Our Team
Terramar DMC is comprised of hundreds of team members and staff across all of our destinations. Every member of our team is top notch in their field of expertise.
Below is a portion of our award-winning team with many more working behind the scenes to make your program flawless.
Global Team
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Global Director of
Strategic Partnership
Elizabeth@
TerramarDMC.com
Regional Vice President
of Sales, LATAM
Julia.Trejo@
TerramarDMC.com
-
Julia is an award-winning DMC professional of 35 years, half of which have been with Terramar. She has a true passion for incentive programs and is an advocate for how incentive travel can effectively motivate business for growth. During her time at Terramar, Julia has helped in the success of our offices in Los Cabos, Panama and ultimately Puerto Vallarta where she currently lives. She has visited dozens of countries and enjoys vacationing in big, cosmopolitan cities such as Singapore, New York and Barcelona with her husband and son. Her dirty little secret is watching reality shows from Spain.
-
Eternal optimist, Elizabeth Giron, came from 14+ years in the DMC world. With over 20 + years of Corporate Sales experience, her comprehensive business development portfolio and hospitality background combined with her quest to create the ideal guest experience makes her a great asset to Terramar. Receiving her BS in Business Administration from Loyola University Chicago, Elizabeth also understands her clientele’s missions and excels in developing long-term business partnerships. A lover of French macaroons and dancing, Elizabeth revels in exploring the world and enjoying time with her family. Elizabeth looks forward to representing the Terramar team, exposing clients to all of the unique and special adventures of the destinations and cannot wait to meet you.
Matt Robertson
Laura Lopez
Regional Director of Sales, US
MattR@
TerramarDMC.com
Regional Director of
Operations, LATAM
Laura.Lopez@
TerramarDMC.com
-
Matt’s calling is planning exceptional experiences for everyone lucky enough to visit Tahoe. His professional portfolio spans all sides of the Lake and includes 10+ years of hospitality, travel and sales experience. When he isn’t curating events, Matt enjoys plotting his own outdoor adventures. He prides himself on being able to order a cocktail in German, Czech, Italian and French, and he loves eating things he can’t pronounce in faraway places. A self-described National Parks nerd, Matt holds an MA in Russian history and has traveled to Lake Baikal, Tahoe’s Siberian sister lake.
-
Laura’s wanderlust has given her the opportunity to reside in Colorado, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, but now she calls Los Cabos home. Her 18 years in the tourism industry encompasses Hotel & Convention Sales, Group Operations, and key roles in events like the Copa America and G-20 Los Cabos. Laura is an eternal optimist and her positive demeanor, search for excellence, and readiness to make the impossible happen is a source of inspiration for her team. She enjoys movies, horseback riding and just about any outdoor activity that involves a bicycle. Her motivation is her 14-year-old son, and number one on her bucket list is traveling and mountain biking in Patagonia.
Geraldine Gracidas
Regional Director of
Operations, US
Geraldine@
TerramarDMC.com
-
Geraldine was born in Mexico and raised in an environment filled with love, tradition, discipline, and lots of relatives! Festivities focused on food and beverage were a significant part of her upbringing, and she learned the importance of being a great host and making guests feel welcome at a young age. In 2012, Geraldine moved to Los Cabos and joined the Terramar team to do what she does best. Her experience, passion and attention to detail have helped her build strong relationships with both clients and colleagues. An avid TV, movie and music lover, she enjoys traveling the world, has a goal of learning German, and is incredibly proud of her Mexican heritage.
Matt Cuevas
Sunny Irvine
-
Sunny was born and raised in Mexico and has called Los Cabos home since 1989. He graduated from the University of San Diego and was raised in the hospitality industry with a heavy emphasis on tour operations. He’s spent decades growing the family business to cover destinations across three countries. As an avid explorer and athlete, Sunny’s travels by motorcycle, plane and ship have taken him to many corners of the world, giving him a unique perspective on what clients are looking for and the experiences they’ve yet to even imagine. In his free time, you can almost always find the proud father spending time with family.
-
Matt’s impressive corporate background includes event logistics and financial experience. Before joining our team, he lived in Hong Kong while serving as the Director of Finance & Planning for TaylorMade Golf. Having participated in numerous incentive programs and conferences, he understands the needs of corporate clients. In addition to being an all-around great guy, Matt’s a scratch golfer, and excellent surfer.
Vice President of Global Engagement
Kate@
TerramarDMC.com
Lisa DeLeon, DMCP
Kate Patay, CPCE
Chief Sales Officer
Lisa@
TerramarDMC.com
-
Lisa is a proud Sierra Nevada native with 20+ years of DMC experience and a passion for sharing the region with incentive, corporate and association clients. She is actively involved with ADMEI’s Certification & Accreditation Board where she helps set the organization’s standards and policies. Mom to three amazing kids, the highlight of Lisa’s life is cheering them on from the sidelines. Travel and outdoor activities refill her cup, and this “s’mores specialist” loves sitting by a campfire watching the sunset.
