Finding Purpose Through Leadership: One Woman’s Journey

Keri Gloth Executive Event Producer

Hi there! I am Keri Gloth, an Executive Producer at The Special Event Company. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I have the absolute honor to be recognized for my achievements and leadership within our incredible team. Having the opportunity to be highlighted alongside many other accomplished women who have made significant societal contributions fills me with an immense amount of pride.

A quick snapshot of my background: I was born and raised on the Jersey Shore and graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a degree in Communication and Journalism, where I was a cheerleader for both All-Girl and Co-ed teams. I currently reside in Raleigh, NC, with my husband, our super fun two-year-old son, and our two labs.

My passions include Peloton and fitness, spending time outdoors, watching college football on Saturdays, having spontaneous kitchen dance parties, reading leadership and motivational books, tracking sharks with the Ocearch App, travelling, and making unforgettable memories with my loved ones.

Be Fearless in Chasing After What Sets My Soul on Fire

The quote, “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire,” by Jennifer Lee, truly resonates with me and actually lives on a post-it note stuck to my home office computer screen. This quote reminds me that nothing should stand in the way of pursuing what ignites one’s passion, even if something seems intimidating. For me, when I find something that truly makes me come alive, pursuing that with everything I have is so important.

This quote encourages risk-taking, being brave, and following your heart, even if others may not understand or support those choices. If you have a dream or a goal that inspires you, Jennifer Lee’s words are meant to empower you to pursue that dream or goal and not allow fear to hold you back.

Joining The Special Event Company

One great example of striving toward your goals and pursuing your passion is how I started working at The Special Event Company. When I first moved to North Carolina and heard about The Special Event Company, I knew deep down that I was meant to be part of this incredible team. Even though there were no open positions then, I refused to let that stop me.

With a strong determination and a heart full of passion, I reached out to the company’s fearless leader, Sally Webb, to learn more about her company and to get to know their team, their goals, and how I could be a part of it all. Within a few short months, I landed a dream job and became a member of the amazing team. This experience taught me that anything is possible when you truly believe in yourself and your abilities and are willing to make bold moves in your career! If you want something….you have to go for it!

Keri Gloth Family Oriented

Nurturing the Family Bond and Creating A Wonderful Career

I would say that my colleagues would describe me as a go-getter; someone who believes in overcoming all obstacles and finding solutions with a goal-oriented, positive mindset. My family knows me as deeply passionate about them and my work, and that I have always strived to have a family of my own while building a successful, impactful career. As a working mother, I am determined to continually advocate and show women that balance is possible, without sacrificing your passions in and out of the workplace.

Recently I have achieved a significant milestone in my career journey by being promoted to Executive Producer at The Special Event Company; and as a working mother, this accomplishment represents my unwavering commitment and dedication to achieving my career aspirations while nurturing my family.

Throughout my decade plus-long, roller coaster ride of a career in event planning, I feel that I have truly made a name for myself and have the trust and respect of my colleagues and clients. Knowing that hard work, perseverance, and dedication can take us to great heights in our personal and professional lives is a very fulfilling feeling.

Keri Gloth Coaching Leadership Style

Leading by Example as a Strong, Confident Woman

The passion that I have for empowering others and being a positive role model is something that was instilled in me at a young age. I would say this all started when I began cheerleading at the age of five, then coaching the sport at the Pop Warner and collegiate levels. Inspiring those around me was something I absolutely loved, especially my younger sister. Cheerleading teaches you a unique set of skills, and those experiences and life lessons taught me not only the importance of building a cohesive, enthusiastic team, but that being an optimistic leader is more effective than anyone would think.

“Optimism. One of the most important qualities of a good leader is optimism, a pragmatic enthusiasm for what can be achieved. Even in the face of difficult choices and less than ideal outcomes, an optimistic leader does not yield to pessimism. Simply put, people are not motivated or energized by pessimists.” -Bob Iger, The Ride of a Lifetime

Today, I bring this same enthusiasm to my role at The Special Event Company, where I have the opportunity to lead with a coaching leadership style. Nurturing team member’s strengths, while challenging them to grow and achieve their full potential is extremely important when leading a team or building an organization. Building a strong team and empowering each member is key to success, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to do so in my role and at The Special Event Company.

Keri Gloth & The Special Event Company Team

Igniting Passion: Empowering People to Shine

Event management is not just a job; events are a calling that I am deeply passionate about. Creating impactful client experiences is a driving force behind my commitment to my leadership philosophies. And when team members share this passion, they are inspired to do their best work and feel empowered to contribute their unique, amazing ideas and expertise.

To foster a supportive and collaborative team culture focused on achieving shared goals, helping team members identify and express their passions is so important. A few strategies that support this are conducting one-on-one sessions, consistent collaborative team meetings, and leading by example; as a leader, you are able to create an environment that celebrates individual strengths and encourages open communication by rallying the team and getting to know what inspires each of those members.

Through past experiences and now as a leader myself, I understand that when people feel valued and heard, they are more invested in their work and more committed to their team’s success. My team members here at The Special Event Company are not just colleagues, but partners in the journey toward creating unforgettable event experiences; and my desire to understand each individual team member’s strengths and passions allows me to act as their champion, empowering them to shine. I am just so proud of our team and am honored to be a part of making a difference.

The Mentor Every Team Needs to Succeed

Keri’s story is an inspiration. She has shown that balancing a successful career with a fulfilling family life with hard work, determination, and a positive attitude is possible.

We are proud to have Keri on our team and look forward to seeing all the amazing things she will accomplish. Her passion for creating authentic and engaging events shines through in everything she does.

Building strong relationships and fostering a positive team culture at The Special Event Company is essential to creating exceptional events. Keri’s approach to team building is just one example of how we strive to bring out the best in everyone we work with.