Deputy Director, Special Events and Protocol
University of California, San Diego

Jill Townsend has had a long events career at University of California, San Diego, that all started with a student catering job.  Since then she has held positions with Conference Services and Special Events and Protocol where she has been for over 10 years.  During this time she has managed many exciting events including the Kick-off Gala of a $1 billion dollar campaign, the U.S. Open Golf Championship, many campus open houses, and most recently, Celebrate50, the fundraising dinner and medal award ceremony for the campus’s first ever Founders’ Day.  As co-event lead, Jill was delighted when Celebrate50 was honored with a 2011 CASE Gold Circle of Excellence Award.