vannetta-helland

Vannetta Helland is a senior at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration and is originally from Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Growing up in the Waterpark Capital of the World, she was surrounded by tourism and hospitality from an early age. At Cornell, she has developed a passion for hospitality design, operations, and event management. Following graduation, Vannetta hopes to pursue a career where she can create unique event experiences and continue working in hospitality settings.

Outside of HEC, Vannetta has been involved in the Cornell Marketing Club, the Hotel Student Mentorship Program, and Kappa Alpha Theta. She also enjoys serving as a TA for Professor Roberts' Introduction to Hotel Operations course. Professionally, she has developed her leadership and operational skills at The Del Bar, an iconic Wisconsin supper club, through a variety of front-of-house management roles, including serving as an F&B Intern.

Vannetta's HEC journey began as an F&B Service Manager, where she gained firsthand experience bringing large-scale hospitality events to life. She later served as a Design Logistics Assistant Director before stepping into the role of Design Director for HEC 102. HEC has provided opportunities to grow as a leader, build lasting friendships, and contribute to a tradition that has shaped hospitality students for generations. She is excited to continue fostering collaboration and bringing creative ideas to life as HEC 102 approaches.

The HEC Design Team serves as the creative backbone of the F&B team. As Design Director, Vannetta hopes to introduce her team to event design while helping them build confidence in lighting, décor, color palettes, and spatial layouts. Her goal is for every team member to leave HEC Weekend with new skills, meaningful friendships, and a deeper appreciation for the role design plays in shaping memorable guest experiences.