Columbia SC
Event Team
Bernita Cooper
Host
Lives in
- Hemingwa
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Cooking
Profession
- Public Relations & Social Media
Jacqueline Keisler
Host
Lives in
- Lexington
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Reading
Profession
-
Bianca Shelton
Host
Lives in
- Columbia
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
LaSheba Boyd
Head Leader
Lives in
- Blythewood
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Tonya Green
Group Leader
Lives in
- Elgin
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Cherise Singleton
Group Leader
Lives in
- Columbia
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Kimberly Stubbs
Group Leader
Lives in
- Columbia
Motto
- Life is too Short to drink bad wine...
Hobbies
- Wine
Profession
- Public Health
James Agens
Table Leader
Lives in
- Lexington
Motto
- Find a way or make one
Hobbies
- Gardening
Profession
- Communications
Winnie Brown
Table Leader
Lives in
- Columbia
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Educator
Jessica Burton
Table Leader
Lives in
- Blythewood
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Tiffanney Conrad
Table Leader
Lives in
- Columbia
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Lawanda English
Table Leader
Lives in
- Fairfax
Motto
- “You don’t need the image; just be you.”
Hobbies
- Sports
Profession
- Project Controls Engineer
Paige Fennell
Table Leader
Lives in
- Columbia
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Keonye Johnson
Table Leader
Lives in
- Elgin
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Art
Profession
- Senior Vice President; Business Control Manager
Lanita Jones
Table Leader
Lives in
- Columbia
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Wykeisha Lewis
Table Leader
Lives in
- Columbia
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Jamesetta Lovett
Table Leader
Lives in
- West Columbia
Motto
- Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- IT Professional & Realtor
Vernetta Mack
Table Leader
Lives in
- Elgin
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Shopping
Profession
- Client Manager
Mar-Rose Riley
Table Leader
Lives in
- Columbia
Motto
- 01101979
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Brittany Sumter
Table Leader
Lives in
- Columbia
Motto
- “Success lies just beyond your comfort zone!”
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Registered Nurse
International team
Sandy Safi
Chief Executive Officer
Having started her career onstage in the performing arts, Sandy's love of the entertainment sector brought her to work in special events in 15 countries over the years. She has developed and managed large-scale concerts in Dubai, worked in the Opera world at prestigious locations such as the Los Angeles Opera, the Casino de Paris, and Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu, and finally started her adventure with Diner en Blanc in 2011, when she applied her network and her experience to facilitate the first American Diner en Blanc in New York. She co-founded Diner en Blanc International in 2012, and then became the sole owner of the Diner en Blanc trademark and company in 2022. Above all, Sandy seeks to encourage creativity and connect culinary communities around the world.
Chantal Blanchard
Public Relations Specialist
As a publicist in the world of entertainment, Chantal was fortunate enough to travel the world for many years with Cirque du Soleil. Those amazing years on the road gave her the opportunity to somewhat satisfy her thirst for everything that is lifestyle i.e. food, wine, cocktails, fashion, urban life, architecture, design, etc. As Chantal would say “this career path and passion for all that is good in life predestined her to join the team of Diner en Blanc International.
Lucia Sacco
Accounting & HR
Lucia brings over 2 decades of administrative and accounting experience to Diner en Blanc International. She has worked in the event planning industry since 2007 whereby she occupied the position of Accounting Director and Office Manager. “I feel blessed to be able to combine my organizational skills and passion for bringing events to life towards a career at Diner en Blanc International,” says Lucia. Her interpersonal skills are an asset when communicating with hosts and dealing with accounting specialists or government offices, all the while maintaining a high level of integrity.
Zina Acherir
Project Manager
Zina is a passionate and creative professional with concrete organizational and planning skills. Her educational background in event management allows her to innovate, communicate and visually translate ideas and visions to memorable experiences. Zina enjoys networking, planning, and travelling. "Working at Diner en Blanc International allows me to practice my passion on a daily basis and gives me the opportunity to meet amazing hosts all around the world, which also gives me the advantage of learning about different cultures and how other cities manage events."
Jennifer Soto
Project Manager
Jennifer’s experience in management in the education sector gives her the perfect balance of leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. She loves working with hosts around the world, helping them plan their events in an organized and timely manner, while showing empathy and understanding of each city’s differences and needs. “I feel privileged to work with the team of Diner En Blanc International and be surrounded by culture, diversity, food, music, and friendship.”
Fiorella Arbanil
Client Relations & Business Development
With over two decades of service in customer relations and twelve years of sales experience, Fiorella brings a wealth of expertise to her current role in Client Relations and Business Development. It is her mission to identify and secure hosts to produce Le Diner en Blanc events in cities worldwide. With a bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, and social media management, she has cultivated a strong foundation for driving strategic growth and fostering enduring client partnerships, and she is committed to expanding the reach and impact of Diner en Blanc globally.
Axelle Pierresteguy
IT Support & Project Manager
Axelle is a dynamic and youthful employee who has brought fresh and innovative ideas to the success of Le Diner en Blanc over the past few years. With a forward-thinking mindset and a talent for finding creative solutions, Axelle brings a vibrant energy to her work. She has always had a passion for the arts, including music, dance, theater, and filmmaking. Once she realized she could combine her love for the arts with her skills in managing and creating, she knew that the event-planning world was the perfect fit for her.
David Gallego
Full Stack Developer
David is a passionate software developer who brings creativity and dedication to every project. He believes that helping others meet their goals is how we drive innovation and create meaningful change. He also possesses the ability to adapt to different situations and offer a unique perspective which enriches discussions and fosters a culture of creative problem-solving.
