Deborah Farley
President
Deborah Farley is the president of Rafanelli Events. Initially joining the Rafanelli Events team in 2005, she has been instrumental in working alongside company founder Bryan Rafanelli to establish strategic direction, event development, client and product initiatives since that time. Farley has overall operational responsibility for all Rafanelli events and also leads its marketing and business development initiatives. Under her oversight the company has grown in terms of both scope and breadth of its event offerings, and she takes an active role in managing the relationships between the company and its clients, employees and the community. Prior to her experience with the Rafanelli team, Farley has held positions on both the client and agency sides of the business in marketing, public relations and advertising. Her previous roles as director of marketing and VP of client services include work on behalf of brands such as American Express, Continental Airlines, General Motors, Western Union and Midas Corporation. Farley’s experience grants her vast expertise in understanding the client’s desires and how best to manage and motivate the Rafanelli team into converting those desires to reality. Farley has a bachelor’s degree in journalism & mass communication and an MBA from the Boston College Wallace E. Carroll School of Management.
Michelle Mutter
Managing Director
Michelle Mutter served as a senior event producer at Rafanelli for more than nine years before being promoted to managing director. She has managed hundreds of events from private wine auctions to celebrity weddings; from an intimate dinner with President Obama to an institutional event for thousands. Mutter’s clients have ranged from high-profile figures and high-net-worth individuals to nonprofit charities, hospitals and children’s organizations. She is incredibly well-versed in fine tuning an event to seamlessly fit the client’s vision. Mutter also assists in acquiring new business as well as strategic planning and consulting projects. Prior to joining Rafanelli Events, Mutter worked for David Stark Design in New York City as a project director, where she produced events and managed the department of producers and production managers. Additionally, she has experience in the music industry, producing concerts, festivals and music conventions in North America, Europe and Asia. Mutter demonstrates a breadth and intrinsic understanding in producing an event that lifts up the idea of the client and exceeds their expectations. Michelle graduated with a dual degree from the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University.