Global Leadership
Out leadership team of seasoned hospitality-focuses experts define industry standards around the world.
Ben Erwin
Ben Erwin was named CEO of Encore in August 2020. This leadership role follows him becoming President in October 2018. He is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the Company and overseeing the execution of its business plan.
Erwin was hired as Encore’s Chief Financial Officer in February 2015 and was responsible for global accounting, treasury, financial planning and analysis, tax and product management. He has a proven track record of developing global corporate strategies, leading finance organisations, and building high-performance teams.
Prior to joining Encore, Erwin served as Chief Financial Officer for TestAmerica Laboratories, where he led all accounting, finance, treasury, information technology and legal functions. Prior to 2011, he served as SVP Corporate Development for Cornell Companies, where he managed corporate strategy, financial planning and analysis, public market capital transactions, and investor relations. He has also held various positions at Enron Corporation and Trilogy Software.
Erwin earned his bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science from Wake Forest University. He is an active member of MPI and is a board member for both PCMA and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).
Outside of work, he dedicates his energy to charter schools in underserved parts of the United States. He enjoys running, traveling, and following the Boston Red Sox. He lives in Chicago’s North Shore area with his wife and two daughters.
Becky Sheehan
Becky Sheehan joined Encore as Chief Financial Officer in January 2020. Sheehan is responsible for all global financial aspects of Encore. She oversees all aspects of financial operations, including planning, investor relations, accounting and controls, treasury and tax strategy.
Before joining Encore, Sheehan spent the last three years as Chief Financial Officer at Cars.com. Prior to that, she spent 10 years with FTD Companies, Inc., as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. FTD grew from $400M to $1.2B in her time with the company. She also spent four years with Deloitte & Touche and five years with Arthur Andersen as an Audit Partner.
Sheehan earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Illinois State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. In her personal time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, particularly in Hilton Head, S.C.
Charlie Young
Charlie Young joined Encore in June 2016 as its Chief Human Resources Officer. He is responsible for all areas of Human Resources, including recruiting, compensation, benefits, payroll, learning, talent, organizational development, and HR operations.
Young brings a wealth of operational and HR experience to the Encore family. He has more than 20 years of progressive human resources experience, and for the eight years prior to joining Encore, served as CHRO for hhgregg. Prior to hhgregg, he held various operational and leadership roles in his 21 years at Sears, working as a District Manager and Store General Manager before entering the HR discipline as a Senior Labor Relations Manager. He served as Vice President of HR for Sears Retail, and ultimately became the number two HR leader serving in the capacity of Vice President of HR Retail Store Operations and Supply Chain.
Young was born in Philadelphia and earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialty in accounting from Gettysburg College.
Outside the office, he has volunteered time with the Salvation Army, the United Way, and supported a team outing to benefit Feed My Starving Children. In his spare time, he enjoys exercising, traveling, renovating his home, and attending the athletic events of his kids, Charlie and Gracie. A car enthusiast, he also enjoys reading about the latest automotive innovations and has attended the Indianapolis 500 more than 15 times.
Trevor Ferguson
Trevor Ferguson was named Chief Operating Officer of Encore in April 2023. He is responsible for driving operational priorities to support the company’s global scale and growth. His customer service orientation and team-first leadership style make him the perfect fit within the Encore culture.
Ferguson is a servant leader with a commitment to leading and motivating our team members to achieve sales and organizational objectives. He excels at developing and growing organizations through enhancing team dynamics and inspirational leadership. He is adept in business and financial acumen, and skilled in strategy development, organizational alignment, program development, and goal-oriented leadership to drive innovative solutions.
Prior to joining Encore, Ferguson served in several capacities for Aramark over nearly 18 years, most recently as President and COO of Aramark’s Collegiate Hospitality business. Prior to that leadership role, he served as Vice President of Growth, Regional Vice President, Associate Vice President, and Director of Strategic Development.
Ferguson earned his bachelor’s degree from Loyola University of Chicago and his MBA from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad Graduate School of Management.
Outside of work, his hobbies include community involvement, playing sports, and quality time with his family.
Regional Leadership
Our people are our greatest asset.
