About

Raised in the UK and having lived in Canada and the US, Bruce’s background has contributed to his appreciation of diverse approaches and a deep understanding of the global market. With a career spanning over three decades in the industry, including 20 years at BCD M&E, there is very little Bruce doesn’t know about meetings and events.

His journey through roles in sales, marketing, global event management and both regional and global leadership has been marked by significant accomplishments. Playing a key collaborative role in guiding BCD M&E through critical transitions, Bruce has been instrumental in the company’s growth. His leadership is characterized by his commitment to fostering a transparent and collaborative culture which reinforces the company’s emphasis on human connection and makes him an approachable figure in any room.

As someone who is often on the move for business, Bruce values his time at home, where you might catch him enjoying a meal with friends at a local pub, FaceTiming with his twin boys (who are attending college in the U.S.), or unwinding to a timeless Prince record. But no matter the setting, Bruce’s authentic nature and genuine interest in people’s passions and stories make him as much a friend as a leader.

In his role as CFO, Geert Jan has global responsibility for all our financial processes, spanning the Americas, EMEA, Latin American, Asia Pacific and the UK. He has more than 40 years of experience in a wide variety of financial roles including audit, treasury, controlling, M&A and CFO roles. After careers with PwC and Dutch Telecom leader KPN, Geert Jan joined BCD Travel 15 years ago. Within BCD Travel, Geert Jan has been (Statutory) CFO for the Netherlands and the Nordics, CFO EMEA and SVP Global Controlling, M&A and Tax joining BCD Meetings & Events in March 2014. Geert Jan is an avid music fan with a broad variety of taste being it rocking to Queen, Springsteen, Barbra Streisand or Lady Gaga! And not strange in this industry, he has a great passion for travel-from his favorite city, New York, to the Far East.

Brittany has responsibility for our global marketing and brand strategy across regions. With 19 years of experience spanning public relations, brand development, marketing strategy, communications, and creative direction, she has developed a love for balancing the art of storytelling with the practicality of marketing strategy to inspire and connect with audiences. In 2024, Brittany was honored with Ragan’s Top Women in Marketing Agency Leader Award, reflecting her impactful contributions to the industry.

On a daily basis, you can find her cultivating our brand story, holding creative brainstorm sessions with her team, or dreaming of her favorite travel destinations in the beautiful countrysides of the UK and Ireland. When she’s not at work, Brittany enjoys curling up on the couch with a great book and her dog, Teddy.

Ted leads a global team that oversees all of our technology solutions. He has over 15 years of experience in the areas of technical strategy, application development and integration, business intelligence, reporting as well as business process reengineering. Still, at the end of the day, he enjoys unplugging and spending time with his family via Skype and Facebook.

Christine Erickson is the Senior Vice President of Global Supplier Relations & Partner Network at BCD Meetings & Events, bringing over 35 years of diverse industry experience to her collaborative leadership role. Known for her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for crafting exceptional experiences, Christine is dedicated to driving client growth and fostering meaningful connections.

Her career began as a trip director, where she traveled extensively for a decade, followed by 15 years in sales. Today, she leverages her extensive background in meetings, events, travel, and hospitality to enhance our Global Supplier Partner Program and lead the Partner Network Program across 41 markets.

Outside of the office, Christine enjoys attending her sons’ basketball games, traveling the globe, and embracing her new passion for gardening. Christine has been with BCD M&E for ten years, she previously excelled as Senior Vice President of Experience & Events Solutions and The Collective, NORAM.

Senior Vice President of People & Culture, Audrey Lambert, is a broad-based executive with over 25 years of leadership experience at BCD. Audrey has developed and led teams across multiple functions including human resources, finance, global pricing, and sales support.

Audrey’s passion for our employees led her to her current role overseeing People & Culture globally focusing on talent acquisition and retention; global learning and development; and employee engagement.

Audrey comes from a close-knit family and enjoys traveling with her parents, siblings and especially her husband and twins. During family gatherings she is rumored to be an “enthusiastic” participant in competitive family games of pickleball, volleyball and dominoes.

With close to 30 years of experience, Charlene has been involved in just about every aspect of the meetings and events industry. She is responsible for setting the company’s strategic direction and ensuring successful sales and operations functions for North America. Charlene speaks regularly at industry events for Meeting Planners International (MPI), Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and SITE (Society of International Travel Executives). She is an MPI-accredited trainer and previously an Strategic Meetings Management Program (SMMP) instructor. Charlene was an honoree in the Collaborate magazine’s 2012 inaugural 40 Under 40 and enjoys spending time with her family skiing, golfing, running and biking. When she is not watching her 2 boys play sports, you can find her on the soccer field herself.

Ana Paula leads operations in the LATAM region, managing a talented team of over 400 meeting and event designers across countries including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. With more than 20 years in the industry, she brings a wealth of global expertise combined with keen local insights, enabling her to develop effective strategies that resonate with both clients and the organization. Her leadership is characterized by a commitment to building safe and positive environments that foster collaboration and innovation.

