About WCSEP

Executive Director + President

Venue: River Terrace Inn

Charee Dion is a hospitality sales professional with over 25 years of experience, having held roles at The Pan Pacific Hotel, The International Trade Center, and W Hotels. Additionally, she owned a corporate event and wedding planning business while raising her children. Currently, she serves as the Director of National Accounts at River Terrace Inn in Napa, CA. Charee is passionate about driving event business and supporting the vibrant wine country community. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, and savoring all that Napa has to offer.

Executive Director of Communications

Venue: Castello di Amorosa Winery

Madeleine began her career working for a luxury catering company, which taught her the intricacies of planning events and afforded her the opportunity to travel and participate in international food and wine shows. After years of honing her craft in the catering side of the event industry, Madeleine ventured into the wine business. Her enthusiasm for luxury events and wine brought her to Treasury Wine Estates, where she spent five years designing custom event experiences for clients across 7 wineries throughout Napa and Sonoma. As VP of Events and Hospitality at Castello di Amorosa. She focuses on supporting the hospitality team, all-encompassing experiential design, and pushing the limits of creativity to deliver unforgettable events .She is fiercely passionate about supporting the Event Industry Community. She is committed to leading the WCSEP board to produce effective and informative educational programs and opportunities for members of the industry to connect and network.

Executive Co-Director of Events

Venue: Montage Healdsburg

Jamie started her hospitality career over 20 years ago as a Pastry Prep Cook in San Francisco, at one of the city's famous nightclubs, Ruby Skye. From there, she held positions at some of the best Hotels & Resorts in the World, including The Peninsula Beverly Hills, Auberge du Soleil, and The Luxury Collection of Marriott International. Over the years, she has developed a network of contacts throughout the hospitality and IT industries, that she can count on. Many of them have become great friends, through collaborative experiences on International Board Chapters, and regional networking groups in the hospitality community.

Executive Co-Director of Events

Venue: Mending Wall

Originally from the east coast, Erin moved to Napa Valley and first cut her teeth in the hotel business, working as a concierge for Auberge Resorts. With a passion for people and planning, it was a natural transition into the world of events. Today, you'll find her in St. Helena at Mending Wall, where she continues to bring people together over great wine.

Executive Co-Director of Education

Pivot Hospitality Consulting

Born and raised in the Canal Zone, Gaspar moved from Creighton University to California, transitioning through sales jobs from vacuum cleaners, door-to-door, to years in advertising in the San Francisco Bay Area. He then delved into the hospitality industry, gaining experience through various ventures including hospitality trade journals, Artesa Vineyards, Culinary Institute of America, Copia, Terlato Wine Group, Foley Family Wines, Plumpjack Wine Group, and hospitality industry consulting. With a rich background spanning sales, advertising, and hospitality, Gaspar brings a diverse skill set to his endeavors.

Executive Co-Director of Education

Venue: Cliff Lede Vineyards

Sherell was born and raised in Napa and has been in hospitality her entire career, spanning almost 40 years. Starting in hotels part-time during college at Silverado Resort staying there for 10 years as a Reservationist from 1985-1994, Front Desk & Concierge at Embassy Suites 1994-95, Food & Beverage Manager at Meadowood from 1995-2000. Made a switch to restaurants, working as the Office Manager & Event Assistant at Brix from 2001-2008, from 2009-2014 went back to hotels as the Director of Administrative Services & Events at Dawn Ranch Lodge, and River Terrace Inn as Senior Catering & Conference Services Manager, back to restaurants as Catering Sales Manager for Gott's Roadside. In 2014 came on board as Group Sales Manager at Cliff Lede Vineyards promoted to Director of Hospitality overseeing both the Tasting Room and Private Groups in September 2021. Sherell lives in Napa with her beautiful 15 year old doggie pal, Chloe and has 2 grown sons, Remy and Jake.

Executive Director of Social Media

Venue: Landmark Vineyards

Born and raised Socal girl who fell in love with Sonoma County and Events – graduated from Sonoma State University in 2016 with a degree in Wine Business Strategies. Currently working with Landmark Vineyards for the past 7 years as their Events Manager, Olivia handles all public and private events.

Executive Director of Membership

Venue: El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen

Lila Sommier, a native of Wine Country, proudly serves as the Director of Sales for the El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen in Sonoma. Lila's deep-rooted affection for the Sonoma Valley shines through as she warmly welcomes and guides guests, both on-site and off, sharing insider tips and local treasures. When not immersed in hospitality, Lila cherishes moments with her vibrant family of six and their two beloved dogs. Her altruistic spirit extends to volunteering at school fundraisers, nurturing her home garden, and seeking adventures in camping, hiking, and kayaking along the Sonoma County ocean shores.

Director at Large

Venue: Feast it Forward

Erin is the Director of Business Development at Feast it Forward & Feast Network and recently celebrated 8 years with the company, which has its campus located in Downtown Napa. Quoted in Napa Valley Life Magazine in 2019, Erin Ratliff has been called a Business Development maven in Napa Valley. With over 25 years of experience, she has built a career using her unique strength in weaving connections and building lasting relationships for businesses and private clients, much of it in luxury hospitality.