Kate Arion
Kate Arion is a nonprofit event planning and communications professional with more than a decade of experience designing and executing mission-driven events. Currently based in Bradenton, Florida, she serves as Special Events Manager at the Asolo Repertory Theatre, where she oversees major fundraising and donor engagement events, including galas, award dinners, and donor experiences that support the theater’s philanthropic mission. A graduate of Dartmouth College, she began her career in environmental and conservation nonprofits before expanding into higher education and policy-focused organizations.
Over the course of her career, Kate has developed deep expertise in event strategy, fundraising, and community engagement. She has held roles at organizations such as the Center for Global Development and American University, where she managed complex event portfolios, coordinated high-level speakers and stakeholders, and led both in-person and virtual programming. Her work consistently blends logistics, marketing, and relationship-building, with a strong emphasis on connecting audiences to meaningful causes and initiatives.
In addition to her professional work, Kathryn is actively involved in civic and community organizations, including the Junior League of Sarasota. She is known for her adaptability, attention to detail, and ability to manage high-pressure, fast-moving events while maintaining strong partnerships with donors, vendors, and leadership teams. Passionate about using events as a platform for impact, she continues to focus on advancing nonprofit missions through strategic storytelling and experiential engagement.
• Pure Barre Instructor
• Dartmouth College- A.B.
• Employee of the Month
• Ralph Lauren
• Dartmouth Club of Sarasota
• Junior League of Sarasota
• Junior League of Sarasota
• Junior League Of Washington
• American University Staff Council
• Women of Dartmouth - DC Chapter
What do you attribute your success to?
I would say my education. My parents really focused on education. They sent me to a private school in middle school, which I think really set me on a good path for not only what I was learning, but also life skills, like time management. And then going to Dartmouth really was a great trajectory for, I think, whatever I had chosen to do for my career. Dartmouth would be great to have on a resume.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My big sister in my sorority told me, when she had graduated but I hadn't yet, don't take the first job offer you're given just because you think it's the only one you're going to get. I am glad I followed that. Otherwise, I would have been knocking door-to-door with Environment America. That was very good advice, and so that's advice I share with other women as well.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think I would say don't be scared to try new things. I think a lot of times when you enter a realm, you're usually replacing someone else. Yes, it might be a new role, but frequently, you're the new Amy, or the new Sarah. You shouldn't just think, oh, well, that's how they always did it, so I have to keep doing it that way. You should just make your own path and do things how you think best.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think, unfortunately, there is still the attachment of, if you're a woman, that you need some sort of oversight, and there's always that sliver of doubt, especially with male leadership, of whether you can do a good job or not. And so, that's when the self-confidence comes in, and even if they think you can't do it, you know you can prove them wrong. As far as opportunities, I think ever since COVID, now that there's such a thing as virtual events, that has really expanded opportunities for types of events, but also work. I don't know that a remote event planner was ever something people had before. Now, if you have a computer and internet connection, you can still research venues and caterers in any city and really do that program management from wherever you are.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Certainly, perseverance and dedication, whether it's in your work or something that you really care about personally. And being true to yourself. I know that sometimes you have moments of doubt, or a lack of confidence in a particular situation, but as long as you really are reflective about how you truly feel in that moment, and what you think is the right thing to do, then that probably is the way you should go.