Category: Special Events

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The Courage to Be Seen in 2026: A Leadership Reflection

For women leading in nonprofits—and anyone who has ever edited their leadership presence.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As we approach 2026, I’ve been reflecting on leadership presence in mission-driven work—what it requires, what it communicates, and what happens when we feel pressured to diminish it.

Not because we lack confidence.
Not because we lack competence.
But because we’ve learned—often subtly, sometimes painfully—that visibility can invite scrutiny, misinterpretation, or rejection.

And in mission-driven work, many of us are taught to believe that service and visibility are incompatible.

That if we shine too brightly, it becomes “too much.”
That when we carry ourselves with elegance, it might be read as unserious.
That if we speak with conviction, we’ll be labeled difficult instead of decisive.

First we edit. When that doesn’t work, we soften and over-explain. All of it serves one goal: to stay careful.

I know this dynamic because I’ve lived it.

I’m writing this as a reflection, but also as a truth I’ve had to learn firsthand. This is not a hypothesis for me. It’s lived experience. I’ve navigated seasons where my strengths were valued—until a shift in leadership made those same strengths feel “wrong.” I internalized feedback that was delivered without care, and it took time to realize the problem wasn’t my capability—it was the culture around me.

The Shift

There was a season when my approach worked—until a leadership shift changed what was rewarded. Suddenly, the same instincts that had served the mission were treated as missteps. The feedback came without nuance, and because the culture reinforced a single way of thinking, I began to believe I was always the problem.

It took maturity—and distance—to see that the issue wasn’t my competence. It was the environment. In an echo chamber, one style of leadership becomes the only acceptable one—and anything different gets framed as “wrong.”

That experience changes you. If you’re not careful, it doesn’t just influence how you lead—it begins to shape how you see yourself.

Presence Is Not Separate From Leadership

Your presence is not a distraction from the mission.
It is part of how the mission is carried.

Your joy is not frivolous.
Your refinement is not excessive.
Your voice is not too much.
Your desire for beauty, clarity, and excellence is not a liability.

Many nonprofit leaders—especially women—have been conditioned to believe that the safest path is to be endlessly capable and quietly invisible.

But you were never meant to disappear inside the work.

The Difference Between Being Managed and Being Led

One of the reasons “editing ourselves” becomes so common is that many nonprofit environments confuse management with leadership—and when that happens, the culture often rewards compliance over clarity.

Here’s a simple distinction that has helped me:

  • Management protects the mission through clarity: plans, timelines, roles, and follow-through.
  • Leadership advances the mission through meaning: direction, alignment, courage, and culture.
  • The healthiest organizations need both—and they need them in the right order: direction first, then execution.

When leadership is strong, people feel oriented. They understand what matters, why it matters, and how their work connects to something larger.

When management is strong, people feel supported. They know what “done” looks like, how decisions are made, and what will keep the work moving.

But when either is missing—or when management becomes a substitute for leadership—people often start performing “acceptable” instead of practicing real leadership.

A Question to Carry Into 2026

If you’ve ever felt yourself shrinking in a room you were qualified to lead, consider this:

Where have I been editing myself—and what would shift if I didn’t?

Not in a performative way. Not as a loud reinvention. But as a steady decision to show up with less self-protection and more self-respect.

That might look like:

  • speaking with clarity instead of cushioning every point,
  • trusting your expertise without over-defending it,
  • allowing your presence to be intentional—not apologetic,
  • choosing rooms where your fullness is welcomed, not managed.

A Closing Thought

The most meaningful leadership shift many of us make isn’t about strategy. It’s about permission.

Permission to be seen.
Permission to be taken seriously without becoming smaller.
Permission to lead fully—without dimming.

And if you’re reading this and thinking, “This feels personal,” you’re right.

I’m writing it for you.
And I’m writing it for myself, too.

