Engineering Events, Inspiring Impact. With You.

At Fruition, we’re more than event planners—we’re visionaries who transform ideas into seamless, impactful experiences. As collaborative and reliable partners, we support and guide our clients through every step of the event planning and management process.

The Fruition Way

With over 25 years of expertise and a track record of managing over 1,000 events across industries and continents, our diverse team of event professionals bring unmatched creativity, strategy, and precision to every project. From intimate gatherings of 50 to large-scale events for 20,000 attendees, we thrive on delivering flawless execution and lasting results.

The Fruition Way

As collaborative and reliable partners, we support and guide our clients through every step of the process. Our proven track record showcases our ability to deliver impactful events that resonate across organizations and create lasting results. Take a look!

who we are

At Fruition, we promise to deliver flawless execution for infinite impact. Whether providing comprehensive Event Management solutions or tailored Event Consulting services, we align your vision with strategic purpose to maximize long-term success. With us, you can trust that your event is not just in good hands—it’s in exceptional hands.

meet the team

Meet our hand-selected team of Fruitioneers.

DIANA MCCASKILL

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

richard MCCASKILL

Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer

Pearl Makoni

Chief Operations Officer

MEAGHAN HUNDLEY

Vice President of Operations

KRISTEN EMERY

Director of Events

chris maeoka

Event Manager

​MONIQUE SMITH

Event Manager

claudia smith

Event Manager

chipo zhou

Event Coordinator

vuyelwa chaza-tangwanda

Event Coordinator

Kristin Ludwick

Director of Marketing

robert rodriguez

Financial Advisor

greg mckinney

Business Development

emmanuel chikanya

Creative Technical Officer

troy smith

Technology Specialist

Notable Certifications

Disabled Veteran
Business Enterprise

California Department of General Services
2007672

Small Business
Enterprise

California Department of General Services
2007672

Minority Business
Enterprise

​National Minority Supplier Development Council
AZ14373

Engineering Events,
Inspiring Impact.

DIANA MCCASKILL

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Diana McCaskill has been in the hospitality industry for 30 years. Over that time, she has designed, planned, and executed a plethora of captivating experiences for clients and attendees.

She started this company in 2000 with her husband and partner, Richard McCaskill. Together, they have grown the business and team to the impressive group of professionals that it is today, executing events and providing business development services internationally.

Diana has a wide array of experiences that give her the ability to deliver high-caliber, well executed events, to include both large-scale and intimate gatherings. Her calm demeanor, logistical prowess, and intense focus gives her the ability to lead her team to curate flawless experiences.

Her exposure to entrepreneurialism started at a young age where she had the opportunity to grow up in the daily operations of her grandparents’ prominent printing and publishing business. The concept of hard work, importance of accuracy, and the mindset of never giving up was reinforced by her Korean-born immigrant mother. The diversity of her life and upbringing laid the foundation for building Fruition Consulting.

​Diana is a master administrator and a Certified Meeting Professional with a passion for elevating memorable conferences and experiences.

richard MCCASKILL

Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer

Richard McCaskill is the co-founder of Fruition Consulting, the event management, business development, and intellectual property management firm based in San Diego. Richard’s insatiable appetite for culture, history, and information has given him a unique perspective to approaching business.

Richard started his entrepreneurial journey at an early age but honed his leadership skills by joining the U.S. Marine Corps elite Joint Special Forces team ANGLICO as an intelligence liaison and communication specialist. He possesses invaluable special operations military experiences, having served in the Persian Gulf War alongside influential figures such as Saudi Prince Sultan Bin Salman, the esteemed astronaut and older brother of Crown Prince MBS. These experiences in the military’s most elite units honed his strategic leadership skills to a remarkable degree, setting him apart from his peers.

Richard leverages his training and expertise to build strong relationships with clients by identifying and developing strategies that drive results.

Richard is a creator of impactful brands to include:

  • Executive Doula Agency – Founding member and Chief of Staff of an organization that support mothers in the workplace so that they thrive in their careers and motherhood.
  • Courel – Established a Joint Venture with Courel, which represents most of the industry sectors in Senegal, Africa. The venture is focused on developing small businesses through micro private equity and digital skills.  
  • Recon Recycling – Founder of the an award-winning environmental firm, responsible for advocating change to the recycling laws in the City of San Diego (AB939) that would have excluded small recycling companies from participating in service fee collections.
  • New Century Soul Records – Responsible for grooming local musicians into successful national acts, performing over 600 live shows in a four-year period. This led to original music being published on national television shows.
  • ​Juke Joint Café – Created and secured private equity funding for the only African American owned jazz supper club in San Diego’s Gaslamp District at that time, which launched two-time Grammy Award Winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album, Gregory Porter.


