Power of Women to Make a Difference Awards Luncheon

Date: March 11, 2025 | Venue: Ziegfeld Ballroom
Attendance: 500+ | Funds Raised: $1.1 Million
Presenting Sponsor: JPMorganChase | Silent Auction Sponsor: LVMH

Executive Summary

As the Senior Director of Events at United Way of New York City, I served as the Event Lead and Project Manager for the 2025 Power of Women to Make a Difference Awards Luncheon. Held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, this high-impact fundraising event brought together over 500 corporate leaders, philanthropists, and change makers to support education equity initiatives across New York City.

The event raised a record-breaking $1.1 million, surpassing previous post-pandemic benchmarks and attendance increased by 40% from the prior year. 

My Role: Strategy, Leadership, and Execution

As the strategic lead for the entire event lifecycle, I oversaw planning, production, and stakeholder coordination from inception through post-event analysis. My responsibilities included:

  • Budget Management: Directed a multimillion-dollar event budget with precision, ensuring ROI across marketing, production, and donor engagement.

  • Program Design & Run-of-Show: Curated a compelling and culturally resonant experience tailored for C-suite and high-net-worth audiences.

  • Stakeholder Engagement: Managed key relationships with sponsors like JPMorgan Chase and LVMH, aligning brand visibility with philanthropic impact.

  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborated with internal teams, board members, and external vendors to deliver a seamless, high-caliber experience.

  • Vendor Management: Coordinated with premier partners including Zak Events, Powered by Professionals, Fotobuddy, and Astounding Auctions to ensure exceptional execution.

  • VIP Experience: Developed custom touchpoints and white-glove service for honorees and top donors to deepen engagement.

Challenges Overcome

Managing an event of this caliber requires not only creativity but operational rigor. Key challenges I addressed include:

  • Post-Pandemic Growth: Rebuilt attendance and donor confidence, growing turnout by over 40% compared to pre-pandemic numbers.

  • Revenue Milestone: Surpassed the $1 million mark for the first time since COVID-19—achieved through strategic donor stewardship and optimized silent auction operations.

  • Complex Stakeholder Environment: Balanced priorities across corporate sponsors, nonprofit stakeholders, honorees, and internal leadership.

  • Condensed Timeline: With only 5.5 months of planning runway, implemented SOPs and workflows that cut planning time by 20% without compromising quality.

Measurable Results & Impact

  • $1.1M Raised: Supported critical education equity programs impacting thousands of NYC students.

  • 500+ Attendees: Included executives from Fortune 500 companies, civic leaders, and philanthropic influencers

  • Sponsor Retention & Growth: Elevated sponsorship fulfillment, contributing to renewal commitments for future events.

  • Improved Event ROI Reporting: Delivered post-event metrics on engagement, donor conversion, and brand perception to guide future strategy.

Why This Work Matters

High-touch, mission-driven events like Power of Women are essential for creating visibility, building meaningful relationships, and driving sustainable fundraising. My ability to merge nonprofit impact with corporate strategy ensures that every event delivers on both mission and metrics.

I bring a dual-lens approach—balancing storytelling with stakeholder strategy, brand alignment with logistical excellence. This makes my event leadership an asset to any organization looking to drive community engagement, donor growth, and brand differentiation.


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