Maresa Whaley

Maresa Whaley is an event manager and independent contractor based in Nashville, Tennessee. With a career spanning approximately 25 years in the meeting planning and event management industry, including conference planning, she began her journey while in college at Tennessee State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. Her early role in the university's Office of Events Management sparked a passion for the field, leading to a full-time position there for several years before transitioning into broader meeting and conference planning roles. Maresa holds a certification in nonprofit management and is working toward a meeting planning certification. She has engaged in community service with local nonprofits and through her sorority. Maresa credits her success to the support of her family, particularly her father's encouragement to start working in events, her parents' drive, and her husband's support in pursuing new opportunities. She values accountability, communication, and the ability to be flexible and pivot in an evolving field, and advises maintaining a solid work-life balance while pursuing passion in demanding work.