We Look Forward to Working With You
Columbia Event Management is the primary organization at Columbia University to support event planning and execution. Our team of dedicated professionals is here to support you. We manage a variety of on-campus event venues, including Lerner Hall, Low Library, Saint Paul’s Chapel, and Faculty House. Learn more about our promise to the clients with whom we work and the community in which we are a part.
Team Directory:
Self-employed as a music producer and studio owner for over 30 years, Steve brings an entrepreneurial spirit to Event Management. He has designed, built and operated three recording studios in New York City and has a dogged commitment to quality and customer service. Never satisfied with mediocrity, Steve strives for every endeavor to be succinct and executed flawlessly.
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Scott’s passion for the hospitality industry extends beyond the dining room. As General Manager of Faculty House Scott oversees hundreds of events each year ranging from weddings and social events to student groups and corporate functions. Scott loves the family feel provided by the Columbia Community and the ability to interact with every client that comes to Faculty House.
Before joining Columbia, Scott worked for the prestigious Harvard Club of New York and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He was able to build his culinary knowledge while working in the kitchens of The Park Avenue Café in New York City and Knickerbocker Country Club in New Jersey.
Sanjay brings to the table over 30 years of versatile hospitality experience, planning and executing events ranging from large conventions to galas and weddings. He enjoys producing customized offerings, using locally sourced vendors and foods. Sanjay is passionate about collaborating with events and meeting planners within and outside Columbia University. Before joining Columbia, Sanjay worked with Hyatt, Hilton, Millennium and Hotel Plaza Athénée in New York City. Columbia event management supports over 35K events a year for student groups, industry events, meetings and more.
Chef Mike is responsible for the overall operations and culinary experience at Columbia University. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Staten Island, he grew up in a home where good food was integral to daily life. He started cooking himself at an early age and later pursued his professional culinary degree at Johnson and Wales University for Culinary Arts in Providence, RI. His experience includes the Intercontinental Hotel in New York City, where he also traveled the hotel’s Asia network; Corporate Foods providing service to clients like Citibank, US Today, and Entertainment Weekly; and Fordham University where he served as the Dining Services Executive Chef for 18 years.
Marie is a French soul with a taste for global adventures.
Having lived in vibrant cities like London, Paris, and the serene Caribbean, her palate has been influenced by diverse cuisines. Professionally, Marie has worn many hats—she's served as the General Manager for the Royal Academy of Music, orchestrating behind-the-scenes magic. In the heart of Paris, she held the position of Deputy General Manager for catering at Microsoft and France Télévision, crafting culinary experiences for discerning tastes.
From cozy local eateries to exotic international dishes, Marie's taste buds love the adventure. When she's not immersed in the world of gastronomy, you'll find her pounding the pavements, a true passion for running fueling her stride. Marie loves to swap stories about international flavors, cultural discoveries, and the art of balancing work and play.
Lydia currently serves as the Assistant Director of Events and Outreach, specializing in undergraduate student events at Columbia Event Management. Prior to joining this role, she worked on The Forum's event team within The Office of the President. During her time at The Forum, Lydia managed events for various university departments and community partners while expanding The Forum’s event program.
Lydia holds a degree in Hotel and Lodging Management with a concentration in meeting and event planning from Johnson & Wales University. Her passion for sustainability is evident in her approach to incorporating eco-friendly practices into every aspect of event planning. In her spare time, Lydia enjoys hosting dinner parties and offering event planning assistance to friends and family.
Lily Allenby is a recent graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, with a background in luxury fashion and client relations. Lily’s creative yet analytical approach brings a unique perspective to her career in Columbia Event Management as an Assistant Catering Sales Manager. Passionate about creating a memorable client experience and relationship, Lily is eager to contribute to the dynamic team at University Event Management.
Beyond work, Lily is passionate about staying active and immersing herself in her community whether that be through cuisine or exploring all NYC has to offer.
