Victoria Collia-Bowman
Victoria Collia-Bowman is a seasoned Senior Event Coordinator with nearly 13 years of experience in the hospitality and event management industry. She has been a key member of the team at the Gramercy at Lakeside Manor since 2013, overseeing banquet functions, coordinating staff schedules, and ensuring flawless execution of events across multiple locations. Known for her highly organized and hands-on approach, Victoria excels in leadership, customer service, and creative event design, consistently delivering exceptional experiences for clients.
Her journey into event coordination began unexpectedly after transitioning from retail management at Bed Bath & Beyond to working at a local nightclub. Thrust into her first private event, she quickly discovered her passion for orchestrating gatherings and managing teams. Over the years, Victoria has honed her expertise in staffing, payroll management, event logistics, and client relations, achieving measurable results such as significantly increasing the venue’s numbers from 2024 to 2025. She also holds an Associate’s degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising from Katherine Gibbs School and has completed online certification in event planning, further solidifying her professional foundation.
Beyond her career accomplishments, Victoria is deeply committed to giving back to her community. She organizes an annual breast cancer fundraising event every October to benefit Breast Intentions of New Jersey and actively contributes to charitable initiatives. Outside of work, she enjoys vacationing, skiing, beach trips, attending New York Knicks games, and spending quality time with friends. With a lead-by-example philosophy, Victoria continues to inspire her teams while pursuing her passion for creating memorable, impactful events.
• Certified in Event Planning
• Katherine Gibbs School - A.A.
• Breast Intentions of New Jersey
What do you attribute your success to?
I definitely attribute my success to my bosses. They're the ones who kind of threw me in, because this is not what I wanted to do at all. I kind of just got thrown in one day, and I loved it. They literally threw me in like a wolf, and I've loved it since then.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would honestly say stop doubting yourself and don't overthink. You're more talented than you give yourself credit for. That's what I would give my younger self. For somebody coming into the industry, you really gotta toughen up. You have to have tough skin to be in this industry.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is the need for resilience and the ability to handle pressure—I’ve learned that having “tough skin” is essential to navigate the demands and fast pace of this industry. At the same time, there are exciting opportunities, particularly in entrepreneurship and international expansion. I’ve considered launching my own event business and am especially interested in coordinating events abroad, including in Europe and Italy, to broaden both my professional reach and impact.