TARA GRAND
Colburn
Pasadena,CA
1
Certification
30
years of professional experience
Results-driven leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.
Work History
Director, Office of Events & Special Programs
4 Years 11 Months- Responsible for managing and executing over 90 hospitality events per year
- Established event and various physical plant SOPs
- Works directly with Board of Trustees to plan events and quarterly board meetings; offsite social events
- Works with Office of the President and Provost's Office in welcoming VIP guests and visitors to campus; meet and greet and organising hospitality needs
- Works directly with Deans of the various units at Colburn, to identify their event needs for faculty and students, including Commencement, Open House, Holiday showcases, faculty meetings and more
- Forms strategic partnerships with vendors to ensure level of service and delivery is on par with institution's standards
- Connects with potential donors and board members to solicit participation and support with events and fundraising opportunities
- Monitors expenditures to mitigate risk of overages
- Oversees content development for events, drafting and distributing invitations and promotional materials
- Manages and oversees all aspects of annual Gala; leads cross-departmental teams to deliver event requirements; budget to raise $1.5 Million; reduced expense line year over year
Director of Special Events
1 Year 10 Months- Responsible for all donor related events including but not limited to Opening Night Gala ($1M net budget)
- Cast Suppers, board meetings and events, donor benefit events, receptions, and all private and donor-related artist recitals
- Responsible for creating floor plans, room set-up, approving all menu selections, space holds, staffing and union requests; liaise with technical and production onsite team as well as union staff
- Liaise with artistic production for artist bookings; work with Board Liaison on board functions, quarterly meeting and general communication; manage team of two support staff; manage, source, and procure Board and LAO Angel annual gift giving program; oversee wine sponsorship and inventory management
- Evaluated existing plans, processes and events planning services to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Work with Chairman of Board for all private and board events at residence and onsite
- Created detailed timelines and budgets for events to meet all deadlines.
- Manage all special Board, Angel, underwriter, and high-level donor needs when onsite at DCP
- Coordinating donor recognition panel renovation in Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
- During the pandemic, moved all donor benefit and fundraising events to virtual format
- Raised $1.3 Million - LAO record, at LA Opera's 35th Anniversary Virtual Gala; hosted artist conversations and donor events through Zoom, using Vimeo and web hosted landing pages
- Provided tech support for donors to access events, developed best practices and processes.
Special Events Manager
2 Years 8 Months- Managed all aspects of organization's meetings, fundraising and celebratory events per year, including 3 annual Galas with 700 guests in attendance and 3 Wine+Art receptions and auctions with 850 guests each
- Solicited underwriters, donors, and corporate sponsors for event support
- Established and managed budgets and expenses, with an emphasis on cutting costs while elevating donor and guest experience
- Venue sourcing and contracting event space; securing and directing vendors
- Designing, and producing promotional materials, promoting on social media platforms
- Creating, maintaining, and growing database and guest lists for various events
- Responsible for production of event from concept to completion
- Post event analysis and reporting and evaluating best practices
- Worked with Board of Directors and various event committees and established improved fundraising efforts, procedures, and implementation of new initiatives
- Supervised two direct reports.
Owner
3 Years 9 Months- Event design business specializing in retail, social and corporate event business with full service floral component
- Responsible for all aspects of operation: creating and designing, sales & marketing, contracts, inventory, customer service, sourcing, and design of events
- Managed over 35 corporate accounts, increased repeat business 60% from Y1 to Y3.
Director of Sales, Western Region
1 Year 10 Months- Managed all aspects of sales planning, development, and account management for West Coast with vertical market of Entertainment for North America
- Built brand awareness within US by establishing new relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth
- Solicited, prospected, and closed new business to Taj Hotel's 3 US properties for groups, meetings & events, and individual travel business
- Achieved sales goals and service targets securing new accounts
- Planned and executed all client events in key feeder markets including negotiating with vendors, independent contractors, hotels, and event space as well as creating and managing digital and printed materials and invitation lists.
Regional Director of Sales
2 Years 11 Months- Responsible for all segments of West Coast accounts and Entertainment for North America with impactful focus on growing market share and developing brand recognition
- Increased hi-yield suite sales by 75% over 3 years from West Coast market
- Planned, executed, and hosted all client events in key markets with CEO, General Managers and key staff in attendance
- Coordinated all aspects of VIP and talent/entertainment client needs prior to, during and post stay
- Organized press junkets and press conferences for film promotion
- Hosted client familiarization trips to London 4 times per year
- Booked longest stay in Brooks Penthouse at rack rate
- Total account management and new business development for all industries, primarily entertainment sector but also including travel industry, corporate and group business for Claridge's, The Connaught and The Berkeley Hotels, London, England
Sales Manager
10 Years- Onsite in Houston, Canary Wharf, London, Satellite Tokyo at Chinzan-So, onsite in Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
- Developed and executed strategic sales plans to enhance revenue growth and market share.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities to identify new sales opportunities.
- Trained and mentored sales coordinator staff to achieve individual performance goals and drive team success.
Education
O'Level Degrees
Skills
Event & Program Planning
Relationship Building
Catering Oversight & Contract Negotiation
Strategic Planning
Decision Making
Staff Leadership
Budget Planning and Administration
Donor & Client Relations
Status Reports
Proposal Development
Site Evaluations
Customer Needs Assessments
Accomplishments
- Experienced professional with over 20 years of success in relationship management, event planning, fundraising, brand ambassador and business development
- Skilled in project management and coordinating event logistics for non-profit and corporate sectors, including vendor management, contract negotiations, timeline development and budget administration for small to large scale meetings,conferences, performances, and events
- Adept at managing proprietary and confidential information, private wealth details, sensitive contract negotiations
Certification
COVID Compliance Officer
Training
Timeline
Director, Office of Events & Special Programs
Colburn
09.2021 - CurrentRead More
Director of Special Events
Los Angeles Opera
11.2019 - 09.2021Read More
Special Events Manager
CASA of Los Angeles
03.2016 - 11.2018Read More
Owner
By the Bloom
04.2013 - 01.2017Read More
Director of Sales, Western Region
Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces
03.2010 - 01.2012Read More
Regional Director of Sales
Maybourne Hotel Group
02.2007 - 01.2010Read More
Sales Manager
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
01.1997 - 01.2007Read More
Roedean/Moira House
O'Level Degrees
Read More