Richard exceptional ability to adapt and excel in different business domains, coupled with his specialized training in special operations, has earned him the elected position of Co-chair for the Small Business Opportunity & Advisory Panel (SBOAP) in California. In this role, Richard tirelessly advocates for the interests of 4.1 million small businesses in the state, which collectively employ a staggering 7 million hardworking individuals.

Richard has always been highly motivated with a sixth sense for forecasting business trends.  He utilizes these skillsets to lead Fruitions’ business development and intellectual property development divisions.

​Through his combined efforts and remarkable achievements, Richard has devised an ingenious system of wealth development, particularly through small businesses and micro-private equity. This innovative approach has paved the way for aspiring entrepreneurs to realize their dreams and create sustainable wealth, further strengthening the economic landscape of California and beyond.
 
Richard’s outstanding accomplishments, diverse experiences, and unwavering dedication to the betterment of small businesses make him a true force to be reckoned with in the entrepreneurial realm. His remarkable journey and profound impact on the business landscape have solidified his status as a highly respected and influential figure in the world of small businesses. 

Richard evokes passion, creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, leveraging history to foretell the future.

Pearl Makoni

Chief Operations Officer

Pearl is a highly skilled HR Business Partner with a proven track record in building and managing offshore teams, driving business development, and delivering impactful HR strategies. Known for being a critical thinker, she excels at analyzing complex challenges and crafting pragmatic, solution-oriented approaches that align with organizational goals.

MEAGHAN HUNDLEY

Vice President of Operations

Meaghan is a tenacious problem-solver who thrives on unraveling complexities, armed with a meticulous eye for detail. From refining workflows to ensuring crystal-clear communication across multifunctional teams, she has spent the past 20+ years navigating her clients and teams through digital marketing and event management programs. 
 
As the Vice President of Operations, she guides the Fruition team on organizational structure, processes, efficiency, and optimization. With her deep knowledge of the Digital Marketing landscape, she will continue to help Fruition’s clients grow and expand their audiences, brand positioning, and communications.

KRISTEN EMERY

Director of Events

Kristen Emery brings a seasoned approach to the Fruition team. Her experience in project management, event logistics, and administration perfectly positions her to execute virtual, hybrid, and in-person events.

Kristen is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the Events Department, overseeing high profile events for private equity firms and municipalities. Kristen’s success is built on her dedication to consistently deliver high quality service that exceeds client expectations.

Kristen understands the importance of precise execution and clear communication. She is personally invested in making each event an experience to be remembered.

chris maeoka

Event Manager

As an Event Manager, Chris Maeoka brings with her a strong background in project management, marketing, and event planning.

She previously worked for Jewish Family Services orchestrating programs and events to keep seniors active and engaged.

Her comprehensive approach to executing projects is instrumental in providing her clients with a well-planned event consistently.

In her role as an Event Manager, she is responsible for high profile client events. Chris evokes simplicity and modern aesthetic with an eye for details. Her calm demeanor evokes confidence allowing her to creatively and effectively guide clients through the details of each event.

​MONIQUE SMITH

Event Manager

As an Event Planner, Monique Smith is an experienced and highly accomplished event producer with excellent customer service, interpersonal, oral and written communications skills. With exceptional organizational and problem-solving proficiency, she seamlessly navigates various assignments, bringing attention to detail, positive energy, and fresh innovative ideas to every event. Her outstanding administrative talents make her an agile part of the Fruition team. 

Key skills that Monique can bring to your event are the ability to manage projects, budgets and timelines, while keeping the committee and leadership on task and building strong relationships with partners, sponsors, vendors and staff. Cultivating connections to create trusted partnerships is her specialty. 

When she’s not planning events for clients, she’s checking out Pinterest for new recipes and home décor or entertaining family and friends. Best known for her energetic laugh, she believes that kindness should be thrown around like confetti and her favorite phrase “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” represents her positive can-do attitude. 

claudia smith

Event Manager

As a dynamic member of the Fruition team, Claudia brings a wealth of organizational, administrative, and event planning talents to the table. With a Marketing Degree from USC and a passion for creating memorable experiences, she adds immense value to our mission. Her meticulous attention to detail and proactive approach serve as the bedrock of client satisfaction, prompting rebooking year after year. 

Key skills that Claudia brings to your event include proficient project management, adept budget management, and robust negotiation skills. Her forte lies in building strong relationships with sponsors, vendors, and clients, ensuring a seamless collaboration that enhances the overall success of the event. Claudia is recognized for her efficiency and determination in getting the job done. With a keen eye for precision and a knack for taking initiative, Claudia ensures that projects under her purview not only meet but exceed client expectations, consistently delivering exceptional results.

