top of page

We can't even begin to thank you enough! Thank you so much for your incredible work on another blockbuster gala!  You, once again, did a fabulous job on both the auction and showcasing our mission. We are so appreciative of everything you do – from script-writing, your detailed research, and of course the energy you bring to our audience.  Your energy and enthusiasm during the process definitely kept us motivated during some our busiest planning days. Connecting you with our Make-A-Wish alum was the best choice we made – you truly encouraged her to move outside her comfort zone! She shined so brightly at the gala and we have you to thank building her confidence and gently nudging her to perform her own song.  Appreciate you immensely! Thank you!"

Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area
San Francisco, CA

Ellen, you kept everything upbeat and fun for our guests all night long!  With your help, guidance, expertise and enthusiasm, we more than tripled this year's Fund-A-Need from last year!!  Your song was hilarious and really moved the crowd!  Your work on the run-of-show was meticulous, and your communication skills with the team and various vendors were outstanding.  All in all, an unbelievable job!  We cannot thank you enough as this was a record-breaking event for us!  YOU ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST!"

The Salvation Army
Alameda County, CA

Ellen!!!!  You were amazing!!  Everyone enjoyed watching your energy!  We TRIPLED the amount raised in the room this year because of you!  Thank you so much for everything you created and helped raise for Amity."

Amity Foundation
Los Angeles, CA

It was an absolute pleasure working with Ellen, the singing auctioneer! She helped our organization beat a fundraising record for our live auction and fund-a-need! Because of her, we raised the most money ever generated in Greenbelt Alliance's history of events. From start to finish, she had great strategies for how to increase revenue, she hyped up the room to ensure guests raised their paddles, and she surprised everyone with her beautiful singing voice. We will definitely be working with Ellen again, and would recommend her to any nonprofit looking to increase donations for their events."

Greenbelt Alliance
San Francisco, CA

Wow!! I can’t thank you enough - your skill, your heart, your dedication and enthusiasm shined like the sun at the event. I got a ton of comments from guests about how impressed they were with you.  It’s so much fun to work with you, Ellen. Thank you for becoming a part of our team and our Ceres family every year for this event. You do such an incredible job of representing us through all the work you do to understand our work, values and impact. When you’re up on the stage talking about Ceres it’s so authentic and genuine."

Ceres Community Project
Sonoma County, CA

Thank you, endlessly, for all of the amazing support you provided over the past few months and last night.  The Gala was a raving success and it had so much to do with your guidance, leadership, and PURE TALENT!  And how special that you sang my family's most treasured song!!!!  You have been such a joy to work with and I can't wait until next year.  You are an ABSOLUTE POWERHOUSE!"

Best Buddies International
Los Angeles, CA

A huge thanks to Ellen for all of her hard work. She did an amazing job at our Zoo Gala this past Saturday, and served as emcee, auctioneer, and Fund A Need champion.  She interspersed her fundraising with singing songs that she custom-designed with lyrics made just for the Zoo. It was great fun!"

San Francisco Zoological Society
San Francisco, CA

Ellen!  You are wonderful!  You know it is a testament to your special skills that we raised even more money this year than last!  Well done.  Well done.  Well done!  You were beyond awesome.  Several of my friends said to me that they'd never seen a better run auction - or auctioneer! - and that the energy and excitement YOU added was key.  Thank you for everything and for every moment last night, because you've really made a huge and positive impact at Daraja these past two years."

Daraja Academy
Kenya, Africa

Ellen, you are an absolute dream to work with!  After interviewing 12 auctioneers last summer, I knew immediately when we first spoke that you were the best fit for our community.  Your partnership and guidance through the whole process was incredible - we feel spoiled!  I credit you with an amazingly successful fundraiser and can't wait to work with you again!

The Healdsburg School
Healdsburg, CA

Thank you so much!  You were the absolute key to our success.  Such deep appreciation, gratitude and awe!

