Meet your designers & planners!

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Co-Founder

Lead Designer & Consultant

Kat Leitner has been creating unforgettable events since 2007, building a career rooted in thoughtful design, authentic relationships, and meaningful experiences. With nearly two decades of experience in the events industry, she has partnered with nonprofit organizations, corporations, couples, and families to bring hundreds of celebrations and fundraising events to life—each one uniquely tailored to reflect the people and purpose behind it.

As Co-Founder, Lead Designer & Consultant of Heron & Co., Kat serves as the creative vision behind every event. She has a passion for transforming ideas into immersive experiences through intentional design, carefully curated details, and personalized touches that leave a lasting impression. 

Whether she's designing an elegant wedding, producing a mission-driven nonprofit gala, planning a corporate celebration, or styling an intimate social gathering, Kat believes every event should tell a story and create genuine connection.

One of Kat's greatest joys is building lasting relationships with clients, venues, and the incredible network of vendors who help bring each event to life. She believes the strongest events are built through collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to excellence. Her approach combines creativity with strategic planning, ensuring every event is not only visually stunning but also seamlessly executed from beginning to end.

Known for her calm leadership, attention to detail, and ability to anticipate every step of the planning process, Kat is dedicated to creating an experience that allows her clients to enjoy every moment with confidence. She believes that exceptional hospitality begins long before guests arrive and continues well after the celebration has ended.

When she's not designing events, Kat enjoys spending time with her two beloved dogs, Gracie and Rooster, who are well-known members of the Heron & Co. family and often make special appearances at meetings, photo shoots, and around the office. Their playful personalities are a reminder that life's best moments are meant to be celebrated—with the people (and pets) you love most.

For Kat, event planning is about more than beautiful décor or perfectly timed logistics—it's about creating experiences that bring people together, celebrate meaningful milestones, and leave a lasting impact.

Lead Event Manager

Originally from Michigan, Haylee Salyer began her career in the events industry in 2015 and has since planned and executed hundreds of successful events across the country. Her experience spans a wide variety of event types and destinations, including Asheville, Raleigh, Charlotte, Nashville, Highlands, NC, Rhode Island, Michigan, and many other cities throughout the United States. This diverse background has equipped her with the adaptability, creativity, and expertise to confidently manage events of every size and style.

As Lead Event Manager at Heron & Co., Haylee is the driving force behind the seamless execution of every event. Known for her exceptional organizational skills and calm demeanor under pressure, she has a remarkable ability to navigate the fast-paced nature of live events while ensuring every detail is thoughtfully planned and flawlessly executed. 

From coordinating vendors and developing production timelines to managing logistics and leading on-site operations, Haylee transforms complex plans into effortless guest experiences.

Clients and event partners appreciate Haylee's proactive communication, collaborative spirit, and unwavering commitment to excellence. 

Whether she's producing a nonprofit gala, coordinating a corporate conference, managing a wedding weekend, or bringing a private celebration to life, her focus remains the same: creating an experience that allows clients to be fully present while she confidently manages every detail behind the scenes.

Outside of events, Haylee enjoys soaking up the sunshine and spending time on the water with her husband, Branson, and their beloved eight-year-old dog, Harper, who proudly holds the title of the family's four-legged baby.

Haylee believes the most memorable events aren't defined by perfection—they're defined by how they make people feel. Her passion for thoughtful planning, genuine hospitality, and meaningful experiences embodies the heart of Heron & Co.

First Impressions Manager

Lead Event Assistant

Every great event begins with a warm welcome, and that's exactly what Kate Brown brings to Heron & Co. As our Director of First Impressions, Kate is often the first friendly voice clients hear and the smiling face that keeps our office running smoothly. Whether she's answering the phone, coordinating schedules, organizing behind-the-scenes details, or making sure our team stays on track, Kate plays an essential role in creating the exceptional client experience Heron & Co. is known for.

Kate has a natural gift for organization and an even greater gift for keeping our team laughing along the way. Her positive attitude, sense of humor, and willingness to jump in wherever needed make her an invaluable part of our team. She believes that a little kindness—and a lot of laughter—goes a long way, both in the office and on event day.

When event days arrive, Kate happily trades her desk for the event floor, serving as one of our trusted Event Assistants. From greeting guests and assisting with registration to supporting vendors, managing décor details, and helping ensure everything runs seamlessly behind the scenes, Kate is always ready to lend a helping hand wherever it's needed most.

Kate embodies the heart of Heron & Co.—creating genuine connections, supporting our clients with care, and reminding us that while flawless execution matters, enjoying the journey is just as important.

With Kate on the team, every client is welcomed with warmth, every detail has a place, and every event is made a little brighter.

Co-Founder

On-Site Event Director

As Co-Founder and On-Site Event Director at Heron & Co., she is passionate about building strong partnerships with clients and ensuring every planning experience feels personal, seamless, and enjoyable from beginning to end.

