Dallas
Event Team
Cheryl Weis
Host
Lives in
-
Motto
- The best nights are meant to be shared.
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Event Planner & Producer
Tanara Martin
Head Leader
Lives in
- Arlington
Motto
- "Making a difference wherever my feet land, and leaving every place better than I found it."
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Retired Officer
Nafeisa Shukair-Farley
Head Leader
Lives in
- Coppell
Motto
- There is no angry way to say bubbles.
Hobbies
- Photography
Profession
- Marketing
Judy Solomon
Head Leader
Lives in
- Desoto
Motto
- Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You (Luke 6:31)
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Program Manager
Diarra Polk
Group Leader
Lives in
- Frisco
Motto
- "No matter what you do, ALWAYS do your very best"
Hobbies
- Reading
Profession
- Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
JaCoi Pugh
Group Leader
Lives in
- Arlington
Motto
- Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right! - Henry Ford
Hobbies
- Dancing
Profession
- Business Coach & Consultant, J&K Solutions/Black Women’s Wall Street, Inc.
Jenn Ramirez
Group Leader
Lives in
- Frisco
Motto
- Surround yourself with people who add fuel to your fire!
Hobbies
- Music
Profession
- Healthcare IT Analyst
Marcus Sanders
Group Leader
Lives in
- Mesquite
Motto
- Do you but don't hurt anyone else in the process
Hobbies
- Event planning, spending time with kids and grandkids, sporting events, watching tv, enjoying the night life occassionaly.
Profession
- Medical Professional
Danielle Williams
Group Leader
Lives in
- McKinney
Motto
- Be the change you want to see...
Hobbies
- Dancing
Profession
- Accountant
Tyrone Amir-Bey
Table Leader
Lives in
- Charlotte
Motto
- Networking Strategically Equals Greatness!
Hobbies
- Golf
Profession
- Business Credibility Consultant
Athena Askew
Table Leader
Lives in
- Dallas
Motto
- "Be your authentic self"
Hobbies
- Yoga
Profession
- Law Office Administrative Assistant
Shelley Battle
Table Leader
Lives in
- Arlington
Motto
- “Your life is a book; make it a bestseller.”
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Retail Management
Beverly Biehl
Table Leader
Lives in
- Austin
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Cooking
Profession
- Feng Shui consultant/energy work
Keshia Bruno
Table Leader
Lives in
- Frisco
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Amari Bruno Garza
Table Leader
Lives in
- Houston
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Zyrin Bruno Garza
Table Leader
Lives in
- Denton
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Jonathan Burns
Table Leader
Lives in
- Dallas
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Photography
Profession
-
Carolyn Calvert
Table Leader
Lives in
- Tulsa
Motto
- Treat people the way you want to be treated.
Hobbies
- Music
Profession
- Restaurant Manager
Frances Pepper Calvert
Table Leader
Lives in
- Cedar Hill
Motto
- Love and be loved
Hobbies
- Cooking
Profession
- Nurse (Retired)
Shayne Carter
Table Leader
Lives in
- Dallas
Motto
- Suck it up BUTTERCUP
Hobbies
- Dancing
Profession
- Department of Labor Director
Rhonda Coleman
Table Leader
Lives in
- Dallas, TX, 75287, USA
Motto
- Good Things Always Happen For Me
Hobbies
- Reading
Profession
- Asset Manager
Dr. Rachael Yvonne Davis
Table Leader
Lives in
- Fort Worth
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Tyrone Day
Table Leader
Lives in
- Forney
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Jessica Demele
Table Leader
Lives in
- Springtown
Motto
- Live, love, laugh
Hobbies
- Cooking
Profession
- Stay at home mom/wife/homeschool teacher
Renita Dickerson
Table Leader
Lives in
- Mesquite
Motto
- Live life to the fullest!
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Educator
Mary Ecret
Table Leader
Lives in
- Little elm
Motto
- Take each day as it is and enjoy life.
