OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Continuing To Motivate Performance Around The World
Belonging to the only global network of travel and event professionals committed to motivational experiences that deliver business results.
SITE | Florida & Caribbean Members
Continually motivate performance around the world.
Stay Connected to the SITE network by regularly managing your membership. If you have any questions about your membership, or would like to join, please contact our Admin and begin forming lasting partnerships that will grow your business.
Benefits of Being A Member
From belonging to the only global network of travel and event professionals committed to motivational experiences that deliver business results. Through unparalleled networking opportunities, education and connections, members form lasting partnerships that grow their businesses and professional development.
President
Steffi Kordy
Cocoon Incentives LLC (DMC & Incentive Agency)
Steffi Kordy is the founder and owner of Cocoon Incentives LLC, a creative Incentive House and Destination Management Company based in Miami. Established in 2011 with the tagline "Think Outside your Cocoon," Steffi started her company after relocating from Chicago, where she had gained extensive experience working for a leading DMC. Her career also includes roles with a global leisure tour operator, with assignments spanning destinations from Kenya to Mexico, Thailand to the Comoro Islands. With over 30 years in the hospitality industry, Steffi's expertise is vast and diverse.
Originally from Germany, Steffi has lived and worked on six continents, bringing a global perspective to her business. Fluent in five languages, she is a renowned writer, having authored several books on travel, culture, and trends, and contributes to various magazines and newspapers. Steffi holds a master’s degree in cultural anthropology, African languages, and linguistics, which adds depth to her understanding of global cultures and the travel industry.
A passionate advocate for sustainability and corporate social responsibility, Steffi has embedded these values at the heart of Cocoon Incentives since its inception. The company donates a portion of its profits from each incentive program to nonprofit organizations, leaving a positive impact on the communities that host these events. Steffi prides herself on working with top-tier clients and collaborating with the best hospitality suppliers, always striving for win-win outcomes for all parties involved.
Outside of her professional achievements, Steffi is a dedicated mother and enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including tennis, biking, and hiking. With her children now grown, Steffi devotes a significant amount of her time to community volunteering and has been actively involved with SITE as a board member since 2018. As Vice President of Sustainability and the chapter's Social Media lead, she continues to contribute to the industry's growth and sustainability initiatives. As President-Elect she looks forward to growing the chapter and maintaining its dedication to quality networking, sustainability, knowledge-sharing and inspiration.
Immediate Past President
Mauricio Patino
Saddelbrook Resort
Mauricio Patino has over two decades of experience in the hotel and hospitality industry. Early
in his career at the Sheraton Manhattan and later, the Sheraton New York, he quickly climbed
the Sales & Marketing and Operations Management ranks. For several years, he worked across many of the Starwood
Hotels & Resorts brands including Sheraton, Westin, and the W Hotels, and other brands such
as Dolce Hotels & Resorts and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
In 2016, Patino started his hospitality consulting business, Advanced Hotel & Hospitality
Resources, LLC (AHHR). His company has been contracted by a diverse number of hospitality
organizations as well as federal and local government agencies including the United States
Department of the Army, the United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism (USVI), tour
companies in Europe and global hospitality corporations. A fluent Spanish speaker, he has also
worked on tourism industry projects in cities across South America.
“AHHR was created with the sole purpose to serve with a hospitality mindset. To serve this
way, fundamentals like Culture, Service, Education and Community are key.” says Mauricio
Patino.
Secretary/Treasurer
Millicent Evans
Alliance Incentives & Meetings, LLC
Millie has been a SITE member since the late 70’s, and was provided with education and networking opportunities that helped her business grow. She was active in Global on several committees and served as Crystal Awards Chairman as well as won an award. She was the special Advisory Committee and chaired The Signet Awards event in Stockholm celebrating 25 years of Incentive Travel. Since moving to Florida from Kansas City, she has been involved with the SITE Chapter Board as Secretary, VP Membership and Treasurer. She has seen SITE Florida & Caribbean Chapter grow with dedicated professionals interested in contributing and learning to better the industry and community.
