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CEO & Founder

Grail Noble

GRAIL@YELLOWHOUSEEVENTS.COM
416.686.2550 ext 222
Grail Noble

FUN FACT

South African born and raised by journalist parents. Unrelated, I also once found myself literally swimming with sharks ... but not on purpose!

Hi, I’m Grail!

I started this agency to create a place where clients would feel at home and employees would love to work: A place where we create exceptional experiences for the brands we are lucky enough to work with.

How I spend my days:

Strategy | Leadership | Design | Business Development | Company Growth | Mentorship | Purpose | Contracting | Public Speaking | Creating shareable moments that matter | making the team laugh when things are too serious.

Experience:

  • 25+ years in event marketing, sponsorship and communications.
  • Worked on the “client side” with YTV, the NBA, Molson and The Heart & Stroke 
 Foundation, gaining valuable experience in the international media, sports, 
 non-profit, retail and in consumer packaged goods.
  • Oversaw sponsorships, events and promotions for brands like Coke, Nike, 
 Nestle, and on the Molson Indy Car races. Also worked as a snowboarding 
 instructor in Switzerland and a bartender in Portugal!
  • Proud of being listed on the Profit 100 for 5 years and on the W100 top female 
 entrepreneurs in Canada. Winner of the regional RBC Female Entrepreneur of 
 the Year and won the BDO Business Value award. But it is not about the 
 awards. It’s about the daily reward I get working with creative, smart people internally and externally. I am very proud of this agency, our people and the 
 work we do!

What I love:

Being an entrepreneur | white wine or a good Moscow Mule | my family | my ‘side-hustle’ as a dedicated hockey mom to my two boys | mashed potatoes | travel | cottage life | my husband, Paul and our two bossy grey cats.

VP Operations

Meg Sweeney

Meg Sweeney

FUN FACT

As employee number 2, I have been in the house since 2007.
After 16 years of amazing adventures with YHE I'm on leave to take on a new adventure with my family. We’ll be living in New York for a posting with Canadian Armed Forces at the UN for 2-3 years!

Hi, I’m Meg!

How I spend my days:

I lead key accounts | design experiences | mentor the team | set best practices and impact key business decisions on our management team. I am based in Montreal, so I spend a lot of time on video calls and planes.

Experience:

  • Co-built Yellow House as the first official employee and now leader of the team.
  • 12+ years of event production experience layered on a post-grad degree in Communications & PR.
  • Developed and refined our execution processes, grew key accounts including Samsung, BlackBerry, Google, Home Depot and continue to oversee some of our most complex projects across North America and the Caribbean.

What I love:

What I do. I also love spreadsheets, my clients, “calling the show” from the tech table, poutine and pizza (but not together), checking out new restaurants and trendy hot spots, attending live sporting events, travel, the beach, my family and my military man.

VP Finance

Val Kurbini

valmira@yellowhouseevents.com
416.686.2550 ext 224
Val Kurbini

FUN FACT

When Val decides to really let her hair down, it's 3ft long!

Hi, I’m Val!

How I spend my days:

I like numbers. Actually, I love numbers!

I help our project teams ensure each line item, of every budget, for each and every client project is accounted for and accurate. I also oversee cash flow, accounts payable, HR & payroll and find savings for our clients wherever I can.

Experience:

  • 14+ years’ experience in Finance managing accounts payable & receivable, cash flow, budget reconciliation, payroll, detailed project budgeting and overseeing bookkeeping functions for small to medium businesses.
  • Spent the last 9 years helping YHE grow by implementing strong financial and budgeting rigour and processes.
  • Earned a reputation as one of the country’s most reliable, detailed and disciplined event agency finance experts.

What I love:

Happy clients, balanced budgets, Albania, cooking, travel, my family and my little angel, Ani, who is 3 and the boss of all of us.

VP Marketing & Operations

Sara Gundy

sara@yellowhouseevents.com
416-686-2550 XT 221
Sara Gundy

FUN FACT

Newest member of the Edmonton Surf Club

Hi, I’m Sara!

How I spend my days:

I lead marketing & strategy | manage project teams | conceptualize experiences | build sponsorship and partnership plans | business development

Experience:

  • 20+ years in marketing and events on both the client and agency sides developing brand experiences and leading teams.
  • Event and sponsorship leader in the retail, financial, technology, not for profit, public and private sectors.
  • Side hustle: e-commerce and beach life

What I love: 

Trend forecasting, great food, adventuring, sports, traveling and spending time with family and friends

Director, Strategy

Laura Gregory

Laura Gregory

FUN FACT

I couldn't decide between fun facts.
1) I was a provincial gymnast and 2) I am a twin
[My sibling thinks the latter is far more interesting!]