Hobbies
- Photography
Profession
- Director of Operations
Paula Ferrell
Table Leader
Lives in
- Forney
Motto
- YOLO - You only live once
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Talent Acquisition
Valerie Ann Gorman
Table Leader
Lives in
- Highland Village
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Erik Grayson
Table Leader
Lives in
- Arlington
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Ann Henkels
Table Leader
Lives in
- Frisco
Motto
- Just breathe. It’ll be okay.
Hobbies
- Wine
Profession
- Teacher
Yolanda Hester
Table Leader
Lives in
- Little Elm
Motto
- #YOLO
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Computer Analyst
Demetra Johnson
Table Leader
Lives in
- Arlington
Motto
- Smile and the world will smile back!
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Retired
Marlow Jones
Table Leader
Lives in
- [email protected]
Motto
- You were created to LIVE so LIVE ON PURPOSE!
Hobbies
- Cooking
Profession
- Chief Experience Officer
Terry Lee-Day
Table Leader
Lives in
- Forney
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Taylor Manuel
Table Leader
Lives in
- Arlington
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Tivonna Manuel
Table Leader
Lives in
- Arlington
Motto
- Trust, but verify
Hobbies
- Design
Profession
- Event Planning
Jaleel Martin
Table Leader
Lives in
- Arlington
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
- student
Te'sha McNeely Johnson
Table Leader
Lives in
- Little Elm
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Real Estate Professional /Economic Development
Robbin Robinson
Table Leader
Lives in
- Crossroads
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Shopping
Profession
-
Zakiayyah Stewart
Table Leader
Lives in
- Midlothian
Motto
- Kindness is the essence of greatness...
Hobbies
-
Profession
- Planning and Design - Administrator
Kadena Tate
Table Leader
Lives in
- Grand Prairie
Motto
- Authenticity has no competition
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Revenue Strategist
Catonna Thompson
Table Leader
Lives in
- Tulsa
Motto
- Never judge a book by its cover for everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt even when the truth is obvious!
Hobbies
- Design
Profession
-
Tiara Tyler
Table Leader
Lives in
- Dallas
Motto
- Be You!
Hobbies
-
Profession
- Clinical Research
Shawn Walker
Table Leader
Lives in
- Little Elm
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Reading
Profession
- Executive Director of Operations
Avie Warren
Table Leader
Lives in
- Dallas
Motto
- Carpe Diem!!!
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Social Worker
JaMonica Washington
Table Leader
Lives in
- Dallas
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Shopping
Profession
- Non profit
Kimberlee Williams
Table Leader
Lives in
- Grand Prairie
Motto
- Let's see what happens
Hobbies
- Design
Profession
- Registered Nurse
Kimberly Williams
Table Leader
Lives in
- Grand Prairie
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Design
Profession
- Healthcare Provider
Cedric Younger
Table Leader
Lives in
- Frisco
Motto
- Believe in yourself
Hobbies
- Sports
Profession
-
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
Senior 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
Operations 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.”
Liza Belikova
Sponsorship and Events Project Manager
Liza’s background in Arts Administration brings both structure and creative flow to event management. With experience in operations, hospitality, and large-scale event coordination, she enjoys creating seamless guest experiences and being part of the details that make every Dîner en Blanc evening feel elegant, welcoming, and memorable. In her free time, you can usually find her wandering through a museum, discovering a new restaurant, or planning her next trip.
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.
Judy Turk
Social Media Specialist
With a background in interior architecture and filmmaking, Judy brings four years of experience in content creation and video production to her role as Social Media Specialist. She develops engaging social media campaigns and visual content for Diner en Blanc Montreal and New York while also contributing to Diner en Blanc International's global advertising campaigns. Having lived in several countries and speaking multiple languages, she enjoys working in multicultural environments and creating content that resonates with diverse audiences. Judy is passionate about the arts, including painting, acting, singing, photography, fashion, and travel.
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.
Axelle Pierresteguy
Business Development Coordinator
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.
