Ronnie Townsend
Washington DC-Baltimore Area
Summary
IT and event technology professional specializing in large-scale conference environments, digital platforms, and enterprise system operations. Certified Event Professional (CEPS) and Digital Event Strategist (DES) with a track record of leading technical environments that support hybrid, virtual, and in-person experiences at scale. I operate at the intersection of IT operations, platform strategy, and user experience overseeing systems that support 4,000–10,000+ attendees while ensuring reliability, security, and seamless execution. My work focuses on aligning technology with organizational needs, optimizing platforms for performance, and driving efficient, scalable solutions across teams. Through leadership roles with NAFSA: Association of International Educators and Cvent, I have managed complex technical ecosystems, guided vendor relationships, supported platform governance, and contributed to infrastructure and process improvements that enhance both internal operations and end-user experience. I bring a systems-level mindset to IT operations, balancing hands-on technical knowledge with strategic oversight. Known for calm leadership in high-pressure environments, I prioritize structured problem-solving, cross-functional alignment, and long-term sustainability when managing technology and operations. My global experience and cross-cultural work inform a leadership approach grounded in adaptability, clarity, and mission-driven impact. Author of Journey to the Navajo Nation and Colors of the Earth.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Project Management Consultant
Cvent
Tysons Corner, VA
10.2025 - 12.2025
- Served as the main contact for clients, managing their pre-event and onsite or virtual experience using the Cvent Platform
- Directly supported and consulted with clients on how to best leverage Cvent’s Virtual and Onsite Solutions
- Managed several concurrent projects while adhering to project milestones and internal metrics
- Provided advice, consultation, and training to clients based on industry best practices
- Offered best-in-class technical support backed by timelines created specifically for each project
- Communicated effectively with diverse internal and client stakeholders to strengthen relationships
- Acted as a liaison between clients and suppliers to quote, order, and ensure successful delivery of onsite event materials and hardware
- Configured, tested and troubleshooted event specific technology prior to and onsite at client events to ensure success
- Work with a team onsite to ensure success on the day of the event
Event Technology Manager
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Washington DC-Baltimore Area
01.2024 - 06.2025
- Managed the technology infrastructure for virtual, in-person, and hybrid conferences serving 8,000+ global attendees, ensuring event platforms remained reliable, scalable, and aligned with organizational needs.
- Key Contributions
- Stakeholder & Vendor Collaboration – Partnered with internal teams and external technology vendors to ensure event platforms supported a variety of conference formats and program needs.
- Event Technology Management – Maintained and optimized event technology platforms, ensuring compatibility with internal systems and integrating new platform features to enhance digital experiences.
- Conference Technology Implementation – Supported the execution of event technology for the NAFSA Annual Conference and regional events, including system configuration, user testing, and troubleshooting.
- Training & Platform Optimization – Contributed to the development of training resources and internal guidance to improve platform adoption and enhance the attendee and staff user experience.
- Reporting & Performance Analysis – Prepared reports and recommendations on event technology performance, usage trends, and opportunities for improvement.
- Cross-Departmental Consulting – Advised internal departments on leveraging event technology tools to strengthen program delivery and engagement.
Event Technology Specialist
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Washington DC-Baltimore Area
03.2019 - 01.2024
- Managed technology components of NAFSA’s virtual conference design for 8,000 attendees, which 92% of surveyed participants agreed the program met their professional goals.
- Oversaw NAFSA regional & annual conference event technology elements throughout their lifecycle, including stakeholder management, event platform set up, and user and stakeholder testing.
- Consulted on cross-departmental teams on using event technology software to enhance (virtual) program offerings.
- Managed key relationships across departments to design user flows.
- Recommended best practices in working with event stakeholders to use the technology in place, proactively mitigating issues and minimizing workload on volunteer leaders.
- Kept abreast of new features and enhancements and determine usefulness to NAFSA’s business practices.
- Provided orientation, guidance and training to end users for all modified and new systems.
- Assisted with producing reports and data outputs from supported systems.
- Served as the interface who coordinates between NAFSA staff and vendors on problem identification and resolution for event systems under this position’s purview.
Information Technology Support Technician
Information Technology Support Technician
12.2018 - 03.2019
- Customer Service on a daily basis.
- Being able to troubleshoot internet/hardware/software issues anytime.
- PC repair.
- Installing software.
- Wiring and cabling.
- Installing LAN phones.
- Security camera installations.
- Networking and Troubleshooting.
- Virus removal.
- Hard drive repair.
- Re imaging.
- Password retrieval.
- Mobile phone technician.
IT Specialist
Mercy Volunteer Corps
St. Michaels, Arizona
08.2017 - 07.2018
- Server maintenance, IT Cost-pool management, PC Repair + Printer Maintenance.
- Maintain and troubleshoot devices and systems, hardware, and software.
- Document system performance, bugs, debugging, and program requirements.
- Follow maintenance protocols to ensure systems are secure and ready for users.
- Design and deploy servers, directories, wireless, backups, and personal devices.
- Installing and configuring Computer systems.
Special Education Assistant Teacher
Special Education Assistant Teacher
St. Michaels, Arizona
08.2017 - 07.2018
- Contributing to lesson plans and the overall structure of teaching.
- Leading expressive arts for healing activities.
- Point of contact for all students within the State of New Mexico & Arizona on the Navajo Nation.
- Filling out daily reports to legal guardians on the progress of each student.
- Facilitating activities that enable students to experience sensory release.
- Engaging in Navajo culture activities and speaking the Navajo language with all students.
Camp Counselor
Sidwell Friends School
Washington D.C. Metro Area
06.2014 - 08.2017
- Creating a fun environment and nurturing experience for campers ranging from ages 3-4, I worked with about 10-15 campers and aided in creating an exploratory way of learning.
- My duties included but were not limited to helping kids get situated upon arrival at camp, assisting during lunch and camp departure, assisting in lesson plans and teaching lessons, contributing new ideas to camp activities and program development.
IT Helpdesk Technician
Mount Aloysius College
Cresson, PA
08.2013 - 05.2017
- Customer Service on a daily basis.
- Being able to troubleshoot internet/hardware/software issues anytime.
- PC repair.
- Installing software.
- Wiring and cabling.
- Installing LAN phones.
- Security camera installations.
- Networking and Troubleshooting.
- Virus removal.
- Hard drive repair.
- Re imaging.
- Password retrieval.
- Mobile phone technician.
IT Department Intern
Mount Aloysius College
Cresson, PA
01.2017 - 04.2017
- Intelius server upgrade.
- Network Inventory of entire campus.
- Worked on infrastructure diagrams of network layout.
- Remote computer access to diagnose problems.
Annual Giving Telecommunicator
Mount Aloysius College
Cresson, PA
09.2016 - 01.2017
- Served as a contact point between Mount Aloysius College and Alumni.
- Logged donations and funds contributed by Alumni.
- Built relations with fellow Mount Aloysius College Alumni.
- Reached out to Alumni to invite them to events that occurred at Mount Aloysius College.
Tri County Leadership Assistant
Mount Aloysius College
Cresson, PA
04.2016 - 05.2016
- Assisting with the organization of events.
- Telecommunication with students and parents.
Admissions Telecounselor
Mount Aloysius College
Cresson, PA
08.2014 - 03.2016
- I was a recruiter for the Mount Aloysius College Admissions Office, my job consisted of placing calls primarily in the Northeastern region of the United States, as well as throughout the rest of the country and seeing if High School students had any interest in attending Mount Aloysius College.
- Through this career opportunity, I was able to establish a connection with many students via telephone and served as a contact point for visitations, appointments, as well as information in reference to attending Mount Aloysius College.
- Other tasks I was assigned included call sheet submissions, and logging data.
Education
Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) - Information Technology, Minor In Criminology
Mount Aloysius College
01-2017
Spanish
MAXIMO NIVEL
08-2025
Skills
- Event Strategy
- Program Management
- Conference Operations
- ERP implementation
- IT infrastructure management
- Project scheduling
- Event Technology Platforms: Cvent, Stova, RainFocus, ON24
Certification
- Digital Event Strategist
- Negotiation: Shaping The Conflict Landscape Certificate
- Principles of Management Certificate
- Fundamentals of Generative AI for Beginners
- National Board Certification - Certified Event Planning Specialist (CEPS)
Languages
Greek (Elementary)
Spanish (Native or Bilingual)
English (Native or Bilingual)
Navajo (Native or Bilingual)
Honors-Awards
Advocacy Program of the Year
Activity
06/02/2026, Viewed by Brooke Hogan
Timeline
Senior Project Management Consultant
Cvent
10.2025 - 12.2025
Event Technology Manager
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
01.2024 - 06.2025
Event Technology Specialist
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
03.2019 - 01.2024
Information Technology Support Technician
Information Technology Support Technician
12.2018 - 03.2019
IT Specialist
Mercy Volunteer Corps
08.2017 - 07.2018
Special Education Assistant Teacher
Special Education Assistant Teacher
08.2017 - 07.2018
IT Department Intern
Mount Aloysius College
01.2017 - 04.2017
Annual Giving Telecommunicator
Mount Aloysius College
09.2016 - 01.2017
Tri County Leadership Assistant
Mount Aloysius College
04.2016 - 05.2016
Admissions Telecounselor
Mount Aloysius College
08.2014 - 03.2016
Camp Counselor
Sidwell Friends School
06.2014 - 08.2017
IT Helpdesk Technician
Mount Aloysius College
08.2013 - 05.2017
Spanish
MAXIMO NIVEL
Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) - Information Technology, Minor In Criminology
Mount Aloysius College