A dedicated advocate for the meetings and events sector in Latin America, Ana Paula has held numerous influential positions, including Chairwoman of ICCA Mexico and Vice President of PCMA Mexico. She has also co-founded the renowned International Balloon Festival in León and played a critical role in establishing the Mexico Convention Bureau. Her significant contributions to the industry have earned her recognition as one of the Most Influential Leaders in Latin America by LM Magazine, reflecting her deep commitment and impact in the region.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ana Paula enjoys exploring vibrant cities such as New York, Istanbul, and Prague, while proudly championing the beauty of Mexico’s inviting beaches—her ultimate happy place. Balancing her career and family life, she immerses herself in her children’s activities as a dedicated “sports mom” and advocate. She loves to stay active through fitness and yoga and her favorite way to spend quality time is by sharing meals with family, friends and her husband, who is a fantastic cook.

Ana Paula lidera las operaciones de BCD Meetings & Events LATAM, gestionando un talentoso equipo de más de 400 diseñadores de reuniones y eventos en países como Argentina, Brasil, Colombia y México. Con más de 20 años en la industria, aporta una gran experiencia global combinada con agudas percepciones locales, lo que le permite desarrollar estrategias efectivas que resuenan tanto con los clientes como con la organización. Su liderazgo se caracteriza por un compromiso con la creación de entornos seguros y positivos que fomentan la colaboración y la innovación.

Como impulsora del sector de reuniones y eventos en América Latina, Ana Paula ha ocupado numerosos cargos en las Asociaciones de la Industria incluido el de Presidenta de ICCA México y Vicepresidenta de PCMA México. También cofundó el reconocido Festival Internacional del Globo en León y tuvo un papel clave en el establecimiento del Buró de Convenciones de México. Sus contribuciones significativas a la industria le han valido el reconocimiento como una de las Líderes Más Influyentes en América Latina por la revista LM, lo que refleja su profundo compromiso e impacto en la región.

Más allá de sus logros profesionales, a Ana Paula le encanta explorar ciudades vibrantes como Nueva York, Estambul y Praga, mientras defiende con orgullo la belleza de las acogedoras playas de México, su lugar feliz por excelencia. Equilibrando su carrera y vida familiar, se involucra en las actividades de sus hijos como una dedicada “porrista e impulsora” de sus deportes. Le gusta mantenerse activa a través del fitness y el yoga, y su forma favorita de pasar tiempo de calidad es compartiendo comidas con familia, amigos y su esposo, quien es un gran cocinero.

Sanjay is charged with developing strategy focusing on growing Asia Pacific, developing local teams and continuing to offer expanded services to our customers. Residing in Singapore, he brings extensive meetings & events experience to our business. Sanjay’s passion for building a customer-centric approach with a focus on quality service and bottom-line contributions as well as cultivating our culture within the region aligns perfectly with our global strategy. He can be found breaking the sound barrier in his Land Rover on the weekends, conveying his children to ballet, drumming and swimming classes. He is passionate about the All Blacks, loves discovering great food spots with his wife and is an avid vinyl art toy collector.

Helen is the Managing Director of the UK region, bringing over 30 years of extensive knowledge and experience to the role. Since joining the company in 1991 when it was just a small team of five, she has played a significant part in its remarkable growth and evolution. Her multiskilled background encompasses key roles in IT, HR, and Facilities Management, providing her with a holistic understanding of the business and the industry. Helen is particularly skilled in Venue Search operational leadership, People Management and Development, and the Live Events sector.

As a dedicated servant leader, Helen is committed to driving strategic growth for BCD M&E, its people, and its brand in the region. She believes in collaboratively defining business goals and empowering those around her to lead efforts towards achieving successful outcomes. Helen’s passion for BCD M&E’s values is evident, as she strives to model these behaviors in her daily work, fostering an environment of trust built on transparency, honesty, and reliability.

Outside of her professional life, Helen enjoys the vibrant culture of Europe, taking advantage of quick flights to sunny Mediterranean destinations. Helen also cherishes her time in her expansive garden during the warmer months, enjoys walks in the Peak District with her Cockapoo, and loves spending quality moments with her 2-year-old granddaughter.

With over 25 years of experience in the meetings and events sector, Mikael EK serves as the Managing Director of the EMEA region. Throughout his career, he has held various senior managerial roles in local event agencies across Europe and within a global Travel Management Company. In his position, Mikael is dedicated to setting the strategic direction of the company while ensuring effective sales and operations across the region.

Mikael firmly believes that successful leadership is built on a combination of leadership, personal accountability, teamwork, and grit. He emphasizes that “chance favors only the prepared mind,” which highlights his ability to quickly assess opportunities and pursue his goals with passion.

Outside of work, Mikael enjoys quality time with his wife, two children, especially during their family road trips to their summer house in southern Sweden. An avid foodie, Mikael spends his weekends either experimenting in the kitchen or dining at select restaurants. He has a fondness for his local pub, where he often enjoys a cellar-cooled Guinness. Mikael is committed to continuous personal and professional growth, striving to be a better leader, father, and colleague. Since joining us in 2020, he has made it his mission to deliver on his promises with sincerity and dedication.