Our Team
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Karen Rella
Karen is the President and CEO of InterFace Partners, with 31+ years of experience in executive speaker placement and event marketing. She founded InterFace after scaling Carat’s Speaker Placement division into a multi-million-dollar business. Previously, she led global event strategy at Giga Information Group, launching initiatives in South America and Japan. Karen holds a BA in Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations from Emerson College, offering strategic vision, leadership, and expertise to the firm.
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Cindy Charlwood
Cindy is the Director of Client Services and Research at InterFace Partners, with 30+ years of experience in event planning and content management. She collaborates with clients to secure impactful speaking opportunities. Previously, she was Research Manager at Carat Brand Experience, leading speaker strategy and competitive analyses for global programs. Cindy holds a BA in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, graduating Magna Cum Laude, ensuring client success through strategic research.
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Janine Vlassakis
Janine is the Associate Director of Client Account Management at InterFace Partners, with 23+ years of experience across diverse industries. She secures global speaking opportunities aligned with corporate goals and has expertise in branding, communication strategies, and event coordination. Janine has supported major fundraising initiatives and clinical education programs. She holds an M.Ed in Education from Suffolk University, , providing strategic guidance, leadership, and expertise to enhance client impact.
“I don’t believe there is a better connected, harder working or more detail oriented group of people in the speaker placement industry. They became valued members of my team and I expect to be working together with them again.”
~Jessica Kersey, Sr. Director Corporate Communications, Polycom
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Devon Sova
Devon is a Research Specialist at InterFace Partners, with 21+ years of experience in global event research and content management. She evaluates conferences, monitors industry trends, and maintains the firm’s event intelligence database. Devon supports high-profile client programs by identifying impactful speaking opportunities. Previously, she ran a successful gymnastics business and authored published works. Her collaborative, research-driven approach ensures clients achieve executive objectives and strengthens InterFace’s competitive edge in the industry.
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Ellen Cronin
Ellen is the Lead Account Executive at InterFace Partners, with 33+ years of experience in communications, event strategy, and client relations. She secures high-value speaking opportunities and supports client programs with deep market insights. Previously, Ellen managed Carat Brand Experience’s event database and identified global opportunities. Earlier, she worked as a journalist in northern New England. Ellen holds a BA in Communications from Lyndon State College and excels in delivering strategic event solutions.
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Mark Rella
Mark is the Chief Strategic Officer of Speaker Placement at InterFace Partners, specializing in industry research, competitive analysis, and executive positioning. He identifies high-value speaking opportunities and aligns strategies with organizational goals. Mark evaluates business trends and collaborates with executives to elevate market authority. He holds a BS in Applied Exercise Science from the University of New England and is pursuing an MBA at Louisiana State University, driving client growth, visibility, and lasting success.