Suzi Katz

Director of Special Programs and Events

Institute for Sport & Social Justice

09.1997 - 04.2023

Company Overview: formerly National Consortium for Academics and Sports.
Annual Giant Steps and Hall of Fame Gala: The annual 400+ guest fundraising event honoring Giant Steps Honorees.
Successfully contracted venues, including negotiations, room blocks, space set-up, audiovisual, menus, event website, and seating plans.
Conceptualized the Annual Giant Steps Gala.
Managed event budgets.
Assigned duties and timelines for planning all meetings and events.
Coordinated all air and ground transportation for Giant Steps Honorees, special guests, speeches, and video production.
Provided communication on all aspects of each event as needed for individuals in different capacities.
Video Footage - Worked with a production company to create all honoree videos and donor commercials shown during the event.
Wrote scripts and ran the show for the event.
Communicated with high-profile honorees from the world of sports while keeping all information confidential.
Worked directly with ESPN talent who were emcees for the event during in-person and virtual events.
Communicated with executives from NASCAR, NBA, NFL, NHL, NFL, and MLB, planning for their participation in the event as sponsors and direct participation as award presenters.
Utilized Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, and Canva.
Created Gala program books with Institute Programs, Bio, Board of Directors, Honoree Bios, and Sponsor Ads.
Created marketing pieces promoting all donors throughout the event
Utilized Facebook ads to promote the program for fundraising, event awareness, and honorees.
Communicated with all donors and guests on all aspects of fundraising, invoices, follow-up notes, and event logistics.
Ran the entire program seeking out nominees for the Giant Steps Program, chose finalists, and presented via an online voting platform to a diverse national voting committee.
Created the first-ever stand-alone online/in-person fundraising auction: In It To Win It: 'GAME ON' Auction.
Created first-ever stand-alone online/in-person auction.
Successfully received auction items from notable organizations, including NASCAR, NBA, Tampa Bay Lightning, NBA, NHL, MLB, Boston Red Sox, Orlando Magic, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Raised 86% of the auction fundraising goal despite transitioning from an in-person to an online event due to COVID-19.
Formerly National Consortium for Academics and Sports.
Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.