Our Team

The GDA Speakers Team is committed to providing our clients the ultimate speaker experience. Beginning with informative, creative agents to assist with speaker selection, we follow your event every step of the way.

Once you book a speaker, our logistics experts ensure a detailed travel and event itinerary is formulated and adhered to. Down to the accounting and post-event follow up, we want to be your trusted partner. 

GDA Speakers is certified as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation's largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the US.

Gail Davis

Founder & President

As Founder and President of one of the country’s premier speakers bureaus, Gail Davis makes CEOs, authors, educators, inventors, experts and inspirational luminaries shine. She helms her namesake bureau, which began as Gail Davis & Associates, and has created a company known for its focus on the client.

Read more: Gail Davis

Founder & President

Kerris Willett

Sales & Events Director

Kerris Willett is a Sales & Events Director for GDA Speakers. She is adept at leading teams and tailoring strategies for team growth. Her excellent communication, relationship building and problem solving abilities are essential qualities she brings to GDA Speakers. Kerris earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin. She is goal driven, detail oriented and here to provide a premier experience for our clients and consistently support the GDA team.

Alicia Upton

Operations & Finance Manager

Alicia Upton is the Operations & Finance Manager for GDA Speakers. Along with her experience in operations, finance, and human resources, she brings her enthusiasm for strategizing innovative ways to drive growth and efficiency on the team. Alicia is passionate about contributing to GDA’s positive company culture and productivity almost as much as she enjoys cooking and trying new recipes at home.

Debbie Barela

Senior Vice President

Debbie Barela is a Senior Vice President for GDA Speakers. Debbie utilizes her decade of industry expertise to find the perfect speaker for clients in education and healthcare, meeting & event planning, non-profits and advocacy centers, women's conferences, and speaker series. Debbie has a love for people and a passion for efficiency, which helps her get things done and build collaborative relationships. With a strong background in the event and speaker industry, her goal is to help create an easy, exceptional, and successful experience for each GDA client, again and again.

Trish Halligan

Vice President

Trish Halligan is a Vice President for GDA Speakers. She brings 25 years of experience in event management and program design. Trish provides expertise to government organizations, non-profits in the domestic violence and substance abuse/recovery space, multi-level marketing, banking and financial, and insurance groups. Having been a founding member of two international conference brands for the banknote production and circulation industry, she led or participated in the execution of events in 20 countries and managed relationships in 14 others.

Taylor Kubin

Sr. Sales Executive

Taylor Kubin is a Senior Sales Executive for GDA Speakers. Taylor has become an expert in speaker selection for clients including EO and YPO chapters around the world, manufacturing and engineering, real estate, HR groups, and software companies. She brings strong problem-solving skills with a personable touch to the GDA team. Taylor graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree and believes working for a small business provides an unmatched bond and sense of collaboration – both with her clients and fellow teammates alike.

Melissa Narvaez

Account Manager & Contract Specialist

Melissa Narvaez is an Account Manager & Contract Specialist for GDA Speakers. Her diverse background working in various industries (including public education, subrogation law, and aerospace) enables her to build unique relationships and trust with clients – all by listening to their needs and following through. Melissa thrives making sure her teammates succeed and enjoys traveling to explore new places in her free time.

Yazmin Morales

Account Manager

Yazmin Morales is an Account Manager for GDA Speakers. She embodies versatility with a knack for creative problem solving and attention to detail. Proud to be part of a women owned and operated team, Yazmin thrives on contributing innovative solutions and being pushed outside of her comfort zone - which includes taking horseback riding lessons in her spare time.

 

Brooke Posey

Account Manager

Brooke Posey is an Account Manager for GDA Speakers. She received her degree in Human Relations with a minor in General Business from the University of Oklahoma. Brooke is a reliable and goal-oriented team player who values being a trusted partner to clients. You can usually find this native Oklahoman enjoying live music at concerts in her off-hours.

 

Mikayla Bowen

Marketing & Speaker Relations Manager

Mikayla Bowen is the Marketing & Speaker Relations Manager for GDA Speakers. Though she wears multiple hats within her role, her sole goal is to create the ultimate client experience. Graduating from Dallas Baptist University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Mikayla is passionate about channeling her creative expertise and altruism to enable GDA to stand out above the rest.

Adrienne Metzig

Event Manager & Executive Assistant

Adrienne Metzig is the Executive Assistant to Gail Davis and an Event Manager for GDA Speakers. Having assisted many high level executives and managing large events and projects for her own business, Adrienne enjoys tending to the details that help create an experience of lasting impact for others. She earned a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University and a master's degree from Abilene Christian University. Adrienne represents GDA while enjoying the mountain life of Colorado.