With a natural talent for organization, communication, and strategic planning, Ashleigh helps transform ideas into thoughtfully executed experiences. 

Known for her calm presence and thoughtful approach, Ashleigh excels at anticipating needs before they arise, solving challenges with confidence, and ensuring no detail is overlooked. 

Her leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence help shape the vision of Heron & Co., creating celebrations that are as meaningful as they are memorable.

For Ashleigh, success isn't measured solely by a beautifully executed event—it's measured by the relationships built, the memories created, and the lasting impact those moments leave behind.

Finance Manager 

Behind every successful event is someone ensuring every financial detail adds u, and at Heron & Co., that's Abby Meyer. As our Finance Manager, Abby plays an integral role in both the financial health of our company and the flawless execution of our events.

While she expertly manages accounting, budgeting, and financial operations, Abby's contributions extend far beyond the numbers. She is instrumental in preparing and auditing our online silent and live auctions, ensuring every package, bid, donation, and financial detail is accurate before guests ever arrive. 

Abby also oversees the review and quality assurance of event signage, carefully ensuring every piece is polished, accurate, and ready to create a seamless guest experience. Whether she's reviewing auction displays, donor recognition signage, event materials, or behind-the-scenes logistics, Abby's thoughtful eye for detail helps elevate every event we produce.

Known for her organization, dependability, and behind-the-scenes expertise, Abby is an invaluable member of the Heron & Co. team. Her calm, methodical approach ensures every project remains on track, allowing the rest of the team to focus on bringing each client's vision to life.

When she's away from the office, Abby's greatest joy is spending time with her beautiful children, who keep her and her family busy traveling throughout the year for soccer. Whether she's cheering from the sidelines or supporting another tournament weekend, Abby treasures every opportunity to make memories with her family.

Abby's dedication, precision, and heart embody the values of Heron & Co., proving that the smallest details often have the greatest impact.

Executive Assistant

Behind every well-organized team is someone making sure the right people are in the right place at the right time—and at Heron & Co., that's Trexie. As our Executive Assistant & Scheduling Queen, she keeps our days running smoothly by managing calendars, coordinating meetings, organizing priorities, and ensuring no detail falls through the cracks.

From juggling busy schedules and coordinating client meetings to keeping projects on track behind the scenes, she helps create the structure that allows the rest of the Heron & Co. team to focus on designing extraordinary events.

Known for her exceptional organization, proactive communication, and ability to anticipate what's needed next, Trexie thrives in fast-paced environments where every day brings something new. Her calm, solutions-focused approach keeps our team moving forward and ensures our clients receive the thoughtful, responsive service they're accustomed to.

Whether she's coordinating logistics, managing ever-changing calendars, or helping prepare for the next big event, Trexie approaches every task with professionalism, attention to detail, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.

At Heron & Co., we often joke that if it's on the calendar, it's because of Trexie. Her dedication, reliability, and behind-the-scenes support help make every celebration possible.

Spirit Managers

At Heron & Co., relationships don't begin on event day; they begin from the very first conversation. As our Spirit Officer, Lisa Leitner has been supporting Kat and the Heron & Co. vision since day one, helping shape the heart and spirit of our client experience—and she hasn’t slowed down since.

Lisa is often one of the first members of our team to connect with clients, offering a warm introduction to the Heron & Co. experience. Whether she's checking in throughout the planning process, celebrating milestones, or simply reaching out to let clients know they're being thought of, Lisa believes that meaningful relationships are the foundation of exceptional service.

Known for her kind heart, infectious positivity, and genuine love for people, Lisa brings an energy that reminds our clients they're more than a project—they're part of the Heron & Co. family. She has a unique gift for making others feel seen, valued, and celebrated, creating connections that often last well beyond the event itself.

Alongside Lisa is Kleck Leitner, our Errand Pro, who has also been supporting Kat and the team since the very beginning. Together, they’ve been a steady and reliable presence behind the scenes, helping ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish. Kleck keeps operations moving with efficiency—making sure we have the best carts in the industry to save our backs and always stepping in wherever needed with a can-do attitude.

You’ll often find both Lisa and Kleck making appearances at event setups and celebrations, supporting our team and clients in real time. Whether it’s lending a hand, offering encouragement, or simply being present to ensure everything feels seamless, they are an essential part of bringing each event to life.

Around the office and on-site, Lisa is our biggest encourager, our loudest cheerleader, and the friendly voice who keeps spirits high. Together, Lisa and Kleck embody what hospitality truly means: showing up, supporting others, and making people feel cared for every step of the way.

For Lisa, every celebration is about people first. She believes the most meaningful moments are built through kindness, authentic relationships, and the joy of staying connected long after the last guest has gone home.