Who We Are
Meeshie Nguyen, Founder & Chief Event Organizer
Although born in Chicago, Meeshie moved to San Diego with her family at the age of 12 and since has called herself a “native” of America’s Finest City. She attended Black Mountain Middle School, Mt. Carmel High School, and graduating from CSU-San Marcos. While going to college, Meeshie competed in numerous pageants around San Diego. Her titles include Miss Rancho Penasquitos, Miss San Diego USA, Miss Saigon USA, and she made it to the “Top 10″ out of over 90 young women at the Miss California USA pageant. During her reign with those titles, she was heavily involved with the N. County Chamber of Commerce where she devoted her time to community service and youth programs. Twice, Meeshie was the recipient of the “Special Commendation” award for her community service efforts by a former San Diego Mayor and Council member.
As a graduate from CSU-San Marcos with a Bachelor Degree in Business Finance, Meeshie currently works at Blackbaud as a Senior Financial Analyst. Meeshie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 (www.meeshie.com) – and got into event planning for non-profits as a way to “give back” to her community for their support during her fight against the disease . Meeshie’s latest accomplishments include running the Rock N’ Roll marathon (2008), the San Francisco Half – Marathon (2008), and the Carlsbad Half Marathon (2009). Recently in October (2009), she was nominated and won the “Bobbie Langford Volunteer of the Year” from the Young Survival Coalition. In her free time (when there is any) she enjoys playing golf, running, kickboxing, spin classes, scuba diving, hanging out with close friends, San Diego nightlife, and watching UFC! Meeshie continues to look forward to the bright future of D-Lux Events and “Creating Events for Causes” around San Diego county – the city where she’s always called home.
Kimberly Von Fremd, Executive Assistant/Event Coordinator
Kim von Fremd is finishing up her senior year at San Diego State University majoring in Media studies with a minor in Television and film. Originally from Dallas, she moved to San Diego for school and fell in love with beautiful California. She is a hardworking, goal oriented individual who you can find most often with a smile on her face.
Her interest in Event planning was sparked after joining her sorority and planning social events throughout the semester. She then moved on to planed philanthropic events for San Diego State University evolving the entire student body. She gained event-planning experience in the professional world working for an international corporate convention company and organizing weddings.
In Kimberly’s free time she is always doing something active. She enjoys windsurfing, kickboxing, running, dancing and going out on the town with her friends. Her energetic personality and passion for organization makes for a great addition to D-Lux Events!
Lori Hodge, Executive Assistant/Event Coordinator
Although born in Palm Desert, Lori grew up in small town Ramona, located in Northern San Diego. After graduating from Ramona High School, Lori spent most of her time working and traveling. She is always on the go and enjoys a fast past life. Her spontaneous personality brought her to North Carolina for 6 months where she met amazing people, learned new things (like how to drive in the snow) and realized she wanted to pursue her dream of being a Event Planner. She then enrolled herself into the U.S. Career Institute and is studying Wedding and Event Planning. She has gained most of her experience currently from planning her best friends wedding. Her oganizational skills and creative ideas really helps bring any event to life!
Lori’s interest in always wanting to help the homeless and anyone in need makes being apart of the D-Lux team a perfect fit for her. After all, who doesn’t love a great party, especially for a good cause??
Halley Stocks, Event Coordinator
Halley is a 25 yr old Southern California native from beautiful Encinitas. She recently graduated with a degree in Social Behavioral Science and is now looking for a way to give back. Growing up in a family who has always been so intertwined in the community has taught her just how rewarding it can be to get involved. Her positive outlook on life, energetic and hard working personality has given her the tools necessary to take any goal and view it from all angles to proceed in an organized and efficient manner. She’s excited to be a part of the D-Lux Events team.
Aurora Drening-Ribeiro, Event Coordinator
Aurora is a quirky (and a little dorky) born and raised city-girl, and a hippie at heart. Although originally from Los Angeles, CA, she grew up exploring the beautiful city of San Francisco. After completing four years at UC Santa Cruz (including a brief six months studying abroad in Melbourne, Australia), she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies in June 2009. With no idea what to do next, she packed her bags, headed back down down to So-Cal, and moved in with her big sister!
She learned soon on that a diploma delivered no answers. Post-grad life had been like a hurricane, and the prospects of her uncertain future were often overwhelming. Gradution seemed only to bring an abundance of “So…what are you going to do now?” questions, and a lack of clarity. Was it really time to grow up?!? This ambiguity terrfied the natural control freak within her, but thrilled her adventurous imagination. Aurora realized that she was only certain of a few things: She wanted to work hard, make a difference, and, of course, have fun while doing it!
With no interest in the Legal field, Aurora decided to channel her efforts towards the things that she was passionate about and enjoyed doing most: Using a creative approach to organize people, places, and things, in order to bring those individuals together to celebrate life in a meaningful way. In search of like-minded people, as well as a way to put all of these efforts towards a good cause, she joined the D-Lux Events team! After all, she believes, “As long as you love what you’re doing, you never have to work another day in your life.”
