Executive Leadership Team

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    Karen Rella

    Karen is the Founder, CEO, and Board Member 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 directed global event strategy at Giga Information Group, launching multiple high-impact international initiatives. Karen holds a BA in Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations from Emerson College, providing strategic vision, leadership, and expertise to the firm.

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  • Professional woman with red hair, glasses, and earrings, smiling in an office with large windows in the background.

    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 a strategic research approach.

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  • A woman with curly brown hair, wearing glasses, a black top, and a navy blazer, smiling at the camera in a well-lit indoor space.

    Janine Vlassakis

    Janine, Associate Director of Client Account Management at InterFace Partners, leverages 23+ years of global expertise to secure impactful speaking opportunities that align with corporate goals. A specialist in branding, communication strategies, and event coordination, she has led major fundraising initiatives and clinical education programs. With an M.Ed from Suffolk University, Janine empowers leaders with strategic insights, elevating their influence and driving measurable results on the world’s most prestigious stages.

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  • Smiling woman with long brown hair, wearing hoop earrings and a beige blazer, standing outdoors with autumn foliage in the background.

    Devon Sova

    Devon, Research Specialist at InterFace Partners, brings 21+ years of expertise in global event research and content management. She evaluates conferences, monitors industry trends, and manages the firm’s event intelligence database. Devon identifies impactful speaking opportunities for high-profile clients, ensuring strategic alignment with business goals. A former gymnastics business owner and published author, her collaborative, research-driven approach empowers clients to achieve long-lasting business success.

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    Ellen Cronin

    Ellen, Research Specialist at InterFace Partners, brings 33+ years of expertise in communications, event strategy, and client relations. She secures high-impact speaking opportunities and drives client success with sharp market insights. Formerly managing Carat Brand Experience’s event database, Ellen identified global opportunities that elevated executive influence. With a BA in Communications from Lyndon State College, she delivers strategic event solutions that empower clients to achieve measurable results.

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“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

  • A woman with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and light skin, wearing a black turtleneck and blazer, smiling in an office corridor with glass walls and natural light.

    Kaitlyn Hubner

    Kaitlyn is the Marketing Director at InterFace Partners, leading brand, campaign, and go-to-market strategy across the firm. She oversees integrated marketing programs that support executive speaker placement, positioning, and growth initiatives. Kaitlyn partners closely with leadership to align messaging, campaigns, and performance with business objectives. She holds a BA in Communications from Loyola Marymount University and is currently pursuing an MBA at Boston College, with a focus on visibility, authority, and measurable impact.

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  • A young man with short dark hair in a business suit and tie smiling in an office setting.

    Mark Rella

    Mark is the Lead, Go-to-Market Strategist at InterFace Partners, specializing in industry research, competitive analysis, and executive positioning. Mark identifies high-value speaking opportunities, aligns go-to-market strategy with organizational goals, and evaluates business trends to strengthen market authority across global markets. 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 long-lasting business success.

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Board of Directors

  • A smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing a black top, standing indoors with a blurred background of a room with large windows and warm lighting.

    Karen Rella

    Founder, CEO, and Board Member

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  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length blond hair, wearing a black blazer, pink blouse, and silver jewelry, standing outdoors with blurred trees and a pond in the background.

    Robin Wadsworth

    Board Member

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  • A man in a business suit smiling in an office setting with desks, monitors, and chairs in the background.

    Drew Grandi

    Board Member

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