Her Story
About Ivy
Ivy Manfredi is a dynamic events, marketing, and sales leader with more than a decade of experience creating memorable experiences and building meaningful partnerships across Nashville’s hospitality and entertainment industries. Named a 2025 Nashville Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, Ivy is recognized for her ability to connect people, elevate brands, and bring bold ideas to life through a relationship-driven approach.
Since 2015, Ivy has built a reputation as a strategic storyteller and trusted partner, specializing in brand development, event production, sales strategy, and client experiences. Her career highlights include helping launch Virgin Hotels Nashville as part of the pre-opening team and serving as Director of Sales and Marketing for Garth Brooks’ Friends in Low Places on Broadway.
Today at Cohera, Ivy helps clients create unforgettable Nashville experiences through thoughtful strategy, creativity, and genuine connection. Known for her warmth, authenticity, and passion for people, Ivy believes the strongest brands are built through relationships—and that every great experience starts with making people feel valued.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ivy
01What do you attribute your success to?
Without a doubt, I attribute my success to relationships. Every person I’ve crossed paths with has played a role in my journey—whether by introducing me to someone new, opening a door, or giving me the opportunity to do the same for someone else. I’ve learned that success is built on genuine connections, and I’m especially grateful for the incredible community of women who consistently support, encourage, and champion one another. When we lift each other up, we all grow stronger.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to always be yourself and never be afraid to put yourself out there. Some of the things I’ve done to build my personal brand could have felt a little awkward or even “cringey,” but I’ve learned that authenticity is what people remember. Because I’ve been willing to show up as myself, people know my name, recognize my face, and trust the relationships I’ve built. Success doesn’t come from waiting for opportunities—it comes from introducing yourself, saying hello to the person standing in the corner, and never being afraid to take that first step. Most importantly, never stop trying.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom. Learn everything you can, ask questions, and soak up every experience. Every role teaches you something valuable, and those lessons become the foundation for your future success. Before joining the DMC industry, I was already a Director of Sales for a venue, but I intentionally chose to start over because I wanted to truly learn the business from the ground up. It was one of the best decisions I could have made. Stay curious, work hard, and trust that your growth will come faster than you think.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The largest challenges currently would definitely say the economic constraints right now with budgeting. Things are getting tighter and tighter of budgets and spending, which is going into travel. More and more companies are no longer able to travel. Also just a surplus of vendors, also that are all event planners.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Embracing the work-life balance and knowing that what you're doing on a day-to-day basis is not curing cancer, but genuinely enjoying what we're doing, and that is what I truly value the most, and getting to be in a job that I feel passionate about, and every day is an exciting day.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.