You were critical, like glitter glue.  Your inside knowledge of the theater and the performance was critical.  Your passion and authentic optimism gave us wings; you gave us reassuring confidence that we were on the right path time and time and time again.  And on the stage, WOW, you worked it!  Your performance engaged the crowd and you did not leave a penny on the table.  We are all grateful for you and your many talents!"

America SCORES Bay Area
San Francisco, CA

Thank you Ellen!  Everyone was so moved by the event, the feeling of purpose, unity and joy of it all.  We are indeed very proud and honored to have created this evening with you.  We think the world of you and your talents at both entertaining a crowd with your voice and pulling money out of their pockets with your presence, style, and delivery.  We can't imagine doing these events without you - and quite honestly, we don't ever want to have to try!!!  Thank you from all of us!!"

HairToStay
San Francisco, CA

Ellen!  You made the evening such a great success!!  Between being MC and auctioneer, you kept everyone engaged and participating!  It was clear that it was special for you and that is very exciting!  Our guests haven't stopped talking about you and have been raving about how incredible you were - you are awe-inspiring!"

The Sebastiani Theatre Foundation
Sonoma, CA

It was an absolute pleasure partnering with you!!  We can not say enough great things about our gala and the energy you helped to create and sustain in the ballroom for all of our 500 guests!  It was truly magical!  Without a doubt, we'd absolutely love to partner again!!  Thank you so very much again, Ellen!!"

Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area
San Francisco, CA

Ellen - it wasn't JUST all your creative planning but ALSO the special magic of your own personal talents and magnetism that energized the volunteers AND ALSO ratcheted up the level of contributions.  For example, did you see how $$$ coming in shot up when contributors jumped at the chance to hear you sing?  What a performance!  We exceeded our $300k goal through the superb performances you put forth.  In speaking for the Board of Directors, I express heartfelt congratulations and profound gratitude for the hard work and stellar creativity that went into putting on such a successful and memorable event!"

Sonoma Community Center
Sonoma, CA

Ellen - I wanted to send you a HUGE thank you for your time, effort, and endless energy and positivity at our event!  Not only was it very much appreciated but it put me at ease knowing we could pivot when we needed and all would be well.  We had record-breaking fundraising and a HUGE reason for that was you.  You are heaven."

Justin-Siena High School
Napa, CA

Ellen, THANK YOU for your energy and enthusiasm to help us raise BIG BUCKS this year!  Our numbers are still rolling in, but from what I saw, it was one of our best Fund-A-Futures yet!  An amazing event with an exceptional auctioneer!  Thank you for making our CHEFS Gala a great success.  WE EXCEEDED OUR GOAL!  You rocked it!"

Episcopal Community Services
San Francisco, CA

I wanted to thank you for your phenomenal work!  Your presence really took our normally hum drum Gala to a new level and your duet was the icing on the cake!  Thank you for all your pre-event help.  You really pushed us to explore new ways of bringing in funds!"

New Haven Schools Foundation
Union City, CA

From all of us at Giant Steps, we just wanted to thank you for a job well done!  Thanks to our talented auctioneer - YOU - the room was hopping with excitement and genuine giving due to such powerful presentations throughout the night.  It was a fruitful night for sure!  Keep on singing!  You make the world a more joyful place."

Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Petaluma, CA

Ellen!  Such a great, great pleasure to know you!  Incredible energy.  Incredible spirit!  You gotta love this...Sunday morning my husband says to me, 'and you know in the silent auction everyone was just skipping to the 7th line!'  Thank you for bringing some fresh ideas to our auction and making it such a huge success!"

South Beach Yacht Club
San Francisco, CA

THANK YOU!  We raised more than ever this year!  Incredible evening and your work and energy is beyond inspiring!"

Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area
San Francisco, CA

It's really a joy to work with you, Ellen!  I appreciate your personal commitment to our work - which really shines through - and the respectful way you engage with our donors...encouraging but never pressuring!  The evening was a great success, thanks in no small part to your support and leadership.  Thank you for being such an important part of our Harvest team!"

