Sheila is a seasoned event manager with extensive experience creating large-scale events for prestigious corporate, association, and military clients. She was designated a Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) by the International Special Events Society (ISES).
As a career Naval officer, Sheila was the Public Affairs Officer for Naval Aviation Forces in San Diego, the U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii, and Naval Station Rota, Spain. She served as Executive Assistant to the Chief of Information and Special Assistant to the Surgeon General of the Navy. She produced military events including a 2,000-person Louis Vuitton America’s Cup event on an aircraft carrier, a U.S. Conference of Mayors reception for 300 on an aircraft carrier, a Walt Disney movie premier for 1,600 people, and 800-person Holiday Bowl football luncheons on Naval bases.
After leaving the Navy as a Captain, she was the Communications Director for the City of Falls Church. At the event firm Hayes and Associates she managed a 1,000-person 90th Anniversary Girl Scout Gala, Michigan State Society’s 3,000-person Presidential Inaugural Ball, a Komen Race for the Cure Survivor Pep Rally at the Washington Monument, and the National Defense University Foundation’s American Patriot Award Gala which honored President George H.W. Bush. At the destination management company Capitol Services, Inc. her clients included Verizon, Exit Realty, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Association of Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchisees, and the U.S. Navy’s Office of Information. At the American Red Cross headquarters, she was Vice President for Events and Creative Resources; Executive Director, 125th Anniversary Gala; and Executive Director of External Events where she created a program to rent out their historic ballrooms for events.
Since joining DatocWitten Group, Sheila has produced events for the Centennial of Naval Aviation, the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, the National Defense University Foundation, Lockheed Martin, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Gannett Government Media.
Sheila has a Certificate in Special Events Management from George Washington University in Washington, a Masters in Public Relations from The American University in Washington, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Stephens College in Columbia, MO. Sheila has won five Washington DC ISES “Capital Awards” for her events and three international ISES “Esprit Awards,” for events including the Centennial of Naval Aviation and an event that honored the Navy admiral who created the Navy Memorial in Washington, DC.
FUN FACT: Sheila is a stained and fused glass artist who also creates and sells jewelry as Sheila Graham Originals.