Our Staff
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Lynda Webster Founder and Chairman |
Lizette Corro President and CEO |
Wendy Drake Vice President |
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Deborah Gitelson Director of Production |
C. Andrew Ammerman Director of Development |
Jackie Alafoginis Director, event marketing |
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D'Arcy Klingle Associate |
Allyson Riordan Associate |
Mary-Frances Wain Consultant |
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Lindsay Robbins Associate |
Pasan Sumathipala Associate Director of Accounting |
Ellen Blankenstein Director, event marketing |
Lynda C. Webster, Founder & Chairman
Lynda C. Webster founded The Webster Group out of a passion to help nonprofits design, build and produce financially-successful fundraising events. Ten years later, the business has expanded to include corporate and government event planning, foundation management, fundraising and more.
Drawing from over fifteen years in the field of hotel management, Ms. Webster has worked with a wide range of organizations, a large number of which are nonprofits. Drawing from her luxury hotel experience, The Webster Group is especially well-qualified to handle high-end and VIP events.
Ms. Webster holds Master degrees in Business from Southern Methodist University and International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird). She graduated with honors from Stephens College with a BA in history and foreign languages while earning Certificates of Study in Spain from the Universities of Salamanca, Granada and Madrid.
As a volunteer, Ms. Webster has been involved with over twenty five local charitable and professional organizations, serving in leadership roles with the National Symphony Orchestra, Friends of the National Arboretum, National Center for Leadership, Potomac Meeting Planners International, Greater Washington Society of Association Executives, American Forests and the Shenandoah National Park Trust. Ms. Webster resides in Washington, D.C. with her husband, Judge William H. Webster, former director of both the FBI and CIA, and now a practicing attorney. They enjoy most weekends and an occasional holiday with a golden retriever and border collie at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains near Washington, VA. There they fish, hike and play an occasional game of tennis.
Lizette Corro on Lynda: "The Webster Group exists today due to Lynda Webster's enormous heart and ambition to make a difference in the community. Lynda has contributed her time and efforts to the Washington area and many of its nonprofit organizations for over two decades. This passion to help quickly led to the creation of The Webster Group, a business that would be able to provide the assistance and attention needed for nonprofits to help them excel in their strategic planning and fundraising efforts. After working out of her basement for two years, Lynda was able to create a successful full service event, fundraising, strategic planning and foundation management company.
I am extremely proud to work for a woman with such insight and determination. Everything that Lynda does is first-rate and no details go overlooked. Honesty and integrity are key principles for Lynda – she always makes sure her clients know what they're getting and makes sure that the end result is impeccable. All of us at The Webster Group are proud to work for a woman with such purpose and sincerity! "
Lizette Corro, President & CEO
Lizette Corro is the President and CEO of The Webster Group. She brings to the company many years of unique experiences in both for-profit and profit management, along with her excellence in team management and a wide range of professional contacts. She is a talented strategic planner and fundraiser with experience in foundation management.
Prior to joining the The Webster Group, Ms. Corro was senior vice president of resource development for America's Promise-The Alliance for Youth. Ms. Corro served as managing director of Orr Associates, Inc. In this position she managed highly successful fundraising campaigns and special events for organizations such as: the Alzheimer's Association, Epilepsy Foundation, Marriott Foundation, Operation Smile, American Geriatrics Society, King Hussein Foundation, Save the Children, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, National Partnership for Women and Families, African Forum of Ouaga, International Code Council Foundation, Deafness Research Foundation, Antietam Health Foundation, and DC Central Kitchen. Through her direct involvement, Ms. Corro helped organizations raise millions of dollars and established frameworks and strategies for their continued fundraising efforts.
As an active member of the community, Ms. Corro gives her time to many nonprofit organizations. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Latino Student Fund, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, Post-Classical Ensemble, The Washington Ballet, National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Board of Visitors at Children's Hospital, and the Latino Federation of Greater Washington. Ms. Corro holds dual citizenship in the United States and Panama and is fluent in English and Spanish. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from American University's School of International Service and has completed coursework from the University of Virginia's School of Foreign Service's masters program. A native Washingtonian, Ms. Corro has two children.
Lynda Webster on Lizette: "As my company grew, I recognized that my skills were not in running a company day to day or training young people to excel to their fullest; I knew that we needed a CEO who could fill these essential roles with true integrity and who shared my firm belief in excellence.
I found that person in my long time friend, Lizette Corro. Like me, she has a background in luxury hotels and fundraising; she shares my desire to offer our clients outstanding service and honest advice-something drilled into both of us from our earliest hotel days.
Lizette's second nature is to think strategically. She knows the ins and outs of fundraising, event planning, and strategic planning. An active, native Washingtonian, she is loved and respected throughout our community. Since joining our team in 2006, Lizette has made a tremendous impact on The Webster Group; we're extremely lucky to have her as our fun and fearless leader!
