Event planners, designers, logisticians, strategists, collaborators. However you choose to define our team at JDC Events, we promise to deliver. We pride ourselves on being the experts in community-building and true partners for our clients. Our team has extensive experience managing and executing thousands of events around the world for a range of clients who are all changing their communities in their own unique ways — just like you.
A visionary in event curation and passionate advocate for meaningful connections, Jennifer has spent over 25 years designing experiences that drive impact, foster community and transform lives. As President & CEO of JDC Events, she specializes in crafting purpose-driven events that strengthen your brand, fuel innovation and deliver pivotal moments that accelerate growth.
Jennifer has led transformative experiences across industries, shaping spaces where ideas flourish and relationships thrive. Her expertise has earned her national and local recognition, including JDC Events being ranked among the top event planning firms in the Washington, D.C. region.
An advocate for knowledge-sharing and industry evolution, Jennifer is the author of Events Spark Change: A Guide to Designing Powerful and Engaging Events. She invests in the next generation through involvement and support of her alma mater The American University and holds leadership roles in industry and business organizations including the Events Industry Council, PCMA Legacy Society (Founding Member) and Women’s Business Enterprise Council Greater DMV and Metro NY.
For Jennifer, work and life are seamlessly connected. Whether traveling, hiking, or unwinding on Cape Cod, she finds inspiration in the world around her—always ready to spark new ideas and meaningful conversations.
Business Affiliations & Education
Kara Dao, an extreme optimist by nature, excels in her role as Chief Operating Officer (COO). With an unwavering belief in the possibilities, Kara’s approachable and open demeanor instills confidence in both clients and colleagues, helping them achieve their goals. With over 25 years of experience, Kara has an impressive track record, including managing a top-ranking exhibition that grew fivefold within two years. She has successfully led international trade shows, collaborating with remote teams and achieving remarkable profit margins.
Kara’s extensive experience has also provided her with valuable insights into creating innovative show experiences. This includes a proven track record of leading and scaling high-performing teams. With a focus on operational excellence, Kara has implemented innovations and processes that drive collaboration and growth.
Outside of her professional life, Kara finds joy in spending time with her family and nurturing plants. She possesses a talent for cooking and transforming leftovers into delicious creations. Kara holds a degree in psychology from George Mason University. She is certified by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and has earned the prestigious CEM Fellow designation, the first of its kind; as well as certifications in Exhibition Management (CEM) and Digital Event Strategist (DES).
Stephanie Hammond is a seasoned financial executive with more than thirty years of expertise in corporate finance, strategic planning, and operational leadership. As Chief Financial Officer of JDC Events, she drives financial strategy, risk management, and business operations, fueling sustainable growth and maximizing profitability.
With a sharp acumen in consumer products, Stephanie has spearheaded transformative initiatives in financial restructuring, capital allocation, and performance optimization. Prior to joining JDC Events, she held critical financial leadership roles at Kraft Heinz, where she implemented data-driven decision-making on billion-dollar brands, provided strategic financial leadership across sales regions, and optimized financial efficiencies at scale.
A results-driven leader, Stephanie excels at aligning financial strategy with business objectives, enhancing operational excellence. She holds an MBA from Northwestern University and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.
Beyond her professional achievements, Stephanie is deeply committed to serving where she leads a volunteer organization supporting those who are food insecure. She finds energy and inspiration in traveling with her family and spending time outdoors.
Dee Cariglino is a creative professional whose extensive experience spans design, events and marketing. She has worked in a variety of industries for companies ranging from small nonprofits to major corporations. Before working with JDC, Dee spent several years with an international events and media company, producing content and education programming for a portfolio of annual B2B trade shows. Dee's strong organizational, technical and communications skills, along with the ability to manage as well as support, make her an indispensable member of the team for in-person and virtual events.
Akyra was introduced to the events world through college internships that opened her eyes to the excitement and complexities that surround them. She got her professional start as an onsite event operator, during which time she traveled more than 260 days a year around the world to operate incentive trips, business meetings, and conferences. After that, she moved into the nonprofit world, working for local community organizations while still planning community meetings and fundraisers such as galas and bike rides.
Akyra earned her Bachelor of Science in parks, recreation and tourism from the University of Missouri and continues to be a faithful Tiger, no matter how tough it can be at times. She also lived in Rome, Italy for two years while earning her MBA.
In her free time, Akyra loves to travel. It’s her favorite way to learn about people, culture, and food. She is also an avid whiskey enthusiast and loves to incorporate tastings and distillery visits into her travels. Akyra loves true crime podcasts and documentaries and can spend hours listening, watching, or reading these stories. That said, she has learned to balance the gruesome stories with Bravo reality shows.
As Executive Assistant for JDC Events, Cameron combines creativity and a knack for transforming chaos into order. She uses her many administrative talents to create a productive and collaborative environment among the executive team. She loves to give insight and feedback when needed, contributing a unique and innovative perspective.
A graduate of the University of Wyoming, Cameron acquired a degree in Animal Science with a concentration in Meat Science and Food Technology. She went on to work in both the food and construction industries before joining JDC. In her free time, Cameron loves hiking with her family and rock climbing. She is also a studying herbalist and loves to research and cook up holistic, natural remedies for her family and friends.
