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FACES OF MAC
In honor of At Your Service officially changing its name to Club Concierge, this edition of Faces of MAC features all six of the professionals who work day in and day out to help members get the most out of their time at the club.
Playing off the return of MAC’s Winter Formal, each were asked if they were voted “Most Likely to …” be or become something in high school. If not, how do they see themselves and what future do they envision?
Chock full of self-awareness and determination, their answers speak volumes about why they got into the hospitality business.
Highland Barry
On paper, you might not think someone voted Most Likely to be on Jersey Shore would excel at customer service, but Highland Barry contains multitudes. In November of 2023 she made the leap after traveling around Portugal with her older brother and cousins to settling in behind MAC’s Club Concierge desk.
“My boyfriend’s twin brother previously worked here in Maintenance and had suggested the idea of working at MAC to me,” says the University of Denver graduate. “I enjoy the hands-on approach of assisting others and also have a lot of customer service experience, so I figured it was a good fit!”
At first, she took advantage of MAC’s fitness facilities but has more recently been exercising closer to her home, whether running outside or doing calisthenics while watching TV in her living room.
“I enjoy horror and comedy movies, hanging out with my boyfriend and 2 cats, early morning walks, and coloring,” she appends, specifying, “fine-point markers, not colored pencils.”
She also grew up playing “all the sports,” sticking with soccer up until college. She doesn’t compete in GTL — or Gym, Tan, Laundry, the triathlon made popular on Jersey Shore — but she understands the honor.
“I was voted Most Likely to be on Jersey Shore in high school mostly because people thought I looked like Sammi Sweetheart,” she confesses. “But I was obsessed with the show and Pauly D.”
Ellen Chiapuzio
With a start date of Aug. 22, 2014, Ellen Chiapuzio has the longest MAC tenure of any of her fellow concierges. Her longevity on the club’s frontline for member questions, suggestions, and directions makes sense given that she’s been known for her friendly nature since her younger years.
“In high school, I was told that I definitely was the person who was kind to all in my class. I was known for my competitive nature, too,” she says, laughing, “But also for being the goofy person in class.”
Right before getting hired at MAC, Chiapuzio was teaching multiple aerobic classes for LA Fitness while transitioning from living down in the Eugene/Springfield area. Originally a nurse, Chiapuzio discovered her calling teaching a water aerobics class. “I found that teaching aerobics and helping others to live a healthier and more fit life could make almost as much money but not have the stress and pressure of being a nurse,” she elaborates.
In addition to being at members’ service, Chiapuzio teaches Water Fitness classes 3 times per week and substitutes when she can. She’s also an avid sports lover, especially the Oregon Ducks, Pittsburg Steelers, and Gonzaga Bulldogs for basketball. “All I do is watch football and basketball games. I do enjoy stand-up paddleboarding and would like to play more golf.
“I love working at MAC and have been blessed to get to know and become close to many MAC members. For me, helping others has always been who I am as a person, and making others happy or laugh is what I strive for because, in turn, it makes me happy.”
Every MAC member has moments when they shine extra brightly. Know a member who’s won big in their respective sport, been honored for a professional accomplishment, or made a difference in their community? Suggest them to be featured in Faces of MAC by emailing wingedm@themac.com.
Sunshine Mendez
Sunshine Mendez has been in the neighborhood much longer than her time behind the Club Concierge desk. Her move from managing the Coco Donuts two blocks away — for 6 years! — to helping members connect to MAC’s sweet array of offerings didn’t involve great physical distance, but it’s been a journey.
“I have always worked in the hospitality industry, but in food service. So, this is my first ‘desk’ job. It’s been one of the biggest learning curves I have taken on professionally,” she says. “My amazing managers in my department have taught me so much.”
Mendez has repaid that training and faith in her ability by living up to her name. With a bright, sparkling disposition, she demonstrates daily why she got into customer-facing roles in the first place.
“I have always really liked to help people, and I knew a position like a concierge would be a perfect fit for me. This position challenges me in a positive way. I love my job here and I am excited to continue my journey of growth at the MAC.”
Mendez says that yoga is her favorite type of exercise, and that she prefers to forego the gym in favor of day hikes in Washington or Forest Park, the Gorge, or down by Silver Falls.
“I also love reading, listening to music, and movies!” she adds. Her tastes range from selfdevelopment books to horror films, one of her favorite things.
Mendez says she wasn’t voted Most Likely to do anything particular in high school, but she did have a brush with reality TV. “I was invited on to the Judge Mathis show back in 2016. It was a whirlwind experience, to say the least.”
Levi Nieberding
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have interesting conversations with interesting folks, and the ability to be so authentic at my job has been truly wonderful,” says Levi Nieberding. The aspiring writer was drawn to Portland based on its vibrant literary community after graduating from Kalamazoo College in Michigan.
“After graduation, I hauled myself across the country in a 5-day-long road trip. Since I’ve been at MAC, I began work on a number of projects, including some short stories and a new fantasy novel.”
Nieberding says he was drawn to the club by the promise of community. “I love being able to talk to all sorts of people, witness cool events, and learn more about the city’s culture.”
Every time he gets wrapped up in a conversation with a member, it reminds him why he entered this field and further defines how he wants to function as a concierge. “For example, I made friends with a junior member when she noticed the book I was reading. We began a frenzied conversation about reading, writing, magic, and dragons. She started visiting me at the desk to show me the short story she was working on, and it was truly awesome to see her progress over the weeks.”
Nieberding also likes to engage himself physically and has taken advantage of the weight room after some of his shifts. But in the end, he continues to prioritize a life of imagination and says, “I think I’m most likely to forget my own head if it weren’t attached to my body.”
Skylar Tate
Skylar Tate was voted Best Voice as a high school cheerleader and believes she got that title because she’s always working to make sure everyone is taken care of and speaking up for herself and others. She’s now worked in reception for 7 years and has been attending PCC in pursuit of a degree in Psychology.
“Working with people is my expertise,” she says. “I interviewed for numerous jobs before getting the offer from MAC, and something told me I belonged here. I felt really great after my interview, and I just had a strong feeling this team would be supportive in all the ways I need. I was right!”
Tate brings that same support to the MAC community. “We all need a little help sometimes as we juggle the responsibilities of life,” she notes, “so I treat everyone I help in the same way I hope to be helped by others.”
She also jogs in members shoes by working out at MAC a couple times a week and really loves the Indoor Track. With a background in yoga and Pilates, Tate is currently getting into running and hopes to join group exercise classes in the near future.
“Say hi if you see me!” she invites.
“I always get comments that I’m loud and the ‘Mom Friend.’ On this team, I was the youngest for a while, and I’ve felt so taken care of. Now, I find myself feeling more like a little sister in this family of know-it-alls. But I still may be the loudest one.”
Johanna Winters
Johanna Winters is a true jack of all trades, which makes for a great fit on the Club Concierge team, where the likelihood is always good of encountering a vast range of member questions.
Before starting at MAC late in 2023, Winters worked in coffee, restaurants, landscaping, and maintenance. A graduate of Portland State, she studied design research, contemporary art history, and design for women’s sports.
“I knew nothing about this place before working here. This is my first job in hospitality, and it’s a very different experience than food service or facilities maintenance. The Concierge and Manager on Duty teams are very high quality, and I’m incredibly thankful to be part of this group,” she says.
“The position is a jack-of-all-trades role, and the variety of what we do during a shift is indicative of the scope of experiences available to members. One of the highlights I’ve had is being able to assist some members with their holidays abroad and hear about the lovely time they had.”
Winters recently started taking boxing classes with Kaulike Souza and has really enjoyed them. Outside of the club, she enjoys art and music projects along with product and branding design. “One of my goals for 2026 is to start painting again and hopefully get a couple of commissions,” she adds.
“I personally have no clue what others think I might be most likely to do, but I would hope that my interactions with my coworkers and members would leave a positive impact.”
