Sheila Merritt is vice president of development for Atlanta-based Q&A Entertainment, a full-service event management and production company that has worked on projects ranging from the Daytona 500 to CMT and MTV productions, Atlanta Pride, and the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative’s annual Garden Party.

Established in 1999, Q&A Events specializes in the development, marketing and execution of events whether they are private or public, corporate or consumer based, large or small.

“Every single person on our team has a commitment to our projects and each other that makes me so proud of our work every day,” she says. “It also makes it a lot of fun to be involved with our programs. It’s really satisfying to know that if given the opportunity many of our friends, vendors and even some of our clients would come to work for us.”

Merritt, a lesbian, is proud of the diversity that creates the solid foundation of Q&A Events.

“We are certified as a women-owned business and as an LGBT-owned business. This is something that is important to large corporations looking to reach their supply chain diversity goals and objectives,” she says. “I also like the idea that at Q&A Events, we are willing to stand up and be counted. I would recommend that to any LGBT business owner, or women-owned business as well.”

Merritt got her start in the music industry. Some of her career highlights include managing music festivals, as well as stage and set production for tours and events.

She is also credited with a few television projects, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1998 Emmy-winning Goodwill Games.

Merritt seems to have her hand in all forms of event management, including corporate clients, non-profit organizations and even political election campaigns.

“I have a great life and I’m so thankful. My job is part of that and there is so much more. I have a partner that I really don’t deserve. When I think about it honestly, she really is too good for me, but I’m so happy she sticks around,” Merritt says.

“I have a wonderfully supportive family, and a group of friends that people wish for. All in all, I’d say it’s a pretty good life. I need to remind myself of that sometimes when my feet hurt or I’m working a 14-hour day, but when it’s all said and done, I sleep well at night because I know things are pretty good for me and I am grateful for that.”

Top photo: Sheila Merritt (far left) and Q&A Events team members Rainey Richards, Colleen Wogan, Suzanne Baugh and Andria Towne with U.S. Rep John Lewis (D-Ga.) at this year’s Atlanta Pride. (via Facebook)