Welcome to the CAS Staff Spotlight, a column featuring members of the CAS staff. For this spotlight, we are proud to introduce you to Kathleen Dean.
- What do you do at the CAS?
I am the director of the Meeting Services Department, and we handle the logistics for all CAS events. We are responsible for event details such as city selection, hotel/venue contracting, arranging of all food & beverage functions, room set up, audiovisuals, any offsite events, and all other aspects of coordinating the hosting of 20 – 1,000+ people in the same place at the same time. - What do you enjoy most about your job?
An event takes years of planning and tons of moving parts to produce, and I love to see everything come together. My job is definitely what you would call detail-oriented. Our members are rare in that they’re incredibly engaged with the Society, and I’ve had the pleasure to work with some wonderful actuaries on a variety of committees over the years. I also have great coworkers! - Hometown:
I was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, but we moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, when I was 12. Though I enjoyed my early years living in a fairly rural area, I quickly acclimated to the beach and really consider southeast Florida to be home. - College and degree:
I graduated from the University of Florida as a business major with minors in education and sociology … and a concentration in Gator football!
- First job out of college:
I got my first taste of nonprofit work as an administrative assistant for the Society of the Plastics Industry, a large trade association in Washington, D.C. My boss quickly transitioned me into full-time meeting planning, which led me to the CAS, where I’ve been in the meeting services department for 18 years this September. - Describe yourself in three words:
Conscientious, genuine, social. - Favorite weekend activity:
Nearly every weekend revolves around youth sports as we have four active kids ranging from seven to 14 years old. Otherwise, we are typically found participating in outdoor activities by day and socializing with friends and neighbors by night. - Favorite travel destination:
Although my husband and I frequent the Florida Keys, my preference is to explore foreign cities. Thus far, my favorite is Sydney, Australia, because there is so much to see and do both in the city and surrounding areas, and the locals are very fun and friendly. - One interesting or fun fact about you:
In addition to being a huge country music fan (heavy on the twang, light on the pop), I’m a Parrothead and have seen Jimmy Buffet live in concert 25 times.
