Leadership

President: 
Erin Clark, Administrative Coordinator – Office of Duke-NUS Affairs

• How long have you worked at Duke?
  4 ½ years
• What’s a skill from a past job that helps you as event planner?
  Community organizing
• What’s the most memorable event or program you’ve helped plan?
  I helped with planning AIDS Awareness Day in Connecticut in the early 2000s. The day brought together people living with HIV/AIDS, friends, families, activists, and care providers from across the state. Participants met with legislative members, engaged in public hearings, and the day culminated with a rally at the state capitol building. It was one of the most impactful and memorable days in my career.
• Coffee, tea, or something stronger after a big event?
  Definitely on the stronger side – a glass of wine or a cold beer.
• What song would be on the playlist while you’re setting up an event?
  Tracy Chapman’s Talkin’ ’Bout a Revolution, closely followed by Madonna’s Vogue

Vice President: 
Amanda Gonzalez, Program Director for Special Events – Duke Office for Institutional Equity

• How long have you worked at Duke?
  It will be 5 years in August.
• What’s a skill from a past job that helps you as event planner?
  I’ve learned something from every job I’ve had — retail, being a tour guide at Zoo Miami, theater jobs, and volunteering at summer camps. Dealing with customers in whatever form has helped me plan events both small and large.
• What’s the most memorable event or program you’ve helped plan?
  I helped plan the 18th Annual Lutie A. Lytle Black Women Law Faculty Workshop & Writing Retreat. It is a six‑day conference and I found it to be so inspiring.
• Coffee, tea, or something stronger after a big event?
  A glass of red wine — cabernet only, please!
• What song would be on the playlist while you’re setting up an event?
  At work I like to listen to lo‑fi — something that’s hyped but low‑key. Otherwise it gives me anxiety!

Communications Chair: 
Margo Ginsberg, Senior Program Coordinator – Duke Quantum Center

• How long have you worked at Duke?
  11.5 years
• What’s a skill from a past job that helps you as event planner?
  Mastering Excel filters and formulas for countif/sumif
• What’s the most memorable event or program you’ve helped plan?
  I coordinated a workshop hosted in Pacific Grove, CA at the Asilomar Conference Grounds, a National Historic Landmark District listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
• Coffee, tea, or something stronger after a big event?
  Something stronger, preferably with tequila or gin.
• What song would be on the playlist while you’re setting up an event?
  Groove Is in the Heart by Deee‑Lite

Education Chair:
Aaron Yontz, Associate Director – West Campus Venue and Production Management

• How long have you worked at Duke?
  I started this role in November 2024. I previously worked at Duke from 2003-2006 as a Stage Technician.
• What’s a skill from a past job that helps you as event planner?
  Project Coordination. I’ve spent many years managing productions and large-scale events in an academic/campus environment. Those events often occur simultaneously across multiple venues. My past experience has taught me how to stay organized, communicate effectively, anticipate issues and adapt quickly when plans change—all of which help ensure everything runs smoothly.
• What’s the most memorable event or program you’ve helped plan?
  One that will always stand out was a taping of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at UNC. His guest was President Barak Obama. The musical act was Dave Matthews.
  It’s one of the few times that I have been just awestruck by the talent I was working with. It also exposed me the incredibly complex logistics of things like the Secret Service, high security event planning, the difference between live television and theater, and managing a beyond sold out crowd.
• Coffee, tea, or something stronger after a big event?
  Coffee to get the event started, something stronger to wind it down.
• What song would be on the playlist while you’re setting up an event?
  I’m gonna cheat on this one because events take longer than a song to set up. Pearl Jam playlist

Member Relations Chair:
Jennifer Edwards, Assistant Director Conference and Event Services – The Nicholas Institute

• How long have you worked at Duke?
  Two and a half years
• What’s a skill from a past job that helps you as event planner?
  Having an “event tool kit” with everything from extra name tags to band‑aids to phone chargers. I’ve added things over the years — like a Tide pen. A co‑worker calls it the Leviathan (but I’m more Amy than Gary).
• What’s the most memorable event or program you’ve helped plan?
  From Billions to Trillions. I’d been at Duke two days when a faculty member asked me to coordinate the event, and we’ve just completed our third year.
• Coffee, tea, or something stronger after a big event?
  A nice cold glass of Chenin Blanc
• What song would be on the playlist while you’re setting up an event?
  Sabotage by the Beastie Boys

Secretary/Treasurer:
Tawana Reed, Operations Manager – Doctor of Physical Therapy Division

• How long have you worked at Duke?
  9 ½ years
• What’s a skill from a past job that helps you as event planner?
  My attention to detail helps me when planning events.
• What’s the most memorable event or program you’ve helped plan?
  My first Doctor of Physical Therapy Graduation and White Coat events
• Coffee, tea, or something stronger after a big event?
  Something stronger, of course
• What song would be on the playlist while you’re setting up an event?
  Upbeat music to reduce my anxiety and set the tone for positive vibes

Past-President:
Sarah Hay, Senior Communications and Events Manager – Sanford’s School of Public Policy

• How long have you worked at Duke?
  Just over 6 years
• What’s a skill from a past job that helps you as event planner?
  Customer service from past hospitality work
• What’s the most memorable event or program you’ve helped plan?
  My wedding!
• Coffee, tea, or something stronger after a big event?
  A latte for morning events, and a classic G&T after an evening event
• What song would be on the playlist while you’re setting up an event?
  Anything Taylor Swift