meet our team

At Do Good Events, we’re not only event planners with a passion for social causes — we’re advocates and activists who excel at creating unforgettable experiences. Like you, we’re deeply committed to building a healthy, just, and equitable society, and we bring that dedication to every event we produce.

Our team is made up of experts with diverse backgrounds in nonprofit work, event production, and community engagement. We understand the unique challenges nonprofits face, and we pride ourselves on using our skills to amplify the incredible work you do.

Kate Taffel

CEO

Kate was raised in Sonoma County, spent a few years living abroad, and then returned to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2003.

  • A creative spirit from the start, she began her journey as a dancer (and yes, she still busts out some moves at weddings) before studying cinematography at university and eventually finding her true passion as an event producer.

    Kate's career kicked off in 2000 as a front desk agent in the hotel industry, where she learned that no two days — and no two guests — are ever the same. In 2005, she moved into a catering management role at a luxury hotel, working with clients ranging from brides to nonprofit directors.

    After several years as an in-house events director for a political lobbying group and time spent in the tech world, Kate realized that the nonprofit sector was where her heart — and her creativity — truly belonged. For her, event planning isn’t just about logistics; it’s about creating spaces where people connect, collaborate, and make a difference.

    When Kate isn’t crafting unforgettable events, you’ll find her on her yoga mat, spending time with friends and family, or wandering through the beautiful Bay Area nature (occasionally getting lost, but enjoying every moment).

Marika Holmgren

Founder (retired)

When Marika was a little girl, she planned tea parties in her room, for which she would handwrite invitations that she slipped under her parents’ and brother’s doors.

  • She required RSVPs for these events. At the same time, she was highly motivated by social change, and as a teenager, built a shanty in her high school courtyard with two schoolmates to protest Apartheid. Imagine her delight when she found a way to combine two passions: saving the world and planning exceptional parties! When she’s not producing events, she can be found hurtling down a hill — purposefully — on her mountain bike, trying desperately — though not always successfully — to stay out of the ER. Marika also works on chemical policy reform. Because chemicals suck and are bad for all of us. Her dog, Jake, oversees most of her work and is very pleased that DOG is in the name of our company.

Chantal Fato

Operations Manager

Chantal joined Do Good Events in 2018, passionate about making a difference in the world.

  • She started performing Ballet at age 3 and spent over 20 years in the Performing Arts. In addition to being on stage, she wanted to experience everything backstage - directing, costume design, choreography, lighting & sound direction - fascinated with the production aspects of putting on a show. Chantal spent 10 years in Hospitality, organizing up to 100 exhibitors at a time and coordinating sales events, weddings, fundraisers, and international C-Level attendee conferences. Over the years, she volunteered for non-profits and helped produce successful fundraising galas. With Do Good Events, Chantal has found an opportunity to work with an amazing group of passionate individuals and contribute to organizations making a difference in the world.

Stephanie Alston

Lead Event Producer

Stephanie is a sixth-generation Texan who grew up organizing her neighborhood into science clubs…

  • …bike clubs, creek clean-up crews, and canvassers for Jerry's Kids and Sally Struthers. With her Texas-sized bleeding heart & determination, Stephanie moved to the Bay Area to be with kindred spirits, where she spent over 10 years working on environmental campaigns. After a 4-year stint running a successful international campaign to help protect forests in West Africa, Stephanie found the secret to happiness is in throwing a great party for a good cause. Stephanie has now been part of our team for over 17 years and specializes in motivating high-profile businesses, entertainment, and VIPs to partner with our clients. A favorite moment was working with Archbishop Desmond Tutu who said about Stephanie, “This woman does not rest! Her smile energizes us all."

Stephanie Franco

Lead Event Producer

With thirty years of dedicated experience in event planning, Stephanie is a seasoned professional who…

  • …specializes in high-touch curated engagements.With on-the-ground event planning experience in more than 20 countries across 4 continents, Stephanie has worked directly with the leaders and executives of organizations to plan, implement, and execute programs that bring attendees closer to each other and the organizations they support.

    Stephanie has meticulous attention to detail and a strategic solution-oriented approach, she understands how to take the creative process and implement it in real-time to ensure the highest possible level of attention. Her focus is on ensuring that her client’s message is delivered in an elegant and meaningful manner.  Stephanie lives in Northern California with her husband, two kids, seven rabbits, fifteen chickens, and three dogs. Her passions outside of event planning are travel, cooking, entertaining, animals, and family.

Shayna Lawson

Lead Event Producer

Shayna is a Bay Area native who loves to call San Francisco home. At the start of her career, assisting…

  • …in event production for a local philanthropist, she discovered that parties could be filled with purpose and a lot of fundraising. This experience ignited her passion for philanthropic work through events. Nearly two decades later, after working in both the corporate and agency sides of business, she’s thrilled to be working with the GOOD team. Her joy, enthusiasm, and grit are well-matched for meeting the goals of the clients and attendees alike. When she’s not hard at work, you can find her riding the hills of SF on her e-bike with her three children, cooking up delicious meals from her garden with her husband, and trekking around in nature.

Mairi Yunits

Lead Event Producer

Mairi (pronounced Mary) is a seasoned events producer with over 15 years of experience…

  • …transforming ideas into impactful convenings. Her journey into the events world began while pursuing her communications degree at the University of Tampa, where she worked on a small undiscovered gathering—the Super Bowl—and discovered her passion for the energy of live productions. 