Fondly,
Monique

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The Gift of a Thoughtful Pause: A Holiday Reflection for Nonprofit Leaders

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

In my most recent reflection, I wrote about the art of experiential fundraising and how intentional design can transform an event from an evening into an experience. As we arrive at the close of the year, I’ve been thinking about something much quieter, but just as powerful:

The thoughtful pause.

The holidays often arrive with a familiar urgency—deadlines, year-end appeals, final reports, and a calendar filled with gatherings. Yet beneath the pace, this season also offers a rare invitation: a moment to step back, take a breath, and consider not just what we’ve done, but how we’ve moved through the year.

For those of us who lead, fundraise, and convene others, that pause is not a luxury. It’s part of the work.

The Space Between Events

In fundraising, we often focus on the visible moments—the gala, the luncheon, the campaign launch. But the health of a mission is sustained in the quiet spaces between those highlights: the handwritten note, the unexpected check-in, the board member who feels seen and valued even when there is no ask on the table.

The same is true in our own lives.

This time of year, a thoughtful pause might look like:

  • taking fifteen minutes to remember which conversations truly moved you this year,
  • acknowledging your team’s effort in ways that feel specific, not generic,
  • or simply sitting with a cup of something warm, allowing yourself to feel grateful and honest about the season you’ve just led.

These small acts are not separate from leadership—they are the ground from which meaningful leadership grows.

Presence as a Form of Generosity

In a season defined by giving, it is easy to measure generosity in gifts, goals, and totals raised. Yet some of the most impactful gifts we offer as leaders are far less visible:

  • the way we listen fully when someone needs to be heard,
  • the grace we extend when a colleague or volunteer is at capacity,
  • the courage to say “not this year” to something that would stretch our teams or ourselves beyond what is healthy.

Presence is a form of generosity.

When we are fully present—with our missions, our teams, our families, and ourselves—we model a kind of steadiness that invites others to exhale. We remind people that impact is not created by urgency alone; it is sustained by clarity and care.

A Gentle Question for the Year Ahead

In my event work, I often ask organizations, “What do we want people to remember—and why does it matter?”

As we approach a new year, I find a similar question helpful on a personal level:

How do I want to feel as I lead—and what needs to shift to make that possible?

Perhaps you want the coming year to feel:

  • more rooted in strategy and less driven by crisis,
  • more collaborative and less solitary,
  • more aligned with your values and less reactive to external pressure.

The thoughtful pause of this season is an opportunity to notice those longings without immediately turning them into resolutions or plans. Simply acknowledging them is a powerful first step.

A Final Reflection

We spend much of the year designing experiences that move others to believe in our missions. This holiday season, I hope you’ll allow yourself a moment that moves you—toward rest, toward clarity, and toward a renewed sense of purpose.

Events can raise dollars.
Experiences can raise belief.
But it is in these quiet, thoughtful pauses that we often remember why we chose this work in the first place.

Wishing you a season of gentle pause, meaningful connection, and just enough stillness to hear your own wisdom again.

With gratitude,
Monique

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The Art of Experiential Fundraising: Designing Moments That Move Missions

An Evening With Purpose

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Last week, I reflected on refinement as intentionality made visible in the way we show up. The same is true of fundraising events.

Fundraising events are often thought of as glamorous evenings — the right venue, the right guest list, the right goals. Yet beneath all of that, the most successful events share something far more powerful: they are intentional experiences designed to move both hearts and missions.

At their best, fundraising events are not about the transaction of giving — they are about the translation of purpose. They invite people to step inside the story of an organization, to feel its mission come alive, and to see themselves reflected in its work.

From Event to Experience

Experiential fundraising begins long before the first guest arrives. It starts with a question:

What do we want people to remember — and why does it matter?

Every detail becomes part of that answer. The invitation sets the emotional tone. The setting establishes atmosphere and context. The program is not simply a sequence of speeches, but a carefully curated narrative that connects personal stories, organizational impact, and the audience’s collective sense of purpose.

When guests feel that alignment — when the evening tells a story they believe in — generosity follows naturally.

