Katie Sobolewski
Summary
Innovative event planner and communications professional skilled at creating engaging experiences with program participants and stakeholders. Proven leader with the ability to problem solve, manage volunteers, and execute a wide variety of engagement opportunities. Passionate about building strong, inclusive communities.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director of Events and Alumni Relations
University Of Minnesota
03.2023 - Current
- Managed venue, labor and technical efforts of internal and external partners to successfully execute 20-30 events per year, including public lectures, K-12 outreach events, alumni reunions, commencement activities, career fairs, homecoming parade, and external partnership events.
- Develop and maintain year-round calendar of events, raised brand awareness and increased organic engagement with alumni and students by implementing marketing initiatives to cultivate interest in events including social media activations, alumni newsletters, and press releases.
- Supported senior leadership by developing status reports on activities related to planning, scheduling, cancellation, inquiries, resourcing, risk mitigation, and proposal development for various events.
- Develop program budgets and initiates requisitions for essential materials, supplies, and equipment, encompassing the procurement process, including obtaining RFQs for various event equipment and supplies.
- Established clear objectives and goals for each event, drove execution toward goals and measured and monitored results to track impact.
Manager of Individual Giving
Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Twin Cities
08.2021 - 03.2023
- Responsible for all fundraising and stewardship events, including logistical and marking components, budget management, and reporting progress to executive team and board of directors.
- Designed, managed, and facilitated annual gala, including securing live and silent auction items, selling tickets, managing gala committee, tracking vendor relationships, coordinating registration, processing payments, and acting as lead for gala night.
- Responsible for annual giving appeals including managing timelines, writing compelling appeals, and leading internal communications colleagues to ensure successful direct mail and virtual fundraising results.
- Lead organization's efforts to increase individual giving through innovative donor engagement opportunities, creating dynamic monthly stewardship publications, and analysis of donor data through CRM.
- Implemented strategic new donor stewardship plan focused on creating intentional touchpoints to increase engagement that improved donor retention by 46% in one year period.
Programming & Events Coordinator
Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Twin Cities
09.2016 - 08.2021
- Responsible for the coordination and facilitation of 2-4 monthly programming events, ranging from 20-1,400 participants, including corporate and community partner events, large agency wide events, and grant fund special initiative events.
- Project managed cross-departmental event initiatives to maximize programming success and impact of marketing, recruitment, and fundraising efforts.
- Collected data and oversaw program evaluation and revision process to ensure that program events offered reflected the needs and interests of all participants.
- Managed all event logistics including budgets, vendor contracts, agency calendars, ordering program supplies, and event facility maintenance.
REACH Coordinator & Community Relations Assistant
Big Brothers Big Sisters Of The 7 Rivers Region
01.2015 - 08.2016
- Utilized REACH initiative to facilitate impactful events that increased program participation by 78%, while overseeing operations of volunteers and mentors and personally corresponding with key donors.
- Coordinated annual fundraising events including Bowl for Kids Sake, Taste of Winona, and Catered for Kids while acting as regional spoke person for agency in television, newspaper, and radio interviews to solicit engagement and increase ticket sales.
- Collaborate with community groups, external partners, and other youth development organizations to build relationships and ensure programs offered we inclusive, accessible, equitable for underserved participant communities.
- Lead program revision committees focused on reviewing enrollment, interview, training, and customer experience policies to promote best practices and ensure child safety.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Winona State University
Winona, MN2012
Skills
- Problem-Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Excellent Communication
- High level of event logistics management
- Relationship building and retention
- MS Office Suite, Google Suite, Salesforce, Constant Contact, Canva, Raiser's Edge
Timeline
Assistant Director of Events and Alumni Relations
University Of Minnesota
03.2023 - Current
Manager of Individual Giving
Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Twin Cities
08.2021 - 03.2023
Programming & Events Coordinator
Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Twin Cities
09.2016 - 08.2021
REACH Coordinator & Community Relations Assistant
Big Brothers Big Sisters Of The 7 Rivers Region
01.2015 - 08.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Winona State University
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