Gesture Team Member Spotlight - Erin Phillips

by Erin Reiner
July 11, 2017

Erin has been with Gesture for four years, since she first started as a Gesture Pro in May 2012. In her current role as Senior Account Manager, Erin manages a team of Account Managers (AMs). These AMs work directly with our charity partners to provide support and guidance as they prepare for their fundraisers and auctions.

What initially drew you to Gesture?
I worked my first event as a Gesture Pro in May of 2012. At the time, there were only a handful of full time employees and I agreed to work a few events to help out a friend. I was working a full-time job but thought it would be a great idea to try something new on my days off.

It only took one event for me to see the impact the Gesture team and technology had on the success of the organization’s fundraising. Not only were the donors having fun, but the client gave hugs all around for making their lives easier as well. From then on, I was hooked! I quickly realized that this is exactly where I needed to be.

What positions have you held as a Gesture employee? How did it lead you to the position you currently hold?
I went from a Gesture Pro to an On-Site Manager to an Event Production Manager and then to my current role as a Senior Account Manager. It sounds like a lot when you jot it down, but really it’s been a natural transition seeing the full scope of the event from all sides!

Tell us a little bit about what it’s like watching the company grow from your perspective.
There are so many times where you’ll hear someone referencing the “old days” but what’s funny is the quote unquote old days that they are referencing might have only been a year ago. That’s a testament to how quickly things at Gesture grow. It’s been so exciting to grow with a company that’s always innovating.

What is your favorite part about working at Gesture?
Each day is another opportunity to help charities exceed their fundraising goals. Gesture’s mission, combined with working with technology and the best team ever, makes each day worth coming back for!

How many events have you worked?
I’ve worked on-site at 100+ events and have been the Production Manager behind the scenes for nearly 300.

What has been your favorite event, and why?
Each March Ronald McDonald House Charities Chicago hosts their annual gala and I make it a point to be able to go. They do a great job keeping things light and fun but ensuring that guests know their mission and reason for opening up their hearts (and wallets) that evening. I also love attending school events. One of my favorites was themed “College Days.” The parents got to dress in their spirit wear and play all their favorite college games all while raising money for their kid’s school.

What would your co-workers be surprised to learn about you?
I show pictures and talk about my English Bulldog all the time. I think they’d be surprised to know that up until a year ago I was actually scared of dogs. I never imagined myself getting my own!

When you’re not at work, what do you do to keep busy?
I spend as much time as I can with my 3 year old nephew and 1 year old niece. They are a handful but so funny and so much fun! If I’m not with them you can probably find me picking up knick knacks at Homegoods!

When you were a kid, what was your dream job?
Olympic gymnast. Things obviously took a turn along the way.

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