Honoring The 2024 Value Award Winners
As Centrifuge Media closed another successful year, the team gathered for a festive and intimate evening to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and remarkable achievements. The end-of-year celebration wasn’t just about looking back—it was also about shining a spotlight on the individuals who embody our core values every day.
In a heartfelt moment during the evening, the co-owners of Centrifuge Media, Brian Rivers and Melanie Gerard, honored six exceptional team members with our annual Value Awards.
“This year, we proudly announced the award winners at our year-end holiday celebration. It’s both a privilege and an honor to recognize outstanding individuals in front of their peers and loved ones,” said Brian Rivers, President & Chief Executive Officer. “While promotions and raises are rewarding, there is something truly special about being selected by one’s peers for these esteemed awards. It represents one of the highest forms of recognition within our organization. Personally, I am humbled to share in the joy and elation of those honored—it’s a moment that captures the spirit of our values and the pride we take in our team.”
Meet the 2024 Value Award Winners
“Our values define how we operate. They embody our core principles and ethics, guiding the behavior of everyone in our organization—from leadership to every essential team member. Our core principles are built on four key values: Embrace and Initiate Change, Teamwork, Creativity, and Commitment to Improvement. Employees are recognized for their excellence in each category through peer voting. The highest honor, the ‘Value’ Award, is bestowed upon an individual who exemplifies all four values, going above and beyond. Additionally, the ‘Pivot’ Award, selected by the executive team, celebrates someone who has made a profound impact by excelling in new tasks and demonstrating exceptional leadership or individual contribution throughout the year.”
Brian Rivers
President & Chief Executive Officer
The Value Award
Ashton Gourlay, Art Director
Ashton Gourlay, Art Director and talented artist, has demonstrated unwavering dedication to excellence since joining Centrifuge Media.
“Recently promoted to Art Director, Ashton has not only embraced her new role but has truly excelled in it,” said Steve Welch, Executive Director of Creative Services. “She has stepped into her expanded responsibilities with remarkable poise and dedication, overseeing the design team with a hands-on, collaborative approach. Ashton excels in client interactions, leading creative pitches with passion and vision. Her confidence inspires trust and strengthens our client partnerships.”
Adrienne Bogner, Director of Account Services, highlighted Ashton’s impact: “If passion was a person, it would be Ashton! She has elevated our theme and print design deliverables to the next level. No matter how tight the timeline or budget, Ashton always finds ways to enhance our creative offerings.”
Lauren Dearmore, Associate Director of Strategy, added “Ashton is a visionary leader, committed to embracing our values and designing impactful solutions for our clients. She inspires her team (and the entire company) to lead the way creatively. She approaches each project with a desire to innovate and exceed all expectations. This year, she led an internal brand refresh, expanded our internal training program (CMI Excellence Academy) to include creative certifications, and reimagined our approach to pitch presentations. She provides strong art direction for our client work and champions her team. This year’s value award couldn’t have gone to a more deserving member of our team. Let’s hear it for Ashton!”
The Teamwork Award
Matt Reyes, Senior Finance Manager
Matt Reyes, Senior Finance Manager at Centrifuge Media, has made exceptional contributions to the company for 10 years. This year, he received an award that perfectly describes him: Teamwork.
Adrienne Bogner shared, “Matt is the epitome of what it means to be a team player, never hesitating to jump in and help others when needed. In addition to excelling in his finance role, Matt is always pitching in around the office—whether it’s packing cases during busy show weeks, stocking trucks with donations, assembling office furniture for new hires, or keeping our communal drink fridge organized. No job is too big or too small if he sees a need, and he does it all with a smile.”
Chris Danke, Executive Director of Event Operations & Internal Support, added, “Matt embodies the teamwork ethic. He not only excels in his finance responsibilities but also ensures his rationale is easily conveyed to others. His tenure gives him unique insights into processes, client programs, and industry standards. Matt never shies away from lending a hand, whether it’s training, mentoring, or assisting around the office. His dedication to teamwork is unmatched.”
The Creativity Award
Suzanne Tudman, 3D Event Designer
Suzanne Tudman, 3D Event Designer at Centrifuge Media, has spent the past eight years crafting custom client experiences through innovative stage, scenic, and environmental designs.
“Suzanne brings visions to life with remarkable accuracy, enabling our clients to step into their general sessions long before construction even begins,” said Steve Welch. “Her creativity not only sets the standard for excellence within our team but also distinguishes us from the competition. Her work consistently inspires confidence in our clients, fosters collaboration, and showcases the extraordinary possibilities of every space we design.”