Hi, I’m Laura!

With 12 years of marketing expertise in the B2B space, I’ve created campaigns worldwide and have also led programs from Iceland to New York City, spanning intimate gatherings to events for over 8000 attendees.

How I spend my days:

Creating annual event strategies for brand and agencies | Orchestrating seamless Events | Navigating B2B Marketing opportunities

Experience:

Partnering with tech giants, I’ve made my mark by elevating brands globally. From product launches to industry conferences, I thrive on turning visions into reality. I have worked on both the agency and the client side, allowing me to bring valuable insights to every project.

What I love:

Cherishing Moments with my Daughters | Embracing an Active Lifestyle | Teeing off on the Golf Course | Supporting the Toronto Maple Leafs!

Experience Producer

Riva Lombardi

Riva Lombardi

FUN FACT

I’ve traveled to 26 countries, worked on cruise ships, picked apples at a farm in Kelowna, and cooked for monks in Buri Ram. But the biggest adventure of my life was becoming a mother.

How I spend my days:

Creatively conceptualizing narratives | creating moments of wonder, inspiration or curiosity | event coordination | vendor management | writing show-flows and production schedules| stage managing on-site | collaborating with A/V | overseeing production processes

Experience:

  • 17+ years in production, immersive narrative and experience design
  • 4 years producing offline to online workflow for TV and Film
  • Stage-managing large-scale festival events (such as TIFF)
  • Creating and producing immersive narrative theatre in Toronto, NYC and LA
  • On-site event management

What I love:

Being awed | unplugged 90s music | solo adventures to faraway places | being the social convener of my friend tribe | painting with my daughter | the thrill of watching people in an experience I’ve created!

Project Lead

Sophie Andrew

Sophie Andrew

FUN FACT

I don’t drink Guinness, but I am in the 2018 Guinness Book of World Records as part of the largest exercise ball class in the world!

Hi, I’m Sophie (Sophia on the weekends!)

How I spend my days:

Coordinating projects | securing & managing vendors | hunting for cool stuff | updating project plans | budgets & blueprints | taking mad notes | venue sourcing | traveling to cool places | social media | on-site event coordination | dotting the “i”s | mixing the post work drinks!

Experience:

  • A degree from Queen’s University.
  • At YellowHouse I have gained experience working on 25+ events in Toronto, California, Banff, Whistler, Winnipeg and Costa Rica!
  • Side Hustle: I save lives in my spare time. Well, ok, I am a part- time lifeguard and haven’t had to save anyone yet, but I am ready!

What I love:

Travel | going to live sporting events with my dad | working out | jaeger & sprite | mushroom pies | spending time with friends | swimming & playing tennis.

Project Lead

Stephanie Higgs

Stephanie Higgs

FUN FACT

I once went skydiving between a field hockey practice in the morning and a class in the afternoon! I jumped (quite literally) at the chance to squeeze in a thrill-seeker moment between obligations.

Hi, I’m Steph!

How I spend my days:

Organizing & collaborating on projects | Securing & managing vendors | Searching for novel merch & swag | Envisioning & updating project plans | Creating budgets & blueprints | Venue sourcing |Destination research & site visits | Social media & graphic design | On-site event management | “getting the ducks in a row” |Post-work dance parties!

Experience:

  • A degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in Communications.
  • 4 years of experience in advertising, marketing, events and incentive travel in Costa Rica, Nashville, Banff, Bahamas, Boston, Scotland, the Netherlands, and many more unique destinations! [Can you tell I love to travel?]

What I love:

Running | Palomas | Fresh flowers |Backcountry camping in Algonquin| Concerts | Sunsets |My friends & family |Cooking & trying new restaurants and working on my side hustle as a yoga teacher! I love both attending & teaching classes, always creating a sense of community inspired by health & wellness.

Events Coordinator

Bridget Neal

Bridget Neal

FUN FACT

My colleague Sophie Andrew and I were actually softball teammates back in high school. It has been great reuniting with her at the office after all these years!

Hi there. I am Bridget, or Bridge or B, or Queen B on a good day!

How I spend my days:

Securing quotes & managing vendors | brainstorming new ideas | updating budgets | selecting floral and furniture designs | on-site event assistance | updating socials | doing floorplans and building presentations.

Experience:

  • In the final stages of completing of my degree from Queen’s University
  • Brand ambassador for Flow Water
  • Sales associate at Suetables, creators of beautiful customizable jewelry
  • Worked with YellowHouse Events on contract before working here on a full-time summer contract.
  • At YHE I have successfully supported the team to coordinate multiple, high profile events for Porsche (PCNT), supported a 700 person corporate ski trip in Banff, Alberta for Skip the Dishes and helped plan events for Interac, Siemens, Yahoo to name a few.

