Sharon DeFelices, CMP
Sharon DeFelices, CMP, is the founder and principal strategist of EIR Meetings, a dynamic event services company she launched in 2016 that blends her expertise in food, nutrition, and wellness with corporate event strategy. As a recognized Food, Nutrition, and Wellness Expert and the creator of The Blueprint for a Healthy Meeting, Sharon helps organizations design gatherings that are engaging, inclusive, and deeply nourishing for every attendee. With a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Penn State University and a Culinary Arts Diploma from the Institute of Culinary Education, she brings a unique intersection of culinary creativity, evidence-based nutrition, and intentional event design to every project she leads. Over her 25+ year career, Sharon has held leadership roles across hospitality and events, from Conference Director at Lambertville Station Inn to Corporate Event Strategist with Mosaic Meetings and Events and EIR Meetings. Her work has consistently elevated event experiences, earning industry recognition and client acclaim for thoughtful menu architecture, wellness integration, and flawless execution. Sharon’s professional philosophy centers on creating environments where meaningful conversation, learning, and connection naturally flourish — all supported by food and experiences that sustain and delight. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys cooking in her spare time and experimenting with new recipes that continue to inspire her work. A respected voice in the meetings and events community, Sharon served on the Advisory Board for MPI's Independent and Small Business Owners and actively mentors emerging professionals. Her advice to young female entrepreneurs is simple yet powerful: always listen and learn from others; there is always someone who knows more than you, and one day you will be the expert giving advice. Through EIR Meetings and The Blueprint for a Healthy Meeting, Sharon continues to empower organizations to deliver wellness-forward events that are as impactful as they are memorable.
• How to Grow Your Business with LinkedIn
• Penn State University - BS
• Tomorrow's Leader
• Meeting Professionals International
• Meeting Professionals International
What do you attribute your success to?
My success is rooted in a career spent at the intersection of hospitality, wellness, and strategic event design. I began by learning the fundamentals of service—how anticipation, precision, and care shape every experience—and evolved into designing meetings that balance operational excellence with human needs. As a chef and wellness expert, I bring a heightened awareness of how environment, nourishment, and flow affect energy, engagement, and outcomes. My background in hospitality and wellness shapes everything I do, reinforcing the idea that thoughtful details, human connection, and purpose-driven planning are what turn meetings into meaningful experiences.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Build your career with intention, not permission. Building with intention looks like learning the business behind the service, understanding how decisions are made, and speaking up for opportunities that align with your long-term goals—even when it feels uncomfortable. Trusting your experience, name your contributions, and allow yourself to lead before someone else grants you permission. Become the author of your growth, not just a participant in someone else’s plan. This mindset not only advances your own career—it creates space for the women who come after you to lead with confidence and purpose.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Hospitality can be a deeply rewarding career, especially for women who care about people and take pride in excellence. My advice is to honor that instinct to serve while also learning to value yourself as highly as you value others. Take the time to understand the business side of your work, ask questions, and seek out mentors who see your potential even before you do. Protect your energy, trust your voice, and allow yourself to grow into leadership at your own pace. When women support themselves and one another with intention, the industry becomes stronger, more sustainable, and more human for everyone.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Senior leadership roles in events come with a need for quiet confidence. We navigate a profession that relies heavily on our expertise, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. We are expected to manage complexity flawlessly, anticipate needs without recognition, and absorb pressure quietly, all while advocating for budgets, timelines, and outcomes that are frequently undervalued or not understood. Additionally, we need to be able and ready to do any job at an event. Finding opportunities to show your team the full spectrum of your leadership and make invisible work visible.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Collaborative partnership.......EVERYWHERE! Kindness, transparency, accountability, honesty, humility and empathy. These are important to me in my work life and my personal life.