An accomplished and passionate connector, Sue is renowned for transforming ideas into innovative projects and events that consistently exceed expectations. With a unique ability to balance creativity and execution, Sue excels at fostering partnerships and leveraging synergies to deliver exceptional results. As the founder of STEP IN MARKETING & EVENT SOLUTIONS, launched in 2014, Sue continues to serve as the unflappable glue that binds teams and visions together, orchestrating a wide array of events including galas, conferences, trade shows, culinary competitions, and more.

With a career as dynamic as it is diverse, Sue has a rich background spanning brand management, account direction, and marketing and event leadership. Notable milestones include the launch of Heinz Picnic Pack and a memorable attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the Largest Bloody Caesar Cocktail (almost flooding the Enercare Centre in the process!). Her dedication to bringing people together is deeply rooted in her personal connection to the food industry, inspired by her parents' journey as restaurant owners – in particular, sharing the table with her Mom’s Christmas “orphans”. If Mom found out that you were going to be alone at Christmas, you always had a seat at the table. This has instilled a belief in the profound power of food as a unifier and storyteller.

Currently serving as President of the Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners (CanSPEP), Sue is a highly regarded leader and award-winning specialist. Honours such as the Canadian Meetings & Events Expo Hall of Fame Planner of the Year (2023) and multiple accolades from CanSPEP and the Culinary Federation highlight her dedication and impact. Guided by a passion for innovation, collaboration, and purpose, Sue continues to inspire and elevate the industry, ensuring every client and project achieves extraordinary success.

“While by no means my only specialty, the food industry is deeply rooted in childhood when my parents left the security of the corporate world for the lifelong dream of restaurant ownership. From serving customers, to washing dishes, to peeling apples for my Mom’s ‘famous’ deep-dish apple pie, I experienced firsthand what it means to approach each day with passion, purpose and an unwavering commitment to getting the job done.

​I also realized the power of connecting people through food, especially during our annual Christmas Dinner (the only day of the year when my parents closed the restaurant to the public). Not only did we get to enjoy a meal together as a family (not a regular occurrence when running a restaurant!), but we were also honoured to share the table with my Mom’s Christmas ‘orphans’. If she found out that you were going to be alone at Christmas, you always had a seat at the table. The people I met, and the stories they told, connected me to worlds I would have never known otherwise. To this day, there is always a seat at my table for you.”