Kevyn Calnan
Kevyn Calnan joined Mason Health in April 2024 as Event Coordinator for Mason General Hospital Foundation, jumping headfirst into planning the Foundation’s popular fundraising events, including the Quality Care Open Golf Tournament in July and Barrels & Brews this August. She brings to the District a sparkling enthusiasm, as well as a wide breadth of experience in marketing, catering and event planning.
Calnan has always wanted to work as an event planner. She got her start as the social chair at Tumwater High School, planning spirit assembles, dances and other events. She more than doubled the attendance at dances like Homecoming and was known for thinking up innovative and distinctive themes.
“I love having the chance to find creative and unique details that help make an event memorable and successful,” she said. “I love being part of the social connection and building something that people will talk about for years to come.”
Calnan graduated from Washington State University in 2016 with a degree in Hospitality Business Management and a minor focus on marketing. While at WSU, Calnan worked as a barista and as assistant social chair for the Alpha Chi Omega Women’s Fraternity, helping to plan special functions. She held the position of treasurer in WSU’s PCMA chapter. PCMA, dedicated to fostering students’ understanding of the business events industry and facilitating networking with professionals, provided Calnan with opportunities to develop event management skills and engage in community service initiatives. Through active participation in chapter events and networking opportunities with hospitality and business events professionals, Calnan leveraged the platform to enhance both personal and professional growth.
In the eight years after graduating from university, Calnan has amassed valuable experience in sales, catering and management for luxury hotels, event catering companies and conference centers.
In 2020, she updated event policies for the McGavick Conference Center in Lakewood, effectively problem-solving scheduling challenges that arose out of the pandemic, and while working for the Marriott Tacoma, she helped her team surpass sales goals by over $20,000.
“As time went on, I found myself narrowing my focus further and further,” Calnan said. “Working at the Marriott and for the Silver Cloud Hotel in Ruston, I interacted with many organizations that plan regularly occurring events, the same way Mason General Hospital Foundation does.”
Calnan noticed that many of these companies she worked with had a lack of resources, skill and knowledge to effectively plan their events.
“I wanted to join an organization where I could be that right fit,” Calnan said. “I want to help MGHF get the most value out of what we do. I love planning events that everyone is going to talk about.”