Our Team

Meet

Here at Zilli we have an amazing team that cares. We are passionate about turning your dreams into unforgettable experiences. With a keen eye for detail and a flair for creativity, our team collaborates closely with you to bring your vision to life.

Lauren Banwart

Director of Planning

Lauren Banwart

Director of Planning

Meet Lauren, a seasoned professional in the hospitality industry, who has been an integral part of Zilli Hospitality Group since 2019. A proud alumna of Iowa State University, Lauren holds a degree in event management, which has served as a solid foundation for her flourishing career.

Currently serving as the Director of Planning at Zilli Hospitality Group, Lauren not only brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table but also oversees the dynamic sales department.

Known for her detail-oriented and organized approach, Lauren excels in orchestrating seamless and memorable events. Her commitment to excellence has made her a key player in the industry, contributing significantly to Zilli Hospitality Group’s success.
Michele Heth

Administrative Assistant

Michele Heth

Administrative Assistant

Meet Michele! Michele joined Zilli Hospitality Group over 9 years ago, starting as an Assistant Event Designer. Today, Michele holds the position of Administrative Assistant, where she is dedicated to assisting the sales team. Michelle has a background rooted in detail-oriented and creative planning, honed through previous roles at Zilli Hospitality Group.
Jessica Cliff

Event Designer

Jessica Cliff

Event Designer

Meet Jessica, With a wealth of experience spanning over 15 years in the hospitality industry, including a dedicated 12 years specializing in catering, Jessica guarantees that every aspect of your event, from the initial greeting to the post-event follow-up, will receive their utmost attention.

Whether it’s a corporate event, an open house, a grand opening, a social gathering, or the most cherished day like a wedding, Jessica is committed to collaborating closely with her clients Together, you will navigate through every detail, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience. Enthusiastically looking forward to the opportunity, Jessica is poised to deliver the unmistakable “Zilli Touch” as a dedicated Event Designer, creating moments that surpass expectations.
Charmaine Gunther

Event Designer

Charmaine Gunther

Event Designer

Meet Charmaine! Charmaine’s journey in catering began in 1991, and a year later, she became an integral part of the Zilli Hospitality Group family through the Manchester East Hotel. Collaborating with Stephen Zilli, she served as the Food and Beverage Director. After a brief hiatus for family, Charmaine returned to the Zilli Hospitality Group corporate office as an Event Designer. With an extensive corporate clientele, she excels at not only orchestrating events but also building lasting client relationships.
Paula Gurath

Event Designer

Paula Gurath

Event Designer

Meet Paula, an integral part of the Zilli Hospitality Group since 1989. Radiating positivity with a perpetual smile, Paula plays a pivotal role in managing our social business, with a particular focus on galas and fundraisers. Her extensive knowledge of cuisine positions her as a valuable asset, allowing her to guide clients seamlessly in selecting the perfect menu for their events. Paula’s unwavering enthusiasm and expertise contribute significantly to the success of every occasion she undertakes.
Yvette Tenorio

Event Designer

Yvette Tenorio

Event Designer

Meet Yvette! Yvette started with ZHG in early 2018 as an assistant event designer. Since then she found her niche in weddings as an event designer. Yvette excels at creating personal connections with her clients and making their visions come to life. She is passionate about events and the process of transforming the space into a dream!
Candy Zilli

Event Designer

Candy Zilli

Event Designer

Meet Candy, a seasoned event designer with over 34 years of experience. Having crafted over 5,000 events, both social and corporate, Candy thrives on creating personalized experiences. Her love for meeting and understanding clients adds a unique touch to each event, ensuring a memorable outcome. With a career built on creativity and a genuine connection with her clients, Candy continues to bring her expertise to every event she designs.
Olivia Radke

Event Designer

Olivia Radke

Event Designer

Meet Olivia, a seasoned professional with over 6 years of experience in bringing weddings and events to life. Olivia discovered her love for event planning early on. From middle school, where she took charge of organizing school dances, holiday parties, craft fairs, and fundraisers, to her current role, Olivia has always been passionate about celebrating life’s important moments. Her journey, marked by a longstanding dedication to event planning, showcases her innate talent for creating memorable experiences.
Alison “Ali” Nigel

Event Designer

Alison “Ali” Nigel

Event Designer

Meet Ali, a part of our vibrant sales team, serving as an Event Designer. Starting her career in the wedding industry as a planner after graduating from Marquette University, Ali brings over four years of valuable experience. Known for her excellent communication skills and organizational prowess, she is dedicated to facilitating seamless planning processes, ensuring the success of your special events.
Cheyenne Hanley

Assistant Event Designer

Cheyenne Hanley

Assistant Event Designer

Meet Cheyenne, who embarked on her journey with ZHG as a catering intern in the summer of 2015. With the completion of her degree in Hospitality Management, she gracefully transitioned into the role of Event Manager, discovering her deep affinity for events and catering. The magic of witnessing the grandest moments in people’s lives unfold and actively contributing to their realization captivated her heart.

After years of expertly managing off-site events, Cheyenne found her true calling at Boerner Botanical Gardens. Today, as an Assistant Event Designer, she channels her talents and passion into working closely with couples and clients, turning their dream events into a splendid reality. Cheyenne takes pride in orchestrating unforgettable experiences and cherishes the privilege of being part of those special moments that linger in the hearts of her clients.
Katherine “Kat” Sheyko

Assistant Event Designer

Katherine “Kat” Sheyko

Assistant Event Designer

Meet Kat, who at a young age was always drawn to how exciting it would be to plan events. Despite this, she pursued her love for science and math earning a degree in Biology from Cottey College, MO. After graduating, she unexpectedly started a career in bridal sales where she fell in love helping brides plan their special day. Kat realized event planning is a passion for her to help clients achieve a stress free and fun experience. She made a career change and joined ZHG in 2023 with no regrets! When not planning events, Kat enjoys watching movies, cooking, spending time with her family, and husband, including their 4 dogs, and hitting the ski slopes in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Krystal Loebsack

Assistant Event Designer

Krystal Loebsack

Assistant Event Designer

Meet Krystal, who joined the Zilli Hospitality Group in 2018 as a catering associate, quickly advancing to the role of event manager. Balancing her degree in hospitality with practical experience, she seamlessly transitioned into the position of assistant event designer. With a strong operational background, Krystal guides clients through every aspect of event planning, from crafting timelines to suggesting creative enhancements. Her meticulous attention to detail and logistical expertise ensures a planning experience that goes beyond expectations. Passionate about transforming visions into unforgettable memories, Krystal is ready to collaborate on making your event truly special!
Michelle Panko

Assistant Event Designer

Michelle Panko

Assistant Event Designer

Meet Michelle, a professional who has dedicated many years in the hospitality and wedding industry, and who has been part of the Zilli Hospitality Group team since 2022. Michelle holds a dual degree in Event Management and Hotel and Hospitality Management. Michelle has always had a passion for the wedding industry. She has many years of experience with wedding photography, creating wedding cakes, planning weddings and consulting. With these combined experiences, Michelle is able to offer ample support and perspective to help create unforgettable experiences.
Dana Ditman

Assistant Event Designer

Dana Ditman

Assistant Event Designer

Meet Dana! Dana joined ZHG in the fall of 2023, after having worked for an Interior Designer for 2 years. She has a strong passion for meeting client’s needs, ensuring that their big day will be nothing but smiles. She enjoys being a part of the process of making someone’s dream come to life.