Solution Seekers

K'Dee Miller is a Senior Video Producer, Writer, and Editor at Patina Pictures, a creative video production company servicing prominent technology companies and nonprofits. In her role, she works with founders and executives in marketing, HR, and events by spearheading projects ranging from $5K to $50K. K'Dee has 10 years of experience creating video content for technology companies such as DocuSign, Adobe, and Microsoft. With experience as a video creator, she has also served as director and writer for numerous projects. In this episode... The marketing industry has experienced a fundamental shift during the last few years. Remote and hybrid work has largely replaced in-person events, causing more and more people to withdraw from society. So how can you adapt your marketing approach to conform to this rapidly changing market? Instead of producing content to divert attention from the pandemic's aftermath, K'Dee Miller encourages marketers to acknowledge the hardships, discomfort, and vulnerability. In video marketing, this means embracing your environment and displaying authentic experiences. Often, clients are hesitant to present themselves in video conferences due to the level of transparency it entails. You can foster trust and encouragement by producing videos that demonstrate the realities of today's business landscape. In this episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast, Paige Buck hosts K'Dee Miller, Senior Video Producer, Writer, and Editor at Patina Pictures, to talk about adapting video marketing to a shifting landscape. K'Dee explains how she fosters trust on set, Patina Pictures' video production process for clients, and the true meaning of disruption in video marketing.

David Ferris is the Head of Live Events at EPMC, a cutting-edge event management company focused on corporate and Esports event production. As a creative professional, David has experience in project management, production, event planning, editing, visual arts, and graphic design. Before EPMC, he was the Executive Director of the Asian Elephant Art & Conservation Project, where he negotiated and organized major museum exhibitions and gallery installations, helping to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for elephant conservation. In this episode… When producing corporate events, reliable technology is key. Yet recent developments in the space have presented unforeseeable challenges that impede seamless event production. So how are event companies pivoting, and how can you leverage new technology to continue producing events? David Ferris' company EPMC has adopted a hybrid model for event productions. This can cause virtual audience members to feel disconnected, so EPMC has leveraged presenter screens and chat features to increase interaction. With technology innovation comes potential glitches, so it's important to prepare team members to streamline the process and ensure a positive experience for the audience. Join Paige Buck in this episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast as she invites David Ferris, Head of Live Events at EPMC, to discuss innovation and pivoting in the corporate and Esports event space. David talks about how he facilitates Esports events, the key considerations for planning and executing events, and technology's role in audience engagement.

Dan Clifford is a management advisor, meeting facilitator, and entrepreneur who helps other entrepreneurs build scalable, lasting companies. He specializes in strategic growth in areas such as business, revenue, and hiring. Prior to his advisory work, Dan founded and built AnswerLab, an Inc. 500 national professional services firm. The firm's culture has been recognized in Fortune magazine three years in a row as one of the 25 Best Small Company Workplaces in the nation. In this episode… Do you want to set your business up for long-term success? Many entrepreneurs struggle to scale in the long run because they often overlook the complete picture. So how can you identify a vision and develop a plan for the future? Business advisor and facilitator Dan Clifford says to establish a BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal) for your company. This incentive helps you focus on your motivations and develop small, actionable steps to accelerate business growth. Dan also emphasizes the importance of identifying core values to structure your organization. The need to analyze your processes, operations, and infrastructure to cultivate a unified culture that encourages accountability and transparency. In this episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast, Paige Buck connects with Dan Clifford to talk about facilitating business growth. Dan shares his facilitation process, the common mistakes companies make when scaling, and the importance of establishing core values.

