Ambassadors
Interested in being an ambassador? All event professionals are welcome! Send us an email and we’ll provide further information. It’s all about spreading the word!
Anna Lucia Richardson
Founder | Empower Events
Anna is the founder and principal of Anna Lucia Events, a boutique wedding and event planning and event design firm based in Tampa and Naples, Florida. In addition to being an event planner, designer and coordinator for multiple firms conducting more than $100 Million in annual sales, Anna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Stetson University with a major in Marketing.
Anna and her team have been named as one of the Top Wedding Planners by Martha Stewart Weddings and listed as one of Brides Best Planners, in the United States.
Anna lives in Tampa, Florida with her husband, David Eischeid, two children (eight-year-old Dennison and four-year-old Lillian) and adopted dog (from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay) Bandit.
Alex Karas
Alex started Voila Cinematic in 2007 with a desire to shoot edit and produce high quality films. His passion for filmmaking began as a high school student and Alex went on to earn a degree in from University of South Florida and a degree in film directing from Princeton University. His later experience working for VH-1 and MTV on popular shows such as “Hogan Knows Best” and “My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding” laid the groundwork for Voila Cinematic. When he's not handcrafting films, Alex can be found spending quality time with his wife and 2 boys, and as a die-hard Cubs fan, rooting on his favorite team. Go Cubs!
Kemari Ihlenfeldt
Kemari is the founder and lead videographer for Kemari Lyn Films where she loves filming weddings alongside her college sweetheart and husband, Jacob. Kemari attended and honed her craft at one of the nation's top film schools, the Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts, and she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Motion Picture Arts Production. After working in the film industry and while planning her own wedding, Kemari realized that she didn't want to be away from her family and friends for TV or movie sets all the time. Kemari always admired the wedding industry and holds marriage so highly, so she decided to marry the two together (pun intended) and Kemari Lyn Films was born. It’s her favorite thing creating films that tell the story of two people and their beautiful love! In her spare time, Kemari can be found cuddling her dog, drawing, and gardening.
Katie Zeim
I graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2012 with a degree in Resort and Hospitality Management with a concentration in Event Management. After graduating I worked alongside Tampa Bay vendors at the Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande, Florida where I executed events for over 5 years.
Once I left the Gasparilla Inn I moved to St. Petersburg, my current role is the Senior Catering Sales Executive at the Vinoy Renaissance. At the Vinoy I oversee the social market focusing on weddings, galas, holiday parties and fundraising events.
In my free time I love de-stressing at spin class, spending time with my pets and searching for the great Mexican food with my boyfriend Jeff!
Schatzi Borgella
Schatzi Borgella is owner and lead hairstylist at Schatzi C Beauty. Schatzi has been in the beauty industry for eight years and specializes in hair extensions, color, styling, bridal styling, and has recently taken the role of Creative Director as she works to build a strong image for her brand. You can find her work in Black Bride Magazine, The Perfect Palette, Every Last Detail, and KNOW Tribe Volume II; featuring a range of looks from modern to traditional. Schatzi prides herself on bringing diversity into the bridal market by intentionally collaborating with models and event professionals from all walks of life in hopes to shift the narrative of beauty to being more inclusive. The desire for inclusion in the beauty industry is what drives her passion to continue creating. When she is not an active member of the Justice League, she enjoys traveling, making memories with her family and pretending to be a photographer.
Zoë Gallina
Co-Founder | Tampa Bay
Zoë Gallina is at the helm of Botanica International Design & Décor Studio serving as the Vice President and Creative Directer. Additionally she is the ‘imaginator’ and Creative Director of Style House Rentals.
Zoë has been professionally trained by the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants and is certified by the American Academy of Floriculture. She has also been affiliated with Tampa Bay’s leading event industry and charitable organizations including the National Association of Catering Executives, Meeting Planners International and The Junior League of Tampa Bay.
Her philosophy is well received as she simply loves the way flowers and great design can transform how people feel.
Allison Adams
Allison Casper Adams is the Co Owner and Director of Oxford Commons, a hospitality company that includes Oxford Exchange, The Library, The Alexander Brown Restaurant and The Stovall House. In addition to her work at Oxford Exchange, Allison is a partner at Caspers Company, which owns and operates 63 McDonald’s franchises in the Tampa Bay Area and Jacksonville. Allison is a graduate of the University of Florida and holds a law degree from Southern Methodist University. She is the Past Chair of Tampa Museum of Art Board of Trustees, Chair of the Florida Chapter of Young Presidents Organization and a Board member of Junior Achievement.
She and her husband Robby have 2 daughters who both attend SMU.
Ashlee Hamon
I'm Ashlee! I'm a very enthusiastic, organized, and artistic professional photographer in Tampa, Florida. I love LOVE and LIGHT and it takes a lot of restraint to not end every sentence with an exclamation point! My photography style is sophisticated, vibrant, sharp, and fun. I believe everything comes from within, to be shared and that there is nothing more important than love. I am passionate about visually communicating your adventure, your love story, what and who you love most. I am a realizer of dreams. I grew up here in Tampa, the oldest of 3 children, one of whom is mentally disabled and currently healthy with a stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis. I was always a nerdy "A" student and an athlete, participating in obscure sports like synchronized swimming and collegiate women's crew. I went on to graduate from UCF with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography. GO KNIGHTS! After graduation, I went around the world for a year before starting my business full time in 2012. I’ve traveled to Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, England, Wales, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Bali, Chile, St. Lucia, Hawaii, and Turks & Caicos. On my wish list is New Zealand, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Croatia, and Madagascar.
Albriana Youyoute
Albriana is the owner, lead planner and designer for Unseen Events. Based out of Tampa, Unseen Events plans, designs and coordinates weddings and social events. Albriana is also the founder of the nonprofit “You Are Worth It”, which has the focus of building the self image and self esteem of teenage girls through confidence in entrepreneurship.
Albriana received her bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida, and a MBA in Business Management from Nova South Eastern University. When she’s not planning events Albriana enjoys vacationing with her loving and super supportive Husband and sweet 2 year old Princess.
Katie Antiporda
I was raised in New York and relocated out west where I graduated from New Mexico State University and lived for many years in the great state of Texas before arriving in Tampa! I was born into a medical family but the closest I got to that profession was being in pharmaceutical sales for 15 years. I worked for many years with HIV/AIDS patients and that is where my strong belief in that everyone should be treated equally and with respect began to shine. After spending time in advertising for radio and print, I found my way into the event industry in late 2012. By that time, I was beat up from working in corporate America and have happily worked for Over The Top Rental Linens, a private family-owned company out of Fort Lauderdale ever since. I see my sales experience as knowing what it is like to sell items that no one wants but has to have to selling rentals that no one needs but wants to have! I prefer the “want” sales as they are much happier! I have always worked hard, am not afraid of hard work and give more of myself than required. When it comes to my work ethic, I have a Type A personality but with everything else, not so much! Working out of my house has always worked well for me, but it is a constant struggle to put in less than a 10-12 hour day with the exception of this pandemic. I enjoy meeting and working with other people during the week, but during the weekend, I lead a calmer existence and get recharged. My weekends typically revolve around the small family I have here.