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As vice president for The Webster Group, Wendy Drake coordinates all aspects of client events from developing and implementing a fundraising plan, to strategic planning, to producing the event. During her time at the Webster Group she has been instrumental in raising over $25 million for nonprofit clients. She has developed an extensive network of clients, associates, and professional contacts across private industry, governmental organizations, and charitable foundations. Ms. Drake leads a talented team of professionals at The Webster Group dedicated to excellence in ensuring the flawless execution of events and fundraising endeavors.
Recently, Ms. Drake was the Project Manager for The Air Force Memorial Dedication Weekend, a three-day celebration covering five different events and over 40-50,000 people, including President George W. Bush, our nation's veterans, military officers, general public, and celebrities. Our efforts with the Air Force Memorial Dedication weekend have earned The Webster Group an international nomination for best nonprofit event for 2006 by the International Special Events Society (ISES).
Ms. Drake has worked with a variety of clients including the African Center, American Air Museum in Britain, KIPP DC Key Academy, Master Chorale of Washington, the National Sleep Foundation, Pentagon Memorial Fund, Inc., Population Reference Bureau, USAID.
Prior to The Webster Group, Ms. Drake was a director with Orr Associates, Inc. (OAI), a DC-based fundraising and events management firm. Ms. Drake also worked with USAID and the Government of Bulgaria Finance Project led by ARD Bulgaria. During this project she assessed local business opportunities and conducted a screening process' for the creation of a tourism enterprise incubator; developed business plans for local entrepreneurs and designed and delivered development action plans and a marketing strategy for the project.
Ms. Drake is a member of Society of Government Meeting Professionals, ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership, The Linden Circle (Meridian International) and Washington Women in Wine.
Ms. Drake received a Master of Business Administration from the George Washington University in 2002 and holds a Bachelor of Science from Drury University in Springfield, MO. She lives with her husband and daughter in Falls Church, VA.
Lynda Webster on Wendy: "Wendy has been with The Webster Group for more than six of our ten years and has contributed immensely to our success. No one works harder or more efficiently than Wendy, with a sunnier, 'can do' attitude toward our clients, suppliers and staff."
Deborah Gitelson, Director of Production
Deborah Gitelson has thirteen years of event production experience. She manages all logistical elements of special events including galas, dinners, fashion shows, memorial unveilings, congressional receptions, large scale entertainment productions and marathon walks from Washington, DC to New York to Los Angeles.
As director of production at The Webster Group, Ms. Gitelson prepares and manages event budgets, subcontractors, timelines, creative design, venues, entertainment and is a proven negotiator. She is a proven negotiator with each aspect of event production. On event day she effectively oversees load-in, catering operations, design set-up, and rehearsals. Ms. Gitelson works with clients to develop event concepts and themes; once set, she coordinates the production elements of the event and 'calls' any program or show. Among her many skills, she has particular expertise in production elements including all audio and video aspects and advanced digital media.
Recently, Ms. Gitelson was the director of production for The Air Force Memorial Dedication Weekend, a three-day celebration covering five different events and over 40-50,000 people, including President George W. Bush, our nation's veterans, military officers, general public, and celebrities. Our efforts with the Air Force Memorial Dedication weekend have earned The Webster Group an international nomination for best nonprofit event for 2006 by the International Special Events Society (ISES).
She has produced events for Common Sense Media, Air Force Memorial Foundation, The Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary, The National Building Museum, National Sleep Foundation and Fight for Children, Inc.
Prior to her work at The Webster Group, Ms. Gitelson was Director of Production for Orr Associates, Inc. (OAI), a DC-based fundraising and events management firm. Ms. Gitelson also worked in the fashion industry for Ralph Lauren handling public relations and special events for his retail stores in New York City. She then moved to Washington, DC, and was introduced to the nonprofit world by working for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as director of special events.
A graduate of the University of Maryland, Ms. Gitelson is a native Washingtonian. She resides in Maryland with her husband and two children.
Lynda Webster on Deborah: "As my company grew, I needed to hire the best, most respected, and nicest production professional in the business-and I did!"
Andrew Ammerman, Director of Development
C. Andrew Ammerman has more than thirteen years of fundraising, community relations, project management and marketing experience.
As director of development for The Webster Group, Mr. Ammerman leads the fundraising efforts and manages the daily activities for the Pentagon Memorial Fund (PMF). Prior to joining The Webster Group, Mr. Ammerman was the vice president for business development at America's Promise -The Alliance for Youth where he helped establish, build and lead the organization's first fundraising program. During this time, Mr. Ammerman put in place the departmental infrastructure, coordinated the development of strategic and tactical plans and led the solicitations of individuals, foundations and corporations. He was responsible for negotiating and implementing strategic corporate partnerships based on monetary contributions, employee volunteer programs, workplace-giving and special events. He also managed corporate promotional and marketing projects including cause marketing programs, public service announcements.