VP Membership
Paula Carlson
The Boca Raton
Originally from Missouri, which is where I began my career and love for Travel as a Travel Agent in Kansas City. One very cold winter I decided it is time to move to a warmer climate and I landed a Travel Industry Sales Manager position in Orlando. Soon I was traveling Nationally and Internationally and really have never stopped. I became involved in the Site Florida Chapter in it's early begginings in 1992. SITE inspired me to pursue the Incentive Market Segment in which I have enjoyed a adventurous career and had the opportunity to work at many of Florida's most luxurious properties. The long term relationships and experiences I have enjoyed along my journey has been unforgettable. I was invited to become involved in the SITE Florida & Caribbean Leadership in 2013, Director of Membership for 2 years, Incoming President, and President Elect in 2016. The Global Connections you acquire in a SITE Leadership Role are spectacular, while giving back and growing with an Industry that continues to Inspire me. Looking forward to my next Chapter with SITE Florida & Caribbean!
VP Events
Vilma Yesenia Villavicencio
Checklist Events
Vilma Villavicencio ("VV") is Founder and President of Checklist Events (www.checklistevents.com, @cklistevents), an event management consultancy since 2014. As a culturally fluent boutique company, CLE prioritizes delivering memorable milestone events through meticulous planning and thorough execution. CLE's secret weapon? Checklists! CLE leaves no detial or deadline unchecked, ensuring client events surpass expectations.
VV has over 20 years of extensive experience in domestic and international logistics, conferencing and event management with meetings ranging in size from 10 to 37,000 attendees.
During her successful career organizing meetings for the financial conglomerates MONY and AXA, and AFS Intercultural Programs, she was recognized in the meetings industry for her professionalism and excellence in corporate event management.
Her extensive industry experience built up a broad network of contacts and relationships with hospitality professionals, hoteliers, speakers' bureaus, convention and visitors bureaus, destination management companies, third-party vendors and meeting technology service providers that she leverages on her client's behalf to guaranee that they not only receive five-star treatment but preferential prices.
Prior to launching Checklist Events, Vilma was Lead Manager of Retail Corporate Conferences at AXA where she developed strategic plans for company events and managed her team to achieve meeting goals by consistently delivering high-quality events with a focus on time management and budget accountability. Vilma budgeted, planned and managed AXA's prestigious national and internationla conferences, which recognized and rewarded the company's pinnacle producers. She was also engaged in the full-service planning of other top-tier company meetings, including national education and annual conferences.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Bachelor of Arts, International Studies and Spanish Literature, Iona College
Certificate in Meeting, Conference and Event Management, New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies
Certificate in High Achievement - Alignment for Entrepreneurial and Personal Success
Graduate of the 2020-2022 Mentorship Program with Celebrity Event Planner David Tutera
2020-2021 Member of the Event Planners Association
2012 Member of the FICP Sponsorship Committee
2008 Financial and Insurance Conference Association (FICP) Annual Meeting Forum panelist on the topic of hotel contract negotiations
2007, 2008, 2009 AXA Rising Star Nominee in appreciation of leadership and commitment to excellence
2003 - 2014 Member of the Financial and Insuance Conference Association (FICP)
VP Sustainability, Health & Wellness
Maura Zhang
IK?NIK Destinations Collective | WELLDOM
Maura Domínguez-Zhang is an island girl from thenDominican Republic who is currently living in South Florida.nShe is a travel industry leader with 20+ years in luxury-tiernhospitality sales and marketing, hotel operations and travelnindustry sales. Maura’s hotel experience includes the topnluxury hotel companies such as The Ritz-Carlton, Kimpton,nBiltmore, Noble House hotels and Benchmark, where shenearned achievement awards such as Chairman’s Club,nPlatinum Club, Attitude & Determination Awards.nMaura has a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Managementnfrom Florida International University and has been a lecturing guest speaker at FIU School ofnHospitality, contributor for MPI Chicago’s newsletter, editor of SITE Florida & Caribbeannnewsletter and speaker at SITE Global Conference 2020. She maintains active roles in SITEnand MPI. Earned both CIS & CITP, and is past President of SITE FL & Caribbean chapter. Inn2017, Maura helped launch Synergy-Connect, a boutique representation firm for emergingndestinations. She is managing partner at Synergy-Connect which currently represents NaplesnMarco Island Everglades CVB, Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau and the Curacao Tourist Board;nas well as boutique DMCs in Latin America's top destinations through their brand LatinPlusnDMC Group (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panamanand Peru).nMaura is also a big advocate for health and wellness, sustainability and innovation. In Augustn2020, as a way to heal from losing her father to Covid, Maura completed the 200HR yoganteacher training and is now a registered yoga teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance and in Mayn2023 she became a Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP) through the National WellnessnInstitute. She is keen on continuing education and has been certified in Yin Yoga, TraumanInformed Yoga, Sound Healing, a Reiki Master, and Event Wellness Design. Yoga and HealingnArts have made her stronger in body, mind and spirit to believe in her own power to heal andnovercome grief, obstacles, fear and anxiety. Maura’s practice includes mindfulness, meditation,nmusic, sound healing, mantras and breathwork. This transformative experience has given her annew perspective and purpose, and Maura is sharing this love and light with friends and familyn(including her husband Chuck and fur baby Stormi), as well as her travel and events industrynfamily. Maura is excited to transcend boundaries and merge her passions of travel, wellnessnand events into future workshops, retreats and more through Welldom Inc (established in 2021nto consult, create and curate well-being experiences for events).
