Vala Durvett, Events and Catering Manager, East Coast on Influential Women

Influential Woman · Hospitality

Vala Durvett

Events and Catering Manager, East Coast, Momofuku ·

New York, NY

Her Story

About Vala

I work in the hospitality industry, specifically in events, for a larger company. The nature of events work is very dynamic and nomadic - I'm constantly running around from restaurant to restaurant, and every project is always different, which I really enjoy. The industry is moving in different ways, and it's becoming really hard to maintain a small business, so a lot of companies are starting to expand while other small businesses are not. I'm fortunate to be working for a larger company where we have a lot more security at this time. I believe that being able to find a business that you work with, that you feel the most confident for growth, is probably the best way to handle it if you want to stay long-term in hospitality. The variety and flexibility of events work allows me to balance my professional responsibilities with my personal life, and I organize and reorganize my schedule constantly to make it all work.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Vala

01What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I think for the challenges, it's really that the industry is moving into different ways. It's really hard to maintain a small business, so a lot of companies are starting to expand, while other small businesses are not. I happen to be working for a larger company where we have a lot more security at the time. So being able to find a business that you work with, that you feel the most confident for growth, is probably the best way to handle it if you want to stay long-term in hospitality.

Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.