From Switchboard Operator to CEO: Joyce Leveston Leads New York's Javits Center

Joyce Leveston, a veteran of the events sector originally from Cincinnati, was appointed CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in March 2025, becoming the venue's inaugural female leader. The Manhattan complex, spanning 3.4 million square feet, hosts roughly 145 exhibitions annually and employs more than 3,000 personnel, with over 11% serving for twenty years or more. Leveston's entry into the convention world started in the late 1980s as a part-time switchboard operator at the San Diego Convention Center, later advancing to full-time event coordinator after earning a communications degree.

She climbed eight successive positions, relying on industry certifications and a philosophy of excelling in each assigned task rather than chasing titles. Known for a hands-on approach, she advises taking on unnoticed duties to attract attention and stresses the importance of safety, citing a halted plan to lower Michael Jackson from a ballroom ceiling. Leveston now focuses on building a trusted team that can operate smoothly even during her absence, reflecting her belief in delegating authority and fostering independence among staff.