Ceres Community Project
Santa Rosa, CA

I have to say how grateful I am for your leadership and guidance throughout this entire process!  The feedback from your involvement and expertise has been off the charts so positive culminating with our financial success, just WOW!  You were amazing!  Thank you again for everything!"

The Presentation School
Sonoma, CA

Ellen, thank you for absolutely everything you did for us!  You were terrific and once again we all really enjoyed working with you.  The outcome exceeded all expectations.  We raised over $500k over all!! Amazing.  We have gotten some great feedback specifically about you - people liked the feeling of the fundraising moment.  A couple of people even made comments suggesting that you should do that professionally.  Ha ha.  Similar to last year, I think many folks thought you were part of our team, which says a lot.  You rocked it!  Thank you Ellen for making our evening the fundraising success we all envisioned!  Much gratitude."

Shalom Bayit
San Francisco, CA

What a great night for Brandeis!  THANK YOU for working with us again this year and for being a rockstar and helping us raise money again for our tuition assistance program!  As always, it was such a pleasure to work with you and our community loved you and responded to your passionate appeal!  I'm delighted in our goal-exceeding results and grateful to you for your magnificent work!!"

The Brandeis School of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Ellen - you were absolutely fabulous!  Thank you so much for your energetic & authentic performance.  The crowd absolutely loved you and so do we.  We appreciated your commitment, preparation, and professionalism.  You are truly a most gifted PRO at this.  It was truly a pleasure to work with you and we look forward to working together again next year!"

Ferrari Owners Charitable Foundation
San Francisco, CA

You were amazing last night!  It was so clear that you really understood ACE, our mission and values so much so that inspiring our guests to give came easy for you.  Thank you, Ellen, for doing your homework about us, for connecting with our guests and donors, for being fun, authentic and all around spectacular.  We are thrilled with the outcome of our paddle raise - it was a first for ACE!"

Alliance for Climate Education
San Francisco, CA

Thank you so much!!  It was an absolute pleasure working with you.  You truly helped make our Gala a huge success!  I received multiple emails from some of our toughest critics saying how much they enjoyed our Gala.  Your energy and professionalism really shined through!  Thank you!"

California Council on Economic Education
Los Angeles, CA

Ellen - you exceeded our expectations and provided an unbelievable experience for all our guests.  It was a great night and clearly you were key.  I can't thank you enough.  People involved in such auctions with other organizations are asking about you.  Thank you for everything. What a night!"

Sonoma Community Center
Sonoma, CA

Ellen - it was SUCH A PLEASURE and wonderful experience working with you!  I couldn't have imagined a more successful night.  I am so glad we decided to work with a live auctioneer this year!  It was the best decision we ever made!  Not only did you help us host one of our most successful and engaging events, but you were communicative and incredibly helpful every step of the way!  Your pre-event consultations were priceless and allowed us to create an amazing night to raise funds for our organization!  Thank you!"

Women's Community Clinic
San Francisco, CA

Our whole event went extremely well and the auction and Fund-A-Need were a HUGE success!  We received many compliments on you, Ellen and also on the logic and flow of the evening, thanks to your guidance - and that from some very savvy veteran benefit-goers!  Thank you!"

Theater Bay Area
San Francisco, CA

You were stupendous!  Thank you so much for the joy and fun you brought to the room. We are all basking in the joy of that night. We can confidently say that at least $431,200 was raised in the room alone!  We are thrilled! Thank you so much for being such an incredible member of this team. We love you!"

Daraja Academy
Kenya, Africa

Ellen, THANK YOU for the superb job leading the bidding for our Live Auction.   

You have a wonderful presence, and beautiful voice.  It was an absolute joy to work with you, and congratulations on so much success last night!" 

St. Hilary School
Tiburon, CA

Testimonials: Testimonials
bottom of page