordinator & Employee Liaison
With over ten years of management experience spanning several fields, Dana is equipped with an arsenal of skills. Her vast experience includes retail management, product and corporate training, human resources management and theatrical production. She is a creative and energetic collaborator, resulting in fresh ideas and artist results. A Chicago native, Dana can be found at local events and street fests; quite often accompanied by her fur-baby, Puppy.

Larry Boyce Jr. (He/Him)
Registrar & Member Services
Larry enjoyed 36 years of employment at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago before transitioning to franchise owner / operator of a small business. He is ultra-organized and focused on the details of every task and project he tackles. Larry is service-oriented and adept at providing customer and client satisfaction. Communication and cooperation are keys to Larry’s success! He prioritizes and enjoys making enjoyable, laughter-filled memories with his family and friends.

Operations & Support Team

Seth Blumenthal (He/Him)
Business Operations Consultant
Seth is a business owner, operator, and seasoned nonprofit professional with extensive experience in association governance, technology, healthcare policy, and interoperability. He has led the National Quality Registry Network, advised the American Medical Association on federal programs, and launched an independent association. Seth excels at building coalitions, transforming ideas into validated initiatives, and leading strategic projects to successful outcomes. His expertise includes early-stage technology innovation, performance management, and program development. He is also the co-owner of the Lemon cocktail bar.

About CAM

CAM provides a wide range of professional association management services to organizations nationwide.

Chicago Association Management

a Division of Corporate Event
Enterprises, Inc.
400 East Randolph St.
Suite 3115
Chicago, IL 60601