Her Story
About Adrianne
Adrianne Holmes-Redwood is the founder and principal planner of Phoenix Premier Events, a Pittsburgh-based firm specializing in curated experiences for nonprofits, corporations, and milestone celebrations, and currently serves as Senior Special Events and Sales Manager at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. A graduate of PennWest California with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, she first discovered her love for event planning through coursework and hands-on experience coordinating game-day activities and halftime shows for local sports teams. That early spark carried her through a career spanning the August Wilson Center, Pittsburgh's convention center, and the University of Pittsburgh, where she served as Director of Conference Services before returning to build her own company and reclaim the sense of purpose that first drew her to the industry.
Over more than a decade, Holmes-Redwood has built a reputation for transforming ambitious visions into unforgettable events, with a particular gift for work in the nonprofit sector. Her portfolio includes standout productions such as the opening reception for the Wiz Live! costume exhibit featuring designs by Paul Tazewell, and the Heroes and Sheroes gala at the Heinz History Center showcasing costumes from Black Panther and Do the Right Thing by designer Ruth Carter. Her clients have included the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Demaskus, the Professional Women's Network, and the Be Movement, and her contributions to the region's tourism and events landscape earned her recognition as a 2018 Who's Next in Tourism honoree from The Incline.
Beyond her professional achievements, Holmes-Redwood is the founder of Katie Cares, a nonprofit established in honor of her daughter, Cadence Renee, who spent eleven months in the NICU after being born prematurely. The organization is devoted to supporting the caregivers of hospitalized children, offering the kind of resources and advocacy Holmes-Redwood witnessed firsthand were often missing for families without a strong support system. Guided by a belief in going after one's dreams without hesitation, she brings the same heart to her philanthropic work that she brings to every event she plans — treating each one as personally as if it were her own.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Adrianne
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to simply having the opportunity to pursue what I set out to do, because I never want to leave this life with anything left undone or untried. I draw inspiration from nature, and I find fulfillment in making people happy and giving to others. Making my family proud matters deeply to me as well. Ultimately, it's the response and happiness of the people I work with that brings me true joy, and I approach every event with the same level of care I would give my own.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is simple: just go for it. So often we're afraid to pursue the things we've dreamed about, and we let other people's opinions overshadow our own. I say go for it and do it afraid, because either way, you win — you'll either learn something valuable or you'll succeed. Trust yourself, trust your dreams, and take the leap. You truly have nothing to lose.
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