Janice Pilapil, Event Coordinator
Janice Pilapil was born in San Jose, California. After graduating from high school, she decided it was time to leave the nest and explore the “world”. She moved to Southern California in Fall 2005 to attend the University of California, San Diego. While at UCSD, she actively held various leadership positions in her sorority Kappa Zeta Phi, and continuously volunteered for various charities on and off campus. Aside from her academic and volunteer activities, she also worked as a Marketing and Special Events intern for a local hi-tech non-profit trade organization. In June 2009, Janice graduated with a B.A. in Communication and Ethnic Studies.
In 15 years, Janice wishes to be the head or marketing and events for a major convention center, a Las Vegas casino or a popular amusement park (like Disneyland!). Along with her professional goals, one of her primary focuses after graduating has been to combine her passion for event planning with her desire to help individuals and organizations around San Diego County. Janice hopes to fulfill her philanthropic goals through her role as Event Coordinator for D-Lux Events. In her spare time, she enjoys scrapbooking, figure skating, dancing and exploring San Diego.
Danielle Egan, Event Coordinator
Danielle, “Dani”, was born and raised in San Diego. Upon graduating from Helix High School, she decided a change of scenery was in order, packed up her bags, and left for Boston, Massachusetts. Here, she attended Fisher College focusing on Management with the hopes of one day owning her own business. After surviving a few record-settingsnowstorms, she headed back to San Diego where the sun is always shining. At this time she stepped into the hotel industry and has been there ever since starting out at the Front Desk and moving her way into Sales and Convention Services.
While dabbling in Convention Services (and planning her best friend’s bachelorette party), Dani realized her calling was to be an Event Planner. She is hoping D-Lux Events will give her the experience needed to one day head an Event Management company while at the same time supporting wonderful causes and doing something meaningful with her time.
In her downtime, Dani loves to read, dance, watch movies, and cook! She loves to travel and her favorite place in the world is Australia. She is a self-proclaimed “Iron Chef”, an avid Red Sox fan, and has a weird obsession with Freddy Krueger.
Dani is looking forward to working with D-Lux Events and meeting someFABULOUS people along the way!
Ashley Matney, Business Development/Sponsorships
Ashley is a recent resident of San Diego moving here just 6 months ago. She grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and after completing a double bachelors degree from Johnson & Wales University located in Providence Rhode Island she moved out to the west coast. Along with her passion for event planning, Ashley also has a flare for cooking. She has a small catering company, “Fulfilling catering” which she runs out of her San Diego apartment. The Catering company focuses on cocktail parties, and specialized desserts and drinks.
Brooke Blacksher, Fashion Events Coordinator
Bio coming soon!
Marvin Stanford, PR/Media Coordinator
Born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in San Diego California as a military brat, since the age of eight, Marvin Stanford has called southern California home. He attended Farb middle school, graduated from Serra High school in Tierrasanta and he is currently finishing a Bachelors Degree in Public Relations & Marketing at Ashford University. As an entrepreneur, he Co-founded Persona Mogul in 2001, a software program company, he helped develop and design software applications for unsigned artists to upload mp3 audio to major labels and production companies via the internet. His other business ventures include 6 years of real estate experience, in addition to 8 years in sales and management.
In spite of his successes, however, Marvin felt a lack of fulfillment or passion in these ventures. He was thus drawn to Life coaching, personal development and volunteering which he found to be much more meaningful. Marvin has volunteered for San Diego Food Bank, San Diego Blood Bank, San Diego Heart Association and is a member American Diabetes Association. Currently Marvin is continuing to pursue his passion in marketing and holds a position as a Business Development and Marketing Consultant for Green Energy Solutions, an energy & utilities broker located in San Diego California.
Kyle Ong, Assistant Coordinator, Photographer
Kyle Ong joined the 2010 team with Event Planning experience from Santa Clara University where he assisted and coordinated Undergraduate Admissions events for the 2008-2009 school year as a student assistant, then briefly as faculty. He hails from San Jose, CA where he was private schooled throughout his entire student career, however he left SCU to continue his Political Science major at UCSD.
He fancies photography, entrepreneurism, and reading. Outside of D-Lux, Kyle has side projects he is fine tuning to make money for him. He believes that money is merely a means to an end, and that the only way to really get out of a cycle of middle-class living is through building your own machine in a business. He stands behind the power of networking and his extroverted personality reflects that. If you catch him at an event, holler and introduce yourself, he will be more than happy to meet you! If you like surrounding yourself with positive people that are motivated, think positive, and love to learn, Kyle is the person for you!
For more info please contact us at:
Volunteer@D-LuxEvents.com
P: (858)405-0543
