Our dynamic team of seasoned professionals brings decades of global event experience to every event at Old Edwards Inn and Spa. We understand the unique needs and requirements of creating extraordinary and personalized gatherings and we work tirelessly to ensure your occasion goes exactly as you envisioned. Allow our team's vast experience to ease your mind and let you focus on what's important - enjoying the day.
Melissa has excelled in the hospitality industry for the past 26 years, having worked at prestigious properties such as Fearrington House Inn, another Relais and Chateaux property, and Sea Island prior to being named Director of Sales at Old Edwards Inn and
Spa in 2009. She has been the driving force in shaping the many venues of Old Edwards 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
& 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.
Madison Graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in human psychology- no stranger to the food and beverage world, she’s worked in every position imaginable- managing events, catering, hunting plantations, and restaurants. Starting off
in 2005 at Hilton Head Island’s world-renowned Jazz Club, the Jazz Corner, working as an assistant manager at a young age. To broaden her experience, she eventually moved on to working for South Carolina’s largest restaurant group, SERG, and eventually owning her own Farm to Table restaurant with her husband in the Hilton Head area 2012-2017, which they unfortunately lost to hurricane Matthew. After the devastation of the hurricane, she and her husband focused mainly on their catering company with a heavy emphasis on weddings. She also managed the hospitality side of hunting preserves, Dorchester Shooting Preserve and Southwind Plantation. Once hunting season ended it was full on wedding season in the low country.
Now, having moved up to the mountains to be able to enjoy the outdoors year-round, Madison has joined Old Edwards Inn to continue her vast experience with hospitality and being part of guests most memorable moments.
Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, Marina developed her love of hospitality from her grandparents, who came over from Greece to open a successful restaurant in Mississippi which focused on incorporating Greek recipes into American cuisine.
Marina loved visiting the family restaurant and always left feeling inspired by her Pappous 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.
Angie began her passion for the hospitality industry during college as she discovered the fast-paced life of the restaurant industry. After graduating from Indiana University with a degree in Nutrition and Exercise Science, she continued that passion. Angie has
over twenty years of experience that has focused on catering, event planning, and visual design.
Angie is happy that her family has lived close by for the span of her career and she enjoys being outdoors -- hiking and enjoying nature.
Born and raised in the small town of Pittsboro, NC, Sophie is no stranger to the hospitality industry. Growing up with parents who worked in the hotel business, she spent a lot of time sneaking around kitchens and hiding out under tablecloths. Sophie
started her career working in various positions at The Fearrington House Inn, another Relais and Chateaux property. After graduating from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she worked for a year in elementary education, but was unable to resist the gentle tug of an opportunity to return to hospitality. In 2014, Sophie moved across the state to Highlands, NC, and joined the Old Edwards Inn & Spa Food & Beverage team. She worked initially as a Banquet Captain before moving into the Banquet Manager role, and in 2017, accepted the position of Assistant Director of Food and Beverage. After several years managing all things Food and Beverage, Sophie transitioned to the Weddings and Special Events team as Catering and Events Manager. From simple and elegant dinners for two, to extravagant celebrations joining families together, Sophie loves the fast paced, ever-changing environment of hospitality, but more importantly the excitement and enjoyment of creating a memorable experience for those visiting Highlands. Sophie welcomes you to the Highlands Plateau and hopes that your experience here in the mountains is as magical for you as it has been for her!
Sarah originally from Dublin, Georgia, 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!
Shawna was born and raised on the Great Plains in Alliance, Nebraska. Despite her rural upbringing, she traveled to England to study Events Management at the University of Derby. This venturesome spirit led her to accepting a year-long internship at Old
Edwards Inn to explore the mountains of Western North Carolina for the first time before returning to finish her degree. She wanted to work somewhere she had never been before, and Highlands was not only new but gorgeous as well. Shawna packed her bags once again and moved back to the states to work at Old Edwards. She is excited for the opportunity to apply what she has learned at college in the real world of special events and weddings. Her goals for interning at Old Edwards include expanding her scope of events and gaining relevant information about the hospitality industry to write her dissertation.
Camila was born and raised in the vibrant city of Lima, Peru. Her journey has been one of diverse experiences, shaped by an international upbringing that ignited her passion for the world of tourism and hospitality. She graduated from the prestigious Universidad
San Ignacio de Loyola in Peru, where she pursued a dual degree with a US certification, earning a bachelor’s degree in Tourism Administration as well as International Business. Currently, she is dedicated to furthering her education with an MBA.
Her professional career has taken her to several renowned properties, including Walt Disney World, the Westin Snowmass in Aspen, and the Marriott Edition Hotel in Miami.
This desire led her to begin a new chapter at Old Edwards Inn and Spa, where she began as a front desk agent and later served as a member of Madison's restaurant team.
Camila not only found opportunities but also a second home in Highlands. She is delighted and profoundly grateful to embark on a career journey with this exceptional company, doing what she likes the most, creating extraordinary moments and experiences for our guests.
Margo moved to Western North Carolina at just two weeks old and has been right at home in the mountains ever since then. She graduated from Montreat College in 2017 and went straight into the Hospitality Industry at the Harrah’s Cherokee
ee Casino
Resort, working there for the next 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.
| Hours: Monday - Saturday 9 am - 5 pm (appointments recommended) Address: 41 Church Street Highlands, NC Phone: 828-787-2610 |