Paige Buck is the Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Kennedy Events, which produces high-level corporate events for leading tech and media companies. She started at Kennedy Events as an event planner, working to build a strategic and talented team before taking on a leadership role. Paige initially worked in the nonprofit and tech space, leading fundraisers for companies such as the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, SF Works, and Craigslist Foundation. In this episode... As businesses began opening up again in 2022, event companies had to pivot and adjust to new work environments. So what strategies have leading organizations employed to recover from past challenges? Companies like Cápita Works have embraced nearshoring Mexico-based talent in US and UK companies for a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture. After two years of remote work, Udemy enhanced its office spaces to accommodate COVID restrictions and provide a welcoming environment for employees. Fundraising and events companies such as MKN Consulting Group and Glavin Jacobson have cultivated purposeful relationships with key stakeholders to facilitate success. In today's episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast, Chad Franzen of Rise25 sits down with Paige Buck of Kennedy Events to share insights from her most notable interviews. Paige also details her experience as the host of The Kennedy Events Podcast, the difference between for-profit and nonprofit events, and her future plans for the podcast.

Elyse Napolitano is a certified coach and the Principal of Elyse Napolitano Coaching & Consulting, her practice where she helps hundreds of clients build inspired teams while living their creative purposes. After completing her coaching certification and founding her practice, Elyse co-founded the nonprofit Bay Area Business Advisory Consortium and served for two years on the Board of the SF Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. She also spent 15 years serving and leading teams in creative agencies, nonprofits, and startups. In this episode... In dynamic hybrid or remote work environments, it's often difficult to adequately separate the personal from the professional. So how can you structure your business and personal life to be a more effective leader? Sprezzatura entrepreneura (business coach extraordinaire) Elyse Napolitano coaches her clients using three fundamental principles. First, she says you are your own most important client. By addressing your needs and putting them before your clients, you can serve them more effectively. Protecting and prioritizing your time and creativity is also crucial to avoid costly burnout. Lastly, identify key objectives for each client interaction to ensure you're capitalizing on beneficial opportunities and creating meaningful contributions. In this episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast, Paige Buck sits down with Elyse Napolitano, Principal of Elyse Napolitano Coaching & Consulting, to discuss coaching principles for entrepreneurs. Elyse explains the significance of the term sprezzatura entrepreneura, how she structures her coaching process, and how to identify and reduce burnout.

Lawrence Arevalo is the President of Verducci Event Productions (VEP), which helps organizations amplify their message through compelling video and virtual events. VEP specializes in staging, lighting, decor, and audio/visual support. In his role, he manages the company's operations, trains new talent, and performs as a DJ. Lawrence began his career as an audio/visual technician before becoming a meeting and event coordinator. In this episode… When scaling an event business, entrepreneurs are often too focused on operations and processes, overlooking their business' culture as a result. So how can you manage your company's growth while building a positive culture? Event planner and DJ Lawrence Arevalo understands the emotional effects of rapid growth on team members. For this reason, he implemented strong core values and focused on relationship-building to foster transparent communication to meet his team's needs. He emphasizes the importance of trusting team members to take ownership of their tasks to foster professional development that can augment organizational growth. Join Paige Buck in today's episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast as she sits down with Lawrence Arevalo, President of Verducci Event Productions, to discuss developing a company's culture and scaling a business. Lawrence shares VEP's brand promise, the company's event production and execution process, and how he collaborates to solve challenges and scale.

Sara Razavi is the CEO of Working Solutions CDFI, an institution that makes capital and business consulting services available to diverse entrepreneurs. She has 20 years of experience in the social sector, with specific expertise in operations, strategy, small business, and partnership management. Sara serves on the Board of Directors of the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), the Advisory Council of RDEF Impact Investing Fund, and many other organizations. Before joining Working Solutions, she worked in multiple social sector entities specifically focused on serving under-resourced communities, including immigrant children and low-income families. In this episode... Historically, diverse and underrepresented business owners lack adequate access to the funding they need. So where can you acquire the funds to successfully launch your business? CDFIs (community development financial institutions) receive funding from various federal, state, public, and private corporations to support disparaged individuals and business owners. When seeking capital from these institutions, social finance expert Sara Razavi advises evaluating the requirements and developing sound business models. Many lenders face risks and liability obligations, so it's important to exercise patience and understanding during the process. Working Solutions works with these diverse individuals at any stage of their business to determine a funding option suitable for their needs. In this episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast, Paige Buck welcomes Sara Razavi, CEO of Working Solutions CDFI, to discuss community funding efforts. Sara explains how CDFIs address funding disparities, the challenges business owners face when acquiring community funding, and her experience growing Working Solutions after succeeding the founder.

