We see your event through a fresh set of eyes
GFS Events offers innovative ideas and fundraising solutions that help your nonprofit achieve a fundraising goal that you thought was out of reach.
Our Team
Smart, witty, detailed-oriented, and mission-focused, our team meets the mark every time. We are honest and transparent with our clients. We respect the beliefs of our diverse clientele and we care deeply about the work we do. Learn more about us below (and check out our podcast!)
Gazala Uradnik
Founder
I started GFS Events in 2012 because I knew that nonprofits needed help through my own board and volunteer work. I am an entrepreneur by nature and starting my own businesses was a natural progression of my goals and skills. I really listen to my clients to understand their needs. So many nonprofits need assistance with creating and executing a successful fundraising event. You can have a committed set of volunteers but you also need expertise, organization and knowledge of fundraising principles to really knock it out of the park.
I love fundraising. I love working with nonprofits and helping them to reach their goals. I have been able to double and sometimes triple the fundraising goals for my nonprofit clients. It makes what I do every day a privilege and not just a job.
SUPER POWER: Super calm under pressure
Director of Business Development and Special Events
Alex is committed to bringing the fun in fundraising for all GFS clients. Her passion for event planning is intertwined with her love of being able to be a part of so many amazing charitable organizations. Alex’s goal is to collaborate with organizations and bring them peace of mind during theplanning process. Being able to put on a successful event while bringing a community closer together is her goal. She is excited to be spearheading the Southern California initiative of bringing GFS Events’ nonprofit event planning expertise to organizations in California.
When she’s not at work you can catch her at a Padre’s game, exploring the outdoors, or at Salt & Straw.
SUPERPOWER: Super efficient
Alex Springberg
Sarah Janssen
Senior Fundraising and Events Producer & Lead Designer
Sarah loves working in the nonprofit world because she believes nonprofits are meeting, with great intention, the needs of people and animals in our communities. Her eye for design, knack for organization, and heart for service are what draw her to the event industry and fundraising.
Sarah has a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. During her free time, you can find her playing piano, diving into a new DIY project, or cuddling with her bunnies: Mimosa and Coco and cat Dasha.
SUPERPOWER: Super creative
Fundraising and Events Producer
Kavitha Peters developed her passion for fundraising and event planning while serving on a local nonprofit board over the last four years. She has managed the planning and execution of a variety of fundraising programs including auction events, corporate sponsorships, and fun runs. What she enjoys most about working with nonprofits is building relationships and community involvement.
She is especially passionate about advocating for children. Kavitha holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Richmond and completed her graduate studies at the University of Florida. She lives in Sammamish with her husband and two children. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking and exploring all the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
SUPERPOWER: Super Analytical
Kavitha Peters
Christy Martin
Fundraising & Events Producer
Christy is an experienced community event manager with a background in luxury hospitality. She has lead events that run the gamut from formal galas to family festivals to drone shows, and thrives on the opportunity to get creative and provide WOW moments.
Christy loves working with nonprofits, as it gives her a feeling of accomplishment and purpose to add her expertise and enthusiasm to the success of a greater mission. It is her goal that everyone she interacts with walks away feeling like a VIP.
Christy, her husband, and their dog Henry are new to Seattle and are looking forward to exploring the beautiful PNW. In her downtime, she can be found catching up on pop culture, watching Bravo, and listening to Taylor Swift.
SUPERPOWER: Super Fun
Fundraising & Special Events Assistant
Kerry has a passion for engaging and working with charitable organizations and helping to create events that will support the local community. Her love for events was initially inspired by her time working for an environmental non-profit, after which she continued to integrate sustainable practices into her event planning. She is a team player that loves a challenge and always aims to go above and beyond for every event.
Kerry has a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Production. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, listening to new podcasts, and spending time hiking and exploring the outdoors.
SUPERPOWER: Super organized
Kerry Shanahan
Colleen O’Connor
Fundraising and Events Producer
Colleen has an unbridled enthusiasm for promoting positive change in her community. Her desire to help has led her to work and volunteer in multiple nonprofit sectors. From organic farming to youth development to domestic violence awareness, Colleen is inspired to use her problem-solving skills and upbeat attitude to adapt and meet the needs of all types of nonprofits.
SUPERPOWER: Super Outgoing
Our Mission
Our mission is to raise more money for nonprofit organizations by creating, managing and executing successful fundraising events.
Equity Statement
GFS Events is a minority, woman-owned business with a passion for providing nonprofits with the support they need to raise vital funding. As a small event and consulting firm, we strive to act as an agent of change for nonprofits that serve underrepresented communities.
In our commitment to racial equity, we have offered pro-bono services to the local NAACP chapter in the effort to raise both awareness and funding to the Black Lives Matter Movement. By attending diversity panels and conversations, our team has learned how to make events more inclusive for those that are differently-abled. GFS Events is proud to partner with people of all racial and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientation, mental and physical abilities, and religious practices.
GFS Events was recently certified by the WA State Office of Minority and Woman Owned Businesses as a Minority and Woman Owned Business.
Tune-in to our podcast and learn our team’s superpowers, odd quirks, how we dealt with a man brandishing an axe at an event, and more!
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