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PCMA Ascent
Promoting a Vibrant Environment for All Event Professionals
In Partnership with
Grant provided by
- Ascent is an initiative by PCMA and Convene to promote equity and inclusion across the business events industry.
- Ascent seeks to empower those individuals facing barriers from unique life experiences, ensuring that all voices have the support and platform to succeed in the events industry.
- Ascent strives to motivate and to educate decision-makers on the business case and best practices for inclusive workplaces and events.
- We believe that greater inclusion across the industry will foster new voices to strengthen our leadership, our businesses, and our world.
- By working together toward inclusion for all within our workplaces and at the events we produce, we will enact meaningful social change.
- Our CEO Promise has been signed by over 100 industry leaders. Add your name.
At PCMA, our mission is to advance the business events industry by promoting inclusivity and creating a vibrant, equitable environment where every professional has an equal opportunity to thrive. Through our ASCENT initiative, we are committed to empowering individuals facing barriers from unique life experiences, ensuring that all voices have the support and platform to succeed in the events industry.
The ASCENT program is dedicated to providing equal access to education and professional development, equipping individuals with the necessary skills and resources to unlock their full potential. The Ascent Pathway program selects 50+ recipients annually, offering tailored support to help them grow, innovate, and contribute to the continued progress of the industry.
If you are passionate about advancing your career and overcoming obstacles in the event industry, we invite you to apply for the Ascent Pathway program. Applications are now open and will be accepted on a rolling monthly basis from October 2026 through January 2027. Applicants will be notified of their application status by the end of the month in which they apply.
Benefits Include:
- Special access to learning and skill building courses and content with PCMA Institute
- Complimentary access to two (2) learning courses– one (1) self-paced course and one (1) facilitated course – and 30% discount on additional courses
- Complimentary access to the complete learning library including on-demand videos, articles, webinars, and lessons covering various aspects of event planning, management, and execution
- Invitation to two (2) online group sessions with PCMA Mentors on a leadership topic
- Invitation to Ascent Pathway education program and Meet Up at Convening Leaders and at Business Events Summit to learn and network with fellow Ascent Pathway participants and program partners.
- Recognition in one (1) PCMA Convene article distributed via e-newsletter and social post to PCMA community
- Special 20% course discount to share with the participant’s organization
- All benefits available for 12 months following notice of acceptance to Ascent Pathway
Meet the Ascent Pathway Cohort
Celebrating our 2026–2027 Ascent Pathway cohort and their commitment to professional growth and leadership!
Shaquille Bailey
Public Programs and Events Manager
Poster House
Maya Bobo
Senior Exhibits Coordinator
American Society of Nephrology
Heather Butler
Director of Meetings & Conferences
American Mathematical Society
Lisa Cunningham
Founder, CEO
LC Event Consulting Group
Zaria Davis
Associate for Membership and Engagement
CHHSM of the UCC
Noelle Franklin
Director of Sales
Stateside Live!
Marissa Gagnon, DMCP
Senior Experience Manager
Accent Indy, a DMC Network Company
Ana Garza
Event Planner
Nadia Gedeon
Senior Event & Marketing Operations Leader
Martha Gomez
Project Manager
Choose Chicago
Shanta Gray
Meeting Specialist
NMAC
Courtney Guy
Meeting Planner
AASHTO
Chip Henderson
Senior Director, Marketing
American Health Care Association
Rasheedah Henry
Lead Event Planner
Events by the Ground Crew
Michelle Hobby
Program Manager, Events and Meetings
National Industries for the Blind
Guylynne Joseph
Event Marketing Associate
HuCapital
Lisa Kadnikova
Complex Event Manager
Pyramid Global Hospitality
Celete Kato
Senior Community Engagement & Events Professional
UpMetrics
Mariles Krok
Chief Convention Sales & Services Officer
Visit Sacramento
Danielle Nicole Laws
Events Specialist
Lincoln Financial
Danielle Leung
Associate, Meeting Content
ISPOR
Matthew Martinez
CEO
GrupBlox
Torya McGee
Meeting Planner
American Association of University Professors
Abby Melville
Conference Coordinator/Junior Planner
American Express Business Travel
Claire Moore
Event Operations Manager
National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)
Faith Moore
Meetings Manager
International Coaching Federation
Evin Moss
Senior Event Specialist
OhioHealth
Sherene M. Murphy
Senior Events Manager
Institute for Educational Leadership
Jonelle Nero
Senior Meetings Manager
Optica
Faith Oribamise
Events & Sponsorships Specialist
Fredrikson
Gabriel Passos
Director of Operations
ADvancing States
Naeemah Raqib
Events Coordinator
American Chemical Society
Deena Rawlings
Senior Director of Meetings and Experiences
Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB)
LaTonya Richardson
Director of General Assembly & Conference Services
Unitarian Universalist Association
Shannon Roman
Co-Founder and Director of Strategy
Version4
Lissa Salvatierra
Director, Meetings
American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Giuseppe Sanfilippo
Sr.Project Manager, Meetings and Incentives-Key Accounts
Madison Travel
Cody Smitley
Center Event Planner
The Heritage Group
Jess West
Associate Meeting & Event Planning
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Damisha White
Event Planner/Project Management
Ann Weller Events
Kanisha Williams
Director, Leadership and Specialty Events
The American Institute of Architects
Shermell Williams
Director of Operations
Messe Frankfurt North America
Jasmyne Woodard
Events Specialist
National Association of Colleges and Employers
Haley Yang
Meeting Planner
American Society of Anesthesiologists