-
Kate is a prominent industry professional known globally for unique events, strategic partnerships and impactful experiences. She speaks internationally on an array of topics, serves as the chair of the SEARCH Foundation, and is obsessed with Taylor Swift and getting a poodle. She specializes in destination markets and is equally passionate about the city, the beach and Wine Country, bringing enthusiasm wherever she goes.
Julia Trejo,
CMP, CIS, DMCP
Elizabeth Giron
Los Cabos Sales Team
Cheryl Miller
Michele McShane
-
Cheryl is a beach cities/SoCal native. Following a career in graphic design (Surfer Magazine) and trade show coordination (Quiksilver, Inc.), she moved to the remote East Cape of San Jose Del Cabo in 1996 and started at Terramar the following year. After raising two Terramar babies, she still strives to exceed expectations. Cheryl has won awards for her service, and more importantly, counts many of her clients as her dearest friends. When she's not working, you can find her in the garden, cooking, or processing fish for her waterman husband.
-
Michele’s career in tourism spans 40+ years between the U.S. and Mexico. A proud Vermonter, she traded the green mountain home of Ben & Jerry’s for Baja’s desert terrain in 1990 and holds a BS in Travel & Tourism and a BA in Spanish. Michele’s travels to 46 countries and 5 continents shaped her outlook on her hospitality career, which has included incentive house operations, hotel sales, and two decades with Terramar Los Cabos. A dedicated Mom to one daughter, when not at her computer, she enjoys a culinary adventure, creating florals, and can’t say no to a good shoe sale!
Luis Montoya, CIS, CMS
Group Sales Manager
Luis.Montoya@
TerramarDMC.com
-
Luis began his career with Terramar 17 years ago and likes to refer to Los Cabos as living in paradise. Each day is a learning experience, and he continues striving for excellence and sharing his insider knowledge with clients. Any free time that Luis has is spent deep sea fishing in the ocean with the high hopes of one day reeling in the “trophy billfish”. On land, he enjoys spending time with his family, taking in a local game of baseball, or escaping to one of the many desert ranches that the Baja peninsula has to offer.
Senior Sales Manager
Michele.McShane@
TerramarDMC.com
Senior Sales Manager
Cheryl.Miller@
TerramarDMC.com
Cancun Sales Team
Brisa Kumul
Elsa Castillo
Director of Group Sales
Brisa.Kumul@
TerramarDMC.com
Group Sales Manager
Elsa.Castillo@TerramarDMC.com
-
Brisa was born and raised in Cancun, Mexico, giving her a unique perspective on the destination's growth. With nearly 20 years in the hospitality industry, 16 of them with DMCs, she is passionate about meticulously planning events that showcase her hometown and Mayan heritage. Brisa loves swimming in the Riviera Maya's cenotes and spending time outdoors with her family and her Frenchie.
-
Elsa has a degree in Business Administration and an MBA in Marketing. She began her hospitality career more than 30 years ago in the Mexican Caribbean at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun. Her passion for tourism led her to a number of roles, which gave her in-depth knowledge of the industry and confirmed that event management was what she wanted to do. With Terramar Cancun, she’s focused on exceeding client expectations with her attention to detail and customer service focus. Elsa has contributed to the consolidation of Terramar Cancun in the MICE segment, which holds 1st place as a destination in Mexico. Her love of travel takes her to new destinations, allowing her a taste of new cultures and experiences which she incorporates into the planning of amazing and memorable events for her clients.
Regional Director
of Group Sales,
Panama + Cancun
Veronica.Villegas@
TerramarDMC.com
-
Born and raised in Mexico City, Veronica holds a college degree in Tourism Administration. She began her career working in the travel agency sector and hotel sales and brings 25 years of experience with her to the DMC side of the industry. She covers two amazing destinations (Cancun/Riviera Maya and Panama), and one of her most significant accomplishments has been training and mentoring numerous professionals, who after working with her, have been motivated to embark on a career in the same field. She has been married for over 30 years and is the proud mother of two daughters who were competitive swimmers from childhood through college. As a result, she loves watching major swim meets and competitions.
