Taylor Johnson’s events manager Rikki Ray may have a flair for planning events, but she started her professional career in finance, working for a consulting firm in Chicago. However, it was a volunteer role as President of The Sutherland Foundation for Education and Enrichment that gave Rikki the opportunity for the creative outlet she was seeking while still utilizing her finance skills and keen attention to detail: planning the foundation’s fundraising gala.
Today, Rikki flexes her creative spirit coupled with a dollars-and-cents sensibility coordinating a variety of events for Taylor Johnson’s clients ranging from intimate lunches for 20 to large-scale galas for hundreds. The Green Bay, Wisc.-native loves how each event offers an opportunity to create a meaningful gathering to achieve the goals of the client.
One of Rikki’s most memorable events she’s planned happened to fall on her birthday. To her surprise, the chair of the organization hosting the event lead the 800 guests in singing a round of “Happy Birthday” to her. “That was a pretty special experience, and I doubt, as far birthday celebrations go, that it will ever be topped!”
When she isn’t planning events, Rikki is planning travel adventures for her family, which includes a daughter and two sons. Thanks to the family’s adventurous spirit, her oldest son has been to six of the seven continents.
BEYOND THE BIO
With Taylor Johnson since: 2022
Three words that describe me are: Energetic, organized, talkative
People around the office come to me for: Snacks in my purse!
When I was growing up I thought I’d be a: An elementary teacher because I love kids.
Proudest career moment: I was in charge of dinner for 800 guests and it ended up falling on the day that was predicted to be the biggest snowstorm of the year. With 12 hours notice, the whole event had to be rescheduled. It ended up not even snowing at all, but it ended up working pretty great in the end. Most of the guests were still able to come and it showed that I could handle making changes on the fly while still including people’s input.
Favorite Halloween costume: Although I’d rather be the one at home passing out candy, my grandma made me a Hershey Kiss costume from scratch that I loved.
What I like most about TJ: Everyone has been so welcoming and willing to answer questions to make me feel comfortable.
Most people don’t know that I: was a guest on Oprah! It was the segment where she talks to everyday people about celebrities and current events.
My guilty pleasure is: Binge watching shows on Netflix. Reality shows and documentaries in particular.