Mr. Ammerman managed all major corporate partnerships (ranging from $50k - $7 million) with companies such as AIG American General, Capital One, Comcast, Ford Motor Company, New Century Financial Corporation, State Farm Insurance, and more.
Prior to America's Promise, Mr. Ammerman worked for Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) as manager of corporate relations where he focused on expanded partnerships through cause marketing, public relations and sponsorship opportunities. Mr. Ammerman also worked for Meridian International Center for five years working on individual, foundation and corporate fundraising and assisted with government grant proposal preparation.
Mr. Ammerman earned a Masters of Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola College, Maryland. Mr. Ammerman also studied and worked at Assumption University in Bangkok, Thailand.
Jackie Alafoginis, Director, event marketing
Jackie Alafoginis has more than eight years of fundraising and event management experience.
As Director, event marketing for The Webster Group, Ms. Alafoginis coordinates all aspects of fundraising and marketing aspects for our clients.
Prior to joining The Webster Group, Ms. Alafoginis was the event manager for Fight For Children and managed School Night and Fight Night, their signature events. School Night annually raised $5 million and supported various nonprofit educational organizations in Washington, DC. Fight Night, which annually raises over $2 million, supports various nonprofit healthcare and mentoring organizations in Washington, DC. In addition, Ms. Alafoginis was a team leader for the Rockin' the Corps event at Camp Pendleton in California; this event was attended by over 50,000 Marines and their families, and raised millions of dollars to support America's troops. Ms. Alafoginis worked at Fight For Children for over six years, strengthening her skills in marketing, fundraising and development, logistical coordination, vendor negotiations, budget management and reputable contacts in the entertainment industry.
Ms. Alafoginis started her career at Events Management, Inc. in January, 1998, quickly navigating the road to strong event planning and execution. She focused on medium- to large-scale nonprofit fundraising events, ensuring a successful outcome.
Lynda Webster on Jackie: "Jackie is among the hardest working, most competent, and most energetic people I have ever encountered."
Ellen Blankenstein, Director, event marketing
Ellen Blankenstein brings over eight years of experience in fundraising, event coordination, sponsorship benefits, contract negotiations, copy writing and committee management.
As director, event marketing for The Webster Group, Ms. Blankenstein coordinates the fundraising and marketing aspects for our clients.
Prior to joining the Webster Group, Ms. Blankenstein was a director at Natalie P. Shear Associates, an event and fundraising management firm. In this role, she was responsible for managing the fundraising and event coordination for a wide range of clients. She was also involved in committee development and sponsorship outreach.
Prior to joining Natalie P. Shear Associates, Ms. Blankenstein was the development manager at Fight For Children, a Washington, D.C. based nonprofit organization benefiting education and healthcare initiatives for children. In that capacity, Ms. Blankenstein spearheaded fundraising activities for Fight For Children's signature events: Fight Night and School Night which raise more than $5 million annually for local healthcare and education organizations. Prior to joining Fight for Children Ms. Blankenstein played an integral part in creating The Kids’ Extravalooza, an inaugural event launching the National Children's Museum.
At the Webster Group, Ms. Blankenstein directs Knock-Out Abuse Against Women, a nonprofit which supports women and children who have suffered as victims of domestic violence. In this capacity, she is responsible for event management and fundraising for the organization's dinner which raises over $500,000 each annually.
Previous to her work at Fight For Children, Ms. Blankenstein served as a publicist for the public relations division of TMP Worldwide which represented telecommunications clients. She served as programs coordinator for the Northern Virginia Technology Council where she was responsible for the logistics of over 100 meetings annually.
Ms. Blankenstein graduated magna cum laude from George Washington University with a degree in Psychology.
Lynda Webster on Ellen: "We're thrilled to have Ellen on board as our newest director. She knows the people in our community very well and understands the model we use to help our clients build their events through an effective leadership structure. What's most important is that people know she's a hard working, reliable, nice person-just like other members of our staff!"
D'Arcy Klingle joined The Webster Group, fresh out of college, as an associate in August, 2006. Since then, she has worked enthusiastically with a variety of clients, including: The Ellington Fund, the Master Chorale of Washington, the National Sleep Foundation and the TRICARE contractors.
Ms. Klingle has a history in hospitality. Prior to working with The Webster Group she spent the summer of 2006 interning at the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH). Ms. Klingle assisted with all of the elements that involve the planning of NAEH's annual summer conference. In the summer of 2005, Ms. Klingle had her first taste of event planning when she interned at Coast Concierge Event Planning in Costa Mesa, CA. At Coast Concierge, Ms. Klingle worked primarily on corporate parties and lunches.
