Event Coordinators
in Highlands, NC

Excelling in the hospitality industry for the past 35 years, Melissa worked at prestigious properties like Fearrington House Inn—a Relais & Châteaux—and Sea Island prior to joining Old Edwards in 2009.

As the Director of Sales, she has been the driving force behind the reshaping the many Old Edwards venues, turning them into the award-winning destinations they are today.

Originally from Ormond Beach, Florida, Jessica graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality Management and Marketing.

To gain experience from a leader in hospitality, Jessica entered an internship at Old Edwards Inn and Spa in 2012. She found Highlands and Old Edwards the perfect life for her. After graduating in 2013, Jessica moved to Highlands and began her hospitality career at Old Edwards.

For nearly 20 years Callie has been a driving force in the Hospitality Industry. After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta with a degree in Culinary Arts, she began her career at the Ritz-Carlton in Atlanta.

She continued to gain knowledge and experience with Rosewood Hotels, Mandarin Oriental, and the Jupiter Hotel in Portland, Oregon. In the Fall of 2016, Callie moved to Highlands to join the Sales Team at Old Edwards Inn & Spa. After three wonderful years, she and her husband were offered an opportunity for a new adventure in Carmel, California. They soon realized how Highlands truly is their home and Callie along with her husband, Michael and their precious daughter, Annabelle returned. She was honored to take on the role of Senior Sales Manager at Old Edwards.

Gabby was born and raised in South Florida, but spent many of her summers in Macon County. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management.

She worked for both her university’s alumni association and athletic association in their events department and quickly fell in love with the industry. In 2018, Gabby moved to Franklin with her young son, and realizing she missed the events industry, she took a role at a local venue, but immediately jumped at the opportunity when Old Edwards Inn & Spa offered her a position. In her free time, Gabby enjoys playing and watching sports, taking her son on adventures, and traveling.

Born and raised in Atlanta, Marina grew to love hospitality with her grandparents, who came from Greece. They ran a successful restaurant in Mississippi that incorporated Greek recipes into American cuisine.

Marina loved visiting the family restaurant and always left feeling inspired by her Pappou's immense passion for the restaurant industry. From there, her interest in hospitality took her to Auburn University, where she graduated with a bachelor's in Hospitality Management and minor in Business Management, plus her level 1 Sommelier certificate. While in Auburn, she worked at The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, where she helped run the recreation department. Weddings have always been her main passion in hospitality, as she loves creating a day dedicated to a love story. Marina started interning with a luxury wedding planner, which is how she came upon Old Edwards Inn & Spa. She packed up her dogs to move to the mountains and has loved it here ever since.

Danielle is a Tampa native who graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a BS in Marketing. Spending years in customer service and sales and marketing developed into a passion for helping people.

She loves to travel and go on walks with her boyfriend and two mini-Dachshunds. Since she enjoys exploring the outdoors, Danielle is thrilled to be in the mountains and looks forward to experiencing different seasons. She has previously worked at Miromar Lakes Beach and Golf Resort, supporting the hospitality staff while studying. When jobs in other industries presented themselves, her heart for hospitality remained, so she is excited to be a part of the event group at Old Edwards Hospitality and how it will allow her to assist people in planning their perfect day.

Originally from St. Augustine, Florida, Melody is part of one of the oldest families in the United States. After raising her family in Vero Beach, Florida she relocated to Western North Carolina in which she was drawn by the region’s natural beauty and strong sense of community. Melody holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Indian River State College and is a lifetime member of the Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society. Her academic background and professional experience reflect a strong commitment to leadership, organizational excellence, and ongoing professional growth.

Melody brings extensive years of experience in event management, with a background in banquets, weddings, galas, fundraisers, conventions, and corporate functions. Known for her approachable nature and genuine openness, she values building meaningful connections and lifetime relationships with every client. In her free time, Melody enjoys spending quality time with her family, friends, and pets. She also finds fulfillment in reading, gardening, traveling, and exploring the outdoors of WNC.

Originally from Dublin, Georgia, Sarah moved with her family to the Northeast Georgia Mountains. She attended the University of North Georgia and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing.

Sarah started her career in the hospitality industry at The Dillard House and was quickly promoted to Sales Manager. After 4 years, Sarah made the move to Old Edwards Inn & Spa, and has loved every minute since!

Born and raised in Blandon, Pennsylvania, Tara graduated with a BS in Hospitality Management from Penn State. She started her career in South Florida at the Royal Blues Hotel, Relais & Châteaux.

There, she moved up the ranks to Assistant General Manager. With a Level 1 Wine Sommelier certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas, Tara enhances guest experiences with expert wine knowledge. She is now at Old Edwards Hospitality Group ready to share her passion for the industry and event planning.

