ORGANIZING TEAM
Meet The Team
Our Executive Team was hand selected to curate a memorable event. Combining their professional talents and experience with their love of the Magic City, learn more about each member.
D'Vaughn Hayes
Lead Organizer & Licensee
Passionate about spreading ideas, D’Vaughn is the first licensee to bring TEDx to Billings since 2015 and has big plans to continue to grow the brand and event for our community.
D’Vaughn is our TEDxBillings Licensee/Curator. He is the General Manager of a local organization, Chief Influence Officer of his own company and the one responsible for bringing TEDx to Billings!
In his free time, D’Vaughn serves on the Billings NextGEN Leadership Team as Co-Lead of the Grow Committee and coaches his sons Little League Baseball team.
Otherwise known as the Content Creation Queen, Kelli contributes her marketing expertise and knowledge to our Executive Team.
Kelli currently owns Ember Marketing Group, an agency that specializes in personal and business branding, content creation and marketing consulting. She is also founder and host of Campfire Hour, a fun leadership-based podcast with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and CEO of Campfire Blend, a coffee company that was started to monetize the podcast show.
Kelli believes in collaboration over competition and loves working with others to think outside the box and create fresh original ideas to grow businesses and brands, which makes her the perfect fit for Marketing Director on our Executive Team.
Kelli Maxwell
Marketing Director
Jennifer Mercer
Community Relations
Check back soon for more!
A community champion, Cathy contributes her vast experience and connections in fundraising for local charity events to the team.
Cathy is currently the Director of Sales – Residence Inn by Marriott Billings. She is Co-Race Director 2017 – 2020 RunTurkeyRun, Treasurer of the Westend Exchange Club and very active in Billings Chamber of Commerce.
She is passionate about Volunteerism & Community Support locally, as she is born and raised in Montana and loves the city of Billings, which makes her perfect for this role on the TEDxBillings Executive Team.
When she’s not working or busy with community events, she enjoys travel (especially to tropical destinations) and golf.
Cathy Cullen-Kuhr
Co-Lead Organizer
MIchelle Williams
Event MC
Michelle began her work at the Billings Depot in March of 2018. With a professional background in strategy, communications, consumer trending, and brand management, Michelle is working to ensure the continued preservation of the Billings Depot and increase its presence and involvement in the Billings Community.
In her short time, she has launched many new community initiatives including a pocket park along Montana Avenue, the first experiential event for Billings, a new popup retail space, a children’s STEAM education event and many more.
Prior to the Depot, Michelle worked at AD Creative Group for 9 years as the firm’s strategy and business development director where she supported businesses across all industries including hospitality, energy, national parks, consumer products, and nonprofits.
Born in Philadelphia and a resident of Dallas, Texas for 12 years, Michelle moved to Billings in 2009 to embrace the Montana way of life.
Professional videographer and producer, Mark and his team have the equipment and experience to capture this event in its entirety, providing the footage for generations to come.
Mark Donohue
Production Manager
Gary Carson
Website and Design Manager
An SEO and tech whiz, Gary is an expert in all things internet based, designing our website and devoting his skills to grow our brand online.
Owner of 406 Web Solutions, a Web Design and SEO Firm here in Billings, Gary helps his clients grow their brand and web presence. He also owns Freakin’ Awesome DJ Service where he plays weddings and events in the Billings area.
Gary hosts 1 Million Cups, a national networking organization that plans local meet ups and presentations. He enjoys spending free time with his wife and dogs.
We’ve got to give Scott a chance to write all the new words for the website. Check back to see what he has to say. Scott does good words. You will be impressed.
Scott Sery
Copywriter
Isiac Hammer
Sponsorship Director
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More to come soon!
Akvilina Kazenaite Rieger
Event Director
Cody Reitz
Event Coordinator
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