Meet Our Team
Mark Bennett, CAE, IOM
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Mark Bennett has nearly three decades of association management experience with multiple state and national trade and professional associations. He has helped organizations implement and evaluate strategies to increase performance and communications with their industry stakeholders. Mark has extensive experience with associations in a variety of industries, including health care, insurance, real estate, building maintenance and access, lawn care, sports turf, turfgrass maintenance, travel and tourism and product design. He has held his Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation since 2004. He is a Past President of the Ohio Society of Association Professionals and a recipient of the Forty Under 40 Award from the Association Forum. Mark holds a Certificate in Non-Profit Organization Management from the US Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Ohio University.
Lori Landry
Chief Operating Officer
Lori Landry brings 25 years of experience in association management with state trade and professional association events such as trade shows, conventions, conferences, virtual events, seminars, online education, and field days. Overseeing Bennett Association Management’s association support services, she excels in event planning and onsite management for clients. Lori is highly skilled in negotiating vendor contracts, managing continuing education applications, on-site support, soliciting vendors, sponsors and advertisers and providing Board support.
Mandy Aquilina, JD
Managing Director
Mandy Aquilina is a seasoned association management professional with more than 20 years of experience. She has held the role of Executive Director for various state and national organizations, demonstrating strong expertise in board and committee management and governance. Mandy also excels in organizing both in-person and online events. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Capital University Law School and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Psychology from Eastern Michigan University.
Danielle Ingram
Communications Manager
Danielle brings a varied background in marketing and communications drawing from experience in the travel, tech and airline industries. As Communications Manager, Danielle handles marketing and communications efforts for clients. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in strategic communication.
Brittany Hardgrove, CMP
Events Director
Brittany Hardgrove has nearly a decade of event management experience with associations and other non-profit organizations. Brittany holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), the globally recognized certification of excellence for the events industry.
Mary Simpson
Membership & Events Director
With more than 20 years of experience, Mary has honed her skills in meeting the needs of a diverse clientele. In addition to her work with association membership services and events, Mary brings a strong foundation in sales, management, leadership and training. Previous to joining Bennett Association Management, Mary served as the Administrator Coordinator for the International Window Cleaning Association, a role she took on after volunteering on various IWCA committees and events.
Laura Lawrence
Membership Coordinator
Laura Lawrence spent more than four decades in public education. She has worked as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Education and Ohio Department of Education helping schools and communities in a 13-state region to develop and implement action plans. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg and a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from The Ohio State University.
Erika Levine
Bookkeeper
Erika Levine has more than eight years bookkeeping experience with small-business service-based industries. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Berkeley and bookkeeping certification from Columbus State. She is a QuickBooks Online Certified ProAdvisor.
Sharon Erichsen
Client Membership Coordinator
Sharon Erichsen has more than 12 years working with state, international and national trade and professional associations providing administrative, event, membership and communications support. She has multiple decades of customer services experience in both office and retail settings.