Women of Encore Canada Series

The Women of Encore Canada series celebrates the individuals whose talent, leadership, and unique perspectives help drive our organization forward. This hub serves as a central destination for all featured profiles and stories, showcasing the diverse experiences and contributions of women across our team.

Explore the stories, learn from their experiences, and join us in recognizing the impact they make every day at Encore Canada.

Manager, Event Experience & Design

Ashley Kirk

How long have you been at Encore Canada? What made our team stand out?

I just celebrated my 1st anniversary at Encore Canada! What attracted me to this team was the opportunity to contribute to the strategic growth of a global organization. I was excited by the prospect of leading a team that designs for incredible customers within an event-production environment.

Walk us through a typical day in your role. What part of it brings you the most satisfaction?

I’m responsible for managing both the “micro” and “macro” elements, effectively balancing daily operational details with overarching strategic goals. Building strong relationships that facilitate these accomplishments is the most rewarding aspect of my role.

What are you most proud of in your career, and what milestones are you working toward next?

I’m most proud of contributing to diverse opportunities across industries, from mentoring entrepreneurs to strategic planning luxury event production, and global program management. I’m currently focused on developing my executive leadership skills, with plans to pursue a PMP certification and Executive MBA to better support my team and drive the company’s strategic vision.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in event production?

The events industry offers diverse roles, each essential to an event’s success. Whether behind the scenes or front-facing, every contribution matters. Focus on the area you’re most passionate about, bring your best to the role, and you’ll make a meaningful impact while finding fulfillment in your career.

VP, HR Canada & Mexico

Simona Gamero

How long have you been at Encore Canada? What made our team stand out?

I’ve been with Encore for 2.5 years. What drew me to this team was the combination of high-performance culture, and people-first mindset. It is an environment where we truly connect strategy to employee experience, and business outcomes.

Walk us through a typical day in your role. What part of it brings you the most satisfaction?

No two days are the same, which is part of what I enjoy. My role spans strategic planning, employee relations, leadership alignment, and driving key HR and AI initiatives across regions. The most satisfying part is seeing our teams succeed, whether that’s developing talent, solving complex challenges, or enabling leaders to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

What are you most proud of in your career, and what milestones are you working toward next?

I’m most proud of building strong, high-performing HR teams and implementing initiatives that drive both employee engagement and business performance. Looking ahead, my focus is on scaling our talent strategy, advancing leadership development programmes, and continuing to modernise how we support our workforce.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in event production?

Stay curious, adaptable, and open to learning in this fast-moving, team-driven industry. Embrace new challenges and bring your authentic self. Your perspective adds value. Confidence grows through preparation, experience, and teamwork. Which builds your ability to handle pressure with a calm mind and credibility.

Manager, Administrative Services

Laila Nabizada

How long have you been at Encore Canada? What made our team stand out?

I have been part of the Encore Canada team for over two years. Before that, I worked in the hotel industry, an environment where service and customer experience are essential. As a passionate runner, I have always been drawn to lively and dynamic environments, which naturally led me to the events industry. What particularly stood out to me at Encore is the team spirit and the genuine passion of the people.

Walk us through a typical day in your role. What part of it brings you the most satisfaction?

On a daily basis, I am there to support my colleagues in overcoming challenges and provide operational support. My role is somewhat behind the scenes, but essential. I ensure that everything runs smoothly so they can focus on what they do best. What I enjoy the most is that sense of usefulness. Knowing that my work contributes directly to my colleagues’ success and, by extension, to the success of our events, is extremely rewarding.

What are you most proud of in your career, and what milestones are you working toward next?

I am particularly proud of an achievement during the pandemic in my hotel career where I succeeded in securing a contract with frontline workers. This allowed the establishment to continue operating and, most importantly, to preserve many jobs. Today, my goal is to continue growing at Encore and to expand my skills.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in event production?

I would advise to go for it. It’s a field where you grow tremendously, both professionally and personally. You will be surrounded by passionate people who create more than just events, they create experiences and emotions. And above all, it’s an environment that allows you to be yourself, to express yourself, and to truly thrive.

Director, Business Development

Valérie Dubé-Ferland

How long have you been at Encore Canada? What made our team stand out?

I joined the company just over two years ago as a Sales Manager at Hilton Quebec before moving into my current national role. What drew me to Encore was the opportunity to combine two passions, people and events. I was quickly impressed by the team’s energy, the quality of the work, and the strong collaborative culture.

Walk us through a typical day in your role. What part of it brings you the most satisfaction?

No two days are ever the same, that’s exactly what I enjoy. I might start with a customer in Quebec City, move to a meeting in Montreal, and end the day planning an event in Toronto. What I find most rewarding is seeing a project come to life. From the first call to the final result, and knowing we contributed to its success.

What are you most proud of in your career, and what milestones are you working toward next?