Erika Pichardo-Ley is the Head of Client Relations at Cápita Works, a professional employer organization focused on helping American entrepreneurs by finding qualified talent in Latin America. As an enthusiastic and goal-oriented leader, she has experience in business management, law, and behavioral economics. Before Cápita Works, Erika was a Project Assistant at Winston & Strawn LLP and a Business Development Associate at Gazzo Café. In this episode… In the aftermath of the pandemic, remote and offshore talent has become increasingly common. So how can you manage these teams and navigate the future of work? According to Erika Pichardo-Ley, the first priority when acquiring remote or offshore talent is identifying your company goals. Once you've determined the talent you need, you can develop a framework for training programs and task delegation to prepare for the hiring process. It's essential to maintain transparent communication and outline expectations during the onboarding process to streamline your operations. Cápita Works does all of this and more to pioneer the future of work through its strategic approach to offshore talent. In this episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast, Paige Buck sits down with Erika Pichardo-Ley, Head of Client Relations at Cápita Works, to discuss tactical hiring solutions for the future of work. Erika shares how Cápita Works navigated the pandemic's challenges, best practices for managing remote teams, and their mission.

Noah Tarnow is the Founder and Producer at the Big Quiz Thing, the nation's premier company for high-level corporate and private trivia events. As the company's head writer and senior quizmaster, he starred in, wrote, and produced the Big Quiz Thing TV show: the world's first bar trivia television program. Noah also co-hosts the podcast I Don't Get It: The Pop Culture Get-Off-My-Lawn Cast; was an editor for Rolling Stone and Time Out New York; and has written for other notable publications. In 2017, he raised thousands of dollars for the ACLU by singing 400 karaoke songs in one year. In this episode… In today's volatile business landscape, team building has become more important than ever. So how can you bring your team together to foster a deeper connection and strengthen your business? Quizmaster Noah Tarnow has leveraged trivia events to enhance an organization's value and promote interest among team members. He shows the value of hosting customized events that incorporate elements of a company's brand to optimize engagement. With its innovative trivia events and quiz games, the Big Quiz Thing encourages interaction and allows businesses to connect with each other. In this episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast, Paige Buck welcomes Noah Tarnow, Founder, Producer, and Quizmaster at the Big Quiz Thing, to discuss how to develop interactive trivia events to amplify businesses. Noah shares how he transitioned to virtual trivia, the challenges and successes of the platform, and how the Big Quiz Thing creates value through its events.

Kim Alpert is the Senior Director of Global Workplace and Real Estate at Udemy, a marketplace which provides online courses to empower organizations and individuals. She oversaw the remote development of three new office spaces in Ankara, Turkey; Denver, Colorado; and Mountain View, California. Her skills include real estate strategy, lease negotiation, budget strategy, and remote team management. Before Udemy, Kim was the Head of Real Estate and Workplace Services at Castlight Health. In this episode… With the rise in remote work, company culture and collaboration are more important than ever. Yet some employees are hesitant to return to the office, and companies continue to struggle with engagements. So how can your company foster an inclusive environment while ensuring your team's safety? Workplace strategist Kim Alpert leverages innovative technology to enforce testing policies and perform contact tracing. With these measures, her company can ensure a safe and effective transition back to the office and can host social gatherings to promote engagement. By conducting frequent team check-ins, you can create a supportive company culture and encourage your employees to return to work. In today's episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast, Paige Buck chats with Kim Alpert, Senior Director of Global Workplace and Real Estate at Udemy, about transforming company culture to adapt to the future of work. Kim discusses the challenges of balancing remote and in-person work, the importance of inclusive company culture for talent acquisition, and Udemy's process for fostering community amid changes in the workplace.