A driven Chef who thrives on challenges, Leo Michel crafts innovative dishes to complement each event. He instills in others a passion for excellent cuisine, inspiring his team to pursue perfection. His discipline for the arts can be attributed to the French Culinary Institute and the mentorship of several renowned culinarians. Leo offers more than three decades of experience in the hotel industry and executive dining.
Originally from the picturesque country of Georgia, Koba moved to the USA in 1997 and fell in love with the hospitality industry.
His experience in the industry spans over 25 years in the USA, CIS countries, and the Asia Pacific region. It includes luxury hotels such as Sofitel, The Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi, Millennium Broadway, and The Ritz Carlton Central Park South NYC.
Koba holds a Master’s Degree in Tourism Management from New York University.
He enjoys family travel and spending time with his two young kids.
Jerome Charpentier is the Executive Sous Chef for Catering and the Culinary Center. Jerome holds a BA in Culinary Arts from the Collège Edouard Herriot and brings notable culinary experience from his time in top New York City restaurants.
Heather Lee has been in the food business for over 20 years. While in college, she learned to butcher meat and continued a career in the grocery industry for almost a decade.
In 2008, Heather followed her dreams to New York City where she started producing hospitality festivals and events. She knows how to party! She has worked for dozens of notable organizations including: The New York City Wine and Food Festival, The James Beard Foundation, Edible Manhattan Magazine, Food Bank For New York City, Newsweek/The Daily Beast, Clinton Global Initiative, Share Our Strength and Martha Stewart.
Emily Ailts is the Assistant General Manager of Catering Sales. Prior to joining the Event Management team at Columbia University, Emily has been employed in management positions at multiple luxury resort properties throughout the U.S. and Europe—at brands such as Aman, the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, Conrad New York, Ritz Carlton and Gurney's Resorts.
In addition to being passionate about events, Emily is a certified yoga instructor and a certified sommelier. In her spare time she is an avid runner, competing most recently in the New York Marathon. Most importantly, she has a passion for event planning and hospitality, serving both staff and students here at the University.
Emerald has been a part of the Event Management team since 2011. In her role as Director, she oversees the events planning team and helps to lead social events and support campus event organizers, including notables like World Leader's Forum, Commencement, and New Student Orientation. Emerald's extensive experience and understanding of how to execute events on Columbia's campus provides an invaluable service to her clients.
Emerald is a graduate of Columbia’s School of the Arts and uses her creative background to ensure that every campus event is memorable and unique. Born and raised in Connecticut, Emerald began her career in commercial real estate before she moved to New York City and transitioned to event planning. The most exciting part of her work is the very beginning stage, when she learns about an event organizer's vision and how she can help bring it to life. Outside of her work, Emerald enjoys baking, her specialty is pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
David has been with Columbia for over 10 years, having first joined the university as General Manager of Faculty House. In his current role, David oversees events of all sizes and varieties across the Columbia campus. With his extensive knowledge in managing luxury properties around New York City, David provides a critical eye and looks to continue to elevate the guest experience at the thousands of events he oversees each year.
David holds a degree in Hotel Restaurant Management from Johnson and Wales University. Before joining Columbia, David gained operational experience at The Drake Swiss Hotel, the Ritz-Carlton and The Righa Hotel as well as serving as Assistant General Manager of the famed Club Macanudo.
Brunilda carries with her 17 years of accomplished expertise in hospitality and management gleaned from New York City's vibrant restaurant landscape, where she refined a dedication to excellence and mastered the art of customer service.
Known for always being honest, professional, and genuinely hospitable, Brunilda pays close attention to detail at every event. Her great communication, organization skills, and leadership helped her join Event Management at Columbia University.
With Columbia Event Management, Brunilda prioritizes client happiness, using her vast experience to offer tailored, high-quality service. While dedicated to her career, she finds joy in hobbies like running, yoga, travel, fashion, and spending cherished time with her husband and children.