'

Washington DC
Event Team

Alba Cruz
Host
Lives in - Cliffside Park
Motto - Find the silver lining
Hobbies - Art
Profession - Volunteer Manager
Linda Davis
Host
Lives in - 0
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Kaitlin Latonick
Host
Lives in - Annapolis
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Event Production
Jim Rosario
Host
Lives in - West Orange
Motto - Make it exist. Then make it better.
Hobbies - Reading
Profession - Retail Manager
Kimberly Knight Henderson
Head Leader
Lives in - Bowie
Motto - Be gracious, laugh often, learn always.
Hobbies - Cooking
Profession -
Jenny Peterson-Klaus
Head Leader
Lives in - Gainesville
Motto - Dogs are great
Hobbies - Hiking
Profession - Project Manager
Michelle Riley Jones
Head Leader
Lives in - Bowie
Motto - “That we are worthy of a particular belonging that does not demand uniformity but understands and honors our stunning particularity.” - Cole Arthur Riley
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Pray - Love - Travel
Benita Broughman
Group Leader
Lives in - Old Bridge
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Katrina Dixon Patterson
Group Leader
Lives in - Upper Marlboro
Motto -
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession -
Tim Douglas
Group Leader
Lives in - Washington DC
Motto - Life is short, live life to its fullest
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Manager
Lenora Green
Group Leader
Lives in - Upper Marlboro
Motto -
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession -
Ebony Grey
Group Leader
Lives in - Brookeville
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Event Planner
Kylarr Harper
Group Leader
Lives in - Windsor Mill
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Jacquelyn Ann Irby
Group Leader
Lives in - Silver Spring
Motto - Yolo
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - RETIRED
AJ Jones
Group Leader
Lives in - Leesburg
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Analyst
BJ McDuffie
Group Leader
Lives in - Baltimore
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
PèTrina Success Paxton
Group Leader
Lives in - Brentwood
Motto -
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Director of Operations
Corinne Price
Group Leader
Lives in - Arlington
Motto - You can’t have living without dying. Don’t be afraid of the unlived life.
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Engineer
Lijah Naomi Smith Nicholson
Group Leader
Lives in - Woodbridge
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Crystal Taylor
Group Leader
Lives in - Alexandria
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Tiffany Thomas
Group Leader
Lives in - Pasadena
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
MILTON B YATES
Group Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto - “Own It. Love It. Live It. It’s Yours!”
Hobbies -
Profession -
James Albright
Table Leader
Lives in - Decatur
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Event Services
Michelle Angelina
Table Leader
Lives in - Saint Albans
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Ashley Banks
Table Leader
Lives in - Rosedale
Motto - Self care is not selfish! Take care of you!
Hobbies - I love to spend time with God, travel, spend time with my son, cooking and learning
Profession - Licensed School Based Mental Health Therapist
Clover Barnes
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Government Administrator
Christine Barron
Table Leader
Lives in - Upper Marlboro
Motto - Live the life you want
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Public Servant
Khendall Beale
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Kindra Beamon
Table Leader
Lives in - washington
Motto -
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession -
Jennifer Bible
Table Leader
Lives in - Arlington
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Candice Broadie
Table Leader
Lives in - Charlotte
Motto - Live Your Best Life
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Project Management - Event Planning
Tashea Brodgins
Table Leader
Lives in - Baltimore
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Policy Advisor
Carla Brooks
Table Leader
Lives in - CHELTENHAM
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Sherrie Brown
Table Leader
Lives in - Glenn Dale
Motto - To thine own self be true.
Hobbies -
Profession - Consultant
Shenique Bryant
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Sherrie Bryant
Table Leader
Lives in - Bowie
Motto - Passion with a purpose!
Hobbies - Design
Profession - Management
Shaunte Cabrera Perez
Table Leader
Lives in - Gaithersburg
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Nicole Campbell
Table Leader
Lives in - Round Hill
Motto -
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Event Planning
Scott Carey
Table Leader
Lives in - Alexandria
Motto - What's your red line?
Hobbies - Wine
Profession -
Karen Carpenter
Table Leader
Lives in - Fort Washington
Motto -
Hobbies - Dancing
Profession - Retired
Stephanie Carpenter
Table Leader
Lives in - washington
Motto - "It is what it is...."
