Rebecca Chesnut

Rebecca Chesnut, CMP, has worked in events for more than 20 years and genuinely enjoys the mix of creativity, logistics, and problem-solving that comes with the job. She’s the kind of planner who can think big but also keeps an eye on the details that make an event actually work. In her role with the MI Section – American Water Works Association, she works closely with volunteers, speakers, vendors, and venues to plan programs from start to finish, making sure things run smoothly and people feel taken care of along the way.
She earned her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2010 and has spent her career working in a variety of environments, from convention centers and large entertainment venues to association events and conferences. One of the more unique stops along the way was several years at Walt Disney World Resort Entertainment, where she learned early on that memorable experiences are built through teamwork, flexibility, and a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination.
Rebecca holds a Master of Arts in Public Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from Michigan State University. She considers herself a creative realist — someone who enjoys new ideas but also knows how to make them practical and achievable.
Outside of work, she values time spent with her nieces and nephew and enjoys being around the family pets that are part of her everyday life. Her cockatiel, Pepper, is a permanent fixture in her workspace and an unofficial part of the planning process — supervising calls, chiming in during quiet moments, and making sure no task gets completed without proper bird approval.