She is also the Director of Undergraduate Business Management & Finance Programs at Granite State College. She obtained her doctorate in Parks, Recreation and Tourism with an emphasis in Sustainable Events and Tourism from the University of Utah. Mercedes is an avid public speaker, curriculum developer, writer and researcher in the sustainable event and tourism industry. Prior to her current positions, she worked in a variety of areas within the event and tourism industries including as a teacher, managing director, event manager, researcher. and business consultant. Through her work with The International Ecotourism Society, she planned Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conferences (ESTCs) in Monterey, CA, Kenya, Brazil and Ecuador, represented by over 60 countries. She has worked with many international organizations including the United Nations, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), and many ministries of tourism including Brazil, Kenya, Ecuador, Botswana, Visit California and others. She is currently on the North American Leadership Team for the Sustainable Event Alliance, and the Academic Committee of the International Association of Venue Managers. She is also an active member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility, Sustainable Events Network Florida/ Caribbean.