MEET THE EVENT DIRECTORS
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Here at Stonebridge Manor, we’re in the business of making your dream day a reality! As Event Directors, our goal is to make the day enjoyable, memorable, & stress free!
The Event Director’s primary responsibility is the quality control of all the vendors & services that SBM has contracted on your behalf, as well as the services SBM provides. Your ED closely works with your vendors throughout your event to ensure that everything runs smoothly!
Let’s meet the Stonebridge Manor Event Directors!
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Anna Rajnisz
What is your role at Stonebridge Manor? Event Director, Social Media Marketing Guru, and Bridal Coordination
How did you get into events? I graduated with a degree in Marketing & Global Business from the University of Arizona. BEAR DOWN! During my time at UofA, I spent a few summers working abroad in London for a luxury shoe designer. I was quickly exposed to the fast-paced world of fashion and became more involved in the coordination and production of our events. Soon I found myself working on our London Fashion Week showcase. What a dream! After returning to the states I knew I wanted to somehow pursue a career in events. When Stonebridge Manor came calling, I immediately answered. With gratitude to the Manor & her team, I feel myself growing and becoming a stronger event director, professional, and person everyday.
Why do you love your job? The Manor itself! There are so many things I love about my job – seeing the excitement of the bride & groom while planning, witnessing the love between two people coming together as one, but my biggest love is the property and working in this beautiful setting everyday! It is enchanting, magical, and alive with love. Shout out to our unbelievable groundskeepers for doing what they do!
What is your guilty pleasure TV show? Ugh, just one? Anything on the Travel Channel, American Horror Story, How It’s Made (nerd alert!), Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Parks & Recreation, 30 Rock, pretty much anything with a strong, female comedic lead, and the cartoon classic… Spongebob Squarepants. 🙂
What is your favorite Starbucks/Dutch Bros drink? Starbucks Grande Iced Coffee, single shot of espresso, hazelnut, & cream. The perfect energizing combo for a full work day!
Do you have a secret talent no one knows about? Let’s just say you won’t find me on America’s Got Talent anytime soon… Lololol.
What is the most adventurous thing you’ve done? Euro Trip 2013! While in London studying and working for the summer, my fellow classmates and I spent our free weekends making the most of our location. We made trips to Paris, Dublin, Munich, and the Swiss Alps with many adventures packed into our travels. It was international bliss. I am a firm believer that travel opens the mind and the heart!
Alysia Zurlo
What is your role at Stonebridge Manor? Event Director & Senior Bridal/Event Coordination
How did you get into events? I was always interested in doing events. I started in college by putting on CD Release parties for my school’s record label, as well as organizing and working the concerts that came to campus. After college I worked in technology, but discovered it just wasn’t for me, so the first chance I found I went back to events. I have so much fun with weddings. I love being a part of someone’s “best day ever.”
Why do you love your job? I love helping couples plan their special day. It’s such a joy to share in the excitement of a couple’s engagement and wedding day! I love hearing each couple’s vision and to see it all come to life! The love shared by each couple is beautiful and I love being a part of it!
What is your guilty pleasure TV show? I probably have to go with the Bachelor/Bachelorette. The drama is so comedic sometimes, but I am such a sucker for a good love story, regardless of how ridiculous it may be.
What is your favorite Starbucks/Dutch Bros drink? French Vanilla Latte with Almond milk!
Do you have a secret talent no one knows about? I can change my voice to sound like Marvin the Martian. It’s kind of creepy but cracks my husband up!
What is the most adventurous thing you’ve done? I drove ATV’s through the Mexican Jungle while on my honeymoon! We then went snorkeling in a fresh water cave. If you knew how scared I was of dark places, you would understand how extra impressive swimming in a cave was for me!
Katina Hughes
What is your role at Stonebridge Manor? Event Director
How did you get into events? Years ago I worked for a catering company and I was often at SBM doing events for that company. I decided to transition from the catering company to SBM after I was offered a position as an Event Director! I also helped get the FOH for Palm Street Culinary off the ground as well as the bar, this was per a request from the GM. I have since transitioned back to part-time at Stonebridge Manor as an Event Director.
Why do you love your job? I love doing tours and helping to build the vision of what can be expected from SBM. I also love working one-on-one with the brides once they are booked. My absolute favorite is being a part of the BIG DAY! I love executing the details of the event and seeing the bride’s face as she relishes in her day.
What is your guilty pleasure TV show? I used to watch “Parenthood” and now I am interested in the new show “This is Us” …. we’ll see if it’s as good as Parenthood 😉
What is your favorite Starbucks/Dutch Bros drink? PSH …. I am a huge coffee snob. I prefer a piping hot, home-brewed, ROC2 black coffee!
Do you have a secret talent no one knows about? I can put some crazy miles under the tires with 4-5 kids in tow while pulling a 27’ travel trailer. Just call me Super Mom!
What is the most adventurous thing you’ve done? Getting married at age 20 and being able to say that I am happily married for 23 years has been an adventure! Also having my 5 beautiful children was, and is, still an adventure. Perhaps the most fun and daring ME thing was Kayaking down the Salt River at Midnight on Full Moons 😀 Fun fun!
Amanda Schmidt
What is your role at Stonebridge Manor? Event Director
How did you get into doing events? I started events in High School (go Hawks!) where I was in Student Council 3/4 years and actually planned my Jr/Sr. Prom at Stonebridge Manor in 2004. I have always loved everything about events since then, (yes, I am one of those weird people who LOVED high school). In 2009, I was lucky enough to be an actual Stonebridge Bride and experience things from your side. Finally, in addition to my Business Communications Bachelors Degree from ASU, I also completed my Certificate of Events Management where I had the opportunity to intern at Stonebridge Manor. Fast forward 3 years later, I am so blessed to be a part of this family and really experience the Manor from all sides!
Why do you love your job? I love my job because every event is really different! My favorite part of every wedding is the ceremony and when the couple sees each other in front of all of their family and friends for the first time. I cry. Every. Time. I love helping someone’s vision of their best day ever become reality.
What is your guilty pleasure TV show? My guilty pleasure TV show depends on the current Netflix selection. Series I watch over and over: Greys Anatomy, Alias, BBC’s Sherlock, BBC’s Luther, Sofia the First (courtesy of my girl, Charlotte).
What is your favorite Starbucks/Dutch Bros drink? Dunkin Donuts all DAY! Iced (decaf right now) coffee, black, sugar-free French vanilla. Starbucks has this awesome iced mango green tea right now I can’t say no to.
Do you have a secret talent no one knows about? Secret Talent? No. Maybe the ability to only wash my hair once a week…
What is the most adventurous thing you’ve done? Adventurous is not a word someone would use to describe me. My biggest adventure has been these past 18 months, being responsible for the growth and learning of my beautiful little girl. Every day with her is an adventure!
Chelsea Courtney
What is your role at Stonebridge Manor? Event Director
How did you get into events? I got into events through a leap of faith. My background and degrees are in accounting. I went to a friend’s wedding and saw how beautiful it was and thought about how much fun it would be to coordinate/plan something like that. Then my best friend got engaged and I helped her with the planning of her wedding. It just made me so excited that I knew this was something I wanted to do as a career.
Why do you love your job? I love my job because I get to make the best day of people’s live happen for them. I get to make those visions that they have in their heads a reality. People are happy to see me when I show up for work.
What is your guilty pleasure TV show? Real Housewives of Orange County, for sure!
What is your favorite Starbucks/Dutch Bros drink? Starbucks Chai Latte (iced or hot)
What is the most adventurous thing you’ve done? Skydiving on my 18th birthday with my dad!