Hobbies - Cooking
Profession -
Renee Carter
Table Leader
Lives in - Oxon Hill
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Tamara Clay
Table Leader
Lives in - Upper Marlboro
Motto - Live & Love
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - CEO
Jay Cohen
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Kasi Crawford
Table Leader
Lives in - Fort Lauderdale
Motto - Smile
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Property Manager
Michelle Dacanay
Table Leader
Lives in - Clinton
Motto - Work Smarter not Harder
Hobbies - Singing
Profession - Sr Program Analyst
Bianca DaCosta
Table Leader
Lives in - Dover
Motto - “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together
Hobbies - Design
Profession - Staffing Recruiter
Lisa Finley
Table Leader
Lives in - Temple Hills
Motto - "Be the change you wish to see in the world"
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Eligibility Specialist
Jessica Foster
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Analyst; admin team for social group
Candice Gay
Table Leader
Lives in - College Park
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Project Manager
Brian Gibson
Table Leader
Lives in - Baltimore
Motto -
Hobbies - Cooking
Profession - Structural Engineer
Jennifer Glenn
Table Leader
Lives in - Dumfries
Motto - What's for you,will never miss you!"
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Program Manager
Jennifer Glenn
Table Leader
Lives in - Dumfries
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Meghan Gollhofer
Table Leader
Lives in - Chantilly
Motto - Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession -
Cherrika Gordon
Table Leader
Lives in - Upper Marlboro
Motto - Just living the DREAM!
Hobbies - Shopping
Profession -
Rashanda Grimes
Table Leader
Lives in - CAMP SPRINGS
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
LeAnn Harley
Table Leader
Lives in - Bowie
Motto -
Hobbies - Photography
Profession - Media Relations and PR
Lacey Hayes
Table Leader
Lives in - Sterling
Motto -
Hobbies - Yoga
Profession - Travel Advisor
Evangeline Hemsley
Table Leader
Lives in - Accokeek
Motto - Live life to the Fullest
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Federal Government
Dionn Henderson
Table Leader
Lives in - Accokeek
Motto - Making today better than yesterday!
Hobbies - Travel and Prosecco
Profession - Ascension Events
Alicia Henry
Table Leader
Lives in - WASHINGTON
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Robin Hillmon
Table Leader
Lives in - Clinton
Motto - CTRL+ALT+DEL Control Yourself Alter Your Thinking Delete Negativity
Hobbies - Design
Profession -
Daphne Holman
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
TreeCee Holt
Table Leader
Lives in - Indian Head
Motto -
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession -
ANNTWANETTE JACKSON
Table Leader
Lives in - Greenbelt
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Accounting
Gloria Jackson
Table Leader
Lives in - Chantilly
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Nikki Jackson
Table Leader
Lives in - Bowie
Motto -
Hobbies - Music
Profession -
Gladys Johnson
Table Leader
Lives in - Woodbridge
Motto - Live , Love, Laugh
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Inbasket Support Clerk
Lena Johnson
Table Leader
Lives in - La Plata
Motto - "Dance as if no one is watching; sing as if no one is listening!!
Hobbies - Crafting
Profession - Accounting
Vickie Johnson
Table Leader
Lives in - Temple Hills
Motto - Carpe Diem
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - IT Specialist
STUART JOHNSON JR
Table Leader
Lives in - Hyattsville
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Randi Joppy
Table Leader
Lives in - Burtonsville
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Michelle Keeling
Table Leader
Lives in - Temple Hills
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Financial Analyst & Events
Angela King
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Kimberly Kirby
Table Leader
Lives in - Glen burnie
Motto - With Excellence!
Hobbies - Dancing
Profession - Education
Pamela Lawson
Table Leader
Lives in - Bowie
Motto - Live Well. Work hard and Care for others
Hobbies - Cooking
Profession - Healthcare Administration
Felicia Lenny
Table Leader
Lives in - Glen mills
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Flight attendant
Khalea Lester
Table Leader
Lives in - Columbia
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - It specialist
Valerie Lewis Taylor
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Event Manager
Philicia Lloyd
Table Leader
Lives in - Brooklyn
Motto - Embrace the Opportunity
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Real Estate Broker/Appraiser
Kimberly Martin
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Erica Massey
Table Leader
Lives in - Upper Marlboro
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Aurélie Mathieu
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Lawyer
Ricardo McKinley
Table Leader
Lives in - Waldorf
Motto -
Hobbies - Movies
Profession - US Gov
JOVAN MITCHELL
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto - Work hard, PLAY HARDER
Hobbies - Dancing
Profession - Business Strategy Consultant
Tonya Morris
Table Leader
Lives in - Odenton
Motto - Do What You Love, Love What You Do
Hobbies - Design
Profession - Human Resources Manager
Keisha Nelson
Table Leader
Lives in - Upper Marlboro
Motto -
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Senior IT Project Manager
Asewe Onyango
Table Leader
Lives in - Hyattsville
Motto - Life’s best luxuries are the memories we create.