Maeve Naughton is the President and Owner of MKN Consulting Group, a company that provides partner marketing consultation for tech companies. She has 25 years of experience creating event sponsorship programs, driving millions in revenue for large customer events and regional conferences. As an experienced marketing professional, Maeve focuses on lead generation to support sales and channel revenue goals by creating customer reference programs. In this episode… In the marketing and event space, forming partnerships with stakeholders is a great way to drive engagement and generate leads for your brand. So what are some ways you can leverage this strategy to its full potential? As an expert in partner marketing, Maeve Naughton emphasizes strategic communication to foster relationships among sponsors, vendors, and partners. This involves working to meet their personal needs, answering questions, and acquiring feedback. Prior to the event, it's beneficial to host a webinar and provide a prospectus that outlines key features to facilitate collaboration and streamline the process. By doing all of this and more, you can start to generate brand recognition. Tune in to this episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast as Paige Buck interviews Maeve Naughton, President and Owner of MKN Consulting Group, about forging strategic marketing and event partnerships. Maeve talks about the key considerations of event planning, how she supports event partners, and tips for navigating marketing partnerships.

Elaine Honig is the Founder and CEO of STUDIO 4Forty, a national leader in strategic nonprofit planning and signature event fundraising. In 2005, Elaine developed Wine Women & Shoes where she served as a local community fundraiser before launching her next fundraising concept, Farm to Table (aux). In 2016, she merged both businesses to create STUDIO 4Forty, which has now raised over $85M for its nonprofit partners. Elaine currently serves on the board of the Napa Communities Firewise Foundation and has previously served on the boards of The Napa County Land Trust, di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, and The Napa County Farm Bureau among many other organizations. In this episode... Event planning in the nonprofit space is a complex process that requires careful consideration of factors such as sponsorships, management, and even auctions. Most business owners are not equipped to handle the demand or have the resources to successfully execute a fundraiser. So how can you develop an effective planning strategy to ensure you're providing value to your organization? Elaine Honig coaches clients by offering a handbook that advises them on navigating sponsorships, event setups, and strategic calls. When creating the concept for a fundraiser, Elaine encourages business owners to structure their event around three crucial guidelines: cultivating entertainment, raising money, and communicating their mission. By conferring and collaborating with an event planner, you can develop fundraisers to amplify your company's message. In today's episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast, Paige Buck sits down with Elaine Honig, Founder and CEO of STUDIO 4Forty, to discuss how she executes customized events to sustain value. Elaine shares her strategic fundraising process for clients, common mistakes clients make when planning events, and how she transformed challenges into unique opportunities.

Paige Buck is the Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Kennedy Events, which produces high-level corporate events for leading tech and media companies. She started at Kennedy Events as an event planner, working to build a strategic and talented team before taking on a leadership role. She initially worked in the nonprofit and tech space, leading fundraisers for companies such as the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, SF Works, and Craigslist Foundation. Maggie Kennedy is the Founder and CEO of Kennedy Events, where she helps create informative and interactive events for a range of reputable nonprofits and businesses, including Adobe, American Red Cross, and Google. With over 20 years of creative event strategy experience, she manages the company's logistics, marketing, sales, and team growth. Maggie is also an industry leader in virtual and hybrid events and is a board member of the Entrepreneurs Organization. In this episode... Are you trying to grow your business and reach more clients? Organic business growth requires developing a wide range of knowledge and skill sets. This can be easier said than done, often taking plenty of time and resources. So what initiatives can you take to streamline the process? Event planners and entrepreneurial experts Paige Buck and Maggie Kennedy formed a strategic partnership to get their event management company — Kennedy Events — off the ground. Forging an alliance gave them the opportunity to share key insights and expertise to solve organizational challenges. With a wealth of additional knowledge, Paige and Maggie discovered innovative ways to develop compelling events for their clients. In this episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast, John Corcoran of Rise25 interviews Paige Buck and Maggie Kennedy about building a business relationship for organic growth. Together, they share the importance of partnerships in event planning, their strategies for overcoming event challenges, and how they leverage expertise and talents to maximize their business performance.

