Chicago
Event Team

Jaime Bunnell
Host
Lives in - Gurnee
Motto -
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession -
Chicago Diner en Blanc
Host
Lives in -
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Roger H
Host
Lives in - B
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Lauren Haras
Host
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies - Cooking
Profession - Digital Marketing
Scott Schwartz
Host
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - Be yourself, everyone else is already taken!
Hobbies - Cooking
Profession - Sales Executive
James Wild
Host
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - Carpe diem
Hobbies -
Profession - Architect
Melissa Cook
Head Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Joselle Gilvezan
Head Leader
Lives in - Los Angeles
Motto - February 14th
Hobbies - Gardening
Profession - Retired Talent Agent
Morgan Israel
Head Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Robin Ritchie
Head Leader
Lives in - Mt Pleasant
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Tracey Thomas
Head Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
EBONY AMBROSE
Group Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 06/03/1976
Hobbies -
Profession - Birth Photographer/Database Guru/Baby Reading Coach
stephanie bond
Group Leader
Lives in - Woodridge
Motto - 12/22/1971
Hobbies - Singing
Profession - Flight Attendant
Tracy Cox
Group Leader
Lives in - Tinley Park
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Misse Daniel
Group Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - More is more and less is a bore.
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Wedding Planner
Davene C. Davis
Group Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 11-13-1973
Hobbies -
Profession - Employed
Chanda Dunmars
Group Leader
Lives in - Calumet City
Motto - 02/22
Hobbies - Music
Profession - Hospitality & Tourism
Alicia Falls
Group Leader
Lives in - Gurnee
Motto - 08/23/1969
Hobbies - Travel
Profession - Educator
Stephanie Ferrer
Group Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Mecceba Bouisque Jones
Group Leader
Lives in - Hazel Crest
Motto - September 9th
Hobbies - Cooking
Profession - Small Business Strategist & Image Consultant
Nathaniel Knautz
Group Leader
Lives in - Deerfield
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Leo Koonmen
Group Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Bree Lara
Group Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - Find a way or make one!
Hobbies - Reading
Profession - Director of Marketing
Joy Lewis
Group Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - "The WIN is coming, don't let the WHEN worry you!"
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Consultant
Christian Meenaghan
Group Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - People Who Say It Cannot Be Done Should Not Interrupt Those Who Are Doing It
Hobbies - Wine
Profession - Ask me, I might just tell you.
Paul Murray
Group Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 10/17/1956
Hobbies - Sports
Profession - Captain for Hire (USCG 50 Ton Master Power/Sail))
Maria Phillips
Group Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Michael Pinnow
Group Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 07/01/1986
Hobbies - Cooking
Profession - Retail
Sarah Ratcliffe
Group Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 03/21/1976
Hobbies - Dancing
Profession - Chief Product Officer
Sabrina Sealy
Group Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 3/21/1983
Hobbies -
Profession -
GL Test
Group Leader
Lives in - 12
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Juan Vicente Nuno
Group Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Stephanie Adams
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Deborah Anthony
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies - Being a Boss
Profession - Notary Business
Joseph Barber
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 11/11/1986
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Food & Beverage Manager
Tyffany Baylis
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 09/22/1972
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Human Resources
Donna Becco Schroeder
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Commerical design architect and interior desgner
Barbara Boxton
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - I Can, You Can, We can together
Hobbies - Dancing
Profession - Educational Administrator
Claire Buenaflor
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Raven Burnett
Table Leader
Lives in - South Holland
Motto - 03171977
Hobbies - Cooking
Profession -
Tondra Burrage
Table Leader
Lives in - CHICAGO
Motto - Early Is On Time, On Time Is Late!
Hobbies - Reading
Profession - Manager
Faysha Crosbie
Table Leader
Lives in - Country Club Hills
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Event Planner
Angela Diane Brooks
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 08-23-1974
Hobbies -
Profession - Urban Planner
Trevor Diggs
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - June 20 2971
Hobbies - Gardening
Profession - Brand Ambassador
Kelly Dixon
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Banker
Bennita Drain
Table Leader
Lives in - BOLINGBROOK
Motto - 01/25/1969
Hobbies -
Profession -
Pia Fortunato
Table Leader
Lives in - Lindenhurst
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Shenice Franklin
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 12/10
Hobbies -
Profession -
Melissa Giles
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies - Music
Profession -
Kyhra Glenn
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 3/11
Hobbies - Cooking
Profession -
Nick Greene
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - Let's go!