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - School Administrator
Robyn Pettiford
Table Leader
Lives in - Clinton
Motto - Give yourself some grace, sis!
Hobbies -
Profession -
Dominique Pierre
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Project Coordinator
Wendy Pinkney
Table Leader
Lives in - Waldorf
Motto -
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Fire Lieutenant
Naiyma Pleasant
Table Leader
Lives in - Waterbury
Motto - "Love is Love"
Hobbies -
Profession - Receptionist
Tinea Porter
Table Leader
Lives in - Upper Marlboro
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Virginia Raye
Table Leader
Lives in - Alexandria
Motto -
Hobbies - Dancing
Profession - In my mind, a movie star. But Executive Assistant pays the bills.
Lebaron Reid
Table Leader
Lives in - Alexandria
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Joseph Roberson
Table Leader
Lives in - Dumfries
Motto -
Hobbies - Music
Profession - IT Engineer
Jose Salazar
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession - Teacher
Billie Sanford
Table Leader
Lives in - Waldorf
Motto -
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Educator
Maurice Scott
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington
Motto - “One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching”
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Voice Actor, Logistician
Ngima Senior
Table Leader
Lives in - Upper Marlboro
Motto -
Hobbies - Reading
Profession - Management
Chetna Sharma
Table Leader
Lives in - Brookeville
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Ronda Sidbury
Table Leader
Lives in - Upper Marlboro
Motto - Happiness is an inside job!
Hobbies - Gardening
Profession - Program Manager
Molove Simmons
Table Leader
Lives in - Fort Washington
Motto -
Hobbies - Art
Profession - Educator
Myss Stephens
Table Leader
Lives in - NW Washington DC
Motto - We are, who we BELIEVE we are.
Hobbies - Design
Profession - Supervisory Training Specialist
Katherine (Kay) Stewart
Table Leader
Lives in - Capitol Heights
Motto -
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Hospitality Management
Charlie Sweeney
Table Leader
Lives in - Elkridge
Motto - Never put off for tomorrow on what you can do today!
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Daymar Management & Consulting - Professional Event Manager
Ron Taylor
Table Leader
Lives in - Bowie
Motto - LIVE Life!
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Finance Executive
Ashlee Terrell
Table Leader
Lives in - Crofton
Motto -
Hobbies - Wine
Profession - Program Manager
Porsche Thornton
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington D.C.
Motto - Welcome to that Champagne Life
Hobbies - Dancing
Profession - Program Director
Jennifer Thorpe
Table Leader
Lives in - Accokeek
Motto -
Hobbies -
Profession -
Amaris Thurston
Table Leader
Lives in - Odenton
Motto -
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Program Manager
Brittany Vincent
Table Leader
Lives in - Hyattsville
Motto - "Better a 'Jack of all Trades' than a master of one"
Hobbies - Travel, planting, drawing, does brunch count?
Profession - Public Health... and on occasion bartend to forget public health
Monay Walton
Table Leader
Lives in - COLUMBIA
Motto - It will Always be ok in the end and if its not OKAY its not the END!
Hobbies - Reading
Profession -
Wynnona (Denise) Ware
Table Leader
Lives in - Huntingtown
Motto -
Hobbies - Cooking
Profession - Education-Higher Learning
Rosanna Wilcox
Table Leader
Lives in - Washington, DC
Motto - YOLO
Hobbies - Photography
Profession - Marketing
Shara Wilder
Table Leader
Lives in - Hanover
Motto -
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession -
Torrance Young
Table Leader
Lives in - Philadelphia
Motto - Be your true self
Hobbies - Traveling
Profession - Business owner

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.
Axelle Pierresteguy
IT Support & Project Manager
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.
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.