Trevor is passionate about creating unique experiences that engage attendees and strengthen bonds with institutions. As Director of Special Events at NYU, he oversees the development of strategy and execution of events for major donors and prospects and the board of trustees, varying from intimate dinners, lectures, and receptions to presidential installations, gala dinners, and major multi-day leadership conferences. He loves to take any opportunity to showcase the amazing work being done by faculty and students by engaging partners across the university.

Trevor bleeds NYU violet, earning his BA in Politics and Philosophy in 2007 from the College of Arts and Science and joining the development office right after graduation. During his studies, he was bitten by the events bug when he started volunteering for and freelance producing events for GenArt, a non-profit focused on experiential programming for emerging artists in film, fashion, and art. Outside work, his passions include volleyball. He previously was the president of Gotham Volleyball, the largest single-sport LGBTQ+ organization in the world.

Mark Kelly is a strategic communications and marketing leader with extensive experience in the higher education sector, including senior communications and marketing positions at Furman University, Sewanee: The University of the South, and Loyola University Maryland. An award-winning speechwriter and thought leadership strategist, he recently served as Vice President for Marketing and Communications for the Association of Governing Boards for Universities and Colleges. Mark currently is an independent consultant in thought leadership strategy, speechwriting and executive communications, and magazine assessment and re-development. He earned his BA degree from the University of Virginia and an MS in Communications from Syracuse University.

Kelly leads the Strategic Engagement team at Colorado State University.  The 11 person team works both centrally and with an array of campus partners to develop cross-functional communications, event and donor relations strategies to holistically engage donors and alumni across a variety of segments and channels. Kelly is passionate about the guest experience, data-driven decision making, efficiency, innovation and storytelling. She draws on her 20 years of varied and eclectic experience in hospitality, operations, membership and experience design to approach challenges with a customized lens. Kelly earned her B.A. from the University of Virginia and her MBA from Colorado State University.

Kate Potterfield is a communications consultant who specializes in higher education. She has served as a speechwriter, communications director, and senior communications advisor to the President’s Office at Georgetown University, and she currently serves as an independent consultant to a wide range of institutions, foundations, and nonprofits. She enjoys helping her clients build effective, authentic communications strategies that amplify their missions and strengthen their brands. She earned her BA from Georgetown University and her MFA in writing from the University of San Francisco.

Marinda Reynolds has worked in nonprofit and higher education for 15 years, specializing in event and strategic program management. Her current role overseeing the strategy and implementation of all major alumni and donor events at the UConn Foundation involves constantly evaluating and reinvigorating annual events with a strong focus on guest experience.

Earlier in her career, she led stadium event production and program management for the national nonprofit Marathon Kids and managed club competitions and tournaments at Towson University and the University of Florida. Her nonprofit work began at the University of Rhode Island interning with the World Scholar-Athlete Games.

She earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Rhode Island, and her master's degree at the University of Florida.

With more than 25 years of experience in event strategy and program design, Sarah Winkler creates long-term strategies that move audiences to deeper engagement. She has helped institutions such as Johns Hopkins, Auburn, Cornell, Duke and Boston Universities realize the full potential of such milestone events as campaign launches, presidential transitions and anniversary celebrations. Prior to Level5, Sarah was president of a nationally recognized Top 50 event design and production firm. In 2013, she co-founded Educe, a boutique firm focused on event strategy for higher education, which merged with Level5 Events by The Expo Group in January 2020. She has been a frequent speaker at professional association conferences and her work has been awarded the CASE Grand Gold. Winkler has chaired the CASE National Conference on Special Events, served on the CASE Summit Advisory Team and the CASE Industry Advisory Council.