Testimonials
“I highly recommend Karen Jackson as an event planner/manager. Karen recently managed a fundraising event for Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She was instrumental to the success of our live and streamed testimonial concert, Voices For Vista.
Karen kept track of every detail of the complicated process required to put on the show, by providing a simple timeline for our team to follow. She was also persistent in keeping us on task and moving forward. Karen provided great logistic support, interfacing with the venue staff and the Vista team. She helped us find volunteers and even helped us with local outlets to promote the event.
Karen was very easy to work with on the project even when there were unexpected challenges. She pivoted to help us to stay on point to succeed. Karen was truly amazing at the actual event. Not only was she warm and friendly to the attendees, but she also had her finger on the pulse of the operation to ensure a seamless flow from start to finish.
If you are looking for an event planner who is organized, positive, and dedicated to producing a successful event, Karen Jackson is the perfect choice.”
— Patrice Maginnis, Director of Vista Center Santa Cruz
“I cannot say enough good things about Karen Jackson and Envision This! Productions. I found myself in a position where I unexpectedly lost my longtime (and one & only) support staff person with only four weeks to go before our nonprofit’s first live event in over three years (due to COVID shutdowns). I was in a total panic. I put out a “call for help” within one of my professional networks, and Karen responded to the call.
Understanding the dire nature of my situation, Karen was willing to do whatever the situation called for to provide support. She was kind and supportive, and a calming presence during a super stressful time. She quickly wrapped her head around the key aspects of the event, and she was flawless on event day. In spite of being brought on board very late in the planning process, Karen managed the entire day-of-event timeline to perfection, and the feedback I received from guests, vendors, co-workers and volunteers was that she was a strong leader and extremely personable. I plan to use her again for future events and recommend her highly.”
— Stacy Dryer, Chief Development & Communications Officer, Alum Rock Counseling Center
“In my role as the 2019 Association of Fundraising Professionals Silicon Valley Chapter President, I had the great fortune to work with Karen when we hired her as our Event Planner for our annual Philanthropy Day celebration. The event draws more than 400 philanthropists and fundraisers and is the premier celebration of the nonprofit sector in our region. As our most public event of the year, it is critical that the event comes off without a hitch.
I am pleased to share that it was a big success, and Karen’s leadership and skills made that possible. In addition to overseeing all elements of the event, Karen worked closely with a host of volunteer leaders. I was so impressed with her ability to manage multiple groups – volunteers, donors, board members, vendors, attendees – while expertly managing all the event’s minute details.
Karen is a highly skilled professional with comprehensive experience and a deep knowledge of the nonprofit sector and special events. On top of that, she is a true delight to work with. I think you will find her to be a real leader and expert in the area of event production and execution who can help ensure your next event is a big success. That is what she did for us!”
— Josh Selo, 2019 President, AFP Silicon Valley Chapter, Executive Director, West Valley Community Services
“As a fellow Fund Development/Event’s Coordinator for over 25 years I can state that Karen’s level of professionalism, work ethic, and ability to work well with others puts her far and above most individuals I have worked with over the years.
Having worked alongside Karen for the past year where, as a contract employee, she became the key player, on our Big Brothers and Big Sisters (BBBS) of Santa Cruz Bowling for Kids Sake and Annual Regatta, I without hesitation recommended her for the BBBS Board of Directors.
In addition to her professional qualifications, Karen’s skills and leadership qualities would make her an invaluable addition to any and all of your fundraising projects. In short, you would be lucky to have her!
Karen has her finger on the pulse of events and fundraising trends, is a natural resource developer in making both major donors and the event venue staff feel welcome and appreciated. She’s committed to quality, growth, and progress, and she inspires her team members to strive for the same.”
— Linda Pippin, BBBS Community Engagement/Events
“Shire House just had a very successful 1st Annual Ring of Community Luncheon thanks to the guidance and direction of Karen Jackson of Envision This! Productions. Karen led us through the months of planning and up to the actual event day fluidly and effortlessly. We look forward to working with Karen again to plan and direct our future events.”
— Liz S. Kane, Founder and Executive Director, Shire House Inc.
“I started a new marketing role with Family Giving Tree and was fortunate to have Karen already in place organizing three events with short-term deadlines. All three events were high profile for us, with key attendees from prominent local sponsors and corporations. Having come from Silicon Valley high tech, I’m used to an extremely high level of professionalism, style, and attention to detail. Karen delivered on all three fronts, and the events made a great impression on our guests! We will definitely work with EnvisionThis Productions in the future.”
— Larry Loper, Director, Marketing Communications, Family Giving Tree
“Karen has worked with us on several events both large and small. Most recently, she planned and executed the Women of Impact fundraiser with over 800 guests. Every detail was flawlessly executed. Everything from registration to dessert was organized and exhibited Karen’s signature. She always insures that her client’s expectations are exceeded.”
— Leah Schnoor, Executive Director of Advancement, Notre Dame High School
“Our 18th Annual FESCO Shuffle (Walkathon) was a well-organized and smoothly run event, thanks to Karen Jackson, from Envision This! Productions. Our goal was to engage and educate the community about family homelessness, increase sponsorships and individual/group fundraising, and ensure a fun event that everyone could enjoy, whether they were an infant in a stroller, a senior with a walker, or a family walking their dog. We were thrilled to benefit from Karen’s years of experience and expertise in organizing and implementing this event, and she met every expectation and built a foundation for the years that follow.
What we appreciated most about working with Karen was her ability to jump into this project, coordinate all the logistics, including social media and elected officials, keep volunteers engaged and prepared for their designated tasks, and deliver the expected results and then some!”
— Joy Vail, FESCO (Family Emergency Shelter Coalition), Hayward
“We hired Karen to partner with us in the grand re-opening of our Pilates studio after moving to a new location. Karen addressed a number of details across the board, from procuring promotional products to coordinating day-of-event festivities. In addition to her excellent organization and follow-through skills, she is very professional, and a joy to work with. I would recommend Karen to anyone who wants to engage with a professional in orchestrating a carefree, successful event.”
—Karen deMoor
Center of Balance, Mountain View
“I have worked with Karen Jackson on a number of fundraising events and activities over the last seven years, including walk/runs, expos, luncheons, and parties. As a graphic designer who is brought in to work on both web and print collateral, I appreciate Karen’s incredible organizational skills. These events can often be challenging as various pieces of information come from different sources and must be masterfully integrated for effective communication and presentation.
Successful events can only be achieved when the leader has the larger vision in mind, and interactions with the various service providers coordinated down to the very last detail. Her ability to smoothly integrate the many players and pieces — via email, in-person meetings, and conference calls — is key to success. I am always pleased when Karen engages me to participate in executing these events: I am confident that my efforts will fit seamlessly into the bigger picture, and I know she will provide exactly what I need, in the most efficient way possible.”
— Lisa Stambaugh
Collective Discovery, Fremont
“I have worked with Karen on a variety of events over the last 10 years and have found her to be incredibly efficient, effective and hard-working. She excels at designing a plan, then populating a staff or set of volunteers to achieve her goals. As an interior designer, she calls on me to help design and execute decor to match her vision for the event. It’s a pleasure to work with someone so tireless in her loyalty and commitment to all projects she undertakes. Her energy and motivation invigorate all who work with her.”
— Annette M. Fagundes
Gabriella Ronegas Designs, Vice President, Fremont