Courtney

Barnes, CMP

Senior Event Manager

Lover of all things food & wine, & dazzling theme queen.

Courtney Barnes, Meydenbauer’s fearless Senior Event Manager and seasoned hospitality expert, has been making client’s event dreams a reality since 2015. Prior to excelling at Meydenbauer, Courtney worked as a Scroll Mistress at Medieval Times, interned with SeaWorld’s Marketing Department and most importantly, she worked at the Walt Disney World Resort! In fact, Courtney has over 18 years of hospitality experience and 10 years of  experiencing working in events. In her free time, Courtney loves to travel, try fun new cocktails, and embrace every season to the fullest. She is also a dedicated dog mom and a Disney enthusiast.

Rachel

Hunter

Event Manager

Has a cup of tea in hand while sprinkling pixie dust over every event

Rachel Hunter is Meydenbauer’s skilled Event Manager. Rachel has over 6 years of industry experience with a focus in hospitality and customer service. Prior to joining the Meydenbauer Center team, Rachel obtained a Bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Brandman University. After graduating, Rachel worked at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge as the Private Event Services Manager. However, the highlight of her career was having worked at the Walt Disney Company for 5 years. It was through working at Walt Disney that Rachel feels she learned invaluable skills, and top-notch guest services training that helped to build the foundation she uses when working and connecting with clients today. Particularly, serving guests with a smile as she creates the foundation for a magical and memorable event. Rachel was born and raised in Washington, and is close to her family and friends. In her free time, Rachel enjoys giving back to others, being a Diversity and Inclusion Ally, and learning Sign Language. Whenever she gets the chance, Rachel can be found in her happy place, Disneyland. In fact, Rachel says if ever she can’t be found, Disneyland is the place to look for her.

Alyssa

Jensen

Event Manager

Event enthusiast, hospitality professional, relationship builder

Alyssa Jensen is Meydenbauer’s skilled Event Manager with more than 10 years of invaluable industry experience with a focus in hospitality and events. Alyssa learned how to offer unparalleled customer service while working at Hotel 1000, where she was given opportunities to go above and beyond in order to create impactful memories. While working at Bell Harbor Conference Center and the World Trade Center Seattle she gained imperative skills in bringing events to life and exceeding client’s expectations. This helped Alyssa develop her client service mantra of delivering a seamless experience as she believes every interaction is an opportunity to create a positive memory. Alyssa has lived in the PNW most of her life and earned her BAS in Hospitality Management from South Seattle College before joining the Meydenbauer team. In her free time, she loves unplugging and exploring with her dog Coco- camping, hiking, mountain biking, and enjoying good food!

James

Waters

Event Sales Manager & Business Development

With 4+ years of experience in hospitality, James brings a dynamic blend of event sales, business development, and catering expertise to the table. He’s held key roles with both Marriott and Hilton brands, managing everything from corporate events to large-scale conferences.
A career highlight? Coordinating hotel accommodations and catering for several Florida Gator sports teams—ensuring seamless service for athletes and staff all year long.
James earned his degree from the University of Florida and lives by the mantra: “Turning ordinary gatherings into extraordinary moments.” He’s passionate about delivering standout client experiences with precision and creativity.
Outside the office, James is all about adventure—whether it’s snowboarding, skydiving, hiking, camping, or chasing his next great meal. A military veteran, he can pack like a pro (though he still overpacks for vacations) and once jumped from a perfectly good C130 more times than he can count.

Carla

Kiefer

Event Manager

With 13 years of experience in events and community engagement, Carla is a pro at bringing bold ideas to life. She’s managed large-scale events, fundraisers, consumer shows, and artistic collaborations across the U.S., Canada, and Germany—always with a creative, people-first approach.
A graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Cultural Anthropology, Carla approaches every event with curiosity and a “what is possible” mindset, aiming to craft unforgettable experiences that connect and inspire.
Outside of work, you’ll find her crafting, exploring new places, or practicing HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts)—a nod to her adventurous spirit and love of creativity.