With backgrounds as diverse as our members' needs, the Insider management team offers an unmatched mix of expertise and connections across client services, dining, luxury goods, travel, entertainment, event planning, music and fashion.
Lindsi Shine, Chief Executive Officer
A proud Hoosier by birth but with a hunger for bigger adventures, Lindsi headed west from her home state of Indiana to attend UCLA, where she earned a degree in women's studies. She went on to work for the agents of athletes Shaquille O'Neal and Oscar De La Hoya. But having failed to discover her inner Jerry Maguire, she decided to move on. During subsequent stints in the dot.com world, the music industry and then back in sports, she built a fiercely strong network.
After heading to NYC, Lindsi's desire to develop her own niche inspired her to launch Insider in 2003. Loyal, savvy and ultracompetitive (she never takes "no" for an answer), she excels at finding resourceful ways to make things happen with style and ease. Outside of work, Lindsi is often mistaken for a dog walker — must have something to do with trotting her and her husband's three dogs around town …
Heather Ramin, President
After growing up in Iowa and receiving a business degree from the University of Iowa, Heather headed to the East Coast. Working in the fashion industry honed her savvy and resourcefulness — qualities that she brought to Insider soon after its launch. She has a passion for world travel, but also counts herself lucky to come home to the food mecca that is NYC.
Heather's favorite parts of the day: her morning walk to work (coffee in hand) and dinner with her husband (dirty martini in hand). Her favorite Insider task: planning travel and food itineraries for clients. In addition to her appetite for learning, Heather's organizational skills and Midwestern values help her thrive under pressure while building and managing Insider's extraordinary concierge team with grace.
Sarah Tredwell, Chief Operating Officer
A New Jersey native and graduate of Northwestern University's highly esteemed Medill School of Journalism, Sarah worked for The News with Brian Williams on MSNBC and as a general-assignment reporter for Fox News in Fargo, ND, before finding her way to Insider. She soon learned that life as a concierge had many parallels to that of a journalist, and, just as in the newsroom, the day-to-day at Insider is dynamic and the challenges are always evolving.
In NYC, Sarah also found an outlet for her love for all things food-related: Exploring the city's newest culinary establishments is one of her favorite parts of the job. Aside from dining out, she loves to spend her downtime traveling, snowboarding, binge-watching TV series and occasionally escaping the chaos of the city by spending weekends with her husband and dog upstate.
Laura Bacelli, VP of Business Development
Laura joined Insider just a few years after they opened the doors. From the start, she's been a big voice in a small company, always finding ways to research and accomplish the Next Big Thing. A mini-expert in cities worldwide, she has been essential to the expansion of Insider's full-service travel agency. Her favorite Insider tasks are trip itineraries and restaurant suggestions. She'll pair a travel and restaurant itinerary together as perfectly as she'll pair you a glass of Riesling with your spicy Thai dish.
Laura, whose most memorable trips have been immersive food experiences, attributes her appreciation for the art of a fine meal and the science of wine to her upbringing on the agricultural side of Long Island's North Fork. She's the friend you count on for a belly laugh when situations get messy. (She's a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan, after all.) In her free time, you might find her knee-deep in travel, food and wine magazines, refining her golf swing or yoga poses, catching a Wilco concert or practicing her newfound hobby of photography.
Kristen Doghramji, Director of Account Management
Kristen's been with Insider since 2012 — and has held onto some of the same clients from her very first days here. Or, we should say, they've held on to her. They know from experience that they'll have her full attention and commitment, and she will do whatever it takes to deliver what they need.
Her packed social calendar, all-black-all-the-time fashion sense, and quick-witted sarcasm bely a deadly serious reformed poli sci major with an unflinching focus on success. She exhibits that zeal at work and play, from getting clients access to the most exclusive event in the city to trying out every new nightspot around (sometimes seven nights a week). In fact, when we're trying to get our first look at the latest can't-miss destination, chances are Kristen's already been there -twice.
COURTNEY SIDER, SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
Courtney has always been an NYC kind of gal. While growing up in Scarsdale, NY, she often made the short trip into Manhattan to experience the city's charms. She spent her college years at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she earned a bachelor of business administration from the School of Business. During a study abroad program in Rome, she traveled all over Europe and into Africa. (Favorite city: Marrakech, Morocco.)
After graduating from college, Courtney moved back to the area and landed a job in PR. She joined Insider in 2012 — and given her love for fashion, shopping and trying new restaurants, she's been the perfect fit. Among her specialties here: setting up private events and parties (particularly kids' birthday parties). Courtney lives in Long Island City, where she relishes her view of the Manhattan skyline.