What I love:

Travel | photography | working out | burgers | spending time in nature | laughing | cooking with friends and family | creating special events | driving down country roads

Contract Producer

Alisha Parris

Alisha Parris

FUN FACT

I speak French and my last name is Parris. But in all my global travels, I haven’t been to Paris yet!

HELLO! It’s Alisha.

How I spend my days:

Producing successful events, incentive trips & conferences | collaborating with the YHE team | reviewing contracts | managing group hotel & air travel | designing bespoke experiences around the world | producing conferences & business events that exceed expectations | consulting | budget & project management | account & relationship management | traveling to interesting places | mentorship

Experience:

  • 15+ years of event and marketing agency experience with a focus on scalable incentive group travel
  • Event & Account Management leader in the financial, automotive, public and private sectors
    Producer of multiple successful conferences, product launches, trade shows, fundraisers, retreats and incentive travel programs
  • Side Hustles: Planning social & community events & curating personalized cocktails

What I love:

My Job! | Travel | Reposado Tequila | Amateur Chef | Carnival | Painting | Dashboard & Shower Karaoke 😉 | My 2 kiddos | Foodie | Coach© Purses | Nail Art | Music is LIFE!

Contract Producer

Shannon Minielly

shannonm@yellowhouseevents.com
416.686.2550 ext 227
Shannon Minielly

FUN FACT

Shannon once threw herself off a peak in the French Alps with nothing but a giant kite on her back. She lived to tell about it and now has a new obsession!

Hi, I’m Shannon!

How I spend my days:

Project and key account management | decor & experience design | tech enhancements | destination events | delivering a custom designed project blueprint | budgeting | owning critical paths like a boss | production | making strong recommendations to my clients.

Experience:

  • 20+ years of successfully crushing it on large conferences, galas, incentives, festivals and fundraisers all over North America.
  • Knowledgeable on event tech products, from beacons to NFC, to audience response systems, to registration platforms and ran a business using these technologies for 6 years

What I love:

Learning new things | people | travel | adventure (I ate deep fried scorpion once) | tech | Christmas! | DIY projects | wood oven pizza (I even have my own portable wood oven and special pizza recipes).

Director of Strategic Partnerships (USA)

Jen Millard

Jen Millard

Hi, I’m Jen!

How I spend my days:

Helping the YHE team find new and exciting clients and business partners in the United States. My job includes uncovering great new vendors and unique experiences to help us better serve our existing clients, as well as developing new relationships. I’m based in the event and entertainment capital of the world …. Las Vegas!

Experience:

  • 13 years in Sports Marketing in Toronto
  • Local Business Development for Yellow House Events
  • Teaching graduate students in the Sport Camp; Event Marketing program at George Brown College

What I love: 

Travel, wine, and current events. Also my two daughters and four (badly behaved) pets.

My favourite destination? Too many to pick but Maui, Kenya and France’s wine country top the list. I’m also an adoption advocate and wannabe yogi. Namaste!

VP Special Projects

Paul Noble

Paul Noble

FUN FACT

I once worked as an Orderly bringing dead bodies to the morgue and also as the historian on an Alaskan icebreaking vessel. Fortunately, not at the same time.

Hi, I’m Paul!

How I spend my days:

Consulting with the team on sporting events & festivals | education | research & development | travel | hotel sourcing for incentive travel programs | HR & hiring | internal company events | business development, but most importantly, frequently changing the lightbulbs in the office. [Really, I am the Chief Illumination Officer].

Experience:

  • 30 years as an educator, PHD candidate in History with a deep knowledge of Toronto’s neighbourhoods through my studies of the “Ward” and Group of Seven artist Lawren Harris’ urban paintings. I have read over 100 books on this subject.
  • Organizer of city-wide sporting events, including the tournament design of the inaugural MLSE Team Up Challenge.
  • Chair and organizer of an international conference for principals and educators, walking tour guide, carpenter.

What I love:

Sports: watching them, playing them or watching my boys play them. Travel | cottaging | being on the water | fixing and building things | reading | scrabble | Jamaican food | Lugtread (it’s a beer not a tire type).

Event Assistant

Degen Noble

Degen Noble

FUN FACT

I once took 5 flights in less than 24 hours! It’s a long story.

How I spend my days:

Supporting events on-site | Always ensuring attendees have what they need | event set-up and tear-down | customer service | registration and attendee check in | valet services | building activations | database management | research | bartending and food service (Smartserve Certified).

