Skills & Expertise

Professional Experience

Mary Spinelli Tedrow, CMP

Experienced events management leader specializing in intricate event production, operations management, strategic planning, and talent development. Excelling in leveraging creative ideation, technology, and data-driven insights to drive supporter engagement and ensure high attendee satisfaction. Rapidly advanced in roles at Environmental Defense Fund and Lark Street BID due to notable successes, including:

  • Navigated pivot to virtual events during the COVID-19 pandemic, and led project to develop all systems and virtual event tools, increasing team capacity to produce a record number of events and attendance

  • Produced highest grossing Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine gala for SRF, raising $1.5m and drawing close to 700 high profile and high net worth attendees

  • Increased annual revenue of Lark Street BID by 20% through strategic budget management, enhanced events programming, creative marketing, and increased recruitment and retention of Corporate Sponsors

  • Maximized continuous learning opportunities by planning and producing GRID’s annual staff multi-day offsite conference for over 300 employees, including 100 breakout sessions and social activities 

    SKILLS & EXPERTISE        

Strategic Planning | Communications | Data Analysis | iWork Suite | Cvent | Adobe Creative | Event Design & Management | Operations & Budget Management | Event Marketing | Salesforce | Raiser’s Edge | Microsoft Office | Google Suite | Asana | Wrike | Talent & Team Development | Leadership | Staff Management | Sponsor Activations | Speaker Engagement | Webinars | Zoom | ChatGPT | Power BI Desktop | Slack | Teams | Social Tables |

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE        

Senior Manager, Donor Engagement and Events

Environmental Defense Fund | New York, San Francisco                                                  

April 2018 – April 2024

Specialized in creating and managing diverse, impactful events aligning with business objectives, while overseeing strategic event planning efforts. Led complex logistics coordination and execution of offsite Board of Trustees Conference in the U.S., and Advisory Trustee Meetings internationally, orchestrating successful outcomes. Supervised, recruited, and trained a hi-performing team of donor engagement and event professionals.                                                     

Special Events and Outreach Manager

Schleroderma Research Foundation | San Francisco                                                     

April 2017 – April 2018         

Managed a diverse portfolio of in-person and virtual events, communications, fundraising programs, and donor tracking. Coordinated seamless logistics and managed successful fundraising gala, generating $2.5m+ in organizational revenue. Generated impactful marketing strategies, materials, and branded communications.

Events Manager

GRID Alternatives | Oakland, CA                                                                                     

July 2012 – April 2017    

Developed and managed all HQ-central events programs, introducing a varied portfolio of events, to drive brand awareness and inspire support. Provided consultation support, resources, and project management tools to regional “client” offices, producing improved event planning systems, strategies, and fundraising outcomes.

Executive Director 

Lark Street Business Improvement District (BID) | Albany, NY                                                                                                                                                 

Nov 2009 – Jun 2012

Director of Operations                                                                                                  

Jan 2008 - Nov 2009

Advanced rapidly to senior leadership position, creating and leading strategic vision to deliver exceptional event programming, brand marketing, and client services that ensured financial viability, and enhanced vibrancy and reputation of the district for businesses, residents, and visitors. 

EDUCATION                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

University at Albany | Albany, NY                                         

Bachelor of Arts | Visual Arts, Film Studies                                                           

Summa cum Laude Honors 

CERTIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATES

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

Strategic Event Audience Engagement Certificate

Getting Started With Power BI Certificate                                                   

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Event Coordinator - ChickTech   

Steering Committee - Green Meeting Industry Council 

Event Steering Committee - Starlight Children’s Foundation 

Event Coordinator - Catskill Animal Sanctuary   

Board Member and Steering Committee - Albany Center Gallery