Ms. Klingle received her degree in Public Relations from Northern Michigan University (NMU). While attending NMU, Ms. Klingle participated in several student organizations and is an active member of the NMU Alumni Association.
During her college experience, she volunteered her time to PRestige, an on-campus, student run public relations firm. Through this organization she was able to work on the event planning for the 2005 U.S. Olympic Short Track Speed Skating Trials.
If Ms. Klingle is not working hard at The Webster Group, you will find her out and about in the DC area. Ms. Klingle is a member of the Washington Ballet's Jete Society and the Young Benefactors of the Smithsonian.
Lynda Webster on D'Arcy: "D'Arcy is like a sponge-she absorbs all we can teach her. Less than a year from joining our team, she has mastered what many event planners never learn in a lifetime."
Allyson Riordan, a lifelong DC resident, recently joined The Webster Group. Before joining The Webster Group, she worked as an account coordinator in advertising, which gave her the opportunity to design and create advertisements and advertising slogans.
Ms. Riordan has also worked as a pre-school teacher at the Community Pre-School of the Palisades and Bright Horizons. She interned at the DNC where she worked in the vice-chair's office and constituent services. There, she helped format a New Citizen's Project and a nation-wide Volunteer Recognition Program.She also worked in New York as an intern at Dana Buchman, and lived abroad in France.
Ms. Riordan graduated from Kenyon College in May 2006 with a B.A. in Sociology. While at Kenyon, she was a co-captain of the Women's Varsity lacrosse team and a member of her class committee.
Lynda Webster on Allyson: "Allyson is a quick study and mature beyond her years. Young, smart professionals like Allyson bring energy and innovation to The Webster Group."
Mary-Frances Wain serves as a freelance consultant to The Webster Group. Her clients include the American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation, Junior Tennis Champions Center, Master Chorale of Washington, and Second Genesis.
Prior to partnering with The Webster Group, Ms. Wain served as executive director for Suited for Change from 1998-1999. In 2002 Mary-Frances was brought back to the organization to recover its financial situation. Between 2002 and 2006, Mary-Frances oversaw a tenfold increase in corporate and foundation grants, drastically increased the success and profile of the organization's annual fundraiser, and doubled the organization's annual budget.
Ms. Wain has also served as public relations manager for both Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue where she was responsible for community investment, media relations, and special events. She consistently ranked among the highest in the company for event success.
Ms. Wain served as director of corporate relations at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, where she oversaw the museum's corporate membership and advertising programs. Mary-Frances began her career at the American Advertising Federation and its nonprofit foundation, where she ran a national student advertising competition and helped raise scholarship funds for minorities pursuing careers in advertising.
Mary-Frances Wain is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University with a degree in Advertising, a minor in Fine Art and a concentration in Psychology. She was a Dean's List student and recipient of the Maxwell School of Public Policy scholarship as well.
Mary-Frances lives in Washington, DC with her husband and son. She is active in a number of nonprofit organizations including Fashion Group International, Kids Corner, and Suited for Change.
Lynda Webster on Mary-Frances: "I'd give my bottom dollar to have Mary-Frances on staff full-time to work with more of our clients. She's fantastic! While I respect her personal desire to devote time to her young son, I cannot wait until he grows up! "
Lindsay Robbins graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication.
Prior to joining The Webster Group, Ms. Robbins gained experience in event planning while interning at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, in Washington, DC. She worked in the Major Gifts Department, where she was involved with major Center events such as Jazz in Our Time, Millennium Stage Celebration, and Spring Gala.
Ms. Robbins also interned at Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM). She assisted in the planning and execution of 2006 Summit, a premier educational marketing and management conference. These positions have provided Ms. Robbins with invaluable experiences and opportunities. Ms. Robbins' event planning and management skills are also aided by her four years of sales experience.
Lynda Webster on Lindsay: "Lindsay, one of the newest Webster Group employees, has already hit the ground running with a 'go getter' attitude and we are thrilled with her desire to satisfy our clients' every need."
Pasan Sumathipala, Associate Director of Accounting
Pasan Sumathipala has more than fifteen years of accounting, financial management and auditing experience.
As the Associate Director of Accounting for The Webster Group, Mr. Sumathipala manages the accounting department.
Prior to joining The Webster Group, Mr. Sumathipala was at Tedia Company in Fairfield, Ohio. In addition, he has worked with multinational organization in Sri Lanka with his professional accounting qualifications obtained from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.
A graduate of Cincinnati State Technical College, Ohio. Mr. Sumathipala migrated to the United States in 2003 and currently resides in Maryland with his wife.
Lynda Webster on Pasan: "Every busy organization like ours needs one person who is ‘THE ROCK', Pasan is the calm, quiet and steady one on our team—a most reliable, professional man with the warmest smile in Washington—a comfort to us all on busy event days! "