OUR HISTORY
BE Athena is a collaboration between two friends — dynamic duo Erin Di Fiore and Brooke Morris Rasheed.
First introduced in a Women’s Studies class at the University of Georgia, it was in this environment of creative and intellectual growth that the seeds of our future partnership were sewn. In the years that ensued, our paths continued to intersect many times, from the Southeast to NYC and back again — dancing in the venues of the Lower East Side, attending each other’s weddings, planning a multitude of gatherings for our tight-knit group of friends — and finally, as colleagues at a boutique hospitality firm in Brooklyn, NY, where we oversaw the company’s sales, marketing, and business development divisions for close to a decade. With a deep desire to bring our families back to the South, we now operate out of our studios in Nashville and Atlanta, providing services to event businesses in the Southeast and beyond.
BE Athena was born out of our shared enthusiasm for bringing a space to life, from the first blueprints to the first walk down the aisle.
our team
Photo Credit: Yve Assad
co-founder
ERIN DI FIORE
An Atlanta native, Erin Di Fiore moved to New York City in 2001 to pursue her passion for the fashion industry following graduation from the University of Georgia. Her innate sense of style and design led her to a career spanning more than a decade with positions at renowned international fashion houses Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana and Reem Acra. While managing luxury retail powerhouse accounts like Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom, Erin refined her sales planning, strategy and team leadership training abilities. The thrill of runway shows, collection launch parties and frequent national and international travel for events sparked her interest in the event industry.
Following an instinctual desire to shift her professional path, Erin parlayed her unique background and business savvy into a position with 501 Union, overseeing the development and successful launch of the Brooklyn event venue. She further diversified her experience, propelling the growth of business at the Green Building, a Brooklyn event space, and Hasbrouck House, a luxury boutique hotel in the Hudson Valley. Her inherent ability to translate trends and goals into strategy and execution along with her keen eye for design and detail facilitate her creative support of wide-ranging businesses.
Erin lives in the rolling hills of Nashville, Tennessee with her music producer husband, Albert Di Fiore and their three dogs, Bowie, Cash and Dolly. In addition to her work with BE Athena, Erin is the creator behind Ohayo, a macramé design studio.
Photo Credit: Yve Assad
co-founder
brooke morris rasheed
After graduating from the University of Georgia, Brooke started her career in events in Atlanta as one half of the Costume Party, a boutique music promotional agency focused on booking, PR and event production. In 2005, Brooke set her sights on NYC, where she applied her skills booking bands to booking brands, strategizing and executing mobile marketing programs for global lifestyle agency MKTG. In 2007 she joined Drillteam Marketing as Group Director of Events Engagement where she executed and managed youth‐oriented branded experiential marketing programs for clients such as Virgin Mobile USA, Neiman Marcus, New York Magazine, Saucony Originals, Target, and Incase. Highlights included producing the ‘Bad Art Auction’ hosted by comedian Zach Galifianakis, and New York Magazine’s 40th Anniversary party at Hammerstein Ballroom.
In 2010, she joined Gowanus Hospitality Group. Under her direction, what started as a DIY music venue quickly became one of the hottest spots to get married in Brooklyn, NY. During her tenure at GHG, Brooke directed the marketing efforts for multiple properties under the company’s portfolio, including 501 Union, Sky Gallery, and Swan Dive. She also acted as lead producer on annual marketing events Wedding Crashers and the Love Union, a vendor engagement conference which just celebrated its third successful year.
Upon her return to Atlanta in 2015 — with husband Ryan and daughter Ruby — she began working with acclaimed commercial real estate developer Gene Kansas on Constellations, a civic, social, and culturally-based shared workspace. Brooke currently leads Constellations’ meetings & events program, which to date has hosted such esteemed companies such as CARE, Atlanta Magazine and the Cartoon Network.
In addition to her consulting work with BE Athena, she is the lead producer on Landlocked, an annual food & beverage event in Atlanta that raises money for Oyster South, a non-profit organization committed to the growth of southern oyster culture and community.
DESIGNER
corrin messing
Corrin graduated Rochester Institute of Technology with a Graphic Design and Marketing degree then headed west to spend several years at a Midwest design agency working with global brands CoverGirl, Olay and Pampers. In 2010, she relocated to Brooklyn, NY to join the incredible team at David Stark Design & Production where she became versed in every aspect of 'sky’s the limit' event design and experiential marketing. Corrin had a hand in every step of the design process from concept through production. She then applied this knowledge of design and build to visual merchandising and window display design for luxury brands and retailers such as Kiehl's Since 1851, Fresh, Anthropologie and Bergdorf Goodman.
After working with big brands for years in Manhattan, Corrin sought a new challenge and returned to the world of event design. As Creative Director of Starling, she worked seamlessly with popular Brooklyn venues, 501 Union and The Green Building, designing promotional materials, creating content and styling photo shoots. She was also responsible for the comprehensive brand development and design for Hasbrouck House and Butterfield, a luxury boutique hotel and restaurant in Stone Ridge, NY.
In 2016, Corrin took a leap moving across the country to the inspiring town of Healdsburg in Sonoma County, California. Amidst the redwoods, vineyards and top destination venues she lives with her painter/illustrator husband, Jake Messing, and their two young daughters, Goldie and Dia.
Photo Credit: Amber Gress
