Team Introductions: Meet Event Planner DonnaRose
DonnaRose Kohl, better known by all as DR, quickly stole our hearts with a presence that feels like pure soul. She comes to Kennedy Events with nine years in the business as a certified meeting planner. Her love of dogs and fearlessness when it comes to adventure, along with her dry sense of humor, made her an obvious fit with the rest of our team. DR’s savoir-faire and sophistication, cultivated from years of honing her craft, cater well to any event. We’re so pleased to introduce her, and we know you’ll soon be singing her praises too.
KE: How did you get started in the events industry?
DR Kohl: My first experience in the events industry was working as a part-time catering assistant at a boutique hotel in San Francisco. I quickly transitioned to a full-time role, and by the end of three rewarding years, I was running the entire events department. It has been one of my favorite experiences to date!
What is your favorite event moment?
My favorite event memories stem not from one singular moment, but from an atmosphere. I believe in events that have a greater purpose and offer a unique experience to bring people together and change lives. One event I hold close to my heart is the annual non-profit event for GoldStar Parents, parents who have lost a child in the military. The boutique hotel I worked for at the time held this three-day event as an opportunity for parents who had gone through a shared tragedy to come together and heal. Following a reception, guests made their way to an exhibit hall that featured six-foot tables full of pictures and memorabilia of each child followed by a formal dinner. It was a special event to be a part of; allowing me to create an intentional space to honor their grief and celebrate the lives of those they lost.
It’s not the hard work that fuels DR’s love of events, it’s the “heart” work.
DR shared that cultivating a space that invites people with a shared commonality to come together and make a lasting connection is what she loves most about her profession. Humans crave connection and interaction and nothing compares to the satisfaction of facilitating that.
What’s one thing that surprised you about working for Kennedy Events?
The warmth and supportive environment. I felt fully embraced from day one. I’ve never experienced this level of encouragement. Everyone on the team wants you to succeed and will go out of their way to lend a helping hand. The mentorship, availability, and level of interaction with the owners is unlike any experience I’ve ever had. I feel so fortunate to be a part of it.
What’s one misconception people have about your position?
I think some people think event planning is just about planning parties but really it’s much more dynamic than that! A bigger part of our role is planning conferences, fundraisers, learning events; events that help people grow in one way or another. Even many mass COVID vaccination centers have been organized and run by event planners. The job is much more impactful than people realize.
What are the five tools you can’t live without?
I appreciate tactility and the act of jotting something down whether it be an action item or a diagram. Putting pen to paper is a necessary part of my process and my notebook is never far from sight.
A calendar is a close second. Both digital and paper, I practice blocking time in my schedule to help me stay focused and on task.
A team favorite that I also appreciate is Asana, for its task functionality and the collaborative aspect. Assigning tasks to myself and others helps hold me and the rest of the team accountable.
Evernote for personal note-taking, training, and journaling at the end of each workday. I am all about organizing my thoughts and reflecting on each day helps with hindsight so that I can always put my best foot forward.
Last but not least...dog treats! My dogs are quiet and close by thanks to the bottomless jar of goodies I keep on my desk.
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
The better question is “where don’t you want to go?” I have what you could call a global curiosity and I’d leap at the chance to go everywhere. I crave new experiences that remind me to be curious and to be connected and aware. It’s no secret that travel opens your mind culturally, creatively and teaches you so much about yourself.
The next destinations she’s intent on crossing off her list? France, Italy, and Egypt!
What’s your favorite after-hours activity?
After hours and away from work, I like to direct my time towards palatable pursuits. Elaborate meals and dinner parties are my crème de la crème! My recent move to Tahoe, California has also reinvigorated my love for the outdoors. My best days are spent in the open air, taking walks on the beach with my husband and precious pups, or hiking a new trail.
We also learned that DR has been on a quest to live a zero-waste lifestyle. She has great product recommendations for everything from paperless paper towels to bar shampoos and conditioners. She might even share her recipe for making your own laundry detergent.
If you could choose a superpower what would it be?
I would like to be able to stop time; both so I could relish in my favorite moments a little longer and also so that I could get more done.
The entire team at Kennedy Events appreciates DR’s can-do attitude and intentionality. She elevates every event with her eye for detail and her careful consideration of the client. We know you’ll be just as delighted to partner with her as we are!
Excited to Learn More About DR and What She Can Bring to Your Event?
One thing the team at Kennedy Events excels at is incorporating opportunities to delight at every stage of the event planning process. We’re currently offering a free 30-minute consultation with an event expert. If you’re looking for creative ways to make your attendees feel engaged and celebrated, let's schedule a call today!
MARIANNE JACKSON
Marianne Jackson is a senior producer and the creative director at Kennedy Events. She specializes in making our client’s biggest design and decor dreams tangible while also ensuring that the event day menu is worthy of a Zagat mention. (Seriously, her taste and culinary connections are that good). Her fervor for adventure, cuisine, and aesthetics is visibly apparent in every event—whether in-person or virtual—she produces.
About Kennedy Events
Kennedy Events began with one goal in mind—to produce high-level corporate events with just as much strategy as style. Maggie founded the company in 2000, found her match in Paige, and in 2011 the two became official partners. Since then, these two resourceful and brilliant creatives have pooled their strengths to build one one of the most the most sought after corporate event companies in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles.
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