Handwritten quote saying, "We're excited to meet you!" on light blue background. Decorative graphic introducing the Sholeh Events team with a warm branded design
Sholeh Events founder Sholeh Munion CMP sitting at a desk with a laptop alongside lead corporate event planners Chayla Ellison and Sara Noyes in a bright Chicago office at V Collective Rooftop
Professional headshot of Sholeh Events founder Sholeh Munion CMP, a Chicago corporate event planner smiling against a dark blue background

With over 20 years in corporate and wedding events, a dual degree in Management and Marketing, and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Meeting Professional AV Certificate (MPAC) credentials , Sholeh Munion is a Chicago Corporate Event and Wedding Planner who brings a people-first approach to the work, rooted in inclusion and a genuine love of bringing people together.

Sholeh Events is a Chicago-based event planning company named after its founder.

In Persian, Sholeh means โ€œflameโ€, a reflection of how she works. Intentionally bringing warmth, energy, and light to every event.

Outside of work, she is an avid reader, a gardener, a community connector, and a traveler with 45 states and nine countries on her list, spending time with her husband and two daughters by exploring the world and being of service to their community.

As an experienced conference planner in Chicago, Sholeh has planned everything from board meetings to conferences with thousands of attendees.

To learn more about Sholeh, c
heck out the blog post here!

Sholeh has planned everything from board meetings to conferences with thousands of attendees.

Our Team

Professional portrait of Sara Noyes, lead corporate event planner at Sholeh Events in Chicago, wearing a dark green blazer and smiling against a gray background

Sara

Lead Planner & Marketing Operations

Sara has over 20 years of corporate event experience across healthcare, media, education, tech, and finance, from large-scale concerts to confidential investor meetings. She is analytical and warm in equal measure, which makes the planning process feel organized without ever feeling cold.

When she is not planning, she is singing, traveling, or spending time with her family.

To learn more about Sara,
check out our blog post here!

Professional portrait of Lucia, office administrator and operations lead at Sholeh Events in Chicago, wearing a blue top and smiling against a gray background

Lucia

Office Administrator

Lucia is an experienced administrative and operations professional with over a decade of experience supporting mission-driven organizations, senior leaders, events, communications, travel, budgeting, office operations, and special projects. With a background in business administration and a career rooted in service, organization, and connection, she brings a thoughtful, people-first approach to her work.

Lucia is known for creating calm and structure behind the scenes, helping teams stay organized, prepared, and focused on their larger goals.


Outside of work, Lucia has a deep love for the outdoors and photography. She enjoys capturing the beauty of nature, exploring new places, and spending meaningful time with her husband and family. Her appreciation for people, community, and the natural world reflects the same warmth, curiosity, and attentiveness that she brings to her professional life.

Janelle, lead planner at Sholeh Events specializing in Chicago corporate offsites and weddings, standing along the Chicago Riverwalk in a patterned business jacket

Janelle

Lead Planner

Janelle is passionate about creating experiences that allow people to feel connected, supported, and fully present in the moment. With a background in hospitality, nonprofit programming, and social work, she brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to every corporate offsite and wedding event she supports.

Known for her calm presence, organization, and attention to detail, Janelle enjoys helping events run seamlessly behind the scenes while ensuring clients, guests, and vendor partners feel cared for throughout the process.

When sheโ€™s not coordinating events, you can find her exploring Chicago, creating art, spending time outdoors, or working on community-focused projects that bring people together.

Professional portrait of Chayla Ellison, lead corporate event manager at Sholeh Events, wearing a blue blazer and smiling with arms crossed against a wooden background

Chayla

Lead Planner & Business Operations

Chayla spent over a decade managing venue operations and events at the Newberry Library, leading teams through thousands of gatherings. As a lead corporate event manager, she brings structure and calm to every event she touches, and she cares deeply about the people in the room. Her work is built on clear systems and the conviction that even the most complex events can feel easy to be part of.

Outside of work, you'll find her gardening, showing up for her local community, or enjoying time at home with her daughter and family.

To learn more about Chayla, check out our blog post here!

As Featured In

Naperville Magazine logo

Holiday Hosting Hacks

Naperville Magazine | November 2025

Written By Lisa Arnett

โ€œI learned how to entertain with my family,โ€ says Sholeh Munion, event planner and owner of Sholeh Events in Naperville. โ€œWe would have 60 people over once a month. It would be so crowded that we would have people sitting on the stairs, but the point was to be together.โ€

Best Wedding Planners in Chicago

Peerspace | November 2025

Written by
Editor & Publisher

Named one of Peerspaceโ€™s Best Wedding Planners in Chicago, Sholeh Events was recognized for its thoughtful, organized, and inclusive approach to wedding planning. The feature highlights our commitment to creating seamless celebrations that reflect each coupleโ€™s story while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Positively Naperville logo | Logo for Positively Naperville with yellow and red text.

Trends in Events

I was invited to speak at the Naperville Convention & Visitors Bureauโ€™s (NCVB) quarterly meeting about Wedding & Event Trends. The attendees are hotel, restaurant, & venue representatives, event professionals, local Naperville reps, and our friends at the NCVB.

It was fun for several reasons - I got a chance to talk about my favorite subject, events; I was able to have a very interactive Q&A portion, and I already knew a few people in the room because of my work! If you would like for me to come talk to your team or do an educational presentation, please reach out. Thanks to the wonderful Julie Byrne with Visit Naperville or asking me to participate, and for the Holiday Inn Express Naperville for hosting the meeting.

Visit Naperville โ€“ Weddings Customized for You

Positively Naperville | December 2025
Written By Julie Byrne

We had the opportunity to connect with Sholeh Munion, CEO of Sholeh Events, a seasoned Chicago corporate event planner with more than 20 years of experience crafting unforgettable weddings and corporate events, who shared some insights on current trends.

Stunning Chicago Wedding at the Marriott Marquis

Chi Thee Wed | March 11, 2022

Written By Michelle Cox

A sophisticated downtown Chicago wedding highlighting thoughtful planning, breathtaking city portraits, and a celebration that honored local and minority-owned businesses.

Photographer: Lauren Ashley Studios

Colorful Vows: A Whimsical, Eco-Friendly Celebration

February 13, 2024

Written By Michelle Cox-Vergara


A vibrant styled shoot showcasing sustainable wedding inspiration, bold color, and whimsical design, proving that eco-conscious celebrations can be both elevated and unforgettable.

Photographer: Alma Photography

Check out my podcast interview with Event Endeavors!
It was so fun to speak with them about my work
and get to know me and my style a bit!

Photos on this page by Ashlee Cole Photography & Christieโ€™s Photographic Solutions.

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