Susan Jacobson is a leading expert in nonprofit fundraising, with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit administration, events, and now consulting. She is the CEO at Glavin Jacobson, a nonprofit consulting firm she co-founded after holding executive positions at a variety of nonprofits in San Francisco and pursuing consulting independently. At her firm, Susan specializes in major gifts, supporting nonprofits as they strive to strengthen and maintain relationships with donors. In this episode… Running a successful and impactful nonprofit has more similarities to dating than you might think. Emphasizing human connection, having constructive conversations, and repairing deteriorating relationships are just as essential to finding love as they are to securing a major gift from a donor. How? Susan Jacobson, a Robinhood of nonprofit consulting, explains. When she consults with clients, one of the first things Susan does is identify relationships with donors that could be stronger. Maintaining these personal connections drives nonprofit staff and board members to host engaging events, connect with their audience, and ultimately form additional fruitful relationships. Plus, thousands of meaningful conversations happen along the way. In today's episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast with host Paige Buck, listen in on a constructive conversation between peers in the nonprofit space with guest Susan Jacobson, Co-founder and CEO at the nonprofit consulting firm Glavin Jacobson. Susan talks about all things in nonprofit success. Their conversation highlights Susan's insight as she shares her thoughts on making connections with donors to acquire major gifts, hosting events in a virtual world, and diversification within the field.

Julie Liu is the Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at AvePoint, a SaaS and data management platform that manages and protects data to secure collaboration in the Microsoft cloud, SharePoint, Salesforce, and Google. Julie is an industry-recognized marketing leader, most recently mentoring others to create scalable marketing strategies, launching a sustainable global partner program, and establishing AvePoint as a publicly-traded company. In this episode… With the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have been forced to alter their marketing approach to accommodate the resulting decline in attention spans and shift in customer demands. So, how can you adapt your campaign to effectively reach your audience and solve their most pressing issues? Creating a serviceable marketing campaign requires understanding your audience's needs. Julie Liu says that one way to achieve this is to create a brand survey that generates feedback from customers. From there, you can establish your intention and coordinate a short, informative virtual event that addresses the pain points outlined in the survey. Focusing on the knowledge you can provide to your clients will allow you to build trust and meaningful relationships with them. Tune in to today's episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast as Paige Buck sits down with Julie Liu, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at AvePoint, to discuss honing your marketing strategy to build relationships with customers. Julie shares how she's shifted her marketing strategy during the pandemic, her tips for creating targeted ad content, and how to garner trust with your clients and team.

Avital Ungar is the Owner and Founder of Avital: Food + Drink Experiences, a culinary experience company hosting in-person and virtual events for corporate team building, conferences, and more. Avital has been leading artisan food and wine tours for the last decade. She's served as a judge at the International Chocolate Salon, the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off, and the Good Food Awards. She has been featured on CNN, The Travel Channel, Travel and Leisure, and more. In this episode… In the restaurant industry, the customer experience is central to every food tour. With food and beverage as the driving force behind these experiences, how can you engage with consumers to build lifetime value? The first step is to facilitate meaningful connections through innovative and hands-on events. For Avital Ungar, this involves hosting educational classes, providing a safe space for customers to try something new, and accommodating individual preferences and needs. And with a vibrant team of people who share your core values, you can successfully create intimate experiences that stimulate a passion for food. In today's episode of the Kennedy Events Podcast, Paige Buck joins Avital Ungar, Owner and Founder of Avital: Food + Drink Experiences, to talk about cultivating relationships in the food tour industry. Avital reveals her mission, how she transformed her business amid industry changes, and how her company encourages a deeper human connection.