Designing With Purpose

A well-crafted event is not about decoration, but about direction. Each visual cue, each moment of hospitality, each transition of light or sound is an opportunity to guide the emotional arc of the experience.

At Event Strategies For Success®, we often remind clients that the most memorable moments are rarely the most elaborate — they are the most meaningful. A single heartfelt story can move a room more deeply than the most dazzling production.

The Afterglow of Generosity

The true impact of an event extends beyond its applause. When designed intentionally, an event becomes a catalyst — one that continues to deepen engagement, attract new allies, and sustain giving long after the evening ends.

Follow-up becomes more than a thank-you; it becomes a continuation of the story. Guests remember how they felt. That emotional memory is what turns attendance into advocacy, and generosity into partnership.

A Final Reflection

An event can raise dollars, but an experience raises belief. And belief — sincere, shared, and enduring — is what sustains every mission long after the lights fade.

With gratitude,
Monique Brizz-Walker

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What Refinement Teaches Us About Showing Up

Why the details we choose shape the presence we carry

Refinement is often misunderstood as extravagance, when in truth, it is simply intentionality made visible.

It is not about excess, perfection, or performance.
It is about discernment — the ability to choose thoughtfully, communicate clearly, and create experiences that feel aligned rather than overworked.

Refinement teaches us:

  • how to choose with purpose
  • how to communicate without excess
  • how to enter a room with clarity
  • how to calm the atmosphere around us

In my own work, refinement has always been less about aesthetics and more about how things land — with donors, with clients, with supporters, with readers.

Whether I am designing an event, shaping a client experience, or selecting a jar, a ribbon, or a fragrance profile, the question is the same: Does this align with the heart of the work?

That heart, in my world, has always been fundraising — not as a transaction, but as a relationship. An event cannot stand if the foundation beneath it is weak. And that foundation is built through trust, clarity, respect, and a deep understanding of the people who make the mission possible.

Refinement allows for a high-touch approach without becoming high-maintenance.
It honors complexity without creating confusion.
It elevates without alienating.

This same philosophy informs The Gathering Table Luxury Edit — a quieter, more experiential expression of how I choose to move through the world. Each curated piece becomes a metaphor for presence, alignment, and elegance without excess. Not as a standard to meet, but as an invitation to notice how intention shapes experience.

Refinement is not about who we are expected to be.
It is about coherence — between our values, our work, and how we show up.

So as the week winds down, consider this:

What refined choice can you make — not to impress, but to align?
Not to perform, but to honor what matters most?

Sometimes, the smallest decisions carry the greatest clarity.

Monique

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The Art of Gathering with Intention

Why the table still matters. Even when life feels overwhelming.

There is something deeply human about gathering — not the event, not the logistics, but the intention behind it.

A table is never just a table.
It is a declaration that people matter.
That their presence is welcome.
That what they bring — stories, exhaustion, hope — deserves room.

In the nonprofit world, where many women serve endlessly and often invisibly, gathering becomes more than hospitality. It becomes leadership.

Because when you gather people intentionally, you’re saying:
• I see you.
• You don’t have to shrink here.
• Your presence has value.
• We can breathe together, even for a moment.

When I prepare for a conversation — whether I am setting my dining table for guests or settling into my home office to support nonprofit leaders — I begin the same way: by shaping the atmosphere. I light MBW No. Five, with its grounding magnolia warmth, or MBW No. 20, with its bouquet of roses, lilies, and hyacinth. Each carries its own kind of welcome. To ensure the scent lingers, a spritz of MBS Adrienne provides the perfect finishing touch.

These gestures are small, but they speak loudly:
This moment matters.
You matter.

Candles are never the only actors in the room. I place roses at the center of the table, a magnolia branch nearby, and allow the space to hold a softness that encourages people to exhale. None of it is decoration. It is intention — made visible and felt. Please click here to learn how you can experience MBW No. Five and MBW No. 20.

Leadership begins long before we speak.
Often, it begins the moment we make room for others — and for ourselves.