Katie couri, ACCOUNT MANAGER
Katie's affinity for NYC dates back to her childhood in Bergen County, New Jersey. She spent her college years upstate studying hospitality management and tourism at Syracuse University. After graduation, she pursued a culinary career and earned a diploma in pastry and baking arts from Manhattan's Institute of Culinary Education.
Katie's work as a pastry chef magnified her passion for NYC dining and brought her keen insights into a restaurant's front and back of the house. As her colleagues, we can say her natural sweetness must have preceded her schooling. She infuses the office with kindness every day.
When Katie is not recipe-testing in her apartment or cheering on the 'Cuse men's basketball team, you can find her searching Instagram for the best burger in NYC or indulging her love of tequila. Her favorite tasks at Insider include recommending restaurants, putting together gift suggestions and keeping up with the latest food trends.
Katya kurtbek, ACCOUNT MANAGER
Growing up in a small New Jersey town on the river, Katya always had her eye on the city. She's an alum of University of South Carolina and Penn State with a B.S. in hospitality management. Her most recent gig, at the Waldorf Astoria New York, made her a whiz at managing large-scale events. Now she enjoys her weekends off to travel. Whether on the road or in her BK neighborhood, she lives to discover new bars, restaurants and activities.
Katya is a bubbly, optimistic ball of energy. She loves making people happy and cannot resist taking on a big challenge. When not eating good food, she is scoping out new places to check out and is down for anything from impromptu weekend getaways to a museum visit, wine tasting or salsa class. Her colleagues at Insider appreciate the spark of charm and optimism she brings to every occasion.
Lena Phillips, Account Manager
Hailing from Allentown, Pennsylvania, Lena grew up in a huge Greek family. Her dad, who lived on the UWS, introduced her to the wonders of Manhattan early on via Yankee games, tiny, hidden restaurants, Broadway shows and explorations of Central Park.
Always drawn to competition and athletics, Lena played field hockey at Northwestern University, where her team won two Big Ten titles. She studied psychology and communications, which gave her a deep appreciation for working and communicating with all types of people in a team-oriented capacity. That, along her with infectiously positive attitude, makes her a perfect fit for Insider's collaborative office environment.
An explorer with a knack for creating memorable experiences, Lena loves that no two days at Insider are ever the same. Outside of work, she can be found watching Game of Thrones, running in Central Park or trying out challenginge poses at yoga. She cherishes time with her friends, family and coworkers, but loves the opportunities Insider offers for meeting new people every day.
Mckenzie Scofes, ACCOUNT MANAGER
A Midwestern girl at heart, McKenzie left her beloved Michigan and headed south for college, studying sports broadcasting and media at the University of Alabama. From working the sidelines with ESPN to hosting her own tailgating show, "Taste of Town," she managed to explore her passions as a sports fanatic and a foodie during college. Her enthusiasm surely contributed to the school's two national championships in her four years there (Roll Tide!).
After making her mark as a project manager on a video album, McKenzie left the music world and found her way to Insider, where her favorite tasks are researching the hottest travel destinations, gift suggestions, and exploring the city for new places to recommend to clients. She loves traveling and photography, which is evident in her lifestyle website. You'll rarely see her without an iced coffee in hand — until it's time for champagne.
ROCHELLE PARTMAN, ACCOUNT MANAGER
Rochelle views the world through rosé-colored glasses: not just finding the fun in every situation, but making it, as she tracks down the chicest shops, rooftop destinations and gallery openings for friends and coworkers alike. Her boundless energy and upbeat personality are infectious, and make her a natural at networking.
A Long Island native with a University of Maryland pedigree, Rochelle followed her heart through a career in Fashion and Events, ultimately discovering her fondness, and true flare, for luxury hospitality. When she is not in the office, you might spot her crushing the bike at SoulCycle, shopping the Upper East Side with her puggles in tow, or reveling in the Hampton' sand and sun.
Eloise
Angus
Molly
Office morale (the three pups)
Each of our canine counterparts brings something different to the office dynamic.
Eloise, our matriarch, spends time contemplating the meaning of life from her cardboard-box throne. We love her butter eyes, fierce devotion and commitment (she shows up for work every day). If you see someone parading past on all fours, pretending he's not dying for your attention, that's Angus. His idea of meeting a deadline is getting every staff member to play with him at least once before lunch. Finally, there's Molly, our part-time pup. She's a bit of a scaredy-dog, but loves food, mugging for the camera, office gossip and raising everyone's spirits with her bursts of frenetic energy.
Together, these three pups exemplify the concept of company loyalty. Our work wouldn't be the same without them.