CEMA Newsletter: September 2026

Leslie, an over 25-year veteran of the corporate event industry is the Sr. Director, Global Strategic Events for Cloudflare. Living and breathing event marketing, Leslie specializes in turning chaotic logistics into high-converting global experiences. From architecting audience acquisition strategies that target high-value buyers to calculating attrition down to the single digit, she ensures every event moves the revenue needle, all while maintaining a strict “no boring parties” policy. She joined the CEMA board to help members navigate the future of strategic events while keeping the industry connected. Outside of the corporate grid, Leslie is a dedicated AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO) who understands that both event planning and brick building require immense patience and a lot of tiny pieces. She is also a part-time deer caretaker, whether the herd likes it or not.

How did you first get involved with CEMA, and what has your membership meant to you?

My first CEMA meeting was a small room in Palo Alto in the late oughts. It was mind-blowing enough for me to have learned that this is a real career 10 years prior so to sit in a room full of people who loved this challenging, exciting, and always changing profession made me feel like I was at home. Those of us for whom we get so much out of this job are bonded in a unique way. The education, friendships, and experiences that I have gotten from CEMA over the decades have literally changed my life for the better. If I can give back to the community in any small way, I will be very fortunate.

Of all the professional communities you could be part of, what keeps you invested in CEMA specifically?

I am currently and have been in the past a member of various event associations, as have we all. Each holds its own clear focus and high value. CEMA, though, for me is more than education and networking. Since the beginning, CEMA with its specific commitments to both event marketers and industry partners has created a true community. This can be an overused, less meaningful word, but here, it holds its definition. The CEMA community, including nodding to the humans that make up the advisory board, are among the most thoughtful, strategic, and passionate people in the event industry. I have gotten jobs, made life-long friends, evolved as a professional, and literally had my life saved (that’s a story over cocktails at the next Summit) because of this community. In this role I intend to perpetuate that benefit for all our members. Minus the lifesaving. That was pretty specific to me.

How would you describe your leadership style, and where do you think that style came from?

My leadership style can vary depending on the situation. With my direct reports, even when I can’t always show it, they are my number one priority. Assuring their growth and psychological safety should be my focus over the reporting, the politics, and, indeed, my role in an association. With my team, my peers, my leaders, and my fellow board members, I operate under a philosophy I couldn’t name until someone else did it for me recently. I hold strong opinions, weakly. I come in with a point of view, and I will advocate for that point of view. But. My mind and heart are open to hear opposing perspectives, and I am not afraid to adjust in the face of data and thoughtful discourse.

What’s something you’re currently working on or exploring that excites you — whether it’s a project, a new skill, or an emerging trend?

I will mention AI again, but I have to talk about it here. AI is now ubiquitous, terrifying, and being adopted a little willy nilly. I have the good fortune of working for a tech company that not only leaned in hard to the ways we can use AI smartly in marketing but invests engineering dollars into creating our own tools. We are Customer Zero. AI is changing how we report, prioritize workflows, write copy, design, and understand our attendee base. If you can suss out how to use AI to support your teams, not replace them, you will win.

• Go-to productivity hack – Adderall. Just kidding! I am a list junkie, but my favorite is that I am strict about notifications. I do not know I have email until I choose to check it, for example. I keep work chat live on my laptop but not my phone. If something is urgent, they will find me, but email everywhere and work apps on my phone are on my terms.
• Event-day essential – Portable laptop monitor, event WEEK essential
• Someone in the CEMA community who inspires you – Angie Smith. That is all. 🙂
• Biggest lesson you’ve learned this year – AI is a useful tool that when used appropriately will free you and your teams up to do the important work.

Closing Thought:

At the risk of sounding cliché, I am humbled and honored to represent corporate event marketing professionals and our partners via this appointment. What we do for a living, what we pour our blood, sweat, and tears into are at an inflection point. Technology is racing, budgets are fluctuating, and C-level leadership is waking up to the value that we provide. I hope to help amplify our voices beyond these walls and support our professions’ new career growth.