Meet Our Board
Meet the Vermont Wedding Professionals Who Lead VAWP
VAWP is led by a working board of experienced wedding industry professionals who volunteer their time because they believe in this organization and the community it serves. They are photographers, planners, venue managers, caterers, entertainers, and more, each one bringing deep expertise and a genuine commitment to elevating Vermont's wedding industry. This is not a board that sits on the sidelines. These are active professionals who show up, advocate, and lead by example.
Board Leadership
Jaclyn Watson
President
Jaclyn Watson Events
Despite holding a degree in Psychology and Business Management, Jackie never set out to be a wedding planner.
It was planning her own Vermont wedding that opened her eyes to a gap in the market: couples who deserved a more personalized, experience-driven approach to one of the most important days of their lives.
That realization led to the creation of Jaclyn Watson Events, now a premier planning company serving New England with a reputation for unparalleled service.
Jackie's background in the performing arts, combined with her love of people, design, and production, shapes her approach to every event. She is an inspired innovator and relentless in her pursuit of refinement and perfection.
Mike Lubas
Vice President
Vermont Tent Company
Mike Lubas has been a fixture in Vermont's event industry since 1991, when he started working at Vermont Tent Company fresh out of UVM. In 2015, he became one of three owners when they purchased the company from its founder, John Crabbe.
Decades of hands-on experience in tenting and event infrastructure give Mike a practical, grounded perspective that is invaluable to the VAWP board.
Lindsey Leichthammer
Past President
Lindsey Leichthammer Events
A Boston native who came to Vermont for college and never left, Lindsey built her career through some of Vermont's most respected hospitality and catering organizations before launching her own wedding and event planning and consulting business in 2020.
She holds a seat on the Alumni Leadership Board of Champlain College and was named VAWP Industry Member of the Year in 2015.
When she is not planning events, you will find her in the kitchen, food styling, or working on custom calligraphy commissions through her side business, LindsLovesInk.
Kim Donahue
Treasurer
The Inn at The Round Barn
Kim Donahue is the owner and general manager of The Inn at Round Barn Farm in Waitsfield, one of Vermont's most beloved wedding properties.
A strong believer that every couple deserves their perfect day, Kim leads her team with a focus on professionalism, kindness, and compassion.
During COVID-19, she was active in supporting VAWP's efforts to establish visibility with Vermont legislators and sustain the membership through an extraordinarily difficult period. Before her life in Vermont, Kim held marketing, sales, and operational leadership roles for several luxury brands in the retail and culinary world.
Talena Shannon
Board Advocate
Premier Entertainment DJ and Lighting
Talena is the owner of Premier Entertainment DJ and Lighting Company, bringing energy, expertise, and a deep commitment to keeping clients and guests entertained.
As Board Advocate, Talena is the driving force behind VAWP's weekly member webinars, hosted live through the exclusive VAWP Facebook group.
Board Members
Meredith Clayton
Clayton Floral
Born and raised in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Meredith developed her love of flowers while helping her mother in the family garden.
She went on to pursue a graduate degree in environmental science at the University of Vermont, where she could not resist filling her community garden plots with blooms.
That passion grew into a professional practice built on listening closely to clients and translating their ideas into arrangements that are thoughtful in color, texture, and design. When she is not in the studio or at a venue, Meredith is gardening, cooking, or planning her next adventure.
Molly Quinn
Outbound Stowe / Sugarbush Resort
A passionate Vermonter with deep roots in the state, Molly serves as Assistant Director of Catering and Events at Sugarbush Resort, where she oversees the events department with a particular focus on weddings.
Her background in sales gives her a unique ability to understand the needs of both clients and vendors.
Molly believes there is no singular right way to celebrate love, and that philosophy drives her to make every wedding at Sugarbush a true reflection of the couple it honors.
Joanna Banks
Sixpence Studios
The daughter of a journalist and an actor, Joanna came to photography and filmmaking naturally.
She studied Journalism, Film, and Television at Cardiff University in Wales and began her career with British broadcaster Westcountry Television before moving to the United States.
She founded Sixpence Studios in 2008, bringing a broadcast-trained eye for storytelling to wedding photography and videography. Her work spans media production, photography, and non-linear editing, with a career built on capturing real moments with precision and artistry.
Anika Fullman
Assorted Artistries
Anika is the owner of Assorted Artistries, an event planning and bespoke rental company she grew from a side project into a full-time operation with a dedicated team by 2022.
Her eye for design, ability to manage complex logistics, and instinct for community building make her a standout in the Vermont wedding industry.
Anika is a strong advocate for collaboration and brings that spirit to everything she does, from executing large-scale events to helping fellow professionals navigate challenges.
Hillary Fay
Hillary Fay Beauty
Hillary is the owner and lead artist of a luxury makeup and hair team based in Chittenden County, Vermont.
She launched her wedding beauty career in 2017 and has since grown a team that travels throughout Vermont and Florida for weddings and events. Her goal is to continue expanding her brand, growing her team, and eventually offering makeup master classes for emerging artists.
Emily Ellis
The Essex Resort and Spa
A California native who fell in love with Vermont on her first visit and has called it home since graduating from UVM in 2014, Emily has built her entire career in Vermont's wedding and events world.
She began as an event intern at ECHO Lake Aquarium, moved on to Sugarsnap Catering, and joined The Essex Resort and Spa in 2016.
She has since risen to Associate Director of Sales and Marketing, bringing the same enthusiasm to her role today that she brought to her very first event shift.
Newton Wells
Peak Entertainment DJs
Newton is the operator of Peak Entertainment DJs and a founding member of VAWP.
He works directly with clients on event itineraries, coordinates with DJs, and maintains equipment, all while remaining one of the organization's most steadfast advocates.
His tenure as a founding member speaks to his belief in what VAWP was built to do.
Daniel Samson
Let's Pretend Catering / Grand Isle Lake House
Daniel is the co-owner of Let's Pretend Catering and a steward of the Grand Isle Lake House, a breathtaking Vermont event venue set against the backdrop of Lake Champlain.
He approaches catering as an art form, designing menus that complement the overall aesthetic of each event.
Known for his warmth, creativity, and genuine connection with clients and colleagues alike, Daniel is a trusted partner for couples and fellow vendors throughout the Vermont wedding community.
Elizabeth Seward
Topnotch Resort
Elizabeth oversees the sales team at Topnotch Resort in Stowe, managing all social events with a primary focus on weddings.
She both sells and services every event, meaning her clients have one dedicated point of contact from the first conversation to the final toast.
Before entering the hospitality world, she worked in public relations and marketing for specialty food and beverage brands, a background that informs her client-first approach to every event she manages.