Experience:

  • I have worked on-site at a wide variety of events in customer-facing roles
  • I was one of a team of Event hosts at 2x 350-person “Skip the Dishes” Ski Trips in Banff (March/April 2022). Hosted guests and oversaw one of the key venues and hotels.
  • Organized guest transportation to and from ski hills and dinners throughout Banff
  • Oversaw the concierge and check-in desk, ensuring each guest received their ski rentals and arrival information and custom activity calendars.
  • I have also worked as a valet and guest services host at the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto. Let’s just say, I have driven some nice cars in that time!

What I love: 

All Sports | Playing Hockey for the Sackville Blazers in Halifax | Travel | My Oversized Cat | Spending time with Friends | Music | Watching Bingeworthy series’ | writing | cooking

Event Assistant

Seton Noble

Seton Noble

FUN FACT

I recently drove a motorcycle up a volcano in Columbia. The view was worth it!

How I spend my days:

Supporting events on-site | hosting attendees | event set-up and tear-down | customer service | registration and attendee check in | building activations | database management | research | bartending and food service (Smartserve Certified).

Experience:

  • Completing my honours degree at Western University in Legal studies and Business Management.
  • 4 years of customer-facing roles.
  • Experience as a lead bartender with a strong knowledge of cocktail creation, wine regions, tasting notes, pricing, distilling/brewing/vinification process, etc. I can make a tasty simple syrup, clarifying cocktails, dehydrating garnishes, juice pearls, etc.)
  • I was one of a team of Event hosts at 2x 350-person “Skip the Dishes” Ski Trips in Banff (March/April 2022). Hosted guests and oversaw one of the key venues and hotels.
  • Organized guest transportation to and from ski hills and dinners throughout Banff
  • Oversaw the concierge and check-in desk, ensuring each guest received their ski rentals and arrival information and custom activity calendars.
  • I have also worked as a boat taxi captain, construction and building decks and was Sailing Head at the Ojibway Club, setting curriculum and safety plans for campers.

What I love: 

Travel | Spending time with Friends | Sailing | Playing and Watching Sports | Music | Cooking

Apply now

This could be you

This could be you

We are always looking for great talent! Send your impressive CV to iwantin@yellowhouseevents.com. Want to build your event experience? Email us to get on our volunteer list or our short term staffing list. We also accept interns enrolled in an accredited PR, Marketing or Events program and promise great hands-on learning to those selected.

Our people.

No one just sells a product. It is ​always​ the people behind a product that sets businesses apart. For us, our people are everything. When we hire for our event design and street teams, we don’t only look for talent, we look for people who are kind, funny, collaborative, customer-oriented, creative, smart, organized, and resourceful. They are dreamers. They are doers. And they always achieve their goals. Get to know us a little better here. [and find out which team member has an NBA Championship ring, who has surfed with a shark, who has survived hang gliding, or who has 3-foot-long hair]

Grail Noble

Grail Noble .
CEO & Founder

Meg Sweeney

Meg Sweeney .
VP Operations

Val Kurbini

Val Kurbini .
VP Finance

Sara Gundy

Sara Gundy .
VP Marketing & Operations

Laura Gregory

Laura Gregory .
Director, Strategy

Riva Lombardi

Riva Lombardi .
Experience Producer

Sophie Andrew

Sophie Andrew .
Project Lead

Stephanie Higgs

Stephanie Higgs .
Project Lead

Bridget Neal

Bridget Neal .
Events Coordinator

Alisha Parris

Alisha Parris .
Contract Producer

Shannon Minielly

Shannon Minielly .
Contract Producer

Jen Millard

Jen Millard .
Director of Strategic Partnerships (USA)

Paul Noble

Paul Noble .
VP Special Projects

Degen Noble

Degen Noble .
Event Assistant

Seton Noble

Seton Noble .
Event Assistant

This could be you

This could be you .
Apply now

Our core value: Do the right thing.

  • 1. For our clients that means making strong, thoughtful recommendations and wise budget decisions.
  • 2. For the world and communities we serve, that means operating ethically, with integrity and transparency.
  • 3. For our team members, that means working together with kindness and collaboration in support of our clients’ goals.

Our Houses

Offices in Toronto & Montreal. Production Offices in Boston & Las Vegas. We work all over the world.

When we were built

19 years ago and going strong
(with many accolades and awards along the way).

Who’s in the house

12 full time employees and 150+ part time employees.

Yellow House Events
Yellow House Events
Yellow House Events
Yellow House Events
Yellow House Events
Yellow House Events
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Our Press.