2018 W.I.T.H. Awards Luncheon
2018 Honorees
(Click image visit LinkedIn profile )
Dania Duke
Area General Manager at Davidson Hotels & Resorts
Marilyn Hannes
Park President of SeaWorld & Aquatica San Diego
Randa Coniglio
President and CEO at Port of San Diego
Deborah Scott
Partner and Executive Chef at Cohn Restaurant Group
Barbara Cosio Moreno
Executive Director, Communications & Outreach at San Diego Convention Center Corporation
Carol Wallace Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Fae Desmond
Executive Director,Comic-Con International
Fae Desmond, Executive Director of Comic-Con International: San Diego.Comic-Con is dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular artforms, primarily through conventions and events that celebrate the contribution of comics to art and culture.
Fae’s career began as a volunteer in 1976 and was hired as general manager in 1985. Fae has been with Comic-Con from its days as a one-day fan organized event at the El Cortex Hotel, to the current nonprofit educational corporation. This mega San Diego event is a four-day experience that highlights the best in genre-related filmmaking with attendance topping 130,000 costumed fans at sites including the San Diego Convention Center, satellite locations,local hotels and outdoor parks.
As her leadership role has grown, Comic -Con has grown to a super brand and event bringing an estimated $180M to San Diego’s economy. Fae rarely gives interviews and this opportunity to meet and talk with her is exciting and cherished.
Fae has lived in San Diego County for 63 years. She is married to her husband of 45 years and has 2 children and 2 grand-children. She fell into meeting management because of her job with Comic-Con and has had the honor of working with many talented and creative people within the Comic-Con and hospitality industries. In her spare time, she paints, kayaks, and plays ukulele.