Outside the boardroom, Claudia embraces life’s pleasures. A connoisseur of live music, fine wine, and the perfect cup of coffee, she finds joy in the simple pleasures and enjoys nature, painting, and gardening, expressing her love for creativity and the beauty around her. 

In both her professional and personal pursuits, Claudia Smith embodies a blend of professionalism, passion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence!

chipo zhou

Event Coordinator

Chipo Zhou is Fruition’s exceptional event coordinator, hailing all the way from Zimbabwe, Africa. With a robust history of planning successful events within the dynamic arts industry, Chipo brings a wealth of experience to our team. Her adept management of multiple projects showcases not only her organizational prowess but also her commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences.

Beyond her role as an event coordinator, Chipo has made significant contributions to education. She devoted much of her time teaching television to first-year undergraduates, enhancing the academic journey for aspiring students. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in developing a comprehensive marketing and distribution curriculum tailored for African film markets, showcasing her commitment to advancing industry knowledge.

Her passion for events and diverse skill set undoubtedly contributes to forging successful outcomes for clients, and her global perspective aligns seamlessly with our mission.

​In her leisure time, Chipo finds joy in the art of cooking, is an avid lover of world travel, and channels her creativity into interior design.

vuyelwa chaza-tangwanda

Event Coordinator

Vuye has successfully organized global events with over 3,000 attendees, demonstrating her ability to manage large-scale logistics with ease. In addition to 5 years of event coordination, she brings valuable experience in digital marketing campaigns and attendee support, ensuring that all inquiries are handled promptly and professionally. Her meticulous attention to detail and clear communication style create a seamless planning process, keeping every element organized and on track for flawless execution.

Kristin Ludwick

Director of Marketing

Kristin is a seasoned marketing strategist with over 20 years of experience helping businesses craft impactful brand platforms and revenue-driven marketing strategies. With expertise across both agency and client-side roles, she excels in guiding companies through transformative processes to develop strategies that align seamlessly with their business objectives.

As a key member of the Fruition team, Kristin becomes an extension of her clients’ teams, immersing herself in their goals and brand identity. She leverages her strategic expertise to design marketing approaches that elevate brands, engage audiences, and deliver measurable success. With a blend of big-picture thinking and actionable solutions, Kristin ensures every event and initiative not only drives results but also aligns with the client’s overarching vision and objectives.

robert rodriguez

Financial Advisor

Robert Rodriguez has been an advisor of Fruition Consulting for 15 years. He has 25+ years’ experience as an Operating CFO / Controller / VP of Finance for companies up to $100M in private industry specializing in early and late-stage development. Experience in manufacturing, global transactions, apparel, technology, hospitality, travel, real estate and cannabis.

Robert is an outside the box thinker integrating strategic growth analysis with risk management.

Our company leverages his expertise in the areas of finance and accounting, management, business transactions, real estate, business valuations, financial modeling and analysis, operational financial management.

Licenses and Certifications include a valid (inactive) Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA) Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), a California Department of Real Estate Salespersons license, Certified Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)

Roberts’ insight and ability to focus on the big picture, as well as the details, makes him an invaluable part of the team. 

greg mckinney

Business Development

With over 30 years of experience in the audio and live production industry, Greg McKinney has established himself as a seasoned professional known for his technical expertise and leadership. Greg has been a key player in ensuring that every live event runs smoothly, delivering exceptional sound quality and a seamless experience for both speakers and audiences.

As a Production Manager for both studio and live events, Greg is known for his meticulous attention to detail, organizational prowess, and ability to manage complex technical setups and large teams. His broad knowledge of audio systems, acoustics, and signal flow allows him to handle every aspect of production, from pre-production planning to post-event follow-ups, ensuring the highest quality sound experience.

Emmanuel Chikanya

Chief Technical Officer

Emmanuel has vast experience working in the technology field, with past roles as an IT Systems Administrator, cyber security consultant, in addition to his current roles in web design, development and event configuration.

He is a problem-solver at heart, always able to find an alternative approach when a scripted approach doesn’t work. He is invaluable to Fruition and the clients he supports.

Troy Smith

Technology Specialist

Troy is a dedicated and hardworking professional with a strong work ethic and a proven ability to deliver exceptional results in high-pressure environments. His excellent communication skills allow him to connect effectively with team environments, ensuring smooth coordination and clear expectations. With significant experience working multiple events, Troy has developed a keen understanding of onsite events, particularly in the context of registration for large conferences. His leadership abilities shine through as he excels in motivating and being a team player in whatever the team needs to ensure every detail is managed efficiently and events run seamlessly.