Leadership
Plan Ahead Events is supported by United Franchise Group, a global organization that develops brands focused on helping businesses grow and succeed. United Franchise Group and its affiliated brands have been recognized for excellence in entrepreneurial efforts by organizations including Ernst & Young, Northwood University, United States Department of Commerce and Entrepreneur Magazine.
Our clients benefit not only from the support and buying power of this global conglomerate, but also from the customized and individual experience of each location’s team.
Led by a multi-faceted group of individuals, Plan Ahead Events of Chicago-Naperville offers a unique blend of experience, personality and resourcefulness to help you achieve your intended results.
Melissa Wojcik
Prior to launching Plan Ahead Events of Chicago – Naperville, Melissa Wojcik had the benefit of utilizing her marketing skills in her career as medical sales professional. She has been at the helm of successfully launching electroneurodiagnostic services and medical devices for orthopedic surgery, reflecting her history of implementing concrete marketing strategies while bringing her clients exceptional service and value. Melissa is committed to strong customer focus and provides a matrix of support for her team, creating a culture that inspires innovation and creativity. Her experience in sales and marketing is reflected in how she orchestrates events with professionalism, impactful negotiation skills, creative mediums to connect brands with consumers and the ability to maximize a budget.
Brad Russell
Highly skilled in executive negotiations, relationship management, and operations management, Brad Russell has been a principal in bringing products and services to the marketplace for over 25 years. Though he enjoyed a successful sales career in the telecommunications industry, Brad made the decision to listen to his inner-entrepreneur, and together with his wife, successfully took their game invention from concept to marketplace. Leveraging his vast experience in sales, strategic planning, relationship building, and project management, Brad’s priority is to give his personal attention to client expectation and customer satisfaction. Brad received his BSBA from Ohio State University, and his MBA from Loyola University. A devout Buckeye fan, Brad lives in Lisle, Illinois with his wife, Mary Kay and four sons.
Cathy Wojcik
Cathy is a Chicago native with over five years of professional event production experience. Her career began at Northwestern University, where she managed alumni events and coordinated international educational tours. She brings a well-rounded approach to her work and infuses competence, enthusiasm and ease into every event. She tackles every project with a creative mind and a fresh perspective, and can be relied upon to develop events rooted in meticulously planned logistics and sound decision-making. Cathy serves on the PCMA Chapter Relations Committee and the Giving DuPage Marketing & Events Committee. She clearly has found her niche and admits that while the fun is in the details, true bliss lies in the results. Cathy earned her BS from Illinois State University.
Stacy Kvernmo
Communicating the right message is the most important foundation of design. With a passion for combining technology and communication, Stacy takes her client’s vision and shapes it into highly effective pieces in the form of unique print collateral and interactive media. Stacy believes that even in a subjective field, there is still a “right” way to convey your message through the various forms of media channels. Aside from her obsession with design, Stacy is a fitness enthusiast and spends whatever spare time she has left volunteering for multiple organizations.