VP Sponsorship
Ellie Soucy
Incentive Meeting Services
Introducing Ellie Soucy, the powerhouse behind Incentive Meeting Services, a beacon of excellence in corporate meeting and incentive planning. Known for delivering strategic solutions with an unwavering focus on quality service and creativity, Ellie's approach transcends borders. Whether the destination is domestic or international, she brings a world of experience to the table, ensuring every event is On Time, On Target, and On Budget!
A seasoned consultant, Ellie demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of business travel. She tailors her services to your needs, offering a comprehensive suite of meeting planning capabilities, including site selection, contract negotiation, program coordination, and meticulous pre & post follow-up. Additionally, her incentive trips are coordinated to perfection, orchestrating air/hotel arrangements, tours, activities, entertainment, and events with precision.
Ellie's expertise doesn't stop there. She brings your brand to life from project inception to completion, dedicating herself to your unique vision. With over two decades of industry experience, she has an instinctive grasp on the pulse of event planning and branding, positioning her clients for success.
Born in the warmth of Jamaica, raised in Rochester, NY, and having resided in cosmopolitan cities like Dubai and Hong Kong, Ellie now calls sunny Florida home. Her global upbringing has enriched her perspective, allowing her to provide a unique, cultured approach to her work.
Ellie started her illustrious career at Inc Magazine after majoring in accounting and criminal justice. At Inc, she developed and oversaw a pioneering program that included CEO symposiums, employee conferences, and customer loyalty conferences. Her entrepreneurial spirit eventually led her to create Incentive Meeting Services, a venture she's led to great success. Currently, she holds the esteemed position of Vice President/Membership for SITE Florida & Caribbean.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ellie is a committed family woman and an avid traveler. She cherishes her leisure time, often spent with loved ones, exploring new destinations, or engaged in a captivating game. Ellie Soucy is more than a corporate event and travel expert; she's a visionary who bridges cultures, people, and brands with strategic planning and heart.
Director of Young Leaders
Megan Leslie
Incentive Meeting Services
Megan Leslie hails from New York and celebrates her birthday on July 27th. A proud alumna of Flordia Gulf Coast University, she boasts a Bachelor of Science in Resort and Hospitality Management with a special focus on Event Management. Complementing her major, she also pursued a minor in Entrepreneurship, equipping her with a diverse set of skills. Megan's dedication and passion for the industry are evident in her role as a Registration Manager at Incentive Meeting Services since August 2021. Her hard work and excellence were recognized when she received the esteemed CIS (Certified Incentive Specialist) certification. Prior to this, Megan honed her expertise with two internships in the hospitality sector during her college years. She's not just all work; in her leisure, Megan can be found rollerblading through the streets, thrifting for hidden gems or simply enjoing quality time with her family. Described by peers as organized, creative and an out-of-the-box thinker, Megan values loyalty and team collaboration above all. Ambitious and forward-looking, she aspires to climb the corporate ladder, travel extensively and savor the expereinces our world presents.
Incentive travel is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. Our research and data prove the ROI business case for incentive travel, which is a powerful management tool that strengthens employee retention, improves performance, and fosters a culture of thoughtful motivation and success.
