Fun In Fundraising

2026 CASABlanca Gala With Emily Rudenick-LeBlanc And Erin Kozma

How does an organization create a great first impression for gala guests that inspires, energizes, and creates an environment for donors to give more?
Today, I talk with CASA of Travis County CEO Emily Rudenick LeBlanc, as well as the organization's Sr. Director of Advancement, Erin Kozma, about their upcoming CASABlanca: Where Futures Take Root Gala.
One of Austin's top nonprofit fundraising galas each year, raising over $2 million from their gala last year, the CASABlanca Gala has an established base of supporters, while also always making sure to bring in new potential donors to experience this incredible night of giving. A big part of their success is how the organization has a seamless and fun check-in process that has guests excited for the evening ahead.
Emily and Erin provide valuable insights on a range of topics, including the importance of long-term planning in creating a successful gala, tips on developing a devoted following for your annual gala, engaging your existing volunteer network at your annual gala, and so much more. This is episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to create a great first-impression for their guests to inspire and encourage giving.

Creating Dynamic Nonprofit Partnerships With Maria Jimenz-Lara and Jamie Ulmer

What are the keys to creating effective partnerships between nonprofits and foundations?
There is no better duo to talk about today's guests, Maria Jimenez-Lara, CEO of the Naples Children's Foundation and Jamie Ulmer, CEO of Healthcare Network, one of the beneficiaries of the Naples Children's Foundation's signature fundraising event, the Naples Winter Wine Festival.
This episode, the third in a three-part series behind the Naples Winter Wine Festival, one of the top fundraising galas in the United States each year. The $35M raised at the festival funds children's programs throughout Collier County, Florida and today we will dive into the end result of these important funds - the impact they have on the Southwest Florida Community.Maria and Jamie provide a masterclass of insights on a range of topics, including highlighting partnership initiatives in your community to maximize impact, the importance of communication in maintaining strong relationships between nonprofits and foundations, how to evolve partnerships in a way that is beneficial to both organizations, and so much more. This is episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate the impact of how to effectively use funds raised from a gala or signature fundraising event.

Bill Beynon, Ashley Gerry, and Valerie Gargiulo Of The Naples Winter Wine Festival Talk Creating Unforgettable Live Auctions

What does it take to create and provide one-of-a-kind live auction packages for your audience that raises millions?
There is no better person to talk about today's trio of guests, Bill Beynon and Ashley Gerry, co-chairs of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, as well as founding member of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, Valerie Gargiulo. 
This episode, the second in a three-part series behind the Naples Winter Wine Festival, is one of the top fundraising galas in the United States each year. A large part of the funds raised at the Naples Winter Wine Festival benefiting the Naples Children Foundation comes from an epic, multi-hour live auction filled with so much energy that it requires to of the nation's top auctioneers, Lydia Fenet and Humphrey Butler rotate their time on the stage to keep guests on their toes and the energy elevated.Bill, Ashley, and Valerie share smart (and fun) stories, knowledge, and wisdom on a range of topics, including building and utilizing your event committee to bring your auction and event to life, creating strong partnerships with donors, corporate sponsors, and vendors, curating auction packages that resonate with your audience, and so much more. This is episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their live auction from the leadership behind one of the most successful gala live auctions in the world.

Lisa Juliano Of The Naples Winter Wine Festival On Creating Dynamic, Multi-Day Galas

What does it take to successfully produce a multi-day gala that provides a five-star experience for guests and raises millions for the community it serves?
There is no better person to talk about this topic than today's guest, Lisa Juliano, Senior Vice President of the Naples Winter Wine Festival & Event Production.
This episode, the first in a three-part series behind the Naples Winter Wine Festival, one of the top fundraising galas in the United States each year. Over three days, Lisa and her organization produce a spectacular, white-glove experience for several hundred guests, resulting in over $35 million raised for the Naples Children Foundation to provide a range of services for children in Collier County.Lisa shares smart (and fun) stories, knowledge, and wisdom on a range of topics, including tips on establishing a strong relationship with your event venue, successfully executing multiple events that occur simultaneously, managing talent, accommodating unexpected guest/donor requests, and so much more. This is one episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their event production game from the event leader of one of the most successful galas in the world.