    Since then, Mairi has built an impressive portfolio spanning national and international conferences, major sporting events, design weeks, awards ceremonies, high-profile galas, and hybrid events. Now exclusively focused on non-profit work, she finds great fulfillment in partnering with organizations to advance their missions and create change. Whether managing the complex logistics of global conferences or curating elegant ceremonies, Mairi excels at ensuring every detail is efficient and purposeful.

    When she’s not updating a spreadsheet, you’ll find her reading a book, doing yoga, traveling the world, or ordering pizza.  

Heather Rice

Creative Producer

Heather is a Bay Area native who grew up in Marin County and attended San Francisco University…

  • …High School. She started her design career in New York City working for Diane Von Furstenberg before switching over to event production.  After leaving the world of fashion, Heather worked in-house for both The Box and The Bowery Hotel, planning and producing high-end celebrity events. After 10 successful years, missing her community and the sunshine, Heather returned to San Francisco in 2012 to helm the Delfina Restaurant Group where she was the Director of Events for all five restaurants, overseeing more than 120 events annually, including the opening of the Burlingame and Palo Alto locations. Always wanting to continue to learn and grow professionally, Heather then accepted an Event Manager position with the illustrious Paula LeDuc Fine Catering, where she collaborated with some of the world's top event planners and Fortune 500 tech companies to produce events throughout the Bay Area. With Heather’s strong design and culinary background, passion for non-profit organizations, and commitment to innovation, she is an incredible partner to have on the Do Good Events team.

Erika Pringsheim-Moore

Lead Event Producer

Erika’s event planning career began staging Celebrity Waiter luncheons in northern California after…

  • …graduating from Cal. Since that time, she has worked with dozens of nonprofits on signature event creation, strategic planning, promotional partnership formation, sponsorship, and fundraising. She has always been passionate about creating top-notch hospitality experiences, which she honed over the years producing events at her family’s restaurant Metro Lafayette. In her free time, Erika can be found hiking the hills with her two rescue dogs, organic gardening, traveling the world, and chasing Michelin stars. 

Meredith Hellman

Lead Event Producer

Meredith is a Los Angeles native who recently made her way back home after nearly two decades of…

  • …living and working in NYC. She is a skilled and versatile producer with a passion for creative solutions, unique content, and innovative ideas and offers expertise in experiential production with a focus on creative excellence. A perpetual student with a passion for storytelling and a talent for staying calm under pressure, she can tackle any obstacle that may come her way. Originally focused on corporate, media and agency clients she made the transition to nonprofit-based work in hopes of leveraging her production experience to connect with communities and organizations in a real and meaningful way. When not hard at work producing events for her clients, you can find Meredith organizing themed dinner parties for friends and family, rearranging her house (again), and spending quality time with her husband, son, and dog.

Melanie Newell

Lead Event Producer

For as long as she can remember, Melanie has been the planner among her friends and family.

  • Never one to crave the spotlight for herself, she is happiest when hosting, planning, and coordinating from behind the scenes. Melanie truly loves the energy of events work and takes pride in being able to see both the big picture and all the small details that make up a successful event. She has planned over 100 events on both coasts - including high-profile galas, multi-day conferences, charity luncheons, and intimate dinner parties. When she’s not dreaming up tablescapes, negotiating with vendors, and managing guest lists, Melanie can be found spending time with her two young daughters, tackling elaborate baking projects and fiercely advocating for disability rights.

Shoshanna Howard

Event Producer

Shoshanna Howard is a dynamic events and communications professional with a passion for…

  • …crafting compelling experiences that inspire and engage. With extensive experience in public relations, social media strategy, and event production, she has collaborated with cultural institutions, nonprofit organizations, and high-profile conferences to amplify their influence. Shoshanna is driven by a mission to connect people through meaningful experiences and elevate voices that deserve to be heard.

    Notable projects include working with the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, the Sohn San Francisco Investment Conference, and her passion project, the Oakland Comedy Festival. Her work showcases a commitment to celebrating arts, culture, and community engagement.

    Known for her creativity and strategic thinking, Shoshanna brings a unique blend of storytelling and analytics to every project she undertakes. When she's not crafting campaigns, she enjoys exploring the Bay Area’s vibrant cultural scene and letting her pup, Simi, take her on walks.

Hana Campbell - Cyr

Registration Manager

Hana is a Sonoma County native, raised in the vibrant California music and art scene. In her younger…

  • …years, Hana found herself seeking expansive experiences, such as travel and living abroad. It was through her love of culture and dance she found herself being a leading force in putting on the first Ethnic Dance Festival in Santa Cruz, CA in 2009. Her work in the event world blossomed from there, finding great joy and fulfillment in helping create spaces for people of all backgrounds to come together in the music and festival world. After many years working in the music industry, she found what truly fulfills her is fostering connection and supporting beautiful causes, which she finds in her Do Good Events clients. 

    In Hana’s free time, you can find her exploring her creativity at her jewelry bench, hiking with her beloved dog, exploring her passion for personal growth and yoga, and planning her next adventure.

Xenia Gallegos

Event Assistant

Xenia, originally from El Salvador and raised in Sonoma County, is diving headfirst into her career…

  • …in event production. Known for her keen eye for detail and her knack for forging meaningful connections, Xenia keeps the Do Good Events team organized and energized onsite. When she’s not coordinating events, you’ll find her spending quality time with family, friends, and her three beloved dogs.

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