Team
Kinga Starzyk
MA, CMP, DES
Founder & Director of Operations
Kinga founded Gravity Pull in 2020 after over a decade of being in the event industry, and she couldn’t be happier to share her event expertise with Gravity Pull’s variety of distinguished clients.
Kinga is designated as a Certified Meeting Professional as well as Digital Event Strategist and has a Master’s Degree in Cultural Studies. She brings over 15 years of live – and more recently digital – event experience to the industry.
Kinga has project managed and executed large international academic conferences across Canada, the United States and United Kingdom, B2B trade-shows, fundraisers and special events.
Kinga speaks 3 languages and has executed multilingual conferences with highly technical content subject matters, where attention to detail is key. She loves bringing large and complicated projects to life and helping clients paint a roadmap to successful event execution.
Kinga loves being active, so she can be found at the local Kensington gym or in the Rocky Mountains biking, hiking and snowshoeing.
Ali Pilon
Events Manager
Ali Watson is a marketing grad from Camosun College in Victoria, BC. For the past 2 years, she has been crafting unforgettable experiences at Gravity Pull, where she blends her love for events with a knack for tech and design. From cozy gatherings to bustling conferences, Ali is all about creating magic for every attendee.
Ali’s specialty is building sleek event websites that are more than just schedules. Think speaker profiles, accommodation tips – the works! She is the go-to person for making sure every digital nook and cranny is as exciting as the event itself. She’s also the person behind the scenes ensuring every digital detail is as engaging as the event itself, and the friendly voice sending out reminders and RSVP nudges, keeping everyone in the loop and excited.
When not behind her computer, you can usually find Ali trying new restaurants or curled up with a good book. Ali invites clients: “Let’s make memories together! Join us as we turn your event dreams into reality, one click at a time.”
Etienne St-Jacques
Technical Manager
He has been in the Corporate AV world for over 15 years now. Prior to joining the ranks of the corporate AV technicians, Etienne as had an extensive career in the entertainment industry, touring all over the world with artists like Celine Dion, The Tragically Hip and the Cirque du Soleil.
Etienne also enjoyed a career in Audio for television, working both in Canada and in the United States, He has worked on eight Juno Awards, five Canada Day on Parliament Hill, Late night with Conan O’Brien, just to name a few.
He’s even had the chance to work on TV shows filmed in Paris, Cairo and Bucharest. In his spare time, Etienne loves to spend time with his family. His entire family is nuts about the outdoors, Skiing, Backpacking, rock and ice climbing.
Audrey Bessey
Event Marketing Manager
Audrey is an accomplished Event Marketing Manager with over 30 years of experience. She has delivered numerous event marketing strategies across the Prairies including Microsoft Canada’s product launch events, customer appreciation and educational seminars.
She has crafted strategic fundraising galas for not-for profit organizations; and organized intimate town hall meetings across Alberta for companies including United Farmers of Alberta and the Law Society of Alberta.
Audrey has executed community events and project announcements and is well versed in working within corporate rules and regulations. When not scheming up the next “out of the box” event, you can find her on the golf course, enjoying the great outdoors, or planning her next travel adventure with her husband Bob.
Maureen Shields
Conference Manager
Maureen brings over 25 years of experience as a research professional and strategic analyst in government, academia, and business to her role of Conference Manager at Gravity Pull. She has worked at organizations such as the Library of Parliament, the Department of National Defence, Suncor Energy, Calgary’s School of Public Policy and currently operates her own research and coaching company.
With an extensive research background, highly collaborative nature and seasoned knowledge mobilization skills, Maureen ensures that the conferences she manages exceed the expectations of her clients and are engaging and memorable for attendees. Maureen has experience delivering a variety of events in both Canada and the US. As the Director of Market Research at Calgary’s School of Public Policy Maureen managed numerous conferences over the course of five years where she identified and engaged with potential partners, advised on themes and topics for discussion, recommended keynotes and panel participants and wrote conference brochures. Maureen enjoys spending time outdoors, going for long walks with her two Huskies and traveling with her husband.
Aaron Keer
Digital Marketing Manager
Aaron is a data-driven and critical thinking digital marketer and event specialist with experience building brands and growing 6 figure businesses. Aaron bears a unique skill set combining marketing, project management, and business development.
Aaron has devoted his career helping businesses accomplish their marketing goals by designing, implementing and maintaining robust digital strategies focused around the customer value journey.
Aaron has experience building websites, advertising strategies across key digital platforms, email marketing programs, social media programs, SEO and automation strategies. Aaron has also led the development of several cross industry professional events from Indigenous relations, recruitment, and technology, to oil & gas.
The Team
