Manolita is a convention and trade show executive with proven experience leading non-profit and educational organizations. She is a gifted leader who excels at developing high-performing teams and driving efficiencies using technologies to improve processes. She has served in senior managerial positions at the University of California-Davis, Western Veterinary Conference (WVC), National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), and North American Veterinary Community (NAVC).
Manolita is known for her work and achievements while at the WVC, where she helped transform the association into one of the largest and highly sought-after continuing education providers in the world. Manolita was the Chief Operations Officer at WVC, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the association. She led and mentored high performing teams. During her 17-year tenure, she implemented technologies to support programs and symposia, including onsite digital capture, live streaming, WVC-TV, speaker digital upload, digital signs, Conference App, and free attendee Wi-Fi ahead of other associations. She established international relations with the Asian market, particularly the Japanese. She helped transition WVC from a 5,000-attendee conference to a nearly 15,000-attendee conference. She developed and managed $15M+ annual operating budget. She worked closely with the CEO and Board of Directors and was intimately involved in the development and implementation of the association’s strategic goals.
Manolita was a member of the development team who designed and built WVC’s Oquendo Center (OC) in 2009. The OC, a $20M project, was made possible due to the financial successes of WVC’s Annual Conference. Today, the Oquendo Center is hailed as one of the best multipurpose (veterinary and human) hands-on laboratory training facilities in the United States.
Manolita was, and is still known for being the force behind WVC’s phenomenal growth and success between 1998-2014.
In 2015, Manolita accepted a position with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) as head of their Convention and Travel Division. During this time, she enhanced her skills in the convention and travel industry and gained knowledge in the legal and judicial sectors. After two years, she returned to the animal health industry where she is most passionate and has more impact and now serves as Vice President of Exhibit Sales and Operations at the NAVC.
Manolita graduated with honors and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She is also a graduate of The Krakoff Leadership Institute where she was selected to serve in the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Board of Directors for four years.
As an active and highly regarded member of the convention and trade show industry, Manolita regularly participates in various industry panel and roundtable discussions. She is a member of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE), and American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
Manolita loves the animal health industry and is very passionate about helping and providing the best education and conference experience for veterinarians and veterinary professionals around the world. She loves to cook, practice hot yoga, golf, travel, and spend time with her two sons, Michael and Matthew.
