About Us

Hailing from Charlotte, NC, Connie Miller brings 16 years of hospitality experience and 8 years of event experience to the Castle Ladyhawke team. As our Director of Sales & Operations, she truly loves building meaningful relationships with our clients and bringing their dreams to life. When she isn’t hard at work, you can find her hiking to breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains with her rescue pitbull, Phoebe: affectionately known as her “little ham”!

A graduate of nearby Western Carolina University, Kelsie is an avid volleyball player who loves milkshakes and Chick-Fil-A. Kelsie works alongside you and your wedding planner to map out every detail for your special day. Her favorite part of her job is seeing how happy the couple is during and after their special day. She loves making dreams come true and creating memories!

The friendly voice on the other end of the line, Mason is here to answer all your questions and help you lock in your special day at Castle Ladyhawke. Born and raised in Forest City, NC, she loves hiking, reading, and playing with her miniature Dachshunds Otis and Peppa. Her favorite thing about her job is “meeting all the different couples and working with them to create their perfect wedding day! You never know who will be on the other end of the phone!”

Co-owner of the local restaurant, Ilda in Sylva which is inspired by his Sicilian grandmother. He inherited her passion for cooking and his ever evolving seasonal menus showcase the relationships with local farmers, fishermen and artisanal producers across Western North Carolina while displaying the unmatched skill and technique of southern Italian cooking.

Award-winning, Michelin-star trained Chef Johannes Klapdohr has catered over 700 special events and weddings and brings over 20 years of catering and menu design to the table. Literally! With his impressive resume and keen eye for the details, Chef Johannes promises to create a true feast for the senses for you and all your guests on your special day.

The Owner of Altaterra Events, Shayna brings extensive event planning experience and a calming presence to Castle Ladyhawke. Her journey began while living in Turks and Caicos, where she helped start a partnership between Martha Stewart Weddings and Beaches & Sandals Resorts. She then adventured to the U.S. Virgin Islands to take on a role at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas before moving to North Carolina with her husband and two island pups. She spent 5 years leading the Special Events Team at Old Edwards Inn & Spa, forging lasting friendships with numerous professionals in the industry before founding Altaterra Events. Her expertise, soothing personality, and connections make her a valuable part of the team!

Turning your special day into a weekend getaway? She is here to find the perfect accommodations for you and all of your guests. A graduate of Western Carolina University, Makenzie has 5+ years of experience working with Bear Lake Reserve. She works remote from Atlanta, where you can often find her playing with her Chiweenie, Cooper, or watching Braves baseball!

Originally from Atlanta, GA, Carli grew up playing competitive tennis from the age of 7 before making her way to WCU to pursue her dream of competing at the Division I level. After a few weeks in an introductory marketing course during her freshman year, she discovered a passion for marketing and chose it as her major. She now resides in Tuckasegee, NC, using her creative passion and skills to deliver unique experiences through social media. In her free time, Carli enjoys taking her dog on walks, working out, and spending time with her friends and family.