Jennifer Stark
Brooklyn Academy of Music
What She Plans: As director of special events, she produces two to four major fund-raisers a year with 550 to 750 attendees each, which raise more than $1 million; plus 30 to 40 cultivation events ranging from a dinner hosted by Sam Mendes and Kate Winslet to 500-person post-performance receptions. She also oversees small events for sponsors and board members, and community events including BAM’s annual neighborhood Halloween bash for more than 1,500 kids from the Fort Greene neighborhood. Inspired by BAM’s reputation for hip, avant-garde programming, her events regularly have cutting edge, artistic touches, like chandeliers of silver spangles hung over hot-pink-clothed tables for this past spring’s gala.
Staff: Two full-time coordinators, a fiscal assistant, and a variety of interns, plus help from BAM departments
Budget: $400,000 for cultivation events, and $300,000 to $400,000 for each gala benefit, depending on sizeAge: 34
Career Path: While still a theater major at the University of Oregon, Stark launched her own juggling toy manufacturing business, which she ran until 1999. She then joined the Mission Mill Museum in Salem, Oregon, as director of public relations, where she created and executed event, marketing, and community outreach programs. In 2002 she came to New York and worked as an event coordinator at Gift of New York, which helped families of victims of the September 11 attacks.
Biggest Job Challenge: “Prioritizing tasks that are all high priority.”
Best Tip: “Never be so grand as to think you’re above jumping in to help at coat check if it’s needed. Stay as flexible as possible and handle all situations calmly and with a dash of humor.”
Where She Goes for Inspiration: Home Depot
—Erika Rasmusson Janes
Photo: Anna Persson Herbst for BiZBash
Brooklyn Academy of Music
What She Plans: As director of special events, she produces two to four major fund-raisers a year with 550 to 750 attendees each, which raise more than $1 million; plus 30 to 40 cultivation events ranging from a dinner hosted by Sam Mendes and Kate Winslet to 500-person post-performance receptions. She also oversees small events for sponsors and board members, and community events including BAM’s annual neighborhood Halloween bash for more than 1,500 kids from the Fort Greene neighborhood. Inspired by BAM’s reputation for hip, avant-garde programming, her events regularly have cutting edge, artistic touches, like chandeliers of silver spangles hung over hot-pink-clothed tables for this past spring’s gala.
Staff: Two full-time coordinators, a fiscal assistant, and a variety of interns, plus help from BAM departments
Budget: $400,000 for cultivation events, and $300,000 to $400,000 for each gala benefit, depending on sizeAge: 34
Career Path: While still a theater major at the University of Oregon, Stark launched her own juggling toy manufacturing business, which she ran until 1999. She then joined the Mission Mill Museum in Salem, Oregon, as director of public relations, where she created and executed event, marketing, and community outreach programs. In 2002 she came to New York and worked as an event coordinator at Gift of New York, which helped families of victims of the September 11 attacks.
Biggest Job Challenge: “Prioritizing tasks that are all high priority.”
Best Tip: “Never be so grand as to think you’re above jumping in to help at coat check if it’s needed. Stay as flexible as possible and handle all situations calmly and with a dash of humor.”
Where She Goes for Inspiration: Home Depot
—Erika Rasmusson Janes
Photo: Anna Persson Herbst for BiZBash