Lauren Dearmore remarked, “Suzanne’s commitment to excellence fosters a culture of creativity at Centrifuge. This year, she inspired the team to rethink the status quo in staging and scenic design. Suzanne brings fresh ideas to every concept meeting and ensures alignment with the overall event aesthetic. She also started an internal newsletter to share trends and industry insights, encouraging others to contribute ideas that are now integrated into a database for future use. Congratulations, Suzanne—we’re grateful for your vision!”
Adrienne Bogner added, “Suzanne has always created jaw-dropping 3D designs for our clients, but this year, she led the charge in revamping our internal rendering processes. From her Stage Design Friday newsletters to customized mood boards for scenic solutions, Suzanne approaches every project with a fresh perspective. ‘Custom’ is her favorite word!”
The Commitment to Improvement Award
Keegan Girouard, Account Manager
Keegan Girouard, Account Manager at Centrifuge Media, has excelled in every aspect of his role during his three years with the company. He consistently delivers innovative solutions that help clients achieve their visions.
Adrienne Bogner shared, “I am so proud of Keegan and all he has accomplished at CMI. He never settles for the easy route, always seeking new ways to improve himself and better serve our clients. Keegan is a certified trainer for our Excellence Academy program, mentoring new hires and helping others grow. He is a true asset to our internal team and a shining example of commitment to improvement.”
Chris Danke added, “Keegan shows every day that he is committed to being a better partner for our clients. He identifies and provides new solutions that enhance their businesses. Keegan is not just a problem-solver—he is a solution-finder.”
The Emrace & Initiate Change Award
Jack McDonald, Executive Director of Client Relations
Jack McDonald, Executive Director of Client Relations, hit the ground running upon rejoining Centrifuge Media this spring. With a clear vision, he has guided the team toward a deeper understanding of the strategic event communications agency Centrifuge strives to be.
Adrienne Bogner shared, “Since his return, Jack has challenged us to view our offerings through a new lens and to question the status quo. From revamping our RFP processes to teaching new courses in the Excellence Academy, Jack inspires us to embrace change both in our work and across the industry. His leadership has been invaluable, and we’re thrilled to have him back in the CMI family.”
Chris Danke added, “Jack has been at the forefront of adaptability and innovation this year. By focusing on messaging and strategy, he has elevated our client communication philosophies. His goal to align the team has already proven impactful.”
The Pivot Award
Lauren Dearmore, Associate Director of Strategy
Lauren Dearmore, Associate Director of Strategy, recently promoted from her previous role as Creative Operations Supervisor, exemplifies adaptability by staying ahead of trends and providing strategic event communication solutions for our clients.
“Lauren consistently demonstrates a unique ability to listen to clients with care, understand their needs, and translate those insights into compelling messaging and cohesive themes. Her dedication to carrying these themes and messages through every aspect of an event agenda ensures that every program delivers measurable success and meaningful outcomes,” explained Steve Welch. “Lauren’s attention to detail is unmatched, allowing her to anticipate challenges, streamline execution, and elevate every event she touches.”
Adrienne Bogner added, “Lauren has immensely enhanced our strategic offerings while overseeing creative operations. Her process-oriented mindset has improved alignment across teams and clients. With her positive outlook and contagious smile, Lauren tackles every challenge with grace and enthusiasm!”
“At Centrifuge Media, promotions are earned through taking on new responsibilities and proving capability. Lauren’s ability to balance operations while expanding our strategic offerings is remarkable,” said Jack McDonald. “She has the rare gift of excelling in both areas, and nobody deserves the Pivot Award more than her. We’re excited for all she will accomplish in her new role.”
A Night to Remember
The evening was filled with laughter, meaningful conversations, and gratitude. Recognizing these outstanding individuals served as a powerful reminder of the incredible talent and dedication within our team.
As we step into the new year, we carry the inspiration of Matt, Suzanne, Ashton, Keegan, Jack, and Lauren with us, striving to make 2025 another extraordinary year. Congratulations to our Value Award winners—you’ve set the bar high, and we’re grateful for your contributions to Centrifuge Media.
Kristen Wolfe
Communications Strategist
Kristen leads the development of our brand voice and creates compelling content across all channels. She manages cross-functional teams to execute innovative marketing strategies. She also spearheads internal communications and thought leadership initiatives to enhance the company’s visibility and share the company’s vision to empower our clients to inspire and motivate their audience to make a commitment to lasting behavior change.