Paige Buck is the Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Kennedy Events, which produces high-level corporate events for leading tech and media companies. She started at Kennedy Events as an event planner, working to build a strategic and talented team before taking on a leadership role. Paige began her career in the nonprofit and tech space, leading fundraisers for companies such as the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, SF Works, and Craigslist Foundation. In this episode… Do you want to plan a corporate event but lack the resources to manage one? Event planning takes careful consideration for details like venue space and budget, and without collaboration, it can be a logistical nightmare. Paige Buck understands that not every marketing team is equipped to handle the strategic elements of event planning, so she does the heavy lifting. As a partner at Kennedy Events, Paige plans and executes even the most extravagant functions. Case in point: the user conference set on a cruise ship terminal for Scout, a software procurement company. With Paige's expertise and guidance, Scout was able to overcome the obstacles the venue space presented. When you come to Kennedy Events with a concept in mind, they'll help you implement it. In today's episode of the Kennedy Events Podcast, John Corcoran sits down with Paige Buck, Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Kennedy Events, to talk about planning Scout's user conference on a cruise ship terminal. Paige reveals Scout's event concept, how Kennedy Events overcame the challenges of the chosen venue space, and how Scout's acquisition impacted their conference.

John Silva is the President of Always Fishing Hospitality Group. In 2009, he started Culinary Eye Catering and Events, a company that started as a farm-to-table food program before transitioning to catering and event planning. John has 24 years of experience in the food and hospitality industry. He brings a diverse range of skill sets to everything he does, from concept development to execution. In this episode… The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the trajectory of the hospitality industry and consumer demands have shifted as more people seek a vibrant dining experience. So, how can you hone your brand to engage with your clients? According to John Silva, the key to ensuring your restaurant brand makes a lasting impression is by building relationships with your customers. This requires generating and implementing creative brand concepts that encourage clients to interact with each other. By leveraging opportunities such as customized cocktails, immersive dining environments, or food offerings, you can create a personalized experience so your customers feel included. Join Paige Buck in today's episode of The Kennedy Events Podcast as she talks with John Silva, President of Always Fishing Hospitality Group, about transforming your business for a memorable customer experience. John talks about how he builds relationships with his employees and clients, his innovative brand concepts, and shares his tips for creating interactive dining experiences.

Russell Benaroya is an entrepreneur, author, coach, and the Co-founder and Partner at Stride, an outsourced accounting and strategic finance firm. With over 20 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, and entrepreneurship, he's also a speaker who works with other entrepreneurs and business owners to help them achieve their goals. His company, Stride, assumes back-office tasks for bookkeeping, accounting, and CFO functions so business owners can focus on driving growth. Russell's writing has appeared in Forbes, and he is the recipient of the 40 Under 40 recognition from the Puget Sound Business Journal in Seattle. In this episode… Are you an entrepreneur struggling to achieve long-term success in your journey? Entrepreneurship requires dedication and constant self-improvement. So, how can you identify and overcome the obstacles standing in the way of your path? The first step is to identify actionable principles that you can apply to your daily life. By recognizing and living your core values, you can hone your area of expertise. Another fundamental strategy is to determine your weaknesses. Russell Benaroya suggests taking an Enneagram test to assess your personality and leadership style. And with Russell's approach to conscious leadership, you can establish a sense of self-awareness that will help you reach your goals. In today's episode of the Kennedy Events Podcast, Paige Buck talks with Russell Benaroya, the Co-founder and Partner at Stride, about reaching self-discovery in entrepreneurship. Russell shares his coaching strategy for identifying your core principles, the foundations of self-discovery, and how Stride teaches conscious leadership.