A native of Asheville, Nikki returned to Western NC after spending 20 years in Florida. Accompanied by her two beloved dogs, she brings with a wealth of experience and a deep passion for hospitality.

With a strong background in the restaurant industry, Nikki has worked in every position across a wide range of venues—from fast casual spots to fine dining establishments. Her leadership journey includes serving as Director of Operations for three companies while in Florida, where she honed her skills in management and team development. A few years ago, she took on a second role as a catering manager and quickly discovered a true love for the work. Nikki is driven by a genuine desire to help people and is extremely excited to be in Highlands, continuing her career in a place that feels like home.

23 years of working in different hospitality roles within catering management, conferences, and restaurants has given Melanie a unique perspective on events. Oldest child of five and only daughter to Dr. Edmond and Kathy Jordan of Anderson, SC. She has resided in parts of North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina throughout her career. After her namesake, grandfather those closest to her refer to her as “Mel”. She has executed catering in the past for 38 PGA tours and has a strong love for golf and conferences. Driven by detail, grounded in service and always hungry for the next challenge (and dessert).

She enjoys being a passionate orchestrator of unforgettable events, blending precision with heart. In her spare time family is very important. She enjoys walks with her three dogs and snuggles with her cat. Melanie also enjoys cooking Italian and Mexican food. You may find her crafting wedding favors or kid party favors on Etsy. She found her passion as a kid watching her mom throw extraordinary birthday parties and holiday parties. She is enthusiastic in being an intricate part of Old Edward’s Inn and has fallen in love with Highlands. Her party planning words of wisdom: Details are the difference between a good event and a great one. Her favorite quote: The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched-they must be felt with the heart.

Katie was born and raised in the small-town of King, North Carolina. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism.

After graduation, she came to Highlands to do an 18-month Manager in Training internship. After 4 months, her internship was expedited, and she became a Food & Beverage Managers at Madison’s restaurant. When the Catering and Sales Assistant presented itself, Katie jumped at the opportunity to work in the events industry here at Old Edwards. With several years of working in the hospitality industry, Katie’s passion for helping and creating special memories for others has only grown and she is excited to further her career here with the Old Edwards Sales team. In her free time, Katie loves to find new hiking and waterfall trails here in WNC.

As a Rabun County native, just 30 minutes down the mountain from Highlands, Jadda grew up working in her family's restaurant, where she developed a passion for hospitality. She graduated with a BBA in Marketing from the University of Georgia.

After graduation, she worked as a Marketing Manager at Bacardi, gaining extensive experience in brand representation, event execution, and customer engagement across multiple markets. Eager to return to the mountains she loves, Jadda is excited to bring her skills and experience to the team at Old Edwards Hospitality Group.

Having recently relocated from Park City, Utah, Nicole brings luxury hospitality experience gained at premier ski resorts. She holds a B.S. in Hospitality Management from Utah Valley University, with an emphasis in hotel finance and events. With a deep passion for elevated guest experiences and a love of mountain towns and destination properties, she feels a natural connection to Highlands, drawing inspiration from her roots in both Park City, Utah, and Augusta, Georgia.

Living in the small-town charm of Rabun County, Georgia, Kacie has built a career rooted in her love for hospitality and creating memorable experiences. What began as a restaurant job at age 15 quickly grew into a passion that led her to management roles and event leadership, most notably at The Waterfall Club.

When the opportunity to join Old Edwards Inn and Spa as a Catering and Sales Associate presented itself, Kacie recognized it as the role she had always dreamed of—one where her enthusiasm for service and event coordination could truly shine. Today, she helps clients see their dreams become a reality, making each event feel personal, polished, and unforgettable. Kacie is excited to continue growing with Old Edwards and looks forward to contributing to more meaningful moments for guests and their families while working alongside such an amazing and inspiring team. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, playing guitar, and immersing herself in music.

Natalie relocated from Tampa, Florida to the Blue Ridge Mountains to pursue new opportunities for personal and professional growth. She is currently earning dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration & Law and Innovation Leadership & Entrepreneurship from Western Carolina University.

In her role, Natalie is known for her enthusiasm, collaborative spirit, and dedication to excellence. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking local trails with her Belgian Malinois and her boyfriend, and exploring the natural beauty and charm that make Highlands such a special place to live and work.

Margo moved to Western North Carolina at just two weeks old and has been right at home in the mountains ever since. She graduated from Montreat College in 2017 and went straight into the hospitality industry.

She worked at the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort for five years before joining the Old Edwards Family in October of 2021. As a meticulous and detail-oriented person, she takes pride in making sure that everything is just so when it comes to rooms for corporate events and weddings. She lives in Franklin with her two cats and reads 52 books a year.