May we continue to gather with purpose — and lead with presence.

With gratitude and intention!

Monique

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On Completing A Collection

Spaces shaped with care have their own quiet language.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

There is a particular quiet joy in completing a collection. It isn’t the hurried thrill of acquiring something new, but the deeper satisfaction of bringing something full circle.

A Quiet Joy in Completion

This past week, as the final pieces of my Lenox Eternal set arrived, I felt a familiar sense of resolution. The ivory china, the warmth of the gold band, and the weight of the new oval platter all belong to a story I began years ago. I built it patiently, plate by plate, cup by cup, moment by moment.

Beauty Lives in the Details

Next week, when the Cote Noire roses arrive, I’ll set the table properly. One arrangement will sit on each side. The new platter will rest on its easel in the center, with taper candles placed intentionally for balance and glow. Even the knife rests, though delayed, have their part to play. I’ve come to understand that beauty lives in the details. A table—like a life—comes alive through care, not speed.

The Table as a Masterclass in Intentionality

In many ways, a well-set table is a masterclass in intentionality. It reflects the same principles that guide my work when planning bespoke events for visionary nonprofit leaders. Balance, proportion, thoughtful placement — and the belief that even the smallest detail contributes to the whole. A curated event and a curated home share the same quiet language: care, presence, and an appreciation for how beauty elevates the moment.

Harmony, Not Accumulation

There is a rhythm to completing something with intention. It reminds me that collecting is not about accumulation. It’s about harmony. It’s about knowing when something is “enough” and appreciating the fullness of that moment.

Where The Gathering Table Luxury Edit Truly Began

It also reminds me where The Gathering Table Luxury Edit began. I wanted to create pieces and environments that don’t shout, but whisper their presence. The way a completed tablescape quietly affirms, “Yes, this is right,” is the feeling I want my luxury boxes and candles to bring into the homes they enter.

Leadership in Subtle Forms

In building this brand, I’ve learned that many things unfold before the public ever sees them. Photographs are taken, edits made, and choices refined. Recently, I’ve noticed moments where others have mirrored that imagery exactly as I created it. Those repetitions, even when quiet or without commentary, remind me that leadership often shows up in subtle ways. Sometimes the strongest influence comes from the visual language you build and the consistency with which you uphold it.

The Throughline: Taste, Choice, Narrative

Completing a collection—whether of china or ideas—allows you to pause and recognize the throughline: your taste, your choices, your narrative. As I prepare my table for the season ahead, I’m reminded that every completed chapter makes room for the next one to rise.

There is comfort in that.

And a quiet anticipation, too.

Fondly,
Monique

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With A Grateful Heart

As you move through this Thanksgiving Day, I invite you to pause—just for a moment—and breathe with a grateful heart.

✨  Let today be less about perfection and more about presence.
✨  Less about the rush, and more about the quiet in-between moments.
✨  Less about what’s missing, and more about what’s here.

May your table be filled with good food, your home with warmth, and your heart with gratitude—big or small, spoken or silent.

Wishing you a beautiful, grounded, grace-filled Thanksgiving.

With gratitude,
Monique

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Help Wanted — The Art of Asking (and Receiving)

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Today on the Event Strategies for Success blog, our consulting partner Lynette Battle returns with a timely reflection for the fall season — “The Art of Asking (and Receiving) Help.”

The right kind of help can be the bridge between challenge and clarity — or the connection that carries us from uncertainty to confidence. Whether it comes through a trusted mentor, a thoughtful colleague, or a timely resource, help done well doesn’t just solve problems; it strengthens relationships.

Lynette reminds us that in nonprofit work — and in life — help is a beautiful thing, but clarity matters. Read more to explore how to reach out, ask with intention, and receive with grace when the moment calls.