Hobbies - Singing
Profession - Business Development at Publicis
Abigail Halon
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Shuwn Hayes
Table Leader
Lives in - Crown Point
Motto - July 4, 1974
Hobbies - Dancing
Profession - Government Professional
Benjamin Henning
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 03/1972
Hobbies - Sports
Profession - DEI Program Manager/Consultant
Claudia Holland
Table Leader
Lives in - Broadview
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Deb Hong
Table Leader
Lives in - Morton Grove
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Julia Hudson
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - Live Life & Love
Hobbies - Reading
Profession - Retired
Ashley Jefferson
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 10-23-1989
Hobbies - Music
Profession - Operational Manager
Natavia Jones
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 12/07/1983
Hobbies -
Profession -
Allison Kasbee
Table Leader
Lives in - Streamwood
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Jen Mason
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Natan Mendes
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 3jan68
Hobbies -
Profession -
Melita Moore
Table Leader
Lives in - Gary
Motto - 11/30/1964
Hobbies - Dancing
Profession - Human Resource Director
Jana Morris
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago Heights
Motto - 08-21-1977
Hobbies -
Profession -
Jordan Myers
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Danielle Nix
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - “If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud.” ― Émile Zola
Hobbies - Dancing
Profession - Journalist
Tiffany Peake
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - To Thyself Be True, Live Life!
Hobbies - Art
Profession - Clinician
Lynnette Phillips
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - Live Life To Its Fullest
Hobbies - Golf
Profession - Account Manager
Leslie Powell
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - “Embrace all the flavors of life”
Hobbies - Cooking
Profession - Educator
Corinne Puchalla
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 04/14/1979
Hobbies - Dancing
Profession -
Latrease Purnell
Table Leader
Lives in - Cicero
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Sharneka-Evette Robinson
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - June 21st
Hobbies -
Profession -
Janelle Rominski
Table Leader
Lives in - Gurnee
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Vincent Sanchez
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - The best things in life are already yours!
Hobbies - Gardening
Profession - Director of Business Development
Tiffany Seay
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - Dance Like No One is Watching
Hobbies - Movies
Profession - Program Officer
Erica Severson
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - You can never be overdressed or over educated.
Hobbies -
Profession - Social Media & Event Manager
Elizabeth Shea
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - 12/18/1960
Hobbies - Travel
Profession - Attorney
Nekole Shelton
Table Leader
Lives in - Westmont
Motto - 06/03
Hobbies -
Profession - Finance Director
Stephanie Swaney
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto -
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Event Manager
Tekenya Taylor
Table Leader
Lives in - Lombard
Motto - 04/09/1975
Hobbies -
Profession - Flight Attendant
Kathy Van Neck
Table Leader
Lives in -
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Vanessa Walden
Table Leader
Lives in - Richton Park
Motto - You only live once, enjoy it while you can!
Hobbies - Travel, Theater, Dance
Profession - Operations Manager
Kim Warren
Table Leader
Lives in - Joliet
Motto - Work Hard, Play Harder
Hobbies -
Profession - Supply Chain Buyer
Lateesha Wesley
Table Leader
Lives in - Plainfield
Motto - 6/27
Hobbies - Reading
Profession - Executive Assistant
Saminta Williams
Table Leader
Lives in - Mount Prospect
Motto - Live each day as if it's your last.
Hobbies - Design
Profession - Event Planner Extraordinaire
Stacey Willis
Table Leader
Lives in - Dolton
Motto - 09/03/1969
Hobbies - Travel
Profession -
Brittany Wilson
Table Leader
Lives in - Chicago
Motto - Don’t Stress Over the Uncontrollable.
Hobbies -
Profession - Special Education Highschool Teacher

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.”
Elizabeth Carbonell
Event Operations Strategist
As Production Manager, Elizabeth oversees all aspects of the production and coordination of the Diner en Blanc events hosted by Diner en Blanc International. Her 10-year background in event managing for an international design non-profit organization, and her previous work in the fashion industry, allowed her to travel around the world and learn from incredible people. In her free time, Liz has an active and vegan lifestyle. She enjoys going out to restaurants, trying new cocktails, working out and cooking.
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.
Batin Can Balkan
IT Project Manager
As the IT Project Manager at Diner en Blanc International, Batin applies his skills in innovative IT solutions to enhance unique event experiences and connect with incredible hosts globally. Le Diner en Blanc is a cultural platform where technology meets tradition, allowing one to see firsthand how cities around the world bring their unique flair to their event. Each day offers new opportunities to merge his IT expertise with a passion for creating memorable moments.
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.