Meet Our Team
Taylor Boesen | Owner, Design & Event Coordinator
The owner & founder of White Willow Events, Taylor received her bachelor’s degree in Event Management from Iowa State University, took her dream + created it into reality. She has over 10 years of experience + a constant passion for planning, designing, and executing unforgettable events. Her love for events has extended into creating our sister company, Willow on Grand, a wedding and event venue located on Grand Avenue here in Des Moines that opened in February of 2022. She can be found managing both businesses, while also coordinating and designing all kinds of events. Taylor is a Des Moines native, and resides in Beaverdale with her husband Tim and children Scarlett, Lainey & Leo.
Tasha Palacioz | Event Coordinator
After a few years of a traditional corporate 9-5 job, Tasha transitioned into the event world + hasn’t looked back. She received her bachelor’s degree in Advertising + Marketing from Iowa State University, and has over 5 years of experience combined with a love for planning + organizing memorable events. Tasha is a Des Moines native, and resides in Des Moines with her son, Jordon.
Rachel Rullestad | Event Coordinator
Another DSM Metro native, Rachel grew up in Ankeny and continued on to graduate from Iowa State University with a degree in Marketing & Event Management. She has over 5 years of experience, and has definitely found her niche in planning + executing all kinds of weddings and events, as well as serving as our team logistics coordinator.
Alex Baltes | Design & Event Coordinator
Originally from the small town of Hampton, IA, Alex moved to Des Moines after graduating from Iowa State University with her bachelor’s degree in Event Management + Apparel Merchandising to pursue her love for wedding design + planning. Alex has over 5 years of experience, and enjoys using her eye for design to execute beautiful + remarkable events.
Rebecca Thomsen | Business & Accounts Manager
Serving as our business & accounts manager, Rebecca is also the mother of our owner, Taylor Boesen. She manages all of us, as well as everything that is needed to make White Willow Events run as smoothly as it does! Rebecca spent many years working in corporate travel & events, as well as time creating and managing her own travel agency. She is now fully dedicated to managing both White Willow Events and our sister company, Willow on Grand.
McKenna Cox | Design & Event Coordinator
McKenna graduated from Iowa State University in the spring of 2021 with her degree in Apparel Merchandising & Design with a minor in Event Management, after completing an internship with White Willow in 2020. McKenna tested out other avenues of the event & hospitality industry over the years, but found her niche in the wedding industry + loves getting to use her creative side to execute beautiful events.
Kacey Myers | Event Coordinator
ent & Entrepreneurship. She was introduced to the wedding industry through photographer friends, and once she began her internship with White Willow Events, she knew this was her niche! Kacey fell in love with every aspect of the job, getting to use her creativity, positivity, and incredible work ethic to their highest potential.
Amanda Hollinger | Event Coordinator
With over 10 years of experience in the event industry, Amanda has done it all from catering, to venue operations, wedding & event planning, and sales. She has the ability to adapt to any situation and can be found working at both White Willow, as well as at our sister company, Willow on Grand. Amanda resides in Norwalk with her husband, Chris, and children Wyatt and Hattie.