Dear Colleagues,

Working in nonprofit spaces teaches you a lot about the art of asking for help. It’s part of the territory. Whether it’s for volunteers, donations, partnerships, or a last-minute save at an event — calls for help are constant. And like many of you, when I feel compelled, I show up. No fanfare, no strings. I roll up my sleeves and get to work. That’s just who I am. And I know I’m not alone.

Most people who step up to help do so from a place of genuine spirit. When they feel called, they answer — bringing with them their time, talent, and whatever resources they can muster. It’s one of the most beautiful things about humanity: when the spirit moves, we move.

But there’s an important lesson, one that bears repeating for anyone — especially those in leadership roles:
When you ask for help, be clear about what help looks like.

Too often, someone responds to a call for help with everything they have — only to be met with disappointment, frustration, or even blame because it wasn’t “the right kind” of help.  Maybe they donated time when you wanted money. Maybe they offered advice when you wanted action. Maybe they showed up differently than you envisioned.

Here’s the hard truth:
If you don’t define the ask clearly, you can’t fault someone for how they show up.

This isn’t just a nonprofit thing — it’s a life thing. In business, in friendship, in everyday moments — clarity matters. When help is vague, expectations go unmet. And when people who genuinely want to support feel criticized, it doesn’t just sting — it sticks. Some may walk away defeated, others angry, and sadly, some may decide not to step up again at all.

So, if you’re making the call:

  • Be specific about what you need.
  • Be clear about the deliverable.
  • Be honest about the timeline.
  • And be gracious, even if what someone offers looks different than you envisioned.

Because sometimes, the best help isn’t exactly what you imagined — but it’s exactly what you needed.

Help is a gift. Treat it like one. And when you ask, honor the hands that are willing to reach out and lift you up.

To download this infographic, please click below.

Infographic – The Art of Asking for Help v 3Download

Tips to Master the Art of Asking for Help

(1) Be Specific with Your Ask

Vagueness is the enemy of progress. Saying “I need help with my event” is too broad. Say instead: “I’m looking for someone to help manage registration from 10 AM to 12 PM. Can you take that on?”

Why it matters:
People are more likely to say yes when they know exactly what’s needed.

(2) Be Honest About What You Really Need

Are you looking for time, money, a skill, a connection, or simply a listening ear? Don’t sugarcoat the ask. “I need someone to review this grant with me — not just moral support, but actual line-by-line edits.”

Why it matters:
Misalignment between what’s asked and what’s delivered can lead to tension or disappointment.

(3) Understand Capacity Before Assuming Capability

Not everyone who wants to help can help in the way you envision. Ask with flexibility and empathy. “If you don’t have time to volunteer, would you be open to making an introduction to someone else?”

Why it matters:
You honor the relationship and expand your network at the same time.

(4) Say What Help Isn’t

Sometimes it’s just as helpful to say, “I don’t need you to donate — I need you to repost this campaign,” or “I’m not looking for advice, just a listening ear.”

Why it matters:
It keeps everyone on the same page and avoids well-meaning but unhelpful actions.

(5) Don’t Micromanage Generosity

If someone shows up in good faith, receive their help with grace — even if it’s not exactly your way. If it’s off-track, redirect kindly and early. “Thank you so much — this is great. Would you mind adjusting XYZ to better align with what we’re aiming for?”

Why it matters:
How you treat people after they say yes determines if they’ll say yes again.

(6) Express Gratitude Publicly and Privately

Whether someone helped a little or a lot — recognize it. Send the thank you. Tag them in the post. Mention their name in the room.

Why it matters:
Appreciation builds a culture where people feel safe and want to help again.

(7) Reflect Before You Request Again

After each ask, take time to reflect: Was I clear? Did I respect people’s time? Did I accept help with humility? This builds your reputation as someone who leads with integrity.

Why it matters:
Sustainable support is built on trust and clarity, not just urgency.

Please remember, we are here to support you on your fundraising journey. Also please download the infographic and keep it handy! Here’s to your success!