Josette has served as project director for contracts with many federal agencies, including the National Institute of Mental Health, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Administration, the HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advance Research and Development Authority, and the U.S. Department of Education. At JDC Events, she adds the Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, and Department of Commerce to her extensive experience.
Josette has been involved in the meetings industry for over 25 years and has held memberships with the Society of Government Meeting Professionals, Meeting Professionals International, and the Professional Convention Management Association. Josette was in the inaugural class of Certified Government Meeting Planners (CGMP). Her current certifications include Certification in Meeting Management (CMM), Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), and CGMP. She is also a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI).
When Josette isn’t busy herding the proverbial cats, she’s being fabulous as a registered yoga instructor. Josette also enjoys walking the iconic Woodrow Wilson Bridge to clear her mind.
Since 2010, Vanessa’s meticulous planning and event management skills have been key in the design, planning, logistics, and execution of a wide range of events she has produced, both independently and as part of a team.
Throughout her career, she has produced events of varying scale, including diplomatic and holiday receptions, world leader visits, award ceremonies, fashion shows, corporate dinners, cocktail parties, photo shoots, and product launches both nationally and internationally throughout Europe and Asia.
From 2017 until 2021, Vanessa served as the White House Deputy Social Secretary. During this period, she brilliantly planned, coordinated, and directed White House staff, government agency representatives, military personnel, contractors, and commercial vendors at more than 800 awe-inspiring White House events hosted by the President and First Lady.
Vanessa’s calm and professional demeanor, enthusiasm, flexibility, attention to detail, and solution-oriented mentality are hallmarks of her approach to event production.
When Vanessa isn’t planning an event, she enjoys researching fashion’s latest trends, going to Pilates class (when time allows!), exploring new restaurants and cuisines, re-decorating her place and planning her next travel destination. Preferably somewhere warm with a beach! She also enjoys cuddling and spending time with her 14-year-old miniature poodle, Bailey!
Vanessa received her Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Spanish from Texas State University and her Associate in Fashion Merchandise Management from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Sara has worked in the meeting and events industry since 2011 and has spent many years volunteering, mentoring, and advocating for her profession. Her previous organizations include the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Society for American Military Engineers (SAME), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), ICF International, and the National Association of Corporate Directors. Sara has managed events and conferences from 150 to 25,000 attendees, including live, digital and hybrid events. She has been highlighted in multiple publications including Associations Now Magazine - The Meetings Issue: The Innovators; Meetings and Conventions Magazine - Top 15 Rising Stars; and Meeting and Conventions Magazine Guest Stars Blog Posts. Sara is a recipient of PCMA's 20 in their Twenties Award (2018), is an alumna of ASAE's NextGen Group, and is on ASAE's Meetings and Exposition Council. Sara is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP).
A proud Howard University alum with a knack for turning events into unforgettable experiences, Nakia brings over 20 years of expertise to the field of events, conferences, and trade show management. Her professional journey includes key positions with Fortune 500 companies, boutique associations, and large nonprofit organizations.
Nakia is dedicated to the meticulous planning and administration of events, programs, and conferences across the country. Her leadership ensures that every detail is handled with precision, delivering exceptional outcomes for JDC’s clients.
When she's not busy turning mundane moments into magical memories, Nakia transforms into a superhero volunteer. Armed with a cape of compassion, she works with various foundations, providing youth outreach services that don't just change lives but also cultivate the next generation of responsible leaders through educational enrichment, mentoring, and life transformation programs.
Nakia's commitment to global engagement is evident in her role as the organizer of an international cultural exchange mission to Colombia, South America, bringing together over 100 students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.
With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Psychology and the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential, Nakia showcases both academic dedication and professional achievement in her well-rounded approach to event management and philanthropy.
We care about people. We believe in being flexible with time so that our team can be present for those meaningful life moments.
We believe in education. Knowledge is power. The more we know, the better this makes us, and the more we can offer our clients.
We deliver. No matter the details, complexity or challenges, we move mountains to ensure our clients’ success.
We own it. Coming to the table with thoughts and ideas offers growth opportunities for our team and our client programs.
We speak the truth. We believe in integrity, and respect each other as people, professionals and leaders.
General Services Administration
Multiple Award Schedule
SIN 541 4D; Conference, Events and Tradeshow Planning Services
National Institutes of Health
Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
HHSN263201800040I
Conference, Administrative and Travel Services
National Institutes of Health
Blanket Purchase Agreement
75N90021A00003 – 75N90021F00002
Event planning services and travel accommodation services on behalf of the NIH Clinical Center
OCRTME Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP)
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
SBA 8(m), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)
Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP)
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
Certification in Exhibition Management (CEM)
Digital Event Strategist (DES)
561920 Convention and Trade Show Organizers
541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting
541430 Graphic Design Services
541613 Marketing Consulting Services
541613 Public Relations Services
541810 Advertising Agencies
541850 Display Advertising
541890 Other Services Related to Advertising
541910 Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling
541922 Commercial Photography
Have an event concept you’re ready to bring to life? We want to hear from you! Use the form below to tell us about your vision or give us a call. We look forward to working with you.
Headquarters:
8403 Colesville Rd.
Suite 1100
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Email: info@jdc-events.com
Phone: 240.512.4220