Group Sales Manager, Tulum
Miriam.Ramos@
TerramarDMC.com
Veronica Villegas, DMCP, CITP
Miriam Ramos
Luptia Leon
Valeria Villarreal
Group Sales Manager
Lupita.Leon@
TerramarDMC.com
Group Sales Executive
Valeria.Villarreal@
TerramarDMC.com
Ayleen Rodriguez
Sales Assistant
Ayleen.Rodriguez@
TerramarDMC.com
Panama Sales Team
Veronica Villegas, DMCP, CITP
Gary De León, CIS, DMCP, CITP
Regional Director
of Group Sales,
Panama + Cancun
Veronica.Villegas@
TerramarDMC.com
-
Born and raised in Mexico City, Veronica holds a college degree in Tourism Administration. She began her career working in the travel agency sector and hotel sales and brings 25 years of experience with her to the DMC side of the industry. She covers two amazing destinations (Cancun/Riviera Maya and Panama), and one of her most significant accomplishments has been training and mentoring numerous professionals, who after working with her, have been motivated to embark on a career in the same field. She has been married for over 30 years and is the proud mother of two daughters who were competitive swimmers from childhood through college. As a result, she loves watching major swim meets and competitions.
Senior Group Sales Manager
Gary.Deleon@
TerramarDMC.com
-
Gary is passionate about the meetings, conferences, incentives, and events segment. He’s been part of the industry for over 20 years, becoming a reference for many events held in Panama City. One of his main professional achievements is being the first Panamanian certified as a DMCP and one of the few CITPs in the country. He cherishes quality time with family and loves traveling with his wife and son. His favorite cities include Orlando and Barcelona. His guilty pleasures are cake and caramel flan, and he also has a love for cats.
Johanna Lara, CIS
Group Sales Manager
Johanna.Lara@
TerramarDMC.com
-
Joha, as clients usually call her, is passionate about creating memorable experiences for groups visiting Panama. With more than 15 years of experience in the hotel industry – ranging from reception and operations to sales – her hospitality career began in Miami where she discovered the joy of serving others. When she isn’t busy organizing her next event, you might find her at the beach, the movies, or planning a vacation for herself or friends. She’s passionate about meeting clients from different parts of the world and learning their roots and customs over a good cup of coffee, oftentimes forming lasting friendships.
Puerto Vallarta Sales Team
Regional Vice President
of Sales, LATAM
Julia.Trejo@
TerramarDMC.com
Group Sales Manager
Armando.Jaen@
TerramarDMC.com
Julia Trejo,
CMP, CIS, DMCP
Armando Jaén
-
Armando was born and raised in Venezuela but has called Mexico home since 2018. His background in tourism is motivated by a passion for travel, particularly to beach destinations. A certified foodie, he loves seeking out new regions and experiencing the local cuisine.
-
Julia is an award-winning DMC professional of 35 years, half of which have been with Terramar. She has a true passion for incentive programs and is an advocate for how incentive travel can effectively motivate business for growth. During her time at Terramar, Julia has helped in the success of our offices in Los Cabos, Panama and ultimately Puerto Vallarta where she currently lives. She has visited dozens of countries and enjoys vacationing in big, cosmopolitan cities such as Singapore, New York and Barcelona with her husband and son. Her dirty little secret is watching reality shows from Spain.
Northern California Sales Team
Director, International
Sales & Events
Karen@
TerramarDMC.com
Senior Director,
Meetings & Events
Sue@
TerramarDMC.com
Karen Devidé Bajraktarevic
Sue Meylan, CMP
-
Sue brings more than 16 years of professional event design, venue management, planning, and production savvy to our team. Outside the office, you can find her volunteering at Boys Hope Girls Hope San Francisco Bay Area and traveling the world–she was last spotted sleeping in the Sahara! She is also an active member of Meeting Professionals International, and is well connected within the meetings and events industry.
-
Trilingual: English/Spanish/Croatian
Karen has lived and traveled throughout three continents. Her Latin American background and Spanish-language fluency made her a key organizer for incentive trips, meetings, and events in Croatia. She also spent time supporting people with disabilities for the Sovereign Order of Malta. Karen and her husband live in the Sunset District with their lively Border Collie mix and darling kiddos Kyana and Kai.
Southern California Sales Team
-
Sara’s experience in the event and destination industry spans 20+ years with a background in corporate, incentive and social events. She's devoted to her work and loves bringing people together through the joy of food, entertainment, and decor. Her career began in the heart of Orange County at Disneyland and took her all the way to Tokyo Disneyland where she fell in love with the people and culture. This passion for all things Japanese is still a huge part of her life. She also admits to a major obsession with studying maps and searching for new adventures.
-
Kelly’s passion for planning memorable experiences has taken her to South Florida, Washington D.C., and San Diego where she’s lived with her pups since 2018. A lifelong learner, she earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Meeting & Event Management and never misses and opportunity to grow her industry knowledge. When she isn’t at an event, you can find Kelly at Coronado’s Dog Beach, curled up with a good book, or traveling the globe absorbing different cultures and cuisine. She prides herself on knowing the latest and greatest spots in her city and every place she visits.
Michelle Stansfield
Stephanie Cruz
Senior Account Manager, Palm Springs
MichelleS@
TerramarDMC.com
Account Manager
Stephanie@
TerramarDMC.com
-
Stephanie is a native San Diegan with a positive attitude and warm smile. She studied Hospitality & Event Management and is fluent in Spanish. Working in both weddings and corporate events helped her discover her passion for the corporate side of the hospitality world. An enthusiastic foodie, she loves all aspects of the local scene – cultural dishes shared with friends, pop-up dining experiences, and trendy restaurants. A self-described perfectionist, she's driven to achieve her clients' goals.
-
Michelle has a wealth of experience in the meeting and events industry, with over 20 years of working in Colorado, Central Oregon, and Palm Springs. Her journey began after obtaining a bachelor’s in Hotel & Restaurant Management and an associate's in Culinary Arts, and it didn’t’ take long before she discovered her true passion in creating events. Michelle and her family moved to Palm Springs in 2008 and have called it home ever since. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and going to Firebird Hockey games with her family, as well as taking her twins to concerts.
Taylor Green
Sales & Operations
Coordinator
Taylor@
TerramarDMC.com
-
Taylor has spent a decade in the event industry supporting corporate, non-profit and social clients. Her experiences are wide-ranging, from rentals, operations, and scheduling to sales, coordination, and planning. Her career began just out of college managing décor for large weddings in Orange County. Looking for a change of scenery, Taylor and her husband moved to Seattle, where she joined a team of corporate event planners that “brought the fun” and learned how to be a successful planner. In 2020, Taylor and her family took advantage of the opportunity to move back home to SoCal. She enjoys traveling with her family, trying new foods and experiencing the fun and adventure life has to offer!
Senior Account Manager, Orange County
Sara@
TerramarDMC.com
Kelly Truitt,
CMP, DMCP, M.S.
Sara Parrell
Director of Sales, San Diego
Kelly@
TerramarDMC.com
Tahoe + Reno Sales Team
Matt Robertson
Blossom Adler, CMP
Key Accounts Manager
Blossom@
TerramarDMC.com
Regional Director of Sales, US
MattR@
TerramarDMC.com
-
Matt’s calling is planning exceptional experiences for everyone lucky enough to visit Tahoe. His professional portfolio spans all sides of the Lake and includes 10+ years of hospitality, travel and sales experience. When he isn’t curating events, Matt enjoys plotting his own outdoor adventures. He prides himself on being able to order a cocktail in German, Czech, Italian and French, and he loves eating things he can’t pronounce in faraway places. A self-described National Parks nerd, Matt holds an MA in Russian history and has traveled to Lake Baikal, Tahoe’s Siberian sister lake.
-
Originally from Michigan, Blossom moved to Lake Tahoe to fuel her love for the mountains. She has worked in the hospitality industry for over a decade, and absolutely loves seeing groups experience memorable events. She has a passion for the outdoors and loves to incorporate it into her work. Her career path has exposed her to all sides of the meeting industry, from designing and executing incentive programs of all sizes, product launches to corporate and convention events. In Blossom's free time, you can find her enjoying the outdoors with her husband and two young boys.
Creative Team
Alix Levy,
CMP, DMCP
Karly Sahr
Designer
-
Forever drawn to special occasions of all shapes and sizes, Alix has built her career at the intersection of design, production, and client experience. She earned degrees in Visual Communication (Graphic Design) and Communication from UC Davis, laying the foundation for her career in event design. With Terramar since 2012, Alix has worked across sales and operations, providing a full-circle perspective from initial concept through large-scale budgets and on-site execution. She has a knack for uncovering the vision behind an idea, translating conversations and inspiration into thoughtful, customized designs. Alix finds joy in deep chats, a good laugh, and the feeling of sunshine on her face.
-
Karly is a designer of things big and small, ranging from florals and custom graphics to special events. She minored in art and received a BA in graphic design from UC Davis, leading her down a lifelong path of creativity. Since joining us in 2018, her event world expertise has truly blossomed. On her days off, Karly enjoys tending to her flower garden, playing with her kitties, and off-roading with her husband in the Sierra Nevadas.
Director, Design & Events
Josie Fitzwinge
-
Josie is a versatile designer with a lifelong passion for art. She brings creativity to every project, with expertise in graphic design, spatial design, animation, illustration, packaging, and photography. Her background includes graphic design for NBCUniversal Corporate Communications, NBC Sports Bay Area, and creative work across hospitality, social media marketing, and consumer brands. A graduate of Pratt Institute, she holds a degree in Communication Design with a specialization in Graphic Design. Originally from the Bay Area and now based in San Diego, Josie enjoys spending time at the beach with her dogs, traveling, and curling up with a good book.
Event & Graphic Designer
HR and Finance Team
Francisco Muñetón
Chief Financial Officer
Nanci Grajeda
Director HR, LATAM