Kris Rene'

Raleigh-Triangle Area,NC

Summary

Strategic and relationship-driven event professional with deep experience in nonprofit fundraising, sponsorship acquisition, and high-impact event execution. Expert in building luxury VIP packages, securing celebrity involvement, and developing auction-ready experiences that elevate donor engagement. Known for polished communication, high-touch service, and the ability to manage complex logistics for large-scale community events (72,000-104,000 attendees). Brings 20 years of concierge-level experience supporting professional athletes and touring rock bands.

Overview

years of professional experience

years of post-secondary education

Work History

Sponsorship Director / Event Coordinator

The Makrs Society

Raleigh/Triangle Area, NC

01.2024 - Current

Lead sponsorship outreach for the Five Festival Series, securing partnerships with Pepsi Bottling Ventures, Whole Foods, Publix, Cheerwine, and regional brands.
Develop luxury VIP donor packages including curated meet-and-greets, backstage access, premium hospitality, and exclusive festival experiences.
Build auction-ready fundraising packages such as private jet service experiences, celebrity meet-and-greets, and behind-the-scenes access.
Source and secure autographed memorabilia and high-value items for silent and live auctions.
Coordinate celebrity appearances and special-guest integrations for nonprofit events.
Produce polished pitch decks, sponsorship proposals, and branded materials aligned with corporate CSR goals.
Manage event logistics, vendor coordination, sponsor activations, and on-site brand visibility for events drawing 72,000-104,000 attendees annually.
Strengthen community engagement through the festival's theme: 'Inclusion for ALL Community Joy.'

Personal Concierge to Professional Athletes & Touring Rock Bands

Independent

, National

01.2004 - 01.2024

Designed and executed VIP experiences, luxury travel arrangements, backstage hospitality, and exclusive access opportunities for high-profile clients.
Coordinated private jet service, meet-and-greet experiences, and premium event access now leveraged to build nonprofit fundraising packages.
Managed confidential logistics, schedules, transportation, and venue coordination with precision and discretion.
Built strong relationships with talent, management teams, and venues to secure appearances, autographs, and high-value experiences.
Supported more than 1,000+ VIP events, concerts, and athlete engagements over 20 years.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT

05.2022 - 05.2026

Skills

Sponsorship Acquisition
Donor & Corporate Relations
VIP Experience Design
Luxury Package Development
Fundraising Event Strategy
Silent & Live Auction Procurement
Celebrity Appearance Coordination
Event Logistics & On-Site Ops
Pitch Decks & Sell Sheets
Community Engagement
Vendor & Talent Relations

High-Touch Client Services
Budget Tracking & Reporting
Canva
Adobe Express
CRM & Donor Systems
Google Workspace
Microsoft Office
Asana
Trello
Social Media Coordination

Selected Achievements

Developed luxury fundraising packages that increased donor engagement and auction revenue.
Secured multiple new sponsorship leads for The Makrs Society within the first 60 days.
Created a full suite of branded sponsorship materials that improved response rates and meeting conversions.
Coordinated celebrity appearances and secured autographed memorabilia for nonprofit fundraising events.
Recognized for exceptional relationship-building with corporate partners, donors, and community stakeholders.

References

John Wodarek, Pittsburgh Steelers, WodarekJ@steelers.nfl.com

Community Work

Triangle Festivals
Cultural Event Planning
Nonprofit Outreach
Inclusion Initiatives

Cover Letter

Tom Lafe, The V Foundation, Event and Sports Partnership, Dear Tom, Thank you for the call today-I am excited to apply for a position with your organization. With extensive experience in nonprofit fundraising, corporate partnerships, and high-impact event execution, I bring a unique blend of relationship-building, logistical expertise, and creative fundraising strategy. In my current role as Sponsorship Director for The Makrs Society, I lead sponsorship outreach for a five-festival series that draws more than 72,000-104,000 attendees annually. I develop luxury VIP donor packages, secure celebrity involvement, and create auction-ready fundraising experiences - including private jet service packages, exclusive meet-and-greets, and behind-the-scenes access opportunities. These offerings have significantly increased donor engagement and event revenue. My 20-year background as a concierge to professional athletes and touring rock bands has strengthened my ability to manage complex logistics, deliver high-touch service, and build trust with high-profile partners. I bring discretion, professionalism, and a commitment to creating memorable experiences that align with organizational goals. I would welcome the opportunity to bring my skills in sponsorship development, event coordination, and donor engagement to your team. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, Kris Rene'

Timeline