AV Events

Brittney Antonelli is a seasoned professional in the audiovisual (AV) industry, currently serving as a Branch Sales Engineer at FORTÉ (Formally AVI Systems). With a Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) certification, Brittney has demonstrated her expertise in AV/IT integration and design, creating innovative solutions tailored to client needs.

In addition to her technical role, Brittney is a passionate advocate for gender equality within the AV industry. As the Co-Chair of AVIXA’s Women’s Council, she has been instrumental in promoting diversity and inclusion, supporting women through mentorship and professional development initiatives.

Brittney's career is marked by her active participation in industry events and panels, where she shares her insights on career development and AV technology. As she continues to advance her career, Brittney remains committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive AV community, paving the way for future generations of AV professionals.

Christina Cruzeiro is a seasoned AV professional with over 14 years of industry experience. She currently serves as Regional Sales Manager at Sharp Canada, where she leverages her deep knowledge of audiovisual technology and client-focused approach to drive growth and deliver impactful solutions.

Christina’s career spans a diverse range of roles across the AV ecosystem—including sales positions with AV manufacturers, specialized distributors, and an integrator—giving her a well-rounded perspective on the industry and the needs of end users.

A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Christina has been an active leader within the AVIXA Women’s Council. From 2017 to 2021, she co-led the Toronto local group, creating opportunities for women in AV to connect, learn, and grow. In January 2024, she was appointed Co-Chair of the Global AVIXA Women’s Council, where she continues to champion initiatives that support and empower women in the industry.

Driven by a passion for mentorship and career advancement, Christina is committed to helping others find their voice and thrive in the ever-evolving world of AV.

Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer is a USA Today best-selling author, international keynote speaker, and board-certified executive coach with over 30 years of executive leadership experience across global industries. As the founder and CEO of Bentzen Performance Partners and co-founder of The Zeal of the Heel, she is a recognized force in transforming human potential into high-impact business performance. Cynthia is the creator of the Human Capital Investment Strategy (HCIS) framework—a game changing approach that challenges leaders to manage their workforce with the same rigor, discipline, and foresight used to manage financial capital. Her latest book, Human Capital Investment Strategy: Six Steps to Outperform the Market and Yield Competitive Advantage, empowers CEOs, leaders, and CHROs to rethink how they invest in talent, mitigate risk, and unlock enterprise value. She’s also the co-author of USA Today Bestselling book, Now, Near, Next: A Practical Guide for Mid- Career Women to Move from Professional Serendipity to Intentional Advancement and the Intentional ALLYship Companion Guide, both of which reflect her passion for helping individuals rise with purpose and strategy. A thought leader featured in Improving HR, Heather McGowan’s The Empathy Advantage, Mel Stanley’s Success without Compromise, and podcasts such as Daring to Leap, This Is Women’s Work, and Success Stories of Professional Women, Cynthia brings unmatched clarity to the intersection of people, purpose, and performance. She holds a Ph.D. in social psychology, an MBA, is a Board-Certified Coach, and carries the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation. Whether on stage, in boardrooms, or across podcast airwaves, Cynthia’s message is clear: when you invest in human potential, you don’t just grow performance—you grow possibility.