Creating Magical Event Fashion Shows With Legend Model And Producer Jan Strimple

What does it take host a fashion show luncheon or gala that is engaging, cost-effective, and most importantly fun?
There is no better person to talk about this topic than today's guest and someone I am proud to call my friend, iconic runway model and fashion show producer Jan Strimple.
After beginning her career in retail merchandising, Jan started her trajectory in the fashion industry, walking the runways of Paris and collaborating with top designers, including the iconic Bob Mackie. Jan then moved behind the runway and launched Jan Strimple Productions in Dallas, where she produced many top nonprofit fashion shows in North Texas, including the iconic House of DIFFA, which is Texas's answer to The Met Gala.Jan seamlessly shares fun stories, knowledge, and wisdom on a range of topics, including what organizations need to do to determine if a fashion show concept is the right thing for them, the importance of understanding your audience when selecting a designer or a collection to showcase, the differences between a daytime luncheon and nighttime gala fashion show, her favorite event moments over the years, and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

The Power Of Merchandising Your Nonprofit Brand With Catharine Recht

What are the keys to successfully merchandising your nonprofit brand in a way that brings in revenue and is fun for guests and supporters?
In today’s episode, I talk with Catharine Recht, Director of Advancement at Frontiers of Flight Museum, to talk about the organization's new store inside the museum.
Frontiers of Flight Museum is a family-friendly space where kids of all ages can explore the wonders of aviation and space flight history through exhibits, programming, and STEM curriculum. For Catharine, the passion for flight comes through in our conversation; it is literally in her DNA to appreciate the awe and wonder of flight.Catharine shares his knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics, including how to successfully reimagine a space that grows revenue and enhances the guest experience, tips on successfully merchandising new items in your store, creating merchandising collaborations with other nonprofit organizations, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

The Art Of Presentation At Live Auctions With Jamie McDonald

What are the keys to presenting your live auction items in a way that engages the crowd and increases your revenue?
In today’s episode, I talk with auctioneer and presenter, Jamie McDonald to talk about how effective event emcees elevate the gala guest experience.
After a successful decade as a financial services executive on Wall Street, Jamie's love for giving back took him to the next phase and career as an auctioneer and presenter. Jamie has successfully helmed auctions for leading nonprofits in the United States and Europe. Tapping into his skills as a presenter and emcee gives him a unique ability to quickly understand the dynamics of the room that compel donors to give more.
Jamie shares his knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics including how to build a strong relationship with your auctioneer, tips on raising a rooms energy to attract peoples attention, the importance of understanding your audience to make your auctions more dynamic and successful, the ways auctions have changed since COVID, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

How To Effectively Staff Your Event To Elevate The Guest Experience With Lauren Batterby

What are the keys to effectively staffing your gala or signature fundraising event to elevate the guest experience?
In today’s episode, I talk with Lauren Batterby, Founder and CEO of Life Event Staffing, to talk about the importance of event staffing to grow revenue and develop deeper relationships with your donors.
Since its founding in 2021, Live Event Staffing has been a go-to resource for many of the top nonprofit fundraising galas around the United States, collaborating on over 4,000 events. She has fostered a company culture of employees and collaborators that lays an incredibly strong foundation for nonprofits to meet and exceed their fundraising goals. 
Lauren shares her knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics, how event staffing matters from the second guests walk in the door, collaborating with other parts of the event ecosystem to make your event more successful, ways to effectively use technology to boost fundraising results, event staffing trends, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

How Great Event Emcees Elevate Your Events With Lauren Petrowski

What are the keys to finding an effective event emcee that keeps the audience entertained and generous?
In today’s episode, I talk with event emcee and media presentation expert Lauren Petrowski, to talk about how effective event emcees elevate the gala guest experience.
Over the years, Lauren has hosted many top galas and business events in Texas and beyond. Her ability to effectively emcee multiple types of events for different audiences gives her a unique and well-informed perspective on how to communicate and engage any type of audience.
Lauren shares her knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics, how great emcees set the tone and vibe you want for your event, effective ways to engage an audience to increase the rooms energy, the different types of events and what emcees bring to each of them, tips on engaging multiple types of onstage talent for your program, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Day 1 DFW With Karen Hughes

How does an organization host a successful signature fundraising event during the holiday season?
In today’s episode, I talk with Karen Hughes, President & CEO of Vogel to talk about Day 1 DFW, one of the organization's signature fundraising events.
Held on New Year's Day, Day 1 DFW draws hundreds of families from around North Texas for a day of family fun, with proceeds going towards fulfilling the organization's mission to provide services for children ages six weeks to 12 years who experience the trauma of homelessness. At Day 1 DFW, children and families have the opportunity to enjoy over two dozen fun experiences with everything from a Candyland Obstacle Course to balloon artists.
Karen shares her knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics, including the similarities and differences between hosting a gala and a family-oriented event, tips on creating experiences that the whole family can enjoy,  how to end your event in a memorable way, and so much moreThis is one episode you will not want to miss.