BIG BUZZ IDEA GROUP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing Manager
After spending seven years working for a 501(c)(8) nonprofit fraternal society, Amanda Lovell joined the Big Buzz Idea Group staff in 2022. She brings over nine years of experience in digital marketing and event management. Previously, she served as Fraternal Director at CSA Fraternal Life where she was the manager of member events, social media content creator, graphic designer and Editor in Chief of their monthly magazine.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2013 from The Ohio State University where she majored in International Studies, with a focus on Slavic and Eastern European countries and the Czech language. She also received a minor in Music, Media and Enterprise, and interned with various live music production companies and venues. Her personal interests include cooking, painting with watercolor and tending to her many plants. She resides in the city of Chicago with her partner and three cats.
Cat Donovan hails from Indianapolis, Indiana. She ventured to the Windy City for college and is a 2006 graduate of DePaul University with a degree in communication. After a few years as a newspaper reporter, covering Chicago and the suburbs, she was ready to apply her journalism background in another capacity.
In 2009, Cat found her ideal niche at Big Buzz Idea Group where she began writing and editing press releases for client events. Over the next few years she added more duties including project and database management. She put working on hold in 2013 to have children and spent the next several years at home, but continued to contribute to the Big Buzz mission whenever possible! And in 2021, Cat happily returned to Big Buzz as an executive assistant.
Cat lives in Des Plaines, Illinois, with her husband and their two daughters.
Claire Tito always wanted to be an accountant. She went to college when her youngest child was 10 years old and attended part-time. She earned her degree all while also taking care of her family, studying hard and working through life's ups and downs. Today, she would tell anyone who is contemplating going to school, that if possible, to "Go for it!" While attending college, Claire was introduced to the first versions of QuickBooks and has worked with almost all the versions over the years. Her in-depth and deep understanding of the software continues to evolve with each new update. Claire is an experienced and trusted bookkeeper.
Claire enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking nice dinners for everyone, going out to the movies, theater and restaurants, vegetable gardening and keeping up with current events.
Job Titles:
- Event & Sponsorship Coordinator
Cory Jackson II joined the Big Buzz family in spring 2017. A Detroit native, he moved to Chicago after graduating from Bowling Green State University with his B.A. in Liberal Arts with a focus in Media Business and Strategic Communication. Cory has been connected to nonprofits since he was young and grew up being an advocate for those less fortunate than himself. A lover of food, art, writing, and photography just to name a few, Cory looks forward to adding his contagious personality and compassion for helping others to the Big Buzz family. Cory is a die-hard Detroiter, loving all things Detroit. Yes, even the Lions.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Special Projects
Devin Ball joined Big Buzz Idea Group in August of 2007. A Chicago native, she returned home after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Communications at Western Michigan University. After working for a world-renowned association management firm, Devin decided to follow her dream to work with a boutique agency that would allow her creative abilities to synergize with her project management skills. Devin now manages client communications and special projects. She lives in Woodstock with her husband and their three sons.
Job Titles:
- Nonprofit Account Manager
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Nonprofit Account Coordinator
Julia Schroeder grew up in the middle of five kids in Oak Park, Illinois. She graduated from Northern Michigan University with a B.S. in Public Relations in 2017. Julia received a minor in writing, forming skills in creative storytelling and journalism. She interned with an event planning company specializing in weddings, where she focused on marketing and events with startups in music and tech.
In 2018, she moved to Denver, Colorado, where she worked as a digital content editor of a B2B magazine. The pandemic led Julia back to Chicago, where she grew her portfolio as a freelance writer and marketing specialist. That included experience with the nonprofit, Learning Edge Tutoring. Julia brings over six years of experience in creative communication and is passionate about amplifying the awareness of nonprofits and fellow professionals. Julia also loves to hike with her dog, hula hoop, drink tea, read on a rainy day and attend concerts.
Job Titles:
- Nonprofit Account Executive
Job Titles:
- Founder / CEO / Queen Bee
Melissa created Big Buzz Idea Group in November 2004 so Chicagoland nonprofits would have an honest outsourcing partner to bring their largest projects to life. After raising more than $6 million dollars for clients through successful events, Melissa expanded the company services to provide management, marketing, event and consulting services for nonprofits and associations so that charitable organizations can run more effectively and create a greater impact.
With 32 years of corporate and nonprofit experience, she has launched and executed large fundraisers, conceived several innovative and lucrative new programs, coordinated a variety of dinners/awards functions and organized numerous conferences/workshops. Her largest project to date is Ribfest Chicago, where she was responsible for every facet of the event including festival promotion, sponsorship development, entertainment booking and vendor management. Having begun with 5,000 attendees, the event grew to 70,000 people annually and was featured on Food Network's "Eating America" with Anthony Anderson.
Melissa is a member and serves as the Executive Director of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Chicago Area Chapter. Awards and accomplishments include the Woman of Influence by The Chicago Business Journal; the NAWBO Chicago Presidential Award of Excellence; Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Graduate; Enterprising Women of the Year by Enterprising Women Magazine; and Influential Women in Business Award by the Daily Herald Business Ledger.
Melissa graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. Her program emphasis was public relations and event planning.
Job Titles:
- Nonprofit Account Manager
Job Titles:
- Nonprofit Account Manager
Shannon Metts Collins has been involved in the nonprofit sector for over eight years. Her background is in arts and education, having mentored young artists, directed plays, and supported programs that provide opportunities for students to pursue careers in the arts. Shannon's most recent work has been supporting job seekers across the country in the nonprofit industry. She has an in-depth understanding of the challenges nonprofits can face and the success they can see when they are appropriately supported. Shannon has her BFA in Acting from Missouri State University. She can often be found drinking coffee, spoiling her three cats, or playing DND with her husband and friends.
Shea Lichtenstein joined Big Buzz Idea Group in March 2019 as a bookkeeper. She graduated from Bradley University with a degree in accounting and worked in the accounting department at Mayer Brown in Chicago for several years. She left that role to stay at home with her two children, Jacob and Ally. She's now ready to put her training and skills to good use with Big Buzz Idea Group.
When she is not working, she loves spending time with her husband and children and the family dog.
Job Titles:
- Sales and Business Development Manager
Job Titles:
- Senior Nonprofit Account Manager
For Tricia Fusilero, the perfect day is one that brings people together to learn and collaborate, work toward a common goal, and make a difference for the community. Fortunately, she experiences many perfect days, surrounded by good people.
She is an entrepreneur at heart, former co-owner/president of a multi-faceted production company and former Executive Producer of a successful public television program. Her extensive experience includes managing people and developing processes to deliver results. She takes pride in her ability to establish goals and bring them to fruition through careful planning and by applying creativity and business knowledge. Her broad skillset includes project management with a customer focus, writing and social media, as well as the ability to partner with colleagues in a broad range of industries.