I am proud of my journey and of having grown across different sectors to now contribute to the development of a globally recognized company. I am also proud of the lasting relationships I have built with my customers and partners. My goal is to continue developing partnerships across Canada and to further showcase Encore’s expertise, particularly in Quebec.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in event production?

Be curious, flexible, and don’t be afraid to step out your comfort zone. The events industry is one where you are constantly learning, and each experience helps you grow and develop. I would also say to never underestimate the importance of human relationships. Technical skills come with time, but listening, a positive attitude, and teamwork often make all the difference.

Director, Financial Planning & Analysis

Becky Wu

How long have you been at Encore Canada? What made our team stand out?

I have been with Encore for a year and a half, leading the Financial Planning and Analysis team at Encore Canada across performance management, budgeting and forecasting, strategic planning, and decision support.What drew me to Encore Canada was the opportunity to operate as a true finance leader, close to the business and influencing decisions that drive growth, profitability, and long-term value.

Walk us through a typical day in your role. What part of it brings you the most satisfaction?

There is rarely a typical day in FP&A, which I value. I assess performance, evaluate forecasts, identify risks and opportunities, and advise leaders while working with teams to understand results. I also connect financial outcomes to operations, explaining what happened, why, and what to do next. The most satisfying part is influencing better decisions, translating data into insight and helping prioritize resources for sustainable growth.

What are you most proud of in your career, and what milestones are you working toward next?

I am most proud of building strong partnerships with the business and positioning finance as a strategic advisor, not just a reporting function. I focus on creating transparency, asking the right questions, and helping leaders balance short-term execution with long-term value. Looking ahead, I aim to strengthen data-driven decision-making, improve forecasting and scenario planning, and expand automation so teams can focus more on insight and action.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in event production?

Stay curious and understand the business end to end, how your work impacts customers and performance. In a fast-paced, collaborative environment, judgment, adaptability, communication, and trust matter as much as technical skills. Focus on why your work matters and how it supports broader goals; real growth comes from combining strong execution with business insight and continuous learning.

Executive Assistant

Sheena Gibbons

How long have you been at Encore Canada? What made our team stand out?

I am the Executive Assistant to Encore Canada’s Managing Director, David Campbell. I joined in 2018, when we were still Freeman AV, and have grown with the organization over the past 8 years. While I was initially drawn to the role for the dynamic industry, what’s kept me here is the people! An incredible Canadian leadership team that is collaborative, supportive, and committed to each other’s success, which I’m proud to be part of.

Walk us through a typical day in your role. What part of it brings you the most satisfaction?

No two days are the same, which is what I enjoy most. My role includes supporting executive leadership, coordinating meetings and travel, managing vendors, planning events, and keeping projects on track so leaders can focus on the business. What I find most rewarding is making an impact behind the scenes, whether supporting a key initiative, helping a leader through a challenge, or bringing people together to achieve a common goal.

What are you most proud of in your career, and what milestones are you working toward next?

I’m most proud of the trust and relationships I’ve built throughout my career. My role has grown beyond traditional support, allowing me to contribute to strategic projects, communications, and operations that drive the business forward. Looking ahead, I’m focused on continuing to grow as a strategic partner to our leadership team and taking on new opportunities while helping Encore Canada remain a great place to work.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in event production?

Be curious, stay adaptable, and never stop learning. Event production is a fast-paced industry where things can change quickly, but that is also what makes it so rewarding. Success in this industry is built on relationships, teamwork, and a willingness to step in wherever needed. If you enjoy solving problems, collaborating with others, and helping create memorable experiences, it can be an incredibly fulfilling career path.

Senior Manager, Human Resources

Maissa Shawki

How long have you been at Encore Canada? What made our team stand out?

I’ve been part of the Encore journey for three years. I support our business across Canada in a wide range of HR areas, including performance management, talent development, engagement, recognition, and national HR initiatives.
What drew me to Encore Canada was the people-first culture and the opportunity to support a business that is dynamic, creative, and people-driven. I was inspired by the energy of the teams and the impact they have in bringing experiences to life for our customers every day.

Walk us through a typical day in your role. What part of it brings you the most satisfaction?

There’s no typical day in my role, which is one of the things I enjoy most. HR touches many areas of the business, from supporting leaders and managing projects to collaborating across teams and solving problems. What I find most rewarding is knowing our work makes a real impact on people while helping connect team member needs with business goals.

What are you most proud of in your career, and what milestones are you working toward next?

What I’m most proud of in my career is the trust I’ve built with team members and leaders and the role I’ve played in building and supporting a strong HR team. I’m also proud to make a positive impact on the team member experience and help leaders navigate people matters thoughtfully. Looking ahead, I’m focused on continuing to strengthen HR’s impact as a trusted business partner across Canada.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in event production?

My advice is to approach the role with curiosity, flexibility, and a team mindset. Event production is fast-paced, so being adaptable, solutions-focused, and eager to learn is key. Build relationships, ask questions, and learn from those around you. It’s a rewarding career for people who enjoy teamwork, problem-solving, and bringing ideas to life.