About Us
Mission Statement
To provide a gateway to iconic leading facilities and memorable experiences through comprehensive event planning services for the University of Michigan and greater community.
Vision Statement
We are your gateway to the tradition, the history and the prestige of the many unique and distinctive venues at the University of Michigan.
We partner with you to create a conference or event that is everything it must be. And more.
We work beside you from ideation to finale. For the big picture and for every tiny detail.
We are here for you in every way—from guest accommodations to catering—with seamless ease, quiet confidence and reassuring expertise.
This is Michigan Conference & Event Services.
Ruby Al-Khafaji She/Her/Hers
Event Manager
Ruby joined CES in January 2026 with 4 years of experience. Prior to CES, she was an Events & Venue Manager at the Stone Chalet Bed & Breakfast and Event Center (Ann Arbor). There, she organized events from conception to completion. She handled inquiries, created event contracts, liaised with vendors, and served as day-of coordinator for events. She was also an Event Administrative Assistant at Gaylord National (Marriott International) in National Harbor, MD. Ruby earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Shenandoah University (Winchester, VA). She currently resides in Ann Arbor, where she loves going to the movies or catching up on the newest TV show, as well as reading any good fiction book, or tackling a crossword puzzle (usually with her cat, Heathcliff)!
Amanda Austin She/Her/Hers
Event Manager
Amanda Austin recently was promoted to Event Manager at CES. She joined Conference & Event Services as a Meeting and Special Events Assistant in July 2023. Previously, she spent four and a half years at Safe Haven Ministries, where she oversaw the health and safety of their residents as a residential program coordinator, and managed pantry drives, donations, and general client needs. Amanda obtained a degree in social work from Grand Valley State University. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with family and friends, hiking and camping, playing board games, enjoying concerts and music, and going to new restaurants.
Nolan Babinski He/Him/His
Meetings and Special Events Assistant
Nolan joined CES in August 2025. He joined Conference & Event Services after working at George Washington University in Washington, DC as a Scheduling Graduate Assistant. Prior to GW, he spent two years at Wayne State (Detroit, MI) as a Reservations Assistant. Nolan obtained his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Wayne State University and then recently received his Master’s Degree in Security Policy Studies from George Washington University. Nolan currently resides in Ann Arbor. When he’s not working, you can find him walking, birdwatching, or cheering on his hometown Detroit Lions!
Emily Bailey She/Her/Hers
Assistant Director, Event Services
Emily Bailey joined Conference & Event Services as Event Manager and was recently promoted to Assistant Director in 2025. Prior to working at Michigan, she served as general manager and catering director for food services at U‑M Dearborn. Emily has a degree in hospitality and tourism management from Grand Valley State University. When she’s not working, you can find her gardening, reading, taking nature walks, kayaking, and spending time with her family.
Amy Barnhart She/Her/Hers
Associate Director, Conferences & Summer Operations
Amy Barnhart brings 20 years of experience to her position as Associate Director of Conferences & Summer Operations. She holds a bachelor’s in sports medicine, a master’s of education in student affairs, and a PhD in educational leadership. Throughout her career, Amy has had diverse responsibilities within student life at the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, and Alma College. Her background includes overseeing residential communities, new student orientation, and a variety of campus-wide initiatives and events. Amy currently resides in Livonia. When not at work, you can find her knitting, camping, and managing her three kids’ sports schedules.
Cameron Brass She/Her/Hers
Event Manager
Cameron Brass joins Conference & Event Services as an Event Manager with 7 years of experience in hospitality. Previously she spent 2 years at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Grand Rapids, where she did event contracting & detailing, community networking, and maintaining client relationships. She received her bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University, majoring in Hospitality Tourism Management with an emphasis in event management. When she’s not working, you can find her enjoying reading (classics and nonfiction), spending time with her dog, and playing video games. She also does dance ballet; both soft-shoe and Pointe.
Kara Carter She/Her/Hers
Event Manager
Kara Carter joins Conference & Event Services as an Event Manager. Before joining the team, she served as a senior event planner at Zingerman’s and as an event engineer at Steppe Solutions. Kara holds a degree in sports management and communications from the University of Michigan. She currently resides in Ypsilanti. When she’s not serving clients, you can find her paddleboarding, reading, hanging with her senior dog, or spending time outdoors.
Aneesha Chitgupi She/Her/Hers
Event Manager
Aneesha comes to CES with 5 years of experience, most recently as an Events Marketing Consultant with Gold Swan Partners. At GSP, she was responsible for conceptualizing international events for diverse clients encompassing corporate and academic settings. Tracked and analyzed event metrics to optimize future event strategies. Prior to which she coordinated academic events for the Institute for New Economic thinking (INET). Aneesha earned her master’s in economics from Mount Carmel College and her bachelor’s in accounting and finance from St. Joseph’s College of Commerce. A resident of Novi, MI, when she’s not working, you can find her spending her free time reading books, learning vegan recipes, following cat-fluencers on Instagram and painting.
Caroline Clark She/Her/Hers
Conferences and Office Manager
Caroline Clark joins Conference & Events Services with 17 years of professional experience. Prior to joining CES as Conference and Events Manager, Caroline worked in patient services for Michigan Medicine, in management for the Polo Fields Golf & Country Club and Alexander’s Land and Sea Grill, and with the Catering Evans Street Station and Glass House Cafe. She studied Environmental Science at Eastern Michigan University and holds a Manage First certification in Hospitality and Restaurant Management, Customer Service, and Restaurant Marketing. Caroline currently resides in Brighton and, when not at work, you can find her cooking, baking, and spending time with her two children.
Ann-Marie Davis She/Her/Hers
Associate Director of Event Services
Ann-Marie Davis joined Conference & Event Services after serving over fifteen years in the hospitality industry. Many of those years were spent at Walt Disney World in Florida where she honed her skills as Contemporary Resort catering manager, event operations planning manager and events operations and conventions manager. In her current role as Associate Director of Event Services, Ann-Marie works with event managers to sell, plan and execute events held at the Michigan Union, Michigan League, and Pierpont Commons. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s in Hospitality Management. Ann-Marie currently resides in Fenton. When she is not working you can find her going to movies, exploring new restaurants and boutiques, and spending time outside with her dog Lucy Lu.
Kristy Eason She/Her/Hers
Conference Manager
Kristy Eason joins Conference and Event Services with over 10 years of experience in the event operations and programming industries. Prior to joining CES as Conference Manager, she served as the gaming coordinator for the Grand Rapids Comic Con. Kristy obtained her bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Grand Valley State University. She currently resides in Livonia and when she’s not at work, you’ll find her playing board games and using tabletop RPGs (like Dungeons and Dragons) to teach social skills to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She also loves snuggling her cats (Miso and Arwen), writing fiction, making jewelry and cooking.
Taylor Freed She/Her/Hers
Event Manager
Taylor Freed joins the CES team as an Event Manager. Most recently, she served as a social catering manager for The Kensington Hotel. Taylor obtained a bachelor’s degree in recreation, parks, and leisure service administration, with a concentration in recreation and event management, from Central Michigan University. When she’s not at work, you can find her exploring new areas, doing crafts, songwriting, reading, and spending quality time with her family, friends, and two cats.
Elaine Hanke She/Her/Hers
Director
Elaine Hanke joined the University in February, 2017, coming from the University of Nevada Las Vegas where she was the Associate Director, Student Union and Event Services. Her experience is rich in managing campus-wide events and conferences, ranging from cheer-leading camps to US presidential visits. Most recently, she served on the Presidential Debate Technical Committee (UNLV was the final 2016 Presidential debate host site) where she handled broadcast network media staging and contracts. Elaine has experience working collaboratively with student organizations, community partners, departments, and commercial groups. Elaine’s vision for Conference & Event Services is to be recognized as the event experts on campus with the team having a reputation for creating exceptional client experiences.
Mike Hill He/Him/His
Assistant Director of Conference & Summer Operations
In his current role as Assistant Director of Conferences and Summer Operations, Mike Hill oversees conferences as well as the execution of summer programs on campus. For the previous 27 years, Mike served as an educator for Saline Area Schools. A graduate of U‑M, Mike holds master’s degrees in Education and English, and bachelor’s degrees in English and Communications. When he’s not at work, Mike enjoys downhill skiing, reading crime fiction, rooting for U‑M sports, studying film history, and living vicariously through his daughters who attend Indiana University and Michigan State.
Clare Leidy She/Her/Hers
Conference Manager
Clare Leidy joins Conference & Events Services with seven years of experience. Before joining CES as Conference Manager, she served as a general manager at Arbor Brewing Co. where she oversaw taproom hospitality, operational flow, staff development, and executed various public and private events. Clare obtained a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. When she is not working she enjoys hiking with her two Great Danes, listening to audiobooks, and gardening.
Katie Massa She/Her/Hers
Sales Manager
Katie Massa joins Conference & Event Services after spending the past five years as the U‑M golf course events coordinator for Michigan Dining. She also served as a catering captain for Michigan Dining, and interned with the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, as well as Zingerman’s Catering & Events. In her current role as Sales Manager, Katie assists clients with their conference planning, registrations, virtual events, and summer programs. She obtained a degree in Hospitality Business from Michigan State University and currently resides in Ann Arbor. When Katie is not working you can find her spending time with family and friends, hiking, boating, and downhill skiing.
Makenzie Peecook Karn She/Her/Hers
Event Manager
Makenzie Peecook comes to Conference & Event Services with 9 years of experience in event management. Prior to joining CES as events manager, she served as events and operations manager for the Art House Convergence, a professional association of independent cinema operators. Makenzie is a graduate of U‑M with a bachelor’s in communications and film studies. She currently resides in Ann Arbor and, when not at work, you can find her at the movies, collecting eccentric earrings, and winning at pub trivia.
Susan Schaefgen She/Her/Hers
Assistant Director
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Sue Schaefgen joined U‑M in 1989, working in Dining and Catering as an event planner. In 1997 she joined Conference & Event Services as a Conference Manager.
Michael Sydlowski He/Him/His
Associate Director of Sales
Michael Sydlowski has extensive experience in contract negotiation, sales, strategic planning and personnel management. He served as the General Manager of Freedom Hill Amphitheatre and was responsible for sales, marketing, operations, guest services, PR and finance. He also served as the V.P. of Sales and Marketing at Michigan International Speedway. Michael’s resume also includes university experience, having worked at the University of Toledo, Old Dominion University, the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Kent State University. When he’s not working, you can find him near a baseball field, cutting grass or spending time with his family.
Emmeline Wendel She/Her/Hers
Meetings and Special Events Assistant
Emmeline Wendel joins Conference & Event Services as a Meetings and Special Events Assistant. Before joining the team, Emmeline was a communications associate at the HNRNP Family Foundation in Seattle, WA. She earned a degree in international and area studies, as well as Spanish language and literature, from Kalamazoo College. When she’s not at work, you can find her bouldering, downhill skiing, or hosting board game nights and themed events for friends and family.