Director of Operations & Events

Vina helps serve clients by managing the day-to-day operations of VENTURE. She uses her decades of experience in the hospitality industry to help plan receptions, fundraisers and other events. 

Born in Manila, Philippines, Vina's native tongue is Tagalog. She moved to the U.S. right after high school with her mother to Washington DC. Her career started in customer care for a multinational retail company, where she took in everything she could learn. This professional experience propelled Vina to new heights and eventually became her introduction to the hospitality industry. Vina's transition into hospitality proved to be her calling, and shifted her career into the world of fine dining.

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Vina's passion for hospitality and the longevity that she found there became what she considers her greatest achievement and joy as a professional woman.

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When Vina started at Sam & Harry’s, learning the ins and outs of management and leadership, her roles transitioned from bar manager to sales event coordinator. It also introduced her to the political, professional and social scene of DC.

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The standout moment of Vina's career is when she joined the team at The Capital Grille, where she became the Maître d’ and Special Events Coordinator for 18 years. Vina's achievements included establishing lasting relationships with members of Congress, international leaders, dignitaries, ambassadors and tourists from around the world. Vina coordinated high profile events that required attention to detail with the distinct ability to manage and sensitive information. She excelled at addressing specific needs and personalized requests to ensure optimal guest experiences, in turn fostering repeat business and partnerships. Vina's experience was a testament to building and growing her reputation and dedication as a valued part of one of DC’s premier institutions.  Vina is grateful for her experience in the hospitality industry, which ultimately led her to VENTURE.