Scott Nodsle
Scott Nodsle is Managing Director, International with oversight of APAC and EMEA. He is responsible for supporting the Encore teams, partners and customers with a focus on driving the business forward, growing its customer base, and ensuring the company builds a global network of support to deliver world-class service.
He has been with Encore since 2000, starting in a technical role supporting the U.S. and Caribbean, plus holding various roles across the world; Managing Director - APAC, Group Operations Director – EMEA, Divisional Vice President of Southern US, and Sales and Operations roles across the US.
Scott values his team members above all else and enabling them to elevate their careers. He is proud to work with such a talented group of people across the business who work tirelessly with our partners to deliver outstanding experiences and events.
Scott earned his Master of Business Administration and Management, and his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, both from Texas A&M University. He currently resides in Sydney with his lovely wife and two amazing boys.
Katherine Pfahl
As the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships across the Asia Pacific region, it is my responsibility to focus on growing the number of Venues we work with across the Asia Pacific region ensuring we continue to build our network of valued customers.
Joining the business in 2021, from NewsCorp where I was most recently Commercial Director, Travel; overseeing the success and commercial growth of brands Escape.com.au, Travel & Leisure and news.com.au/travel I have held leadership positions with The Washington Commanders, 7West Media & Network TEN.
With a strong track record of fostering authentic partnerships which drive commercial growth across diverse sectors, I advocate for customer centricity and digital transformation as the strategic levers for delivering business results.
I take great pride in shaping a collaborative culture, one which elevates our team members to achieve their own career aspirations. Our team work tirelessly with our partners to deliver outstanding experiences and events and their success is our success.
Katherine holds a Bachelor of Communication from Sydney University. Her love of the event industry started with her first love of performance theatre, where she completed a Bachelor of Music at The Australian Institute of Music.
Michael Magafa
As Commercial Director, my job is to ensure all our clients have an exceptional experience when using our services to coordinate an event.
My main goal is to use creativity to give life to our client’s ideas and turn them into reality. Through collaboration, I strive to break the boundaries, turning every customer’s imagination into a unique experience that delivers beyond their expectations.
After 18 years in the company, I have learnt to believe in the power of teamwork. The ideas created by one mind are incomparable to those created by multiple. I aspire to cultivate customer-centric teams of individuals who are constantly in search of what can be improved upon.
My favourite aspect of my role is the opportunity to collaborate with an array of intellectual, creative talents every day. I am dedicated to delivering the world’s best services, and I am a firm believer that this can only be done alongside the world’s best team.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales, Sydney.
Jennifer Purcell
As the HR Director of Encore Event Technologies across the Asia Pacific region, I am responsible for all people related initiatives across the group.
HR’s focus is on partnering with our people and our leaders to ensure that we offer a rewarding career journey for our team members that is aligned to achieving our business objectives. Our aim is to provide a workplace that is safe, healthy, and engaging. We develop Encore’s workforce through Recruitment, Training, Performance Development, Succession Planning, Remuneration & Benefits, safety and much more.
My career in HR started in Talent Acquisition both in Recruitment Agencies and internal roles with companies in the media and finance sectors. A passion for people, the ability to guide them on their career journey and the opportunity to influence a business on attracting and retaining a diverse group of people to achieve one goal is what brings me the most satisfaction in my role.
I joined Encore in January 2020, right before the pandemic hit. Starting a role with a world wide pandemic was challenging, but I am proud of how the business navigated and adapted throughout this difficult time. I value working with talented people across the group and strive to partner with them and improve their working experience.
I am currently completing my Master of Business Administration at Macquarie Graduate School of Management
Malcolm Craig
My role as Chief Financial Officer for Encore Event Technologies APAC sees me responsible for the financial management of the organisation, providing informed insights and guidance on all budgetary decisions affecting the business.
As part of the executive management team I am responsible for planning, implementation, managing and running of all finance activities, including planning, budgeting, forecasting and negotiations.
I work with a close-knit team of passionate professionals. I enjoy supporting them, watching them evolve and grow in their roles to reach their full potential. I encourage each team member to run their own race but remain available to provide guidance and support where necessary.
I have prior experience in the media and entertainment industry, working for television and radio.
Malcolm holds a Bachelor of Business/Commerce from University of NSW and completed an Associate Degree from Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.