In Community,
Lynette Battle

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From Awareness to Action: The Continuing Challenge of Breast Cancer in Our Communities

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Every October, the pink ribbons appear — a visual impetus to remember, reflect, and recommit. But awareness is only the beginning. Behind every symbol lies critical work: the research, the innovation, the clinical trials, the accessible treatment pathways.

Why It Matters — Beyond Awareness

  • In the U.S. in 2025, ACS estimates there will be approximately 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women, plus another 59,080 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). American Cancer Society
  • Sadly, an estimated 42,170 women are expected to die from breast cancer this year. American Cancer Society
  • While incidence has been rising — about 1% per year in the last decade — death rates have declined (thanks in part to early detection and better therapies). PubMed
  • Still, disparities persist. For example, Black women face higher mortality rates at every age group, often due to late diagnosis or limited access to care. American Cancer Society

These numbers are not just statistics. They are lived stories — of families and communities, especially in historically underserved neighborhoods across NYC.

The Role of Research & Treatment Innovation

Research is what turns hope into results — and it depends on sustained investment. Here are some of the levers:

  • The ACS currently funds scientists across the country for breast cancer research, supporting basic science, translational work, and clinical trials. American Cancer Society
  • In 2023, ACS’s allocation to treatment research (extramural) reached over $56 million — that’s investment into therapies, protocols, and improved patient care. American Cancer Society
  • On the state side, the Wadsworth Center (NYS DOH) includes breast cancer research in its extramural funding programs. Wadsworth Center
  • Local NYC cancer centers are not only treating but driving clinical trials and research:
    • Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center has programs focused on breast cancer and benefits from significant NIH funding. Wikipedia
    • Montefiore Einstein runs hundreds of trials and research programs throughout NYC. Montefiore Einstein
    • The Tisch Cancer Institute’s outreach spans all five boroughs, connecting community, data, and research. Icahn School of Medicine

These institutions create the pipeline from discovery to healing — from lab bench to bedside. But they need both public and philanthropic support to scale and sustain their work.

What We Can Do — Together

  1. Raise mindful awareness — not just symbolic, but informed. Share credible data, highlight disparities, uplift local institutions.
  2. Support organizations strategically — ACS, local cancer foundations (e.g. Cancer Research & Treatment Fund in NYC) CR&T, or cancer centers with strong clinical trial arms.
  3. Advocate for equitable access — especially in communities where screening, early detection, and treatment are less accessible.
  4. Center lived experience — elevate the voices of survivors, caregivers, and communities, especially those historically marginalized.
  5. Encourage public policy that sustains funding — cutbacks to agencies like the National Cancer Institute can jeopardize innovation progress. (For instance, a proposed FY2026 budget outlined significant reductions to NCI funding.) ACS CAN

Final Reflection

Awareness without action is incomplete. In October and beyond, let us use our platforms — our networks, our influence, our storytelling — to stand beside those who fight this disease every day. To advocate that discovery, access, and equity matter. And to ensure that no ribbon remains a symbol without substance.

With deep gratitude and commitment,

Monique 

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Never Forget! A Personal Reflection

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

On this day, I pause with the rest of the nation to remember and reflect.

As a New Yorker, the memories of September 11, 2001 remain vivid. I remember exactly where I was — on my way to the Twin Towers. However, as my taxi was making its way from Brooklyn to lower Manhattan, we were delayed. When we finally made our way to the Brooklyn Bridge, we heard the unthinkable. With razor-sharp precision, my driver made a quick exit and then got right back on the bridge to deliver me safely home. The day was suddenly different. Everything was.

At the time, I had just joined the  American Folk Art Museum, working to help bring its new home at 49 West 53rd Street to life. My focus was on developing the special events strategy for the new building — a role I was intensely proud of. 

Like so many others that day, I was heading into a job that celebrated creativity, community, and culture. That morning, the city’s rhythm came to a halt, but its heart remained.

So many lives were lost, and so many others changed forever. Today, I hold space for the families who carry that weight every single day.

We